July Edition

FMBK Partner Robert C. Brandt Receives the Southwestern Lifetime Achievement Award

Robert C. Brandt is the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in over two decades and only the second recipient in the law school's history.

This award is given to honor individuals who have demonstrated leadership, excellence, and longevity in their careers and have made significant contributions to Southwestern Law School, the Los Angeles community and legal profession. Bob served as a member of the Law School’s Alumni Association Board and helped create the Inns of Court at Southwestern. He also regularly mentors students and strives to provide job opportunities for alumni at FMBK.

“I am so honored and humbled to receive this award. Thank you to all of the sponsors and everyone of Southwestern. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees and scholarship recipients.”

-Robert C. Brandt

FMBK Partner, CFLS*, AAML, IAFL, ACFTL

*Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

The 2024 Gala had the highest attendance on record and the most funds raised in the event’s history.

Through the Debbie Leathers Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship Fund, the proceeds will provide crucial financial assistance to Southwestern students.

FMBK was proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of Southwestern's Annual Gala.

FMBK Team Member Alin Abrahamian Selected as a Southwestern Alumni Association Scholarship Recipient

As a rising 3L, Alin Abrahamian was selected to the 2023 FMBK Summer Associate Program, and will officially become an FMBK Team Member in the fall after finishing the California State Bar Exam. FMBK sends a huge congratulations to both our Partner Robert Brandt and Alin Abrahamian!

FMBK Partners Alex Grager & Steve Mindel Contribute to The AAML National Newsletter

"Move Away Cases and Parenting Plans in California"

In the realm of family law, few issues are as complex and emotionally charged as move-away and relocation cases. These situations arise when one parent wishes to move a significant distance away from the other parent, thereby impacting existing custody and visitation arrangements. Alternatively, a move-away situation arises early in the case, when the parties have yet commenced divorce proceedings and may still be living together.

In these complex situations, one of the parents must immediately confront the possibility, and perhaps the likelihood that the children will live far away after the divorce. Care must be taken to craft parenting plans that promote the relationship between the child and both parents to the extent possible. This may require providing the remaining parent with the bulk of vacations and holidays that occur during a typical school year.

This article explores the nuances of move-away cases in California, focusing particularly on the creation of parenting plans and holiday schedules.

Julia Matzenger Attends The National Family Law Trial Skills Course in Houston

"This program was by far the most intensive training I have ever received as an attorney. I have not only strengthened my trial skills more than I thought was possible in a ten day period, but I also have a newfound confidence in my ability to effectively take the lead role in family law court cases. A huge thank you to all of the faculty and family law experts that contributed to this incredible program."

FMBK Senior Associate Anthony Lai, CFLS* Reelected as CLA Secretary

Anthony Lai, CFLS, Senior Associate attorney at Feinberg Mindel Brandt & Klein LLP, has been re-elected as Secretary to the California Lawyers Association (CLA) Board of Representatives for the 2024 term. The CLA is a nonprofit, voluntary bar association serving thousands of licensed attorneys throughout California. Anthony currently serves as the co-chair of the Governance Committee, is a member of the Public Comment Committee and was the former chair of the New Lawyers Section. He has been the New Lawyers Section Representative to the Board of Representatives since 2022.

As a Certified Family Law Specialist, designated by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, Anthony’s practice focuses on representing clients in complex family law matters, including dissolution of marriage, paternity, child custody and visitation, spousal and child support, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and domestic violence restraining orders. Anthony is a Board Member on the Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section Executive Committee, a Member of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles Board of Directors, and the Loyola Law School Alumni Association – Asian Pacific American Chapter. Anthony is also a member of the LACBA Barrister’s Young Lawyers Section Executive Committee where he serves as co-chair to the Law School Outreach Committee.

Anthony joins The CLA Board of Representatives for a Harbor Cruise in Newport Beach following its June 21, 2024 meeting.

FMBK's 2024 Summer Program Comes to a Close

Sara DeLacey

UCLA School of Law

Christine Desbois

USC Gould School of Law

Lindsey Hoyt

Loyola Law School

With just under a week left of the 10 week program, the FMBK Team would like to give a huge thank you to all of our Summer Associate's hard work and dedication this summer. We wish our three incredible Summer Associates (Pictured Left to Right) good luck on their final year of Law School!

Remembering Our Beloved FMBK Partner, Howard S. Klein

We end this month's newsletter to share with our readers news of the FMBK Team's recent bereavement. It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved FMBK Partner, Howard S. Klein. Our condolences go out to Howard’s family and his countless friends and colleagues in the legal community. He will be greatly missed.