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. Panopoulos

   Assisting with initial client interview
   Preparing engagement letter, opening file
   Collecting information

Preparing Pleadings and Assisting with Motion Practice
J. Panopoulos

   Preparing initial pleadings
   Requesting temporary relief
   Preparing for the temporary orders hearing
   Preparing the temporary orders

Obtaining and Evaluating Financial Information
T. Braughler

   Identifying relevant information on assets, debts, income and expenses
   Obtaining financial information
      Using financial information questionnaires
      Using interrogatories, requests for production, subpoenas,
         deposition testimony, private investigators
      Valuing assets
   Evaluating the information you have obtained
   Working with accountants and financial experts
   Preparing financial statements

Assisting with Child Custody and Visitation Issues
C. MacCausland

   Current status of custody law in Massachusetts
   Obtaining relevant information
      Client interview, custody questionnaires,
         authorizations for disclosure, using formal discovery
   Working with guardian-ad-litem
   Working with experts
   Drafting and reviewing parenting plans

Enforcing and Modifying Family Law Orders and Decrees
T. Braughler

   Contempt proceedings to enforce family law orders and decrees
      Preparing contempt pleadings
      Enforcing custody orders
      Enforcing support orders
   Modifying decrees and orders
   Assisting in modification actions

Handling Ethical Issues in Family Law Practice
C. MacCausland

   Complying with rules of professional responsibility
   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

Continuing Education Credit Information

This seminar is open to the public and offers 6.5 CLE hours, including 1.0 ethics hour, to all 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

Timothy Braughler

Taylor, Ganson & Perrin, LLP

Taylor, Ganson & Perrin, LLPMr. Braughler is a partner in the law firm of Taylor, Ganson & Perrin, LLP, where he practices in all aspects of family law, including divorce, child custody, alimony and child support, paternity, adoption, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, restraining orders, as well as many of the rapidly-developing issues relating to LGBTQ families. Mr. Braughler was selected as a Massachusetts Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in the area of family law as published in Boston Magazine in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. In addition to family law, Mr. Braughler handles a variety of probate, estate administration, and tax matters. Mr. Braughler received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh and graduated cum laude from New England School of Law where he served as the Executive Comment and Note Editor of the New England Law Review. Mr. Braughler is a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, the Essex County Bar Association, the Massachusetts LGBTQ Bar Association, and the Greater Boston Family Law Inn of Court.

Cynthia MacCausland

Law Offices of Cynthia E. MacCausland

Law Offices of Cynthia E. MacCauslandMs. MacCausland is a Boston based family law and child welfare and education lawyer. She represents clients in the Probate and Family, Juvenile, and District Court Departments. Ms. MacCausland enhances access to legal representation to all clients by providing flat fee services through the Limited Assistance Representation (LAR) model. Her approach toalternative fee agreements and service models is unique among Boston and Massachusetts-area lawyers, and itensures that families throughout Boston and Eastern Massachusetts may benefit from the consultation, services and support of an experienced attorney. She is active in the community participating in events and training seminars, engaging with her peers and serving on several committees with the Women’s Bar Association, the Boston Bar Association and the Massachusetts Bar Association. In addition, Ms. MacCausland has been selected as a Rising Star inthe practice of family law by Massachusetts Super Lawyersfor 2013, 2014, and 2015. She has also been recognized asa lifetime fellow of the Massachusetts Bar Foundation. Ms. MacCausland earned her J.D. degree from New England School of Law.

Jeneva Panopoulos

Hastings, Jamieson & Lipschutz Family Law Group

Associate Attorney for Hastings, Jamieson & Lipschutz Family Law GroupMs. Panopoulos is an attorney with experience in the private sector and federal government in the areas of domestic relations, labor and employment law, and contract law. Specifically, she has experience litigating and negotiating cases involving all aspects of family law, including divorce, post-judgment modifications, parenting time and custody issues, asset division, child support, and pre- and post-nuptial agreements. Ms. Panopoulos is a member of the Lawrence Bar Association and has completed a mediation training course in compliance with Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Rules 8 and 9 for neutrals. She earned her J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from the Massachusetts School of Law. Prior to becoming an attorney, Ms. Panopoulos worked as a paralegal.