Product Description

This intensely challenging, five-day course gets you "on your feet" under the rigorous scrutiny of judges and leading practitioners. Join the scores of divorce lawyers who have polished their courtroom effectiveness in this workshop’s supportive environment, learning trial advocacy from motion practice—to expert witness examination—to final argument. You won’t find another training experience quite like this one. In each class session, you perform as trial counsel in phases of an ongoing trial. Your week begins with admitting exhibits and demonstrative evidence. By Day 4, you’re examining actual real estate and psychological experts. Your recorded performances are fully critiqued, both in group settings and one-on-one, with faculty members.

Throughout the week, you observe expert domestic relations practitioners demonstrate effective trial techniques. Between "courtroom" performances the faculty lectures on family law trial topics. On the final day of this intensive workshop experience, you’re the leading counsel in a full-blown divorce trial. All the skills you learned during the week are on display before a Probate and Family Court judge, who concludes the session with a frank, no-holds-barred critique of your trial performance and newly-found advocacy skills.

Such a rite of passage for excellence in family law, the Greater Boston Family Law American Inn of Court has chosen this program to partner with—offering a full scholarship to one worthy applicant. Open to lawyers only, this program gives you a newfound confidence in yourself. Interested applicants should contact the Greater Boston Family Law American Inn of Court.

Agenda & Materials

• Monday June 4th
• 8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

  Welcome and Introduction

  Hon. Randy J. Kaplan, Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.)
  Hon. James V. Menno, Massachusetts Probate and Family Court (Ret.)
  
• 9:15a.m.-9:45a.m.

  Motions: Lecture and Demonstration

  Peter M. Barlow, Esq., Kates & Barlow, PC , Boston
  
• Visiting Faculty Critiquers:

  Linda A. Ouellette, Esq., Ouellette Family Law LLC, , Framingham
  Stephanie E. Goldenhersh, Esq., Harvard Legal Aid Bureau , Cambridge
  Susan A. Huettner, Esq., Law Office of Susan A. Huettner , Petersham
  Paul M. Kane, Esq., , Boston
  John J. Norton, Esq., Puglini & Norton , Boston
  Donald G. Tye, Esq., Prince Lobel Tye LLP , Boston
  
• 9:45 a.m.-10:45 a.m.

  Uncontested Motions: Exercises (7 minutes total per exercise, including critique)

  Note to Students: Use Rule 401 Financial Statements in all exercises where appropriate
• 10:45 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

  Contested Motions: Exercises (8 minutes for each argument; 6 minutes total for critique)
• 12:30 p.m.-1:00 p.m.

  Opening Statements: Lecture and Demonstration

  Linda A. Ouellette, Esq., Ouellette Family Law LLC, , Framingham
  
• 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

  Lunch (on your own)
• 2:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (with 15 minute break)

  Opening Statements: Exercises (12 minutes per each argument; 12 minutes total critique)
• 4:30 p.m.-5:15 p.m

  Direct and Cross Examination: Lecture and Demonstration

  Paul M. Kane, Esq., , Boston
  
• Tuesday, June 5
• 9:00a.m.-10:30 a.m.

  Direct and Cross Examination: Exercises (Direct Examination-12 minutes, Cross Examination-7 minutes, Critique-6 Minutes)
• 10:30 a.m. - 10:45 am

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

  Direct and Cross Examination: Exercises (Direct Examination-12 minutes, Cross Examination-7 minutes, Critique-6 Minutes)
• Visiting Faculty Critiquers:

  Phyllis E. Federico, Esq., Warner, Federico & Ryan LLP , Boston
  Nicole C. Armstrong, Esq., Armstrong Law, PC , Lowell
  Charlene A. Caldeira, Esq., Melcher Law PC , Rockland
  E. Steven Coren, Esq., Kerstein Coren Lichtenstein, LLP , Wellesley
  Laura E. Gibbs, Esq., Gibbs Heinle Maiona LLP , Wellesley Hills
  Stephen N. Lander, Esq.,
  Lisa J. Marino, Esq., Wilson, Marino & Bonnevie, PC , Newton
  John J. Norton, Esq., Puglini & Norton , Boston
  
• 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m

  Direct and Cross Examination of Experts (Qualifications and Substance): Lecture and Demonstration

  E. Steven Coren, Esq., Kerstein Coren Lichtenstein, LLP , Wellesley
  
• 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

  Lunch (on your own)
• 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

  Direct and Cross-Examination: Exercises Continued
• 3:00 p.m - 3:15 p.m

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

  Direct and Cross-Examination: Exercises Continued
• 4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

  Common Evidentiary Problems: Lecture

  Phyllis E. Federico, Esq., Warner, Federico & Ryan LLP , Boston
  
• Wednesday, June 6
• 9:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.

  Financial Statements

  Steven J. Ryan, Esq., Warner, Federico & Ryan LLP , Boston
  
• 9:45 a.m. - 11:30 p.m

  Direct and Cross Examination of Experts: Exercises (Qualifications)
• Visiting Faculty Critiquers:

  Nicole C. Armstrong, Esq., Armstrong Law, PC , Lowell
  ,
  Stephen D. Fried, Esq., , Middleton
  Stephanie E. Goldenhersh, Esq., Harvard Legal Aid Bureau , Cambridge
  ,
  John J. Norton, Esq., Puglini & Norton , Boston
  Steven J. Ryan, Esq., Warner, Federico & Ryan LLP , Boston
  
• 11:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m

  Closing Arguments: Lecture and Demonstration

  ,
  
• 12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m.

  Lunch (on your own)
• 1:15 p.m.- 3:15 p.m.

  Direct and Cross Examination of Experts (Substance): Exercises
• 3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 3:30 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.

  Lawyer Relations
• Thursday, June 7
• 9:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m.

  Student/ Expert Conference

  Eric T. Gable, Suffolk Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Patrice O'Brien, Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Salem
  Kathleen A. Rice, , Woburn
  Eric Klein,
  
• Visiting Faculty Critiquers:

  James L. Brick, Esq., Brick, Jones, McBrien & Hickey LLP , Needham
  Mikalen E. Howe, Esq., Bristol Probate and Family Court , Fall River
  Norman I. Jacobs, Esq., Esdaile, Barrett, Jacobs & Mone , Boston
  William H. Mayer, Esq., Mayer, Antonellis, Jachowicz & Haranas, LLP , Framingham
  John J. Norton, Esq., Puglini & Norton , Boston
  Gary O. Todd, Esq., Todd & Weld LLP , Boston
  
• 10:45 a.m.-11:00 a.m.

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

  Direct and Cross Examination of Experts (Qualifications and Substance): Exercises (15 minutes total with critique)
• 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.

  Lunch (on your own)
• 1:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

  Direct and Cross Examination of Experts (Qualifications and Substance): Exercises (continued)
• 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

  Reception
• Friday, June 8
• 9:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

  Counsel and Witness Confer
• 9:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m

  Trial Washington v. Washington
• Judges:

  Hon. John D. Casey, Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Hon. Susan D. Ricci, Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.)
  Hon. Robert W. Langlois, Norfolk Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Canton
  Hon. Gregory V. Roach, Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.) , Concord
  
• Experts
• Probation Officers:

  Eric T. Gable, Suffolk Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Patrice O'Brien, Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Salem
  
• GAL:

  Kathleen A. Rice, , Woburn
  
• 1:00 p.m.

  Program Concludes
• Please Note: Each team must bring one volunteer to act as its client on the day of the trial. Each team may call its client and its expert.

Please Note

MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.

Cochairs

Faculty