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She’s probably in Texas or in sweet home Alabama!
Rather than the AAML president attending every 2025 AAML chapter meeting, the entire national AAML Board of Directors was given an opportunity to travel and understand the needs of the chapters. Earlier this month, Jim Mueller, president of AAML Texas, hosted Lisa Spencer and me at the annual Texas black tie event after attending a CLE program produced by two Fellows — Lauren Melhart and Patrick Wright. There was also a super fun fashion show, where another two Fellows — Natalie Webb and Bo Nichols — got engaged, married and divorced within 15 minutes! Last weekend, after a personal tour of Birmingham with Wendy Crew and John Durward, I broke bread with AAML Alabama, led by Sandra Gregory. I met some awesome potential new Fellows, as well as most of the AAML Alabama Fellows, who came near and far for the annual dinner. I had a blast! Big or small, AAML chapters are the strength of our community, and it has been such an honor to visit with so many chapters this year.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...
New Fellowship Portal (Update Your Profile!)
In May, as part of the tech stack we introduced to help modernize AAML, we launched our new Fellowship portal. It’s time for everyone to create a new login and update their profiles. Instructions have been sent to your inboxes, and the National Office is ready to help if needed. Think of it as giving your professional wardrobe a little refresh without having to shop at the Annual Meeting with Jill and Carla; you’ll be ready for the 2026 renewal season in October and all the benefits that come with it.
2025 AAML Annual Meeting
Speaking of, register for the 2025 AAML Annual Meeting in Chicago on November 5-8, This year’s keynotes will inspire our Fellows and enhance our practice. They include Ryan Leak, who will share practical — and often humorous — strategies for working with complicated people, and Yolanda Cartusciello, who will explore how to turn generational differences into stronger communication and collaboration. There’s plenty more on the agenda, so check out the full CLE program.
2026 AAML Midyear Meeting
The 2026 AAML Midyear Meeting will be in my home state of Arizona, March 10-13, 2026, at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale. Yeah — we will all be on Tucson Time! Mark your calendar and plan for all of the things — sunshine and golf and baseball and some CLE too! And for a special announcement: the 2027 Midyear Meeting will be March 2-7, 2027, at the Frenchman’s Reef Westin Resort in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Strategic Plan
The AAML Board of Directors has been working diligently to update the AAML existing strategic plan to reflect work that has been done over the past year and to clarify the focus over the next three years. I can’t wait to share more of our vision at the Annual Meeting this November!
Bounds of Advocacy Task Force
I’m so excited to share that the Bounds of Advocacy Task Force met this week. The task force is charged with modernizing the content of the Bounds to ensure these standards remain relevant to family law and inspire us professionally. A big thank you to our inaugural members: Steve Peskin (chair), Dana Prescott, Anita Ventrelli, Ann Marie Jackson, Patrick Wright, Meghan Clary, Taylor House and Professor Barbara Glesner Fines. We look forward to keeping you updated on task force progress in the months ahead!
That’s a lot for this month! As we head into this next season, I encourage you to keep your AAML engagement strong — whether that’s updating your profile, donating pro bono hours, attending local chapter events, or making reservations for the next meeting (like the Frontera Grill in Chicago — reservations open up between now and the next newsletter for the Annual Meeting event days).
Laura C. Belleau, AAML President
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