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. Cohen

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

Preparing Pleadings and Assisting with Motion Practice                               J. Cohen  

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

Obtaining and Evaluating Financial Information                                           L. Canales  

   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 Child Custody and Visitation Issues                                        M. Lowry  

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

Enforcing and Modifying Family Law Orders and Decrees                               M. Wise  

   Implementing divorce decrees and orders
      • Preparing and filing the decree
      • Preparing other necessary documents
      • Enforcing judgments and 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                                           A. Kennedy  

   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

Texas Certified Paralegals
     6.5 Family Law Hours
     6.5 Civil Trial Law Hours

NALA & NFPA
     6.5 CLE Hours (1.0 Ethics)

Continuing Education Credit Information

This seminar is open to the public and has been approved by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for 6.5 CLE hours for certified paralegals in the areas of Family Law and Civil Trial Law.

The National Association of Legal Assistants and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations have each approved this program for 6.5 CLE hours, including 1.0 ethics hour.

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

Loren Canales

Schlanger Silver LLP

Associate attorney at Schlanger Silver LLP in Houston                                                                 
A native Houstonian, Ms. Canales earned her B.A. degree in Philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin in December 2012.  After graduating, she attended South Texas College of Law while also working for a small family law firm in Pearland, Texas.  During law school, Ms. Canales gained practice-ready skills in both the Family Law Advanced Clinic and Domestic Violence Clinic. She is a second-generation family law attorney and grew up wanting to help people navigate what is often the most difficult time of their lives. After being admitted to practice law in November 2016, Ms. Canales began her legal career at Burgower Law, LLP in January 2017 and remained there until joining Schlanger Silver LLP in January 2020. She handles a variety of family law matters including adoptions, divorces, child custody disputes, enforcements, marital agreements, and modification actions.

Jacob Cohen

The Rainwater Firm

Associate Attorney with The Rainwater Firm in Houston
Mr. Cohen has been practicing family law in Texas since graduating from South Texas College of Law in 2011. He joined the Law Office of Robert S. Hoffman, P.L.L.C., in September of 2013 as an associate and spent over four years working on cases with complex property issues and highly contentious child custody matters. During his time with Mr. Hoffman, he sat second chair in jury trials and binding arbitrations. He attended, defended and took numerous depositions, and he represented clients at mediations and ancillary hearings. In February of 2018, Mr. Cohen joined the newly created Rainwater Firm. His strengths include advocating the best interests of children and working on cases with complex property issues and highly contentious child custody matters. Mr. Cohen is a native Houstonian, a seventh-generation Texan, and a second-generation Harris County family law attorney.

Anne Kennedy

Attorney At Law in Houston
Ms. Kennedy was born and raised in Houston. She graduated from Rice University in 1997. She received her law degree from the University of Kentucky in 2002. She was licensed to practice law in Texas in 2002 and Louisiana in 2005. In 2006, Ms. Kennedy opened her own law office, providing legal advice to a variety of clients. The main areas of her legal practice are family law and immigration. Ms. Kennedy is a certified mediator in general civil and family law. She is a member of the Better Business Bureau and the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association.

Maria S. Lowry

Attorney with Law Office of Maria Lowry PLLC in Houston

Ms. Lowry represents clients in transition or planning for life changes. Many of these are family law matters, focusing on pre-nuptial agreements, post-nuptial agreements, divorce, adoptions, child custody and support, and modifications of custody and support orders. A portion of her practice is also devoted the preparation of wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives, as well as assisting clients in probate administration or obtaining guardianship of incapacitated relatives. Ms. Lowry completed her undergraduate education at the University of Texas at Austin, and she earned her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and is a 2020 director of the Family Law Section of the Houston Bar Association. Ms. Lowry also contributes her time and talent to the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program and Fort Bend Lawyers Care, which provide legal services to low-income citizens. Prior to becoming an attorney, Ms. Lowry was a classroom teacher for several years. Her experience and training working with children, as well as her ability to understand their needs, add depth and insight to her work with families going through difficult times.

Mari Wise

Board Certified Family Law Attorney at The Wise Law Firm

Ms. Wise is a Board Certified Family Law Attorney at The Wise Law Firm. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin with honors, majoring in Psychology, and she earned her J.D. degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston. Ms. Wise was admitted to practice in Texas on February 8, 2001, and has been Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2011. Ms. Wise is a member of the State Bar of Texas, its Family Law Section, its Texas Technology Section, and then the College of the State Bar of Texas, the Houston Bar Association and its Family Law Section, the Fort Bend County Bar Association, and Gulf Coast Family Law Specialists.

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