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January 15, 2027 – January 18, 2027 AAML Southern California  Chapter's 35th Annual Institute of Trial Advocacy: License to Litigate: Advanced Family Law Trial Practice Newport Beach, CA | Balboa Bay Club

Dear Fellows and Guests:

On behalf of the Southern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, we welcome you to our Annual Trial Advocacy Institute. As always, this will be a weekend of top-drawer CLE, social events, and fellowship in a grand setting. We look forward to seeing and serving you, and invite you to contact us with any questions or comments: socaldeans@gmail.com.

January 15–18, 2027  ·  Newport Beach, CA

Program Schedule


8:15 – 8:30 AM

Separate Missions, Better Outcomes: The Value of Bifurcation

Speaker

Lisa McCall, Esq.

8:30 – 9:30 AM

The Numbers Never Lie: Reasonable Compensation and Cap Rates in Marital Business Valuations

Speakers

Robert Benavente, Esq. and TBD

9:30 – 10:30 AM

No Time for Bad Math: Business Valuations After Imperato

Speakers

Renee Ross, Esq. and Marie Ebersbacher, CPA

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

GoldenEye on Income: What's Available for Support—and What's Not

Speakers

Judge Hank M. Goldberg, Judge Jackson Lucky, Christopher Melcher, Esq., and Greg Herring, Esq.

8:15 – 8:30 AM

Trust No One: Irrevocable Trusts in California Divorce

Speaker

Eric Moore, Esq.

8:30 – 9:15 AM

Shaken, Not Sold: Preserving Value with 1031 Exchanges

Speakers

Alex Payne, Esq. and TBD

9:15 – 10:00 AM

Operation Asset Rescue: Enforcement Remedies and Receivers

Speakers

Michael Muse-Fisher, Esq. and Scott Finkbeiner, Esq.

10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Mission Impossible? Trying a Custody Case in 2027

Speakers

Judge Laura Miller, Sandra Mayberry, Esq., and Evan Itzkowitz, Esq.

8:15 – 8:30 AM

The Decision Is Not Enough: Navigating the New Appellate Rules

Speaker

Claudia Ribbett, Esq.

8:30 – 9:30 AM

License to Litigate—or License to Control? Litigation Control and Coercive Control in DV Cases

Speakers

Judge Geanene Yriarte, Lori Love, and Jennifer Riemer, Esq.

9:30 – 10:30 AM

Global Intelligence: Using Experts in International Move-Away Cases

Speakers

Nicole Whyte, Esq., Laurie Nachlis, Esq., and Susan Warda, Esq.

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

From Q Branch to the Courtroom: The Future of Legal Technology

Speakers

Jillian Duggan-Herd, Esq., Gordon Cruse, Esq., and Stephen Hamilton, Esq.

* Speakers and topics subject to change.

Event Pricing

MCLE Program Pricing

  • Early Bird | $990 until July 31, 2026
  • Regular Admission |$1,290 = August 1 – December 14, 2026
  • Late Registration | $1,490 =December 15, 2025 – January 5, 2027
  • Friday Welcome Reception | $100 ($150 each after December 14, 2026)
  • Saturday Gala | $250 each ($350 each after December 14, 2026)
  • Fellows Only Event | $175 each

Our Presenters

  • Christopher Melcher
  • Jennifer Riemer
  • Judge Jackson Lucky
  • Lisa McCall
  • Laurie Nachlis
  • Renee Ross
  • Judge Hank M. Goldberg
  • Nicole Whyte
  • Judge Laura Miller
  • Lori Love, PhD
  • Erik Moore
  • Jillian Duggan-Herd
  • Judge Geanene Yriarte
  • Robert Benavente
  • Greg Herring
  • Alex Payne
  • Scott Finkbeiner
  • Michael Muse-Fisher
  • Sandra Mayberry
  • Evan Itzkowitz
  • Claudia Ribet
  • Stephen Hamilton

*Speakers and topics subject to change

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Platinum Dinner

Platinum

Gold