Family Law Section Summer Meeting 2023

9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Officers Meeting

Marcy Boardroom

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Registration and Exhibits

Avalanche Pass

2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Executive Committee Meeting

Great Range Room

5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Welcome Reception and Dinner

Olympic Center Ski Jumping Complex
5487 Cascade Rd, Lake Placid, NY 12946 (Transportation will be provided)
Sponsored by KLG Business Valuators & Forensic Accountants, LLC

7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

Avalanche Pass
Sponsored by KLG Business Valuators & Forensic Accountants, LLC

7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Registration and Exhibits

Avalanche Pass

7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Committee Breakfast Meetings

• Membership/Long Range Planning Committees | Armstrong Room
• LGBTQ Committee | Basin Room
• Legislation Committee | Gothics Room
• CLE Committee | Big Slide Room

9:00 a.m.

Yoga for guests

High Peaks Resort Waterfront property
Note: Pre-registration is required.

8:30 a.m. – 8:35 a.m.

Welcoming Remarks: Overview of Events

Speaker

Joan Casilio Adams, Esq. | Chair, NYSBA Family Law Section; J. Adams & Associates PLLC; Williamsville, NY

8:35 a.m. – 8:40 a.m.

NYSBA Welcome

Speaker

Domenick Napoletano, Esq. | President-Elect, New York State Bar Association; Napoletano Law; Brooklyn, NY

8:40 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

Program Introduction

Speaker

Peter R. Stambleck, Esq. | Vice Chair, NYSBA Family Law Section; Mosberg Sharma Stambleck Gross, LLP; New York, NY

8:45 a.m. – 9:35 a.m

Scope of Disclosure and Methods of Obtaining Discovery

Whether its purpose is to facilitate settlement or prepare for trial, financial disclosure is an essential element in all matrimonial actions. However, the opportunities for full and proper discovery are often underutilized and/or used improperly. This program provides an in-depth review of the scope of disclosure and the various tools available to the attorney to obtain full disclosure both pre-trial and in aid of trial.

Speaker

Dan Rottenstreich, Esq. | Rottenstreich Lieberman Farley LLP; New York, NY

9:35 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.

Depositions

Take a deeper dive into the thorny world of depositions. Learn valuable techniques for the preparation, strategy and conduct of a successful deposition; how to expertly navigate the palpably improper question; and when/how to counsel your client to assert the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

Speaker

Samuel J. Ferrara, Esq. | Abrams Fensterman, LLP; New Hyde Park, NY

10:25 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.

Refreshment Break

Sponsored by The NGH Group, Inc.

10:40 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Motion Practice and Discovery

Rounding out our program is a discussion on effective motion practice as a means of compelling disclosure as well as the legal remedies and penalties available to litigants and the Court when faced with discovery non-compliance. We will also explore the ethical considerations which arise in discovery and how best to navigate areas of concern through the use of hypothetical scenarios.

Speaker

Rosalia Baiamonte, Esq. | Gassman Baiamonte Gruner, P.C.; Garden City, NY

Interplay of New Rules with Matrimonial Rules

We are grateful to have the wisdom and participation of Judge Sunshine as the Statewide Coordinating Judge for Matrimonials, who will provide an invaluable “view from the bench” on each segment and to explain the interplay between the new rules and the matrimonial rules in the area of discovery. The added benefit of a full panel discussion will follow each segment.

Speaker

Hon. Jeffrey S. Sunshine | Statewide Coordinating Judge for Matrimonials; Kings County Supreme Court; Brooklyn, NY

11:30 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.

Civility Between Attorneys – Ethical Considerations

Speaker

Rosalia Baiamonte, Esq. | Gassman Baiamonte Gruner, P.C.; Garden City, NY

12:10 p.m.

Golf Tournament (boxed lunch included)

Whiteface Club and Resort- 373 Whiteface Inn Ln, Lake Placid, NY 12946
Sponsored by Bernstein Private Wealth Management
Note: Golf registration fee is separate from the conference registration fee.

1:30 p.m. onwards

Afternoon Activities

• 1:00 p.m. - Paddle (Canoe or Kayak) | Walk to Lake Placid Marina to see Loons, Ospreys, Eagles and learn paddle skills | $95 per person | Meet outside the front doors of High Peaks Resort
• 1:30 p.m. - Lake Placid Boat Tour | Lake Placid Marina | $23 adults; $16 children 12 and under
• 2:00 p.m. - Hike (Cobble Hill) Lake Placid most famous peaks! View the Adirondack High Peaks, Lake Placid Lake, Mirror Lake and the Sentinel Range. Shuttle will be provided | $40 per person | Look for Hike Group sign by front doors of High Peaks Resort and a white van
• 2:00 p.m. - Road Bike Tour (e-bikes available) off the beaten path! Explore Lake Placid area side roads and back roads with the local guide! Visit some Olympic Sites, Art and Favorite byways | $95pp (+$50 for eBike) need height | Meet at HPC 2733 Main Street
• Nordic Walk (nature walk) Explore the Peninsula Trails! Get a tempo based walk (low impact) on our local nature trails. Depart from resort. Walk west for 1/2 mile and entire another world! Includes: guide, poles and instruction | $25 per person

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Cocktail Reception

Whiteface Lodge
7 Whiteface Inn Lodge, Lake Placid, NY 12946 (Transportation will be provided)
Sponsored by Financial Research Associates

8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Dinner on your own

10:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Hospitality/Afterparty

Lake House Bar
High Peaks Resort (Lake House property), 2384 Saranac Avenue, Lake Placid NY 12946

7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

Avalanche Pass

7:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Registration and Exhibits

Avalanche Pass

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Committee Breakfast Meetings

Child Custody Committee | Armstrong Room

9:00 a.m.

Yoga for guests

High Peaks Resort Waterfront property
Note: Pre-registration is required.

9:00 a.m. – 9:05 a.m.

Welcoming Remarks

Speaker

Joan Casilio Adams, Esq. | Chair, NYSBA Family Law Section; J. Adams & Associates PLLC; Williamsville, NY

9:05 a.m. – 9:10 a.m.

Program Introduction

The speakers in the first two sessions will be active throughout the presentations and will address points in both segments.

Speaker

Peter R. Stambleck, Esq. | Vice Chair, NYSBA Family Law Section; Mosberg Sharma Stambleck Gross, LLP; New York, NY

9:10 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Addiction and Substance Abuse in Custody Cases: Assessing, Monitoring, and Determining Best Pathways for the Health and Safety of Children

We will hear from experts in the field of substance abuse as to how best to approach a custody matter that involves substance abuse and/or addiction, including options for using mental health experts to assist in assessing addiction and abuse, as well as making recommendations; how to address parenting time and decision making when one or both parents have substance abuse issues; how to assess and handle a case where there are claims of false allegations of substance abuse. The panel includes a forensic psychiatrist, certified in addiction psychiatry; a representative of Soberlink, an alcohol monitoring device used frequently in custody matters; and an experienced parenting coordinator, who will discuss various approaches and tools for helping parties resolve parenting issues where substance abuse is an issue.

Speaker

Elie G. Aoun MD, MRO | Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry; Columbia University - Division of Law, Medicine and Psychiatry

Mike Fonseca | Soberlink; Colleyville, TX

Joan Warren Esq. | Parenting Coordinator, Law Office of Joan Warren; Buffalo, NY

Moderator

Jenifer J. Foley Esq. | Alter Wolff Foley & Stutman LLP; New York, NY

10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Refreshment Break

Sponsored by Empire Valuation Consultants

10:15 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.

Utilizing Various Tools in High Conflict Custody Cases, Including Substance Abuse, Mental Illness, Hostile Parents, and Strained Communications

This section will build on the information from the prior panel, to provide additional information on strategies for working with high conflict parents in an effort to keep them focused on the best interests of their children rather than fighting with each other, including recommendations from a forensic psychiatrist on best assessment and parenting plans, the implementation of such recommendation by a parenting coordinator, and how communication between parents can be improved and monitored, if needed.

Speaker

Elie G. Aoun MD, MRO | Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry; Columbia University - Division of Law, Medicine and Psychiatry

Joan Warren Esq. | Parenting Coordinator, Law Office of Joan Warren; Buffalo, NY

Katrina Volker | Our Family Wizard; Minneapolis, MN

Moderator

Jenifer J. Foley Esq. | Alter Wolff Foley & Stutman LLP; New York, NY

11:05 a.m. – 11:55 a.m.

Matrimonial and Family Law Update

This segment will cover selected important developments in matrimonial and family law since Fall of 2022. The comprehensive written materials, over 100 pages with a detailed table of contents, address the significant recent trends in Agreements, Attorney & Client, Child Support, Counsel & Expert Fees, Custody & Visitation, Disclosure, Enforcement, Equitable Distribution, Evidence, Family Offense, Maintenance, Paternity, Pendente Lite, Procedure, Real Property, and Legislative & Court Rule Items.

Speaker

Hon. Bruce J. Wagner | Support Magistrate; Schenectady & Montgomery County Family Courts

11:55 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Closing Remarks

Speaker

Joan Casilio Adams, Esq. | Chair, NYSBA Family Law Section; J. Adams & Associates PLLC; Williamsville, NY

12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

A Meet and Greet with Honorable Jeffrey S. Sunshine, Statewide Coordinating Judge for Matrimonials

Marcy Boardroom

Speaker

Hon. Jeffrey S. Sunshine | Statewide Coordinating Judge for Matrimonials; Kings County Supreme Court; Brooklyn, NY

1:00 p.m. onwards

Afternoon activities

• 1-3 pm – Pool games and watersports gathering | High Peaks Resort Waterfront pool (free of charge)
• 1:30 p.m. - Lake Placid Boat Tour* | Lake Placid Marina | $23 adults; $16 children 12 and under

4:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Mountain Pass Lodge

Olympic Sports Complex, 31 Van Hoevenberg Way, Lake Placid, NY (Transportation will be provided)

Outdoor Activities (4:00 – 6:00 p.m.)
You may sign up for one, two, or all of the activities below

1. Mountain Coaster Ride (free of charge)
• Ride the longest coaster in North America! The Cliffside Coaster follows the path of Olympic history. Our coaster puts you in the driver’s seat of the 1980 Olympic Sliding Track for a ride where you control the speed through sharp corners, cliffside banks and long winding track. Experience the inspiring Olympic history of Lake Placid Sliding for yourself. You’ll love it so much you’ll want to race again!
• Ride Requirements:
• Drivers must be at least 9 years old and 52″ tall
• Passengers must be at least 3 years old and 36″ tall
• 18 years old to ride with a passenger
• The maximum weight per cart is 300 lbs
• The Cliffside Coaster is a high-speed ride that features many sudden twists and turns, which may cause participants to be jolted throughout the ride. For your protection, this ride is not recommended for guests with head, neck, or bone injuries, recent surgery, heart trouble, high blood pressure, heart conditions, or guest who are pregnant.
2. Biathlon Shooting Range (free of charge)
• In the summer months, you can’t ski the trails without snow, but you can get your heart racing. The idea is to simulate the rush biathletes feel as they try to line up a target. Then you’ll step up to the range in our Cross Country Stadium, take aim, and fire a 22 rifle or a paintball gun (12 & under) to test your marksmanship. Come out and see how you do; it’s worth a shot!
3. Bobsled Experience | $125 per person
• Come experience this one-of-a-kind action sport for yourself! Cruise down the track like our world-class athletes, reaching speeds over 50 miles per hour. Zoom around banked turns on our almost mile long track. You’ll live the adventure, the Bobsled Experience in Lake Placid is one of the few locations on earth where you can participate in this fast and furious sport. Adrenaline seekers and families alike will relish this once in a lifetime experience!
• Ride Requirements:
• First and Second Passengers must be at least 9 years old and 52 inches tall.
• Third Passengers must be at least 13 years old and 52 inches tall.
• The maximum weight per passenger is 300 lbs.
• The Bobsled Experience is a high-speed ride that features many sudden twists and turns, which may cause participants to be jolted throughout the ride. For your protection, this ride is not recommended for guests with head, neck, or bone injuries, recent surgery, heart trouble, high blood pressure, heart conditions, or guest who are pregnant.

Closing Reception and Dinner (6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.)

9:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

Hospitality/Afterparty

Grand Adirondack Hotel
2520 Main St., Lake Placid, NY 12946

Departure