Left to Right: Ashley W. Edwards, Cynthia J. Ponce, Christina E. Djordjevich, Peter M. Walzer, Christopher C. Melcher, Kristina L. Hohne, and Steven K. Yoda

Peter M. Walzer & Christopher C. Melcher Appear as Amicus Counsel

As President of the Peter M. Walzer of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers , Peter signed the amicus brief in the US Supreme Court case: Monasky V. Taglieri.   The questions presented on appeal to the Court are:  1. Whether a district court's determination of habitual residence under the Hague Convention should be reviewed de novo , as seven circuits have held, under a deferential version of de novo review, as the First Circuit has held, or under clear-error review, as the Fourth and Sixth Circuits have held.

2. Where an infant is too young to acclimate to her surroundings, whether a subjective agreement between the infant's parents is necessary to establish her habitual residence under the Hague Convention.  It is the Academy’s position that the determination of a child’s habitual residence must occur in every case involving the Hague Convention on the Abduction of Children and that the court’s determination of the child’s habitual residence should have turned on the facts consistent with its definition of habitual residence rather than “shared parental intent” as a necessary factor. The habitual residence should be defined as the child’s customary, usual, regular abode. The Academy believes that this standard will maintain the usefulness of the Convention for the return of wrongfully removed and retained children.

Christopher C. Melcher is Amicus Counsel in Marriage of Brace , a matter pending before the California Supreme Court. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeal asked the California Supreme Court to answer whether, under California law, a property acquired by spouses in joint tenancy is community property or if the spouses hold equal separate property interests in the joint tenancy. The issue will be decided next year. Chris’s brief is linked here .

The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone, especially those going through a divorce. Here are some tips from our attorneys to help keep your holiday season cheerful!

5 Tips for Holiday Cheer “An extra martini couldn’t hurt.” -Steven K. Yoda "Take time for yourself. Take a walk. Take a bath. Read a book. Give yourself the gift of yourself."- Kristina L. Hohne Simplify your gift giving! Agree on a price point, draw names, and buy gifts for one family member." - Ashley W. Edwards "Take a few moments during a family gathering for everyone to express what they are grateful for. " - Christina E. Djordjevich  "Be mindful of those who may not have family and friends to share the holidays with this year and invite them to take part in your holiday traditions." - Cynthia J. Ponce

P R E S S Peter M. Walzer Fox Business: How to Not Get ‘Cleaned Out’ When a Divorce Gets Messy: Money Mistakes and Divorce Christopher C. Melcher KTLA 5: Family Law Attorney Christopher Melcher on the Increase of Parental Abductions During the Holidays Cynthia J. Ponce US News: Is Law School Worth It? What Young Attorneys Say Cynthia J. Ponce to Attend AIJUDEFA Cynthia will be attending the second annual conference of AIJUDEFA - the Associación Internacional de Juristas de Derecho de Familia, December 3-6, in Santiago, Chile. This conference brings together Spanish-speaking family law attorneys from around the world. More information here .

S E M I N A R S *December 4, 2019 When Absence Does Not Make the Heart Grow Fonder: The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction Peter M. Walzer & Marina Beck Beverly Hills Bar Association Beverly Hills, CA *January 16, 2020 Protecting Personalities and Public Figures in Family Law Matters Peter M. Walzer & Tony Storm Motion Picture Television Fund Los Angeles, CA *February 6, 2020 Privacy Christopher C. Melcher & Tony Storm Kanawha County Family Law Bench Bar Committee Santa Barbara, CA *April 3, 2020 Family Law Christopher C. Melcher Kanawha County Family Law Bench Bar Committee Charleston, West Virginia *April 4, 2020 Litigating Prenups in 2020 Peter M. Walzer & Steven K. Yoda AAML SoCal Chapter Newport Beach, CA *April 30, 2020 Taking Care of Business Christopher C. Melcher, Rebekah Smith, & Joan Crain American Bar Association Family Law San Diego, CA

S P O N S O R S H I P

Urban Partners Los Angeles Donation

Urban Partners Los Angeles works to serve its neighbors in the Koreatown area with programs aimed at neighborhood needs including: education, food assistance, and community-building.

Tony Storm and Christopher C. Melcher presenting " Protecting the Privacy of a Public Figure/Celebrity During Divorce" for the Beverly Hills Bar Association Steven K. Yoda attending the Asian Americans Advancing Justice Annual Gala

Christopher C. Melcher and ABA Family Law (Florida) members at the ABA Family Law CLE in Austin, TX Steven K. Yoda moderating a panel on trial technology for the ABA Family Law CLE in Austin, TX

AAML Executive Committee members during their fall meeting in Washington, DC Happy Halloween from Walzer Melcher!

Peter and Liz Ferris presenting for the Practice Intensive Workshop Peter presenting the AAML Professionalism Award to Tom Ausley

AAML and American College of Trusts and Estate Joint Task Force Antwain Coward, Natalia C. Wilson, and Chris

Pierre Domercq, Susan Myres, Peter, Kathy Maddox, and Frances Goldsmith Chris, Steve Mindel, and Cassie Chin

Michael and Amy Kennedy, and Peter Peter and AAML staff member Angela Dillingham

Peter introducing the new AAML President Susan Myre s

Peter giving the Fellow of the Year Award to Thomas Sasser Live Long and Prosper!

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