Preparing for Trial:

Program Description

Most cases settle before trial, but when that doesn't happen, the family lawyer needs to be ready to go to trial and win. Learn the basic steps necessary to be prepared for a final hearing, including: exhibit and witness preparation, effective use of marital balance sheets, trial organization, and how to get your evidence before the trier of fact.

Click here for more information on the Family Law 101 Teleconference Series.

Program Faculty

Melissa Avery is a partner with Avery & Cheerva LLP, a Certified Family Law Specialist, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Law and Politics Magazine  chose Ms. Avery as one of Indiana's Top 25 Female Lawyers in 2007. She is the Secretary of the Indiana State Bar Association Family Law Section, a counsel member and chair of the Marital Property Committee of the ABA Section of Family Law, and a former chair of the Indianapolis Bar Association Family Law Section. Ms. Avery is also a frequent presenter of Continuing Legal Education for both local and national organizations. She also participates in pro bono activities by providing family law services to low income clients.

Ed Kainen is a shareholder in the Las Vegas law firm of Ecker & Kainen, Chartered, which is an AV® rated firm. The AV® designation is the highest such rating available to any individual lawyer in a law firms. Mr. Kainen is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a Nevada Certified Specialist in Family Law, and has achieved the highest rating available by the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell® Law Directory.

Mr. Kainen has taught continuing legal education programs on various aspects of family law, motion practice, evidence, and professionalism and ethics.  He is the chair of the Nevada Board of Certified Family Law Specialists. He has also chaired and served on the Family Court Bench Bar Committee. He is the past chair of the Law Practice Management Committee of the ABA Section of Family Law, co-chairs the Membership and Marketing Committee, and serves on the Continuing Legal Education Committee. He has received special recognition for his pro bono service, including being honored as Pro Bono Attorney of the Year in 2002.

CLE Credit*

1.5 hours of CLE credit in 60-minute states/1.8 hours of CLE credit in 50-minute states have been requested in states accrediting ABA teleconferences and live audio webcasts.*

NY-licensed attorneys: This non-transitional CLE program has been approved for experienced NY-licensed attorneys in accordance with the requirements of the New York State CLE Board for 1.5 total NY CLE credits.

The following states accept ABA teleconferences for mandatory CLE credit:
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, KY, LA, ME, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NH, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY.

*States currently not accrediting ABA Teleconferences: DE, IN, PA, KS, OH