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Overview
Think Like a Judge - When It Matters Most Featuring 5 Judges From Across the Nation
Discover what drives real family court decisions and where attorneys most often go wrong. In this program, experienced family law judges deliver a candid, behind-the-bench perspective on the motions, arguments, and evidence that actually influence outcomes - from emergency orders to support deviations. Walk away with a clearer understanding of how judges assess credibility, weigh competing narratives, and make discretionary calls so you communicate clearly where it matters most. Register today!
- Identify why motions succeed - or fail - before you file.
- Clarify your position in property division and support disputes.
- Focus your custody arguments and evidence on the factors judges truly prioritize.
- Avoid the recurring advocacy mistakes judges see every day.
Abbreviated Agenda
What Family Court Judges Really Look For (and What Attorneys Get Wrong)
Panelists: Hon. Sue M. Crane, Hon. Thomas Smith and Hon. Beth Tanner
Moderator: Brenda Lopez
- Emergency and Temporary Orders: Where Attorneys Get it Wrong
- Contempt Motions: Why They Succeed and Why They Fail
- Property Division: What Actually Drives Judges' Decisions
- Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements: When to Enforce or Set Them Aside
- Support Deviations, Income Manipulation, and Imputed Income: What Judges Look For
Break: 1:30 – 1:45
- Custody and Parenting Time: What Factors Truly Move the Needle
- Parental Alienation and Other Difficult Custody Issues: What Judges Need to See
- Modifications: What Actually Qualifies as a Substantial Change
- What Evidence Actually Persuades Judges (and What Doesn't)
- Mistakes That Family Judges See Attorneys Make Over and Over
Can't Attend Live?
Pre-Order the OnDemand
We will notify you when the ondemand recording is available.
Credit Details
Credits Available
| Credit | Status | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Alabama CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Arkansas CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Arizona CLE |
|
3 Total |
| California CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Colorado CLE |
|
4 Total |
| Connecticut CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Delaware CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Florida CLE |
|
3.5 Total |
| Georgia CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Hawaii CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Iowa CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Idaho CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Illinois CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Indiana CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Kansas CLE |
|
3.5 Total |
| Kentucky CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Louisiana CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Maine CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Minnesota CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Missouri CLE |
|
3.6 Total |
| Northern Mariana Islands CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Mississippi CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Montana CLE |
|
3 Total |
| North Carolina CLE |
|
3 Total |
| North Dakota CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Nebraska CLE |
|
3 Total |
| New Hampshire CLE |
|
3 Total |
| New Jersey CLE |
|
3.6 Total |
| New Mexico CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Nevada CLE |
|
3 Total |
| New York CLE |
|
3.5 Total |
| Ohio CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Oklahoma CLE |
|
3.5 Total |
| Oregon CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Pennsylvania CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Rhode Island CLE |
|
3.5 Total |
| South Carolina CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Tennessee CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Texas CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Utah CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Virginia CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Vermont CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Washington CLE |
|
3 Total |
| Wisconsin CLE |
|
3.5 Total |
| West Virginia CLE |
|
3.6 Total |
| Wyoming CLE |
|
3 Total |
Select Jurisdiction
CLE
Agenda
-
What Family Court Judges Really Look For (and What Attorneys Get Wrong)
Panelists: Hon. Sue M. Crane, Hon. Thomas Smith and Hon. Beth Tanner
Moderator: Brenda Lopez- Emergency and Temporary Orders: Where Attorneys Get it Wrong
- Contempt Motions: Why They Succeed and Why They Fail
- Property Division: What Actually Drives Judges' Decisions
- Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements: When to Enforce or Set Them Aside
- Support Deviations, Income Manipulation, and Imputed Income: What Judges Look For
Break: 1:30 – 1:45
- Custody and Parenting Time: What Factors Truly Move the Needle
- Parental Alienation and Other Difficult Custody Issues: What Judges Need to See
- Modifications: What Actually Qualifies as a Substantial Change
- What Evidence Actually Persuades Judges (and What Doesn't)
- Mistakes That Family Judges See Attorneys Make Over and Over
Who Should Attend
This program is designed for attorneys. Paralegals may also benefit.
Speakers
Speaker bio
Brenda Lopez
is a partner in the law firm of Patterson, Lopez, Banuelos, Khiterman, LLP, in San Diego. She is a Certified Family Law Specialist, who has represented family law clients in a variety of cases in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and Imperial Counties. Ms. Lopez has successfully litigated many complex family law cases, touching upon both economic and non-economic issues. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the San Diego County Bar, after previously serving on the Family Law Section as chair, vice-chair and member at large. Ms. Lopez also currently serves as vice president for San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association as well on the Board of Directors for the San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association Scholarship Fund. She also serves as co-chair of the Gender Equity Committee of Lawyers Club of San Diego. She earned her B.A. degree from San Diego State University and her J.D. degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
Speaker bio
Hon. Thomas Smith
is a Circuit Court Judge in the Nineteenth West Judicial Circuit in Benton County.
Speaker bio
Hon. Beth Tanner
is as a Commissioner for the Innocence Inquiry Commission. She is an also appointee on Moore County's Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.
Speaker bio
Hon. Sue M. Crane
is an Associate Circuit Court Judge in the 13th Judicial Circuit in Missouri.
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