Other Professional Events
3rd Dialog on Family Law System Reform
3rd Dialog on Family Law System Reform
Monday, January 8, 2024 – 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Join us for a lively discussion on the need to redesign the family law system to better meet the needs of families and the family law courts. Is the current family law system working in your jurisdiction? Do you have ideas on reforms that you would like to see enacted to improve the system? What programs are working well at your local courthouse? Do you believe the family law system in your jurisdiction is broken?
Kelly Myers, Certified Divorce and Mediation Coach will share what she learned speaking to a California legislator about garnering support for and pursuing legislative family law reforms in California. We will also hear from Family Law Attorney Ululani “Lani” Akiona of Akiona Law, PLLC in Everett, Washington about the mandated mediation requirements for family law cases in her state.
Let’s talk about what we might do as family law professional and court staff members to better serve the families in our communities and improve how we deliver family law services. What changes can we make and should we make as family law professionals to improve the delivery of family services in our jurisdictions?
We will be using a Zoom meeting format for this program. We looking forward to having you share your thoughts on this important topic.
ABA Early Dispute Resolution (EDR) Committee Meeting
ABA Early Dispute Resolution (EDR) Committee Meeting
Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. PST/ 1:00 p.m.
Are We Ready for Mandatory Early Dispute Resolution in Family Law Matters?
Terri Breer, Attorney Mediator will discuss the recent legal reforms in Israel that are designed to channel family conflicts out of the courts by creating a mandatory Early Dispute Resolution process. Included in the reforms is the requirement that anyone wishing to file an action with a court in the matter of a family dispute, shall first submit to the court a “petition for dispute resolution” that shall not include arguments or facts relating to the conflict and once filed, the parties are “frozen” from pursuing any adversarial proceeding for up to 90 days. During the “frozen period” the parties may only seek to resolve the conflict consensually and peacefully through counseling, mediation, family or spousal therapy. As a result of these new reforms Israel has seen a 50% reduction in the number of families in litigation.
Terri Breer will review why early dispute resolution is so desirable in family law matters and will consider the pros, cons and the feasibility of enacting similar reforms in the U.S. for the benefit and wellbeing of children and families in divorce.
Zoom information:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82707974523
Meeting ID: 827 0797 4523
Passcode: 499605