Product Description

“An amazing array of Judges and very experienced lawyers providing the benefits of their wisdom and knowledge.” 

This intensely challenging 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 efficacy 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. 

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. 

Open to lawyers only, this program gives you a newfound confidence in yourself. 

Materials
In addition to a faculty-prepared program book of Workshop materials, including case files and motions, as well as a handout of exercises and directions received approximately one week prior to the Workshop so you have time to prepare, the materials for this program include MCLE’s Massachusetts Courtroom Advocacy. 

Registration notes
Registration is limited. Available on a first come, first served basis. Cancellations received two weeks prior to the workshop receive a full refund minus a $45 processing fee. Cancellations received after that date are not eligible for either a refund or a credit against future participation. 

This limited-enrollment program is not included in the MCLE OnlinePass®.

Health and safety note
Due to the interactive nature of this in-person workshop, registrants will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination upon arrival for Day 1 and must wear a mask when not eating or drinking. (See the CDC’s definition of full vaccination here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html.)

Agenda & Materials

• Monday, June 6, 2022
• 9:15 am - 9:30 am

  Welcome and Overview

  ,
  Hon. David G. Sacks, ADR Provider / Retired Judge , Holyoke
  
• 9:30 am - 10:00 am

  Motions: Lecture and Demonstration

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

  Peter M. Barlow, Esq., Kates & Barlow, PC , Boston
  Linda A. Ouellette, Esq., Ouellette Family Law LLC, , Framingham
  Karen Watts Stuntz, Esq., McEvoy & Stuntz, PC , Concord
  Gary O. Todd, Esq., Todd & Weld LLP , Boston
  
• 10:00 am - 11:00 am

  Uncontested Motions: Exercises

  (7 minutes total per exercise, including critique) • Note to Students: Use Rule 401 Financial Statements in all exercises where appropriate
• 11:00 am - 11:15 am

  Break
• 11:15 am - 12:45 pm

  Contested Motions: Exercises

  (8 minutes for each argument; 6 minutes total for critique)
• 12:45 pm - 1:15 pm

  Opening Statements: Lecture and Demonstration

  Linda A. Ouellette, Esq., Ouellette Family Law LLC, , Framingham
  
• 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm

  Lunch
• 2:15 pm - 4:15 pm (with 15 minute break)

  Opening Statements: Exercises

  (12 minutes per each argument; 12 minutes total critique)
• 4:15 pm - 5:00 pm

  Direct and Cross Examination: Lecture and Demonstration
• Tuesday, June 7, 2022
• 9:15 am - 12:00 pm (15 minute break at 10:30)

  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
  John J. Hoffman, Esq., Hoffman Law Group , Norwood
  Mikalen E. Howe, Esq., Bristol Probate and Family Court , Fall River
  Martin F. Kane, II, Esq., McGrath & Kane , Boston
  Lisa J. Marino, Esq., Wilson, Marino & Bonnevie, PC , Newton
  
• 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

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

  John J. Hoffman, Esq., Hoffman Law Group , Norwood
  
• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

  Lunch
• 2:00 pm - 3:45 pm

  Direct and Cross-Examination: Exercises Continued
• 3:45 pm - 4:00 pm

  Break
• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

  Common Evidentiary Problems: Lecture

  Phyllis E. Federico, Esq., Warner, Federico & Ryan LLP , Boston
  
• Wednesday, June 8, 2022
• 9:15 am - 10:00 am

  Financial Statements

  Steven J. Ryan, Esq., Warner, Federico & Ryan LLP , Boston
  
• 10:00 am - 11:30 am

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

  Norman I. Jacobs, Esq., Esdaile, Barrett, Jacobs & Mone , Boston
  Angela M. LeBlanc-Murdock, Esq., Murdock & Associates , Gloucester
  Steven J. Ryan, Esq., Warner, Federico & Ryan LLP , Boston
  Andrea M. Wells, Esq., Turco Legal , Newburyport
  
• 11:30 am - 11:45 am

  Break
• 11:45 am - 12:15 pm

  Closing Arguments: Lecture and Demonstration
• 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm

  Lunch
• 1:15 pm - 3:15 pm

  Direct and Cross Examination of Experts (Substance): Exercises
• 3:15 pm - 3:30 pm

  Break
• 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

  Lawyer Relations
• Thursday, June 9, 2022
• 9:15 am - 10:45 am

  Student/Expert Conference

  Merril S. Chin, Esq., The Law Office of Merril S. Chin LLC , Danvers
  Eric T. Gable, Suffolk Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Jessica Grassia, Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Salem
  Kathleen A. Rice, , Woburn
  
• Visiting Faculty Critiquers:

  Nicole C. Armstrong, Esq., Armstrong Law, PC , Lowell
  James L. Brick, Esq., Brick, Jones, McBrien & Hickey LLP , Needham
  Merril S. Chin, Esq., The Law Office of Merril S. Chin LLC , Danvers
  Kathleen A. Rice, , Woburn
  
• 10:45 am - 11:00 am

  Break
• 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

  Direct and Cross Examination of Experts (Qualifications and Substance): Exercises

  (15 minutes total with critique)
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

  Lunch
• 1:30 pm - 4:00 pm

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

  Reception
• 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.
• Friday, June 10, 2022
• 9:15 am - 9:45 am

  Counsel and Witness Confer
• 9:45 am - 1:00 pm

  Trial

  Washington v. Washington
• Judges:

  ,
  Hon. Megan H. Christopher, Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Hon. David G. Sacks, ADR Provider / Retired Judge , Holyoke
  
• Experts:
• Probational Officers:

  Eric T. Gable, Suffolk Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Jessica Grassia, Essex Probate and Family Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Salem
  
• GAL:

  Kathleen A. Rice, , Woburn
  Merril S. Chin, Esq., The Law Office of Merril S. Chin LLC , Danvers
  
• 1:00 pm

  Program Concludes

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