Family Law Practice Guide: Running Lean Without Cutting Corners

Agenda / Content Covered

1. Case Selection: Red Flags and Money Wasters
   10:00 — 10:30, Mark Gubinsky
2. Divorce Discovery: Simplifying the Process and Minimizing Wait Times
   10:30 — 11:15, Mark Gubinsky
   1. Culling Your Discovery Requests
   2. Sample Motions
   3. Editable Forms and Checklists
   4. Sample Requests and Interrogatories
   5. Effective Ways to Compel Disclosure
3. Early Settlement Methods: Driving Quick, Favorable Resolutions
   11:30 — 12:30, Amy Eubanks Perkins
   1. Focusing on Temporary Order Motions and Hearings
   2. Making Full Use of Mediation and Informal ADR
   3. Timing and Structuring Settlement Discussions
   4. Negotiation Styles
4. Pre-Planning Parenting Plans and Custody
   12:30 — 1:00, Laura Carlsen
   1. Essential Templates, Questionnaires, and Forms
   2. Ready-Made Parenting Time Schedules for Common Custody Situations
   3. Preparing Answers for Common Points of Contention
5. Efficient Financial Analysis and Asset Division
   1:30 — 2:15, Amy Eubanks Perkins
   1. Valuation
   2. Sale of Assets
   3. Tax Implications
   4. QDROs
   5. Common Trade-Offs Faced When Structuring the Financial Settlement
6. Trial Prep and Experts
   2:15 — 2:45, Laura Carlsen
   1. Utilizing Modern Technology
   2. Taking Trial-Ready Depositions
   3. Limited Scope Expert Services
7. Case, Client, and Practice Management
   2:45 — 3:15, Donelle Ratheal
   1. Organizing Case Files and Communication Logs
   2. Making the Best Use of Non-Attorney Staff
   3. Identifying and Curbing Top Expenses
   4. Legal Marketing That Works Without "Vanity" Expenditures
8. Fees, Billing, Invoicing, and Collections: Getting Paid in Full
   3:30 — 4:00, Mark Gubinsky
   1. Retainer and Fee Agreements
   2. Accountability to the Client
   3. Client Consent on Expenses
   4. Avoiding Fee Disputes
   5. Closing Cases Promptly
   6. Is It Easy for the Client to Pay You?
   7. What to Do When You Don't Get Paid
9. Legal Ethics in Family Law Practice
   4:00 — 5:00, Megan O'Brien Stanley, Krista Stipe
   1. Clear Scope of Representation
   2. Conflicts of Interest Checks and Waivers
   3. Going Up Against Self-Represented Litigants
   4. Translating the "Best Interests of the Child" into Practice Decisions
   5. Data Security and Remote Legal Work

Accreditation Details:

LAURA A. CARLSEN is an attorney and owner of Carlsen Law Offices, PLLC, where her practice emphasizes a wide range of family law matters including divorce, child custody, military family law, relocations, child support and parenting plan modifications, domestic violence, and family law appeals. Ms. Carlsen earned her B.A. degree in both sociology and political science from the University of California at Berkeley and her J.D. degree from the University of Oregon School of Law. She is a member of the Family Law Section of the Washington State, Pierce County, King County, and American bar associations, and the American Bar Association's Military Committee.

AMY EUBANKS PERKINS is a sole practitioner focusing in the areas of family and business litigation. She has handled numerous trials and appeals and her more than 16 year career has included insurance defense and service as an assistant city attorney for the city of San Antonio, where she handled all aspects of civil defense in federal and state courts including tort, employment, constitutional and municipal law. Ms. Perkins has been involved in paralegal education since 1999, teaching and writing on legal research, ethics and civil litigation for the UTSA Paralegal Certificate Program in San Antonio. She earned her B.A. degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her J.D. degree from St. Mary's University School of Law in San Antonio. Ms. Perkins is licensed to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, 5th Circuit, Western District of Texas and in the State of Texas.

MARK K. GUBINSKY is the owner of The Gubinsky Law Firm, P.C. Prior to founding The Gubinsky Law Firm, P.C., in 2011, he was a shareholder and president of a family law firm in Pittsburgh. An attorney since 1994, Mr. Gubinsky strives to provide each client with personal, responsive and cost-effective representation. He believes that individuals and families in transition deserve compassionate, reasonable representation. Mr. Gubinsky uses his years of experience in family law issues to evaluate each client's case and work with the client to formulate a course of action appropriate for each individual's unique situation. He recognizes that the families of today sometimes face complex issues, and that respect and discretion is imperative. Mr. Gubinsky's professional training and accomplishments include: he trained in collaborative law and is a founding member and immediate past president of the Collaborative Law Association of Southwestern Pennsylvania; he is active in local professional organizations, including the Allegheny County Bar Association, the Family Law Section Council, and the Family Law Section's Child Support Guidelines Committee; he chairs the Allegheny County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service Committee; and he frequently lectures on family law topics for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and Cape Institute. Mr. Gubinsky earned a B.S. degree from the University of Maryland in 1990 and his J.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1994.

MEGAN O'BRIEN STANLEY is an attorney with Integrative Family Law, PLLC, where her practice currently involves all aspects of family law. She received her B.A. degree from St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, and her J.D. degree from Seattle University School of Law. She has worked in many different roles to improve outcomes for children impacted by the family law system. Ms. O'Brien Stanley began her career at a small firm practicing juvenile dependency and family law. She has worked as a family law Guardian ad Litem representing children's interests and as a mediator in contested parenting and child support matters. Ms. O'Brien Stanley is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, the King County Bar Association, the King County Superior Court Family Law Guardian ad Litem Panel, the King County Collaborative Law Group and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. She also serves on the Washington State Bar Association Adjunct Investigative Counsel Panel.

DONELLE H. RATHEAL is president of Ratheal Family Law, P.C., where she practices in the areas of domestic relations and probate litigation, trial and appellate. She is a member of the Family Law sections for both the American and Oklahoma bar associations, as well as a member of the Canadian, Custer and Beckham County bar associations. Ms. Ratheal earned her B.M. degree from the University of Denver, her M.M. degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her J.D. degree from the University of Oklahoma.

KRISTA STIPE is an attorney with Integrative Family Law, PLLC where she practices in the areas of family law. She received her B.A. degree, with honors, from Montana State University; and her J.D. degree, summa cum laude, from Seattle University Law. Ms. Stipe is a member of the Washington State Bar Association (Family Law Section; Real Property, Probate and Trust Section) and the King County Bar Association (Real Property Section).