Family Law Basic Skills - In-Person
This fast-paced, fun, and energetic program will provide the comprehensive toolkit you need to handle family law cases from start to finish. Some of Colorado’s most experienced family law practitioners will be on hand to share their expertise and provide insight into other areas of intersecting law. Leave confident in your ability to represent clients in family law matters.
- Gain a foundation for your successful family law practice
- Learn the information you need to handle a dissolution of marriage case
- Hear from a panel presentation on views from the bench
DBA MVL Pro Bono Work and Discounted Tuition
Commit to pro bono work for DBA Metro Volunteer Lawyers and attend for only $99.
Register for the Pro Bono Rate if within one year*, you agree to either:
- Taking a DBA MVL full referral Pro Bono Case
- Volunteering with DBA MVL three times in the Family Law Court Program, Family Law Unbundled or Post Decree Consultation Clinic. Learn more at www.denbar.org/mvl
Consultations and court hearings may be remote.
MVL’s service area includes Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Gilpin, and Jefferson Counties. If you do not practice in one of these counties, you may still sign up for the pro bono rate if you agree to take a full referral pro bono case from your local Colorado Legal Services office.
*If you do not satisfy these terms within the one-year period, you will be invoiced the difference between the reduced and full tuition rate.
CBA-CLE will email webinar access information to registrants 24-48 hours before the program.
Home studies will be available approximately 2-3 weeks following the live program.
For your own safety, the safety of others, and in an effort to provide everyone with the most rewarding in-person meeting and event experiences possible, we request that you attend this event only if you have been fully vaccinated. All attendees must wear masks for indoor events unless attendees can maintain a distance of six feet from each other, in which case masks may be removed. Masks may also be removed by an attendee, briefly, when they are speaking, eating, or drinking.
Depending on CDC and/or state or local health guidelines, a rise in COVID-19 cases, or other circumstances that may threaten the well-being of our attendees, CBA-CLE reserves the right to convert to a fully virtual event.
If disability accommodations or special assistance are needed, please contact us at [email protected]. Requests must be made at least two weeks prior to the scheduled program.
The program will be submitted for CLE accreditation in Colorado. If you need to seek accreditation in another state, please review the process and requirements for that individual state. CBA-CLE staff can provide a Uniform Certificate of Attendance, and it is the attendee’s responsibility to complete the accreditation outside of Colorado.
Day 1: Thursday, February 2, 2023
8:00 - 8:10 am
Welcome and Introduction
8:10 – 9:00 am
Ethics for Family Law Attorneys
Presented by Janie Cox, Esq., Burns Figa & Will, P.C., and Honorable Bryon Large, Presiding Disciplinary Judge
Submitted for 1 Ethics/Professionalism Credit
9:05 – 9:20 am
Overview and Initial Client Information
Presented by Hannah Jannicelli Westmont, Esq., Polidori Franklin Monahan & Beattie L.L.C.
9:20 – 9:30 am
Stretch Break
9:30 – 10:00 am
Jurisdiction
Presented by Honorable Jamin Alabiso, 1st Judicial District, and Natalie Simpson, Esq., Polidori Franklin Monahan & Beattie L.L.C.
10:05 – 10:55 am
Disclosures and Discovery (Including Rule 16.2)
Presented by Jennifer Feingold, Esq., Feingold Horton, PLLC, and Honorable Michal Lord-Blegen, 17th Judicial District
10:55 – 11:10 am
Networking Break
11:10 am – 12:00 pm
Parental Responsibilities
Presented by Stephanie Randall, Esq., and Anthony Zarsky, Esq., Burnham Law
12:00 – 12:15 pm
Pick up your Lunch (Included)
12:15 – 12:30 pm
Collaborative Law
Presented by Terri Harrington, Esq., Harrington Brewster Mahoney and Smits, P.C.
12:30 – 12:40 pm
A Message from Metro Volunteer Lawyers (MVL)
12:40 – 12:50 pm
Introduction to the Colorado Lawyer Assistance Program (COLAP)
Presented by Kerry McCarthy, LPC, LMHC, Clinical Coordinator, Colorado Lawyer Assistance Program (COLAP)
12:50 – 1:00 pm
Post-Lunch Break
1:00 – 1:30 pm
Childhood Development
Presented by Kathleen McNamara, PhD, Kathleen McNamara, PhD, PLLC
1:35 – 2:35 pm
Property Division
Presented by Luke Abraham, Esq., and Megan M. Sherr, Esq., Sherr Puttmann Akins Lamb PC
2:35 – 2:50 pm
Networking Break
2:50 – 2:55 pm
Remarks from Sponsors -Thank you for your support!
2:55 – 3:55 pm
Evidence and Trial Tactics
Presented by Honorable Nikea Bland, 2nd Judicial District, and Honorable Ted C. Tow, III, Colorado Court of Appeals
3:55 – 4:05
Stretch Break
4:05 – 5:05 pm
Child Support, Child Support Services and Parentage
Presented by Lara Delka, Esq., Assistant City Attorney, Denver City Attorney’s Office, Linda Nickels, Esq., Senior Assistant City Attorney, Denver City Attorney’s Office, Halleh Omidi, Esq., Hogan Omidi PC, and Sahar Safi, Esq., Hogan Omidi PC
Day 2: Friday, February 3, 2023
8:00 – 8:40 am
Low Income Issues
Presented by Rebekah Pfahler, Esq., Colorado Legal Services
8:45 – 9:15 am
Mediation, Arbitration, and Parenting Coordinators/Decision Makers
Presented by Courtney Cline, Esq., Cline Caldwell, LLP, and Ben Stetler, Esq., Ben Stetler, PLLC
9:15 – 9:25 am
Stretch Break
9:25 – 10:05 am
Separation Agreements
Presented by Erica Kemmerley, Esq., Sherr Puttmann Akins Lamb PC, and Kate Lewis, Esq., Cooper Ramp Cage Bucar Lewis
10:10 – 11:00 am
Criminal Law/Family Law Intersection and Protective Orders
Presented by Honorable Patrick Esser, 8th Judicial District, Honorable Ryan Loewer, 1st Judicial District, and Samantha Walsh, Esq., Massey, Mitchell & Kelly PLLC
11:00 – 11:10 am
Stretch Break
11:10 – 11:30 am
Contempt
Presented by Honorable Ryan Loewer, 1st Judicial District
11:35 am – 12:05 pm
Trial Preparation
Presented by Robin Beattie, Esq., Polidori Franklin Monahan & Beattie L.L.C.
12:05 – 12:15 pm
Pick up your Lunch (Included)
12:15 – 1:05 pm
Lunch Presentation: Professionalism and Mentoring
Presented by David Littman, Esq., and Linda Moss, Esq., Littman Family Law and Mediation Services
Submitted for 1 Ethics/Professionalism Credit
1:05 – 1:15 pm
Post-Lunch Break
1:15 – 2:05 pm
Financial Issues
Presented by Kara Lyons Chrobak, Esq., Sherman & Howard, LLC, John L. Eckelberry, Esq., Eckelberry Law Firm, LLC, and Tamara M. Rigberg, CPA, CVA, Harper Hofer & Associates, LLC
2:05 – 2:35 pm
Maintenance
Presented by Nathan F.J. Bucar, Esq., Cooper Ramp Cage Bucar Lewis
2:35 – 3:05 pm
Juvenile Issues in Domestic Cases
Presented by Lisa Shellenberger, Esq., Setter Roche Smith & Shellenberger LLP
3:05 – 3:15 pm
Stretch Break
3:15 – 4:05 pm
Managing a Multi-Cultural Caseload
Presented by Samer A. Bandak, Esq., Colorado Legal Group, Maha Kamal, Esq., Colorado Family Law Project, and Nicoal Sperrazza, Esq., The Law Office of Nicoal C. Sperrazza
Submitted for 1 EDI Credit
4:10 – 5:10 pm
Views from the Bench
- Honorable Jason Carrithers, 1st Judicial District
- Honorable Rachel Catt, 17th Judicial District
- Honorable Sean Finn, 17th Judicial District
- Honorable Karen Hubler, 2nd Judicial District
Moderated by Program Co-Chairs
Registration Fees
| Non Member | $779.00 |
| Exhibitor Staff Member | $779.00 |
| Exhibitor Staff Non Member | $779.00 |
| CBA Member | $584.00 |
| CBA Family Law Section Member | $479.00 |
| CBA Juvenile Law Section Member | $479.00 |
| Active Military | $292.00 |
| Public Service/Government | $292.00 |
| Paralegal/Legal Support Staff | $292.00 |
| Pro Bono - Committ to pro bono work for MVL (Member) | $99.00 |
| Pro Bono - Commit to pro bono work for MVL (Non-Member) | $99.00 |
| New Lawyer Edge Partner | $40.00 |
| CLEACCESSPASS - ELITE Pass Holder | $40.00 |
| Student Currently Enrolled in Law School | $40.00 |
- General Credits: 18.00
- Ethics Credits: 2.00
- EDI Credits: 1.00
To join the CBA or add a Section to your membership click