High conflict family law cases consume judicial resources, and lawyers’ time and energy. Of equal, if not greater importance, research shows that high conflict divorces can have significant negative impacts on the mental health and development of both children and parents.

What tools and strategies can you employ to identify and manage these high conflict cases? How can you reduce the negative impacts on the parties, their children and yourself? Join our expert panel as they explore these difficult issues, including:

• How to identify a high risk family
• Making sense of high conflict couples and the psychological impact on children
• Where is the line between high conflict and parental alienation?
• When does a high conflict dispute become a child protection concern, and what are the implications for the custody and access case?
• Best practices for dealing with your client, opposing counsel and others
• Taking care of yourself: Preventing claims and managing stress
• Practical advice from the Bench: Approaches, evidence, advocacy and more

PROGRAM CHAIRS

Ida Bianchi, Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General - Family Policy and Programs Branch
Eric Sadvari, Martha McCarthy & Company LLP

SPEAKERS

The Honourable Debra Paulseth, Senior Advisory Family Judge, Ontario Court of Justice
Stephanie Giannandrea, Martha McCarthy & Company LLP
Lorne Glass, Glass and Associates
Howard Hurwitz, MSW, RSW
Heather Shimkovitz, Direct Service Manager, Jewish Family and Child Service of Greater Toronto