Advocacy Tips from the Bench for Family Lawyers

As family lawyers, we often wonder what we are doing right and what we are doing wrong when appearing before a judge. There aren’t many opportunities to find out what judges really think about different advocacy styles and what we can do to improve. It’s also important with an ever growing number of self represented litigants for counsel to better understand our obligations to assist the court where necessary.

Our panel of 3 judges will provide their top tips for family law conferences, motions and trials. Each judge will speak for 20 minutes and there will be time for Q&A at the end.

Some of the issues that will be considered include:
• What is the right balance between advocacy vs. settlement focus for a conference? • What are the most common errors that counsel make at conferences? • What drafting errors are most common in affidavits and in factums? • When making oral submissions, are there things that counsel do that are inappropriate or annoying to the court? • When is it appropriate to make objections at trial and how often should counsel be interrupting? • When is it appropriate to re-examine a witness?

Professionalism: Duty to act in good faith and avoid sharp practice; Duties related to advocacy (not to abuse or mislead the court; Practicing with civility in the courtroom; Treating the court, tribunal, opposing counsel, parties and others with courtesy and respect; Encouraging respect for legal institutions or authorities

Presenter(s):

Cory Gilmore Melanie Sager Audrey Shecter Sharon Shore Julie Stanchieri