Arizona Family Law Practice for Paralegals
Agenda
Registration: 8:00 – 8:30 am
Morning Session: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Lunch (On your own): 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Afternoon Session: 1:00 – 4:30 pm
Assisting with Family Law Case Intake
J. Castle
Assisting with initial client interview
Preparing engagement letter, opening file
Collecting information
Preparing Pleadings and Assisting with Motion Practice
S. Swick
Preparing initial pleadings
Requesting temporary relief
Preparing for the temporary orders hearing
Preparing the temporary orders
Obtaining and Evaluating Financial Information
S. Wolfson
Identifying relevant information on assets, debts, income and expenses
Obtaining financial information
Using financial information questionnaires
Using interrogatories, requests for production, deposition testimony, private investigators
Valuing assets
Evaluating the information you have obtained
Working with accountants and financial experts
Preparing financial statements
Assisting with Legal Decision Making and Parenting Time Issues
S. Click
Current status of parenting issues in Arizona
Obtaining relevant information
Client interview, parenting questionnaires, authorizations for disclosure, using formal discovery
Working with court appointed advisors and best interests attorneys
Working with experts
Drafting and reviewing parenting planss
Enforcing and Modifying Family Law Orders and Decrees
S. Everts
Implementing divorce decrees and orders
Preparing and filing the decree
Preparing other necessary documents
Enforcing judgments and orders
Enforcing temporary orders
Enforcing custody orders
Enforcing support orders
Modifying decrees and orders
Determining which parts of a decree or order are subject to modification, deciding when to seek modification
Assisting in modification actions
Handling Ethical Issues in Family Law Practice
D. Rose
Complying with rules of professional responsibility and ethics guidelines for attorneys and paralegals
Avoiding conflicts of interest
Maintaining client confidentiality
Avoiding the unauthorized practice of law
Working with the secretive or dishonest client
Handling allegations of abuse or neglect
Zealous (vs. over-zealous) representation
Fee agreements, retainers, and collection of unpaid fees
Credits
This seminar offers paralegals 6.5 CLE hours, including 1.0 ethics hour, that have been approved by the NALA and NFPA.
Continuing Education Credit Information
This seminar is open to the public and offers 6.5 CLE hours, including 1.0 ethics hour, to paralegals. The National Association of Legal Assistants and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations have each approved this seminar.
Attendance will be monitored, and attendance certificates will be available after the seminar for most individuals who complete the entire event. Attendance certificates not available at the seminar will be mailed to participants within fifteen business days.
Speakers
Jason Castle
Jaburg WilkJaburg Wilk, PhoenixMr. Castle is a partner at Jaburg Wilk. He has been practicing family law and criminal defense for more than a decade, and he has handled all types of family law matters from simple to complex. Mr. Castle’s primary focus involves complex and high conflict custody issues including cases involving allegations of abuse and/or neglect. Prior to starting his legal career, Mr. Castle received his master’s degree from University of Cincinnati in social work. He previously provided direct services to “at risk” children and understands the trauma and mental health issues involved in these types of cases. Mr. Castle began his legal career as a prosecutor where he tried hundreds of cases both before a judge and jury. After leaving the Prosecutor’s Office he transitioned into providing criminal defense services for crimes such as DUI, criminal damage, assault (domestic violence) and theft.
Stasy Click
Law Office of Stasy ClickLaw Office of Stasy Click, PhoenixMs. Click has been practicing law for over 24 years. She is a former prosecutor and former law school adjunct professor in the areas of family law and community property. Ms. Click is a seasoned litigator and has tried hundreds of family law and criminal cases. She teaches seminars on family law trial practice for local bar organizations, and speaks on issues of family law for various community organizations. Ms. Click is an active volunteer for Community Legal Services as well as Wills for Heroes, receiving the 2010 President’s Volunteer Service Award. Ms. Click received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Arizona College of Law.
Steven H. Everts
Equity Partner at Udall Shumway, PLCMr. Everts has practiced law for more than 44 years and has represented and counseled thousands of clients in family law matters. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a board-certified specialist in family law by the Arizona State Bar, and a board certified advocate in family trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Mr. Everts is asked to serve frequently as judge and commissioner pro-tem for the Family Law section of the Maricopa County Superior Court where he has served for 20 years. He has been selected for inclusion in Southwest Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America every year from 2010 to present.
David Rose
Tiffany & Bosco, P.A.Tiffany & Bosco, P.A., PhoenixMr. Rose is a trial and appellate lawyer. He is included in The Best Lawyers in America®, is Martindale-Hubbell AV-Preeminent® Rated, is a certified family law specialist with the Arizona State Bar, is a member of Arizona’s Finest Lawyers®, and is a Southwest Super Lawyer®. Mr. Rose is an allied attorney with the Alliance Defending Freedom and a family partner with the Center for Arizona Policy. He is also a former Maricopa County Judge pro tempore. Mr. Rose has been involved with the State Bar of Arizona Family Practice & Procedure Committee, the State Bar of Arizona Professionalism Course, the State Bar of Arizona Committee on Continuing Legal Education, Arizona Veterans STANDDOWN Alliance, the Arizona Domestic Relations Reform Subcommittee, and the Maricopa County Family Law Assistance Project (1994-2010). He is credited with over 30 appellate memorandum decisions and five published opinions.
Susan Swick
Parker Schwartz, PLLCParker Schwartz, PLLC, PhoenixMs. Swick is a partner at Parker Schwartz, PLLC, and is certified as a specialist in family law by the State Bar of Arizona. She is named in Best Lawyers in America and in Super Lawyers of the Southwest in family law. She obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Psychology from Southern Methodist University in Dallas and her law degree from Arizona State University School of Law. Ms. Swick was the first chair of the State Bar of Arizona family law Practice and Procedure Standing Committee and is a past council member of the Executive Council of the Arizona Bar Association Family Law Section. She is a member of the American Bar Association and the Maricopa County Bar Association Family Law Sections. Over the years Ms. Swick has been a frequent speaker at seminars focusing on family law matters and ethics and professional responsibility.
Steven Wolfson
Dickinson Wright, PLLCDickinson Wright, PLLC, PhoenixMr. Wolfson’s practice focuses on all areas of family law, including legal decision-making and parenting-time disputes, business valuations, spousal maintenance and high-income child support determinations and pre and post-nuptial agreements. Mr. Wolfson has been certified as a specialist in family law by the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization since 2008. He is AV-rated as a preeminent attorney by Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Wolfson was selected to be included in The Best Lawyers in America in the area of family law for 2010 through 2017. He has been selected for listing in Super Lawyers every year since 2007. Mr. Wolfson was also listed by Super Lawyers as a top attorney in Arizona for 2010 through 2015. He serves as a Judge Pro Tem in the Maricopa County Superior Court for family law cases. Mr. Wolfson is a former representative of the State Bar Family Law Section to the Domestic Relations Committee (DRC) of the Arizona legislature, and he is a member of the Maricopa County, State Bar of Arizona and American Bar Associations. He is a past chair of the State Bar of Arizona Family Law Section (2001-2002) and serves as the Legislative Liaison of the Family Law Section.