February 2025 - Issue 2

Message From the AAML President

Message From the Editor

Testing the Waters: Key Alcohol Testing Strategies for Family Lawyers | Read More

Recognizing Addiction Bias in the Legal Field | Read More

Interview: Dr. Simone Vias on Cases Involving Substance Issues | View Video

Tech Tips: Revisit These Resources to Help You in Your Practice | View Video

Take Your Family Law Practice From Good to Great | Register

RERC Committee: Join Us for Cultures and Conversations | Learn More and Register

Call for Content: Submit Your Ideas to the AAML Newsletter | Pitch Your Article

AAML Policy Revision Volunteer Opportunity | Learn More



Use of Arbitration for Pendente Lite Matters | Register

By: Laura C. Belleau, AAML President

Happy February, Fellows,

Thank you for clicking the AAML Newsletter and reading the content here! You may have noticed the newsletter has been refreshed to make it easier to navigate and prioritize new happenings. Let us know what you think at editorial@aaml.org.

As we move through February, there has been a lot of activity getting ready for the Midyear Meeting at the JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Everyone going can look forward to a unique offering of continuing legal education focusing on practice management, along with awesome opportunities for networking, socializing and enjoying pura vida! The Midyear Meeting offers great opportunities to invest in yourself, your practice and your professional relationships.

Also, there has been a lot of activity in our country! Earlier this month, the American Bar Association (ABA) issued a statement expressing deep concern over actions that challenge the foundational principles of our legal system. ABA President Bay said while we disagree on many things, all Americans agree that our government should follow the law, protect due process and “treat individuals in a way that we would treat others in our homes and workplaces.”

As lawyers, we have a responsibility to uphold these principles and insist that our government follow the law. With a mission to advance excellence in family law, our Fellows have the opportunity to guide families who are participating with the court system, often for the first and only times in their lives, in a way that upholds the law. We must ensure that our daily practices, both in and out of the courtroom, reflect an unwavering adherence to legal principles and processes — including advocating for change when necessary through appropriate action and condemning change when necessary if the rules are not followed.

“We cannot afford to remain silent,” President Bay warned. This does not mean you must start a fight with Goliath, but you can focus on the small things that are right in front of you. Approach the coming weeks with a renewed commitment to justice, equality and professional excellence. During Black History Month, reflect on challenges that remain for so many and the communities we serve. Join the RERC Cultures and Conversations Zoom on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 6:00 p.m. CT to engage in a conversation about little-known but influential Black figures who have helped shape society. Looking ahead to March and Women’s History Month, I encourage you to reflect on the meaningful contributions of women to the history of our country.

Justice is a team sport, and I challenge all our Fellows to get off the bench and participate!

Laura C. Belleau,

AAML President

By: Rod Firoozye, AAML Newsletter Editor

I hope that many of you are already focused on resolving matters that were postponed during the holiday season. As you may have noticed, we are introducing a new format in which we will be sending two editions of the AAML Newsletter each month. I trust you have reviewed this month’s earlier edition thoroughly, and I hope you will do the same for this one.

We will maintain covering one theme for each month’s edition — for February, the focus is on addiction — specifically, how it impacts our clients and cases.

We are pleased to feature an insightful interview with Dr. Simone Vais, associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco. In her spare time, she works closely with the treatment court at the San Francisco Superior Court.

During our conversation, I had the opportunity to discuss several important matters that often arise in cases. Additionally, Dr. Vais suggested that, in cases involving drug or alcohol issues, counsel may wish to consult with an expert prior to requesting specific tests from the court to determine how the test results may be used in future hearings.

Looking ahead, next month’s theme will focus on mental health and conservatorships. We invite you to write or submit an interesting article for republication on this topic by sending your ideas to editorial@aaml.org. The deadline to submit for the first March issue is Tuesday, March 4, and the second issue’s deadline is Tuesday, March 18.

By: Aidan R. Welsh, Esq.

When serious mental health issues and substance abuse concerns arise in cases, they often impact one of the most critical aspects of any divorce — child custody and parenting arrangements. Of the most pressing concerns in such cases is the excessive use of alcohol by one or both parents, which raises significant safety concerns for the minor children. To best protect your client and their children, you must understand the "what, where, when, why and how" of effective alcohol testing in the context of your case.

By: Andrea K. Muchin

This article explores the complex and pressing issues of bias against those with addiction, especially in a family law case, shedding light on how the biases of the lawyer and the judge can manifest and impact the lives of those navigating the legal system during a divorce or child custody case.

Want to see your name published and increase visibility of your firm? Pitch your article for an upcoming AAML newsletter!

By: Rod Firoozye, AAML Newsletter Editor

In this interview, AAML Newsletter Editor Rod Firoozye speaks with Dr. Simone Vias, associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco, about her work with the treatment court at the San Francisco Superior Court.

By: Patrick A. Wright, AAML

This Tech Tip was previously published in the AAML Newsletter in December 2022.

Advance your family law practice alongside other top attorneys from across the U.S. at the 2025 AAML National Family Law Conference, May 15-17, in Dallas. This event is a unique chance for driven attorneys to network and gain insights from nationally renowned family law experts. From CLE sessions to dedicated networking opportunities, you won't want to miss this opportunity to accelerate your legal practice.

As part of our CLE program, we've built in dedicated time to connect and engage with fellow family law attorneys. During Friday's session, you can participate in two roundtable discussions, offering a perfect opportunity for networking and peer-to-peer learning.

Need to Justify Your Attendance to Your Supervisor?

Use our justification worksheet as a guide to get approval from your supervisor to attend.

Please join the Racial Ethnic and Religious Consideration in Law (RERC) for our re-occurring session Cultures and Conversations (formerly Drinks and Diversity). We will meet Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at 6 p.m. CT in celebration of Black History Month. This event will highlight the stories of little-known but influential Black figures whose contributions have shaped society in ways that are often overlooked.

Through this presentation, we aim to enhance cultural awareness and sensitivity, providing valuable historical context that deepens our understanding of the diverse communities we serve. By learning about these extraordinary individuals, Fellows can develop a richer perspective that informs their advocacy, client relationships and professional interactions.

The AAML Newsletter Committee is seeking submissions from AAML Fellows related to the following topics:

• Addiction as a factor in cases
• Mental health and conservatorship
• Fertility cases: custody disputes over embryos or stored eggs
• And many more

If you're interested in submitting an article or would like more information, contact the AAML editorial team at editorial@aaml.org.

AAML will engage in a policy review process to reorganize its approach to policies throughout 2025. We are seeking volunteers to help with the next step in the process.

You are invited to submit your name for selection by the President for service on one of the working groups:

• Organization Policy Manual
• Fellow Applicant Handbook
• Chapter Handbook
• Committee Handbook
• Public Policy Statements Inventory

The launch of each of the working groups will be staggered over the next six months. For further information on each working group and to submit interest, view the AAML Policy Revisions Working Groups form. The form will close on Feb. 28, 2025.

With case backlogs, judge shortages and mandatory time limitations, it is challenging to have pendente lite matters heard. As a result, discovery disputes, temporary support motions, and custody issues are often delayed in favor of ongoing trials. Many of these issues can and should be addressed in private arbitration. Hear from experienced arbitrators on Tuesday, March 25, about how they have been able to hear and resolve pre-judgment disputes through the arbitration process.

Visit the AAML Chapters page for the latest updates from local chapters.