ISBA CLE

Tackling Family Law Conundrums

Presented by the ISBA Family Law Section

Fairview Heights
Friday, October 16, 2009
Four Points Sheraton
319 Fountains Parkway (map and directions)
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

6.50 MCLE credit hours

This seminar provides intermediate to advanced-level practitioners with the tools to navigate through specific problematic family law issues. Topics include the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act; the Parentage Act; the Probate Act; The Juvenile Court Act; electronic evidence in family law cases; client competency; procedures and protocol of Healthcare and Family Services; immigration and family law; the application of the Hague Convention; and common mistakes during contested hearings in family law cases.

Program Coordinators/Moderators:
Roza B. Gossage, Attorney at Law, Belleville (Fairview Heights Program)
Pamela J. Kuzniar, Esq., Private Practice, Chicago (Chicago Program)

9:00 – 9:45 a.m. Standing Distinctions between the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, The Parentage Act, The Probate Act, and The Juvenile Court Act
With many of the family law statues overlapping, we oftentimes forget to distinguish them as independent facets. This segment clarifies those distinctions and explains the relationship between them. An examination of their impact on the family law practitioner is also included.
William S. Wigoda, Jakubs, Kritzmire and Wigoda, LLP, Chicago (Chicago Program)
Paulette M. Gray, The Gitlin Law Firm, P.C., Woodstock (Fairview Heights Program)

9:45 – 10:00 a.m. Break

10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Discovery of Electronic Evidence in Family Law Cases and Its Use and Abuse
In this segment, the speakers discuss the method and manner for appropriately securing electronic evidence in family law cases, as well as the necessary procedure for ensuring its admittance at trial when appropriate. How to keep electronic evidence barred at trial is also discussed.
Stephen M. Komie, Komie and Associates, Chicago
Alan Pearlman, Alan Pearlman, Ltd., Northbrook

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Client Competency in Family Law
In this segment, the speaker discusses the various considerations a practitioner must make when representing the irrational, unstable, or mentally ill client—from financial issues to custody to visitation rights.
Paulette M. Gray
Thomas J. Kasper, Buxton & Kasper, Crystal Lake

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Healthcare and Family Services and the Family Law Practitioner
Healthcare and Family Services is a maze of procedures and protocols, all of which have the potential to impact a family law case. This segment provides a navigational roadmap through these procedures and protocols, teaching you how to work with Healthcare and Family Services to achieve the results your case requires.
John C. Allen, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Chicago

2:30 – 2:45 p.m. Break

2:45 – 4:15 p.m. Immigration (Legal or Otherwise) and Family Law
This segment teaches you to identify and address immigration, citizenship and nonresident alien issues and their possible impact on your family law case. Associated visitation/removal issues, application of the Hague Convention, and the parties’ respective burdens will also be discussed.
Stephen M. Komie

4:15 – 5:00 p.m. Judicial Panel: Common Mistakes to Avoid (a.k.a. How Not to Alienate the Court)
This segment provides a brief overview of the common mistakes attorneys make during contested hearings in family law cases and explains how to avoid making them.
Hon. Jeanne C. Bernstein, Circuit Court of Cook County, Domestic Relations, Chicago (Chicago Program)
Hon. Edward R. Jordan, Circuit Court of Cook County, Domestic Relations, Chicago (Chicago Program)
Hon. Jeanne Marie Reynolds, Circuit Court of Cook County, Domestic Relations, Chicago (Chicago Program)
Hon. Naomi H. Schuster, Circuit Court of Cook County, Domestic Relations, Chicago (Chicago Program)
Hon. Adrienne W. Albrecht, Twenty-First Judicial Circuit, Kankakee (Fairview Heights Program)
Hon. Brian A. Babka, Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Belleville (Fairview Heights Program)
Hon. David K. Grounds, Third Judicial Circuit, Alton (Fairview Heights Program)
Hon. Elizabeth Levy, Third Judicial Circuit, Edwardsville (Fairview Heights Program)
Hon. Heinz M. Rudolf, Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Belleville (Fairview Heights Program)