Family Law Custody Mock Trial 2024 (Buffalo)
The Family Law Section is pleased to present a full day “Trial of a Custody Case” program which will be a demonstration by experienced matrimonial lawyers performing direct and cross examinations of a mother, father, and forensic custody evaluator in a simulated child custody case. A New York judge on the faculty will rule on the attorneys’ questioning and on evidentiary issues, when necessary, during this simulated trial.
The faculty will convey recommended techniques in preparing for and trying a custody case. You will hear from the forensic custody evaluator on how a forensic custody evaluation report is prepared. The judge on the panel will review his/her role and the judge’s conduct in conducting a Lincoln hearing in which the child (with the attorney for the child present) may be questioned by the judge in-camera.
Substantial time has been built into the program for audience questions and panel discussion by the faculty.
The fact pattern that forms the basis of the program, along with a forensic custody evaluation report, will be distributed to registrants so they may follow the proceedings.
This "custody trial" program continues the innovative CLE offerings of the Family Law Section and is full of practical guidance. This course will provide you with a fresh look at proven approaches, techniques, and styles of successful matrimonial lawyers in custody cases.
- September 27, 2024
- 8:30 AM
- 4:00 PM
- 2.0
- 4.5
- 6.5
- Buffalo
- UB Downtown Gateway Building,
77 Goodell Street Room 208
Buffalo, NY 14203
Program Chair/Moderator:
Vanessa C. Gabriele, Esq., Gabriele Law PLLC, Buffalo, NY
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Registration
9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.
Judge’s Considerations in Custody Cases
Judge:
Hon. Mary L. Slisz
Supreme Court Justice
Buffalo, NY
1.0 MCLE Credit in Areas of Professional Practice
9:50 a.m. – 11:05 a.m.
Direct and Cross Examination – Key Skills
(The Mother)
Mother:
Erin Welsh Barrett, J.D.
Brian R. Welsh, PLLC
Buffalo, NY
Mother’s Attorney:
Nadine Patterson, Esq.
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.
Buffalo, NY
1.5 MCLE Credits in Skills
11:05 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Coffee Break
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Direct and Cross Examination – Key Skills
(The Father)
Father:
Charles A. Messina, Esq.
Smith & Messina LLP
Buffalo, NY
Father’s Attorney:
Christopher Affronti, Esq.
Affronti, LLC
Rochester, NY
1.5 MCLE Credits in Skills
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch Break
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Direct and Cross Examination – Key Skills
(The Custodial Evaluator)
Moderator:
Vanessa C. Gabriele, Esq.
Gabriele Law PLLC
Buffalo, NY
Custodial Evaluator:
Frank Alabiso, PhD.
Suburban Psychiatric Associates
Amherst, NY
Attorney for the Child
Gary Muldoon, Esq.
Kaman Berlove Marafioti Jacobstein & Goldman LLP
Rochester, NY
1.5 MCLE Credits in Skills
2:45 p.m. – 2:55 p.m.
Coffee Break
2:55 p.m. – 3:55 p.m.
Panel Discussion and Audience Questions with the Judge, Custody Expert and Lawyers
1.0 MCLE Credit in Areas of Professional Practice
3:55 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Closing
- Vanessa C. Gabriele, Esq., Gabriele Law, PLLC
- Nadine E. Patterson, Esq., The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.
- Erin Welsh Barrett, J.D., Brian R. Welsh, PLLC
- Charles A. Messina, Esq., Smith & Messina LLP
- Christopher Affronti, Esq., Affronti, LLC
- Hon. Mary L. Slisz, Supreme Court Justice
- Frank Alabiso, Ph.D., Suburban Psychiatric Associates
- Gary Muldoon, Esq., Kaman Berlove Marafioti Jacobstein & Goldman LLP
- In-Person
- 0PF32
- Family Law Section
- Committee on Continuing Legal Education
