|
Message from the Editor
Erin McGaughey
Welcome to the official re-launch of the Family Law Section E-News. This edition of the E-News includes a total of 6 articles. We would like to thank and acknowledge each of the following contributors for their fine work, time and effort:
David Yamamoto (Chair of the Family Law Executive Committee) included a message. Lyn R. Greenberg, Dena Kleeman, Honorable Lawrence Riff, Sara Rondon, Jeremy Salvador and Peter Walzer for their articles. Dawn Gray provided the case summaries and Judge Diana Gould-Saltman provided her current Judicial Profile. An index of the articles is on the left side of the page. Click on the article of interest and you will be taken directly to the article. Also, a big thanks to Tom Horne and Kara Chikamori at LACBA for their work and support in publishing the E-News. We would also like to thank the members of the E-News Committee for their ideas and contributions.
We have included a link to the most current courtroom directory posted on the lacourt.org website for your convenience.
The original content presented below has been published after submission from members of the family law section and other family law professionals. Any member may submit a piece for publication, and I would encourage submissions from any member with original material they would like to share. As always, do not hesitate to contact us with your comments or suggestions.
Editor of the E-News
Erin McGaughey
erin@mcgs-law.com
|
|
Message from the Chair
David Kunio Yamamoto
Editor's Note: David is a Certified Family Law Specialist. His practice is in Torrance, California. He is the current Chair of the Los Angeles County Bar Association's Family Law Section.
I have been on the Family Law Executive Committee Since 2007 when Dvorah Markman appointed me to the committee. Since then, it has been an honor and a privilege to serve our Los Angeles County family law community. The executive committee consists of family law attorneys and liaisons from the judiciary, mental health profession, nonprofit law clinics and accountants. We are working hard to keep our bar association, particularly the family law section, relevant to the community we serve. It is my hope and that of our section to continue to improve the practice of family law.
The Family Law Section's Installation of Officers and Dinner Dance was held September 28, 2019 at the Indigo Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. It was a celebration of the good that all of us from the family law community do for our clients and litigants. This includes the court staff, the court, attorneys, mental health professionals, accountants and other professionals that help families transition during a most difficult time. Thanks to Steve Mindel, Debra Frank and Kendra Thomas for making this event a success. I want to give special thanks to my friends from ABD, a Group of Collaborative Professionals, for their support.
The President of LACBA and former chair of our section, Ron F. Brot, was honored with the prestigious Spencer Brandeis Award for his exemplary contributions and commitment to improving LACBA services to its members and our community. Ron is only the 3rd family law practitioner to rise to the level of LACBA President.
Our former Supervising Judge, Thomas Trent Lewis, was honored for his outstanding service to the Family Court, the litigants, and practitioners. He touched all of us with his creativity. For example, he conducted town hall meetings in Department 2 to educate attorneys and the public about our court system and to hear our concerns, thoughts and ideas regarding our court system. He was dedicated to improving the relationship between the bench and bar. Judge Lewis' successor, Judge Lawrence Riff, presented the recognition to Judge Lewis.
Judge Riff has the same enthusiasm and dedication for continued progress and improvement of the Family Law Department. The future is bright under his supervision. Judge Riff swore in our new officers, myself as Chair, Paula Kane - Chair Elect, Steve Mindel - Vice Chair, Abbas Hadjian - Secretary and Steve Cawelti - Treasurer. The celebration ended with dancing to the music provided by me, Ron Anfuso CPA, and friends.
The Family Law Executive Committee is working hard to improve our traditional continuing education programs and create new programs such as providing mentorship to new attorneys. Dena Kleeman and her committee put on an excellent well attended Child Custody Colloquium on October 26, 2019. Sonia Dujan and her committee put on a Minor's Counsel Training Program on November 15 and 16, 2019. It was sold out and a success. A webinar on Minor's Counsel training should be out soon. Both programs received excellent reviews and all attendees stayed until the end.
Kendra Thomas and her committee are working hard to set up a Mentorship Program. It is projected that we will be able to start a pilot program this year.
Erin McGaughey and her committee are bringing back the FL E-News. You can look forward to relevant articles from members of our family law community, including our supervising Judge Lawrence Riff and his predecessor Thomas Trent Lewis. We will have legislative and case updates.
Our Daily Settlement Officer program continues to assist the courts in resolving cases, thanks to Heidi Tuffias and her committee. Cari Pines will be taking over for Heidi soon. Thanks, Heidi for a job well done.
Save The Dates: Sorrel Trope Trial Institute - March 14, 2020. Family Law Symposium - May 16, 2020.
LACBA is working on a networking program whereby attorneys and other professionals that are LACBA members can meet with professionals of different disciplines to exchange referrals. We had our initial meetings on November 7th and 14th of this year. They were well attended. More to come.
Our executive meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Contact me if you are interested in attending or have comments or suggestions. david@dkylaw.com.
David Kunio Yamamoto
LACBA Flexcom Chair
|