ACFLS

20
26

SEMINAR

Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, Monterey, CA

October 9th, 10th,
and 11th 2026

ACFLS Annual Fall Seminar
Many family law practitioners make a conscious
decision not to take domestic violence cases.
However, whether we acknowledge it or not,
domestic violence is likely a part of many of our
cases. One in four women and one in nine men
experience some form of domestic violence in
their lifetime. The consequences of domestic
violence are devastating, and far reaching.

This three half day seminar will provide you with
a framework of what domestic violence is, how
we got here, assessing risk, firearm and firearm
procedures, tips on how to work with Family Court
Services and other experts, safety planning and
evidence collection in our high tech world, as well
as the basics and nuances of litigating a domestic
violence case.

2026 Fall Seminar Program
When Conflict Becomes Dangerous

Identifying and Navigating Domestic Violence in Family Law

11:00 am–1:00 pm

3:30 pm–4:30 pm

Seminar Registration
Fairway Hospitality

Friday
OCT 9

What Policymakers Believe: Research and Cases
Impacting California Family Law Policy (1 hour)
Honorable Mark A. Juhas

1:00 pm–1:15 pm

Legislators listen to their constituents. They also listen
to and read the news. Specific events may drive the
legislature to react by passing legislation. Appellate
courts rely on social science literature in reaching
policy determinations in DV cases. This session will
provide the foundation for some of the laws and
opinions that impact how the law is created and
interpreted.

Welcome and Opening Remarks
Cypress Ballroom

1:15 pm–3:15 pm

Understanding Conflict and Violence:
What We Need to Know to Most Effectively
Represent Parties (2 hours)
Honorable Mark A. Juhas and Julia F. Weber,
JD, MSW

4:30 pm–5:30 pm

In this facilitated exercise and discussion,
participants will learn about various ways conflict
and violence impact family law cases and
approaches practitioners can take to increase
client safety effectively and fairly. The significance
of allegations and findings of domestic violence
and addressing questions such as, why victims
may not leave and why those perpetrating
violence may not stop will also be covered.
Faculty will also address the current research on
conflict and violence in intimate partner cases
relevant to managing these cases.

3:15 pm–3:30 pm
Break (15 minutes)
Foyer

Assessing Risk: Tools For Family
Law Practitioners (1 hour)
Lorie Nachlis, CFLS, AAML, IAML, and
Julia F. Weber, JD, MSW
This session explores the critical role family law
professionals can play in detecting and reducing risks
of harm in family law cases. Participants will learn
practical strategies for assessing and addressing risks
related to high-conflict situations, domestic violence,
and access to firearms or other weapons. Through the
use of structured forms, key questions, and evidencebased assessment tools, attendees will gain concrete
approaches to enhancing safety for clients, their
children, practitioners, and the broader community.

5:30 pm–7:00 pm
Welcome Reception
Plaza

6:30 am–8:00 am

10:30 am–12:00 pm

Breakfast Buffet
Port Lobos Foyer

Firearms, Domestic Violence, Custody and
Visitation and Criminal Law Issues: Key
Legal Requirements and Procedures
(1.5 hours)
Julia F. Weber, JD, MSW

7:30 am–8:00 am

Registration
Fairway Hospitality

8:00 am–8:15 am

Announcements
Cypress Ballroom

8:15 am–10:15 am

How We Got Here: Family and Criminal
Domestic Violence Law Development
(2 hours)
Tülin Açıkalın
Domestic violence law has been significantly
shaped by legislative changes and court
decisions over the last 20 plus years. Effectively
advocating for those who have experienced or
perpetrated domestic violence requires an in
depth understanding of what legally constitutes
“domestic violence” and the impact domestic
violence has on clients and their children. This
session will cover the various types of physical
and emotional abuse; coercive control; child
custody and visitation issues; mutual allegations;
and other related topics, including new and
significant cases.

10:15 am–10:30 am

Break (15 minutes)
Foyer

12:00 pm–12:15 pm
Break (15 minutes)
Foyer

12:15 pm–1:15 pm

Working with Family Court Services,
Evaluators, and Experts (1 hour)
Honorable Julie A. Emede, Honorable Mark A.
Juhas, and Cheryl J. Scott
It is very common that a DV case will have a
mediation appointment with Family Court
Services. The parties may individually or
collectively retain an expert on the impact of DV
on a parent or child. How can these resources be
best used in a DV setting? What do you want to
teach the bench officer? Is the case amenable to
FCS mediation? Is an expert the right choice? All
these questions and more will be addressed in
this session.

9:30 am–11:30 am

Breakfast Buffet
Point Lobos Foyer

OCT 11

OCT 10

Over the last few years, California has adopted
significant policy changes relevant to firearm
ownership, domestic violence, child custody and
visitation, and criminal and civil court procedures.
In this session, attendees will learn about the
extensive set of legal requirements and federal
court cases on firearms relevant to both criminal
and civil matters. Key policies including SB 320
and SB 899 on firearms relinquishment; SB 599
on child custody and visitation – including “virtual
visitation” and no contact provisions; and other
statutory changes and changes to court forms will
be discussed.

6:30 am–8:00 am

Sunday

Saturday

Basics and Nuances of Litigating Domestic
Violence (2 hours)
Honorable Monica F. Wiley, Honorable Andrew
G. Liu, and Jillian Duggan-Herd, CFLS, AAML

8:00 am–8:15 am
Announcements
Cypress Ballroom

This panel explores the critical stages of
domestic violence litigation in family law, from
initial client intake through trial preparation.
We’ll examine essential considerations when
conducting sensitive client interviews, strategic
decisions in filing and responding to domestic
violence restraining orders, and key procedural
issues practitioners commonly encounter.
The discussion will cover discovery strategies
including when and how to make requests,
timing considerations for extending or expediting
evidentiary hearings, burden of proof standards,
witness preparation techniques, best practices for
trial readiness, and presenting your case in court.
Whether you’re handling your first domestic
violence case or refining your approach, this
session will provide practical insights into both
foundational principles and sophisticated tactical
considerations in this complex area of practice.

8:15 am–9:15 am

The Intersection of Hi-Tech Stalking in
Domestic Violence and Family Law Cases
(1 hour)
Steven Bradley
As our dependency and use of technology
increases, we rely on electronic devices to
complete many daily activities. Unfortunately,
these same technologies are being seen more
and more in family law cases where offenders
have identified ways to exploit them to facilitate
harm towards their victims and co-parents alike.
In this interactive workshop, Steven Bradley will
explore the risks and benefits of technology, not
only for the clients we serve, but also for you in
your personal and professional lives. Attendees
will learn safety planning and evidence collection
strategies for phone technology, location apps,
social media, and more. Non-technical language
will be used throughout the presentation and
how to safely navigate the world of technology.

11:30 am–11:45 am
Break (15 minutes)
Foyer

11:45 am–12:45 pm

9:15 am–9:30 am

Ask the Judges – The Last Word (1 hour)
Honorable Mark A. Juhas, Honorable Monica
F. Wiley, Honorable Andrew G. Liu, and
Honorable Julie A. Emede

Break (15 minutes)
Foyer

Registration

for ACFLS 2026 Fall Seminar

Register online at https://acfls.org/event/2026-acflsannual-fall-seminar, or mail/fax registration form to:
Leanna Reynolds, ACFLS Executive Director
1296 E. Gibson Rd., Ste. A #253, Woodland, CA 95776
Phone: 916-217-4076 • Fax: 916-930-6122
Pay by credit card or enclose check payable to ACFLS.
Registration is not complete until tuition payment is received.

Seminar Registration Includes:

• Three half days (12.5 hours of MCLE and Family Law
Specialization credits, with 1 hour of Technology.)
• Friday evening Welcome Reception
• Saturday and Sunday Breakfast Buffets
• Coffee and snacks at breaks
• Electronic materials including seminar handbook and
additional materials.
ACFLS Members: $750; Non-members: $825
NOTE: SEMINAR REGISTRATION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE &
NON-TRANSFERABLE.

2026 Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa Room Reservations.
ACFLS Fall Seminar attendees are solely responsible
for making their own transportation and lodging
arrangements.
The 2026 Fall Seminar discounted room rates start at
$309 per night exclusive of resort fee and parking.
Discounted room rates may apply for three nights before
and three nights after the seminar dates, subject to
availability.
If you have a succinct question for the Judges’ “Last
Word” panel on a topic related to this year’s theme —no
more than 25 words, not related to any pending
case— please email your question to Leanna Reynolds at
Executive.Director@acfls.org.

NAME:
ADDRESS:
CITY/STATE/ZIP:
Is a Guest Attending the FRIDAY NIGHT RECEPTION?
Yes

No

GUESTS MUST BE PREREGISTERED AND HAVE A NAME TAG.

EMAIL ADDRESS: (REQUIRED)
ACFLS MEMBER PRICE @ $750
NON-MEMBER PRICE @ $825
ATTORNEY PRACTICING UNDER 5 YEARS @ $650
DATE ADMITTED TO STATE BAR: (REQUIRED)
NONPROFIT @ $650
NAME OF ORGANIZATION: (REQUIRED)
BENCH OFFICERS (CURRENTLY SITTING ON FAMILY LAW
ASSIGNMENT) (NO CHARGE)
ALL ATTENDEES WILL RECEIVE PROGRAM AND MATERIALS
ELECTRONICALLY.

GRAND TOTAL: $
CHECK ENCLOSED
TO PAY BY CREDIT CARD PLEASE GO TO HTTPS://ACFLS.ORG/
EVENT/2026-ACFLS-ANNUAL-FALL-SEMINAR AND REGISTER
ONLINE.