Annual Advanced Family Law Institute 2014: The Difficult Client Out of Stock
Sponsored by the Colorado Chapter of the Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
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December 2014
Annual Advanced Family Law Institute 2014: The Difficult Client
Sponsored by the Colorado Chapter of the Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
About the Institute:
What constitutes a difficult client? Like pornography, that may be hard to define but we all know them when we encounter them. A definition is hard to pin down, in part, because difficult clients come in so many varieties. The angry/defiant individual may be quite different from the narcissist or the thief, but none are easy to represent. As well, the difficult client may appear in cases from a variety of income levels, ethnic backgrounds and geographic areas. It should come as no surprise that lawyers focused on a domestic relations practice may encounter many more difficult clients than practitioners in other areas.
Undoubtedly, most lawyers are prepared, at least in theory, for dealing with difficult legal issues. In reality we don't get to address those legal issues in a vacuum. Instead, the various legal procedures and principles form a framework within which we advise or direct the individual client, sometimes with the help of accountants, evaluators or other experts and often under the watchful eye of the court. With a difficult client, the image of defined roles and an orderly progressions of steps toward an identified goal fades and the experience may be more like herding cats through a minefield.
In some instances, the economic necessities of making a living may preclude turning away difficult clients. In still other instances, that nice lady or gentleman from the initial interview doesn't show their true colors until much later.
The directive for the majority of the speakers on this program was to address the problems faced by a lawyer who is (by choice or by chance) representing a difficult client without falling back on the discussions of how to avoid such clients in the future or withdraw from their cases. Professionals who believe they have succeeded in eliminating difficult clients from their practice will also want to attend this program. For every lawyer representing a difficult client there is a lawyer on the other side of the case whose representation is also more challenging as a result and there are experts and judicial officers who are also impacted.
About AAML:
The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers was founded in 1962 by highly regarded domestic relations attorneys "To encourage the study, improve the practice, elevate the standards and advance the cause of matrimonial law, to the end that the welfare of the family and society be protected." There are currently almost 1600 Fellows in 50 states.
The Academy Fellows are highly skilled negotiators and litigators who represent individuals in all facets of family law. These areas include divorce, annulment, prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements, marital settlement agreements, child custody and visitation, business valuations, property valuations and division, alimony, child support and other family law issues.
To be represented by a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers is to be represented by a leading practitioner in the field of family law. The 1600 AAML Fellows across the United States are generally recognized by judges and attorneys as preeminent family law practitioners with a high level of knowledge, skill and integrity. Academy Fellows enjoy a reputation for professionalism, competence and integrity.
The Colorado Chapter supports the goals and traditions of the AAML through legal education, recognition of judicial excellence and a commitment to the highest quality representation of our clients.
Cancellation Policy:
A refund of your tuition, less a $100 administrative fee, will be issued until December 1, 2014. After December 1, no refunds will be issued, but you may send someone in your place.
AGENDA:
8:30 - 8:35 am
Introductory Remarks:
Jordan M. Fox, Esq., Esq., Chapter President, Colorado Chapter AAML
Kathleen A. Hogan, Esq., Program Chair, McGuane & Hogan LLP, Lakewood, CO
8:35 - 9:30am
Working with High Demand / High Conflict Clients: Empathy, Enabling and Boundary Setting
Presented by:
Beth Doyle, LCSW, Denver, CO
9:30 - 10:25am
The Intersection of Criminal Law and Domestic Relations: Representing the Client Who Is or Could Be Facing Criminal Charges
Presented by Saskia A. Jordan, Esq., Haddon Morgan & Foreman PC, Denver, CO
10:25 - 10:40am
Networking Break
10:40 - 10:45am
Sponsor Presentation
10:45 - 11:30am
Name That Personality Disorder
Presented by:
Ronald D. Litvak, Esq., Litvak Litvak Mehrtens Epstein & Carlton PC, Denver, CO
Dr. Dana Cogan, MD, Denver, CO
11:30am - 12:15pm
The Entitled Client: How to Deal with Unreasonable Expectations
Presented by:
David M. Johnson, Esq., Colorado Springs, CO
Timothy R.J. Mehrtens, Esq., Litvak Litvak Mehrtens Epstein & Carlton PC, Denver, CO
Denise K. Mills, Esq., Mills & Weitzenkorn, P.C., Denver, CO
Cyndy L. Ciancio, Esq., Ciancio Ciancio Brown PC, Broomfield, CO
Moderated by Robert T. Hinds, Jr., Hinds and Hinds Family Law, Greenwood Village, CO
12:15 - 12:25pm
Sponsor Presentations
12:25 - 1:00pm
Box Lunch and Networking
1:00 - 1:45pm
A View from the Bench: If, When and How to Seek the Court's Assistance
Presented by:
Honorable Angela R. Arkin, 18th Judicial District, Castle Rock, CO
Honorable Judith L. LaBuda, 20th Judicial District, Niwot, CO
1:45 - 2:30pm
Representing the Tax Cheats: Dealing with Unfiled Returns, Unreported Cash, False Returns, and Innocent Spouses
Presented by:
Kathleen A. Hogan, Esq., McGuane & Hogan LLP, Lakewood, CO
Preston L. Hofer, CPA, Harper Hofer & Associates LLC, Denver, CO
Vincent M. Lane, Esq., Joseph H. Thibodeau, P.C., Denver, CO
2:30 - 2:45pm
Networking Break
2:45 - 3:30pm
Who's in Charge Here: Interfering Family Members, Arm Chair Quarterbacks, Controlling Clients, etc.
Presented by:
William L. Hunnicutt, Esq., Hunnicutt & Appelman PC, Denver, CO
Lesleigh W. Monahan, Esq., Polidori Franklin & Monahan LLC, Lakewood, CO
3:30 - 4:25pm
How to Get Out Alive: Avoiding Grievances and Ethical Traps
Presented by Charles "Chip" Mortimer, Jr., Esq., Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel,
Colorado Supreme Court, Denver, CO
4:25 - 4:35pm
Closing Remarks and Adjourn
- CLE Pass Price *FREE! - exclusions may apply
- Standard Price $299.00 USD
- Member Price $279.00 USD
- General Credits 8.00
- Ethics Credits 1.10
- EDI Credits