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Dear Fellows,
March was a remarkable month for the Academy, and it hasn’t concluded yet.
Our Midyear Meeting at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, Arizona, was a tremendous success by every measure. Most notably, it achieved the highest Fellow attendance of any Midyear Meeting in Academy history. That extraordinary turnout reflects the strength of our organization, the depth of engagement among our Fellows and the enduring value of coming together for education, Fellowship and shared purpose.
The educational programming was exceptional. Under the outstanding leadership of CLE Committee Chair Kelly Schindell Delacey, the Academy delivered a program that was timely, sophisticated and highly relevant to the evolving practice of family law. The session on the DISC assessment was especially popular and quickly became one of the most talked-about presentations of the meeting.
Our Fellows also benefited from several excellent sessions exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming the practice of law, along with practical and forward-looking programs on alternative billing methods, key performance indicators and other issues critical to the business of modern family law practice. I also extend sincere thanks to Debbie Foster of Affinity Consulting for her outstanding contributions as both moderator and speaker. Her insight and leadership added greatly to the depth and quality of the program.
The social events in Scottsdale were equally memorable and reflected the unique spirit of the Academy. We opened with a wonderful western-themed dinner at Copper Canyon, enjoyed a fabulous evening together at Night Court and shared the fun of a Cactus League spring training game between the Chicago Cubs and the Seattle Mariners. We closed in style with a terrific poolside Palm Royale-themed dinner, which provided a fitting finish to an extraordinary meeting.
These events served as an important reminder that the Academy is defined not only by professional excellence, but also by collegiality, camaraderie, establishing new connections and investing in lasting friendships. Scottsdale showcased the Academy at its very best.
We invite you to join us June 25-27 for the AAML National Family Law Conference in Las Vegas, which promises to be another outstanding opportunity for learning and engagement. For both Fellows and peers working toward Fellowship, this is a great chance to dive into advanced CLE, pick up practical tools and build a network of peers who are just as committed to excellence in family law. You’ll walk away with fresh insights, stronger connections and real momentum to take back to your practice.
In addition, registration is now open for the Institute for Family Law Associates September 25-28 in Chicago. This program is an important investment in the future of our profession, and I strongly encourage Fellows to promote it and support those promising practitioners who will benefit from its exceptional educational and professional development opportunities.
Planning is also well underway for the 2026 Annual Meeting, and we look forward to building on the tremendous momentum generated in Scottsdale.
At the same time, the AAML Board of Directors continues to make steady progress on the Academy’s 2026 strategic goals. Important work is advancing on the Academy’s visual identity refresh, with a task force now appointed to guide that initiative, and on the implementation of Slayte — our new automated admissions platform — which will modernize and strengthen the admissions process. The Bounds of Advocacy Task Force also continues its important work to modernize the standards governing the professional practice of family law, helping ensure that the Academy remains at the forefront of professionalism, ethics and best practices in our field. The Fellowship will receive an update directly from the task force in May by way of a Town Hall, be on the lookout for an invitation to that meeting in the coming weeks.
The momentum across the Academy is real, and it is strong.
Thank you for your continued leadership, engagement and commitment to this great organization. The record-setting participation and extraordinary energy in Scottsdale were a powerful reflection of who we are and what we can accomplish together. I look forward to seeing many of you in the months ahead as we continue this important work on behalf of the Academy.
Warm regards,
Thomas J. Sasser
President
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
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