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What Family Court Judges Really Look For (and What Attorneys Get Wrong)

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Alaska CLE Reciprocity 3 Total
Alabama CLE Approved 3 Total
Arkansas CLE Approved 3 Total
Arizona CLE Approved 3 Total
California CLE Approved 3 Total
Colorado CLE Approved 4 Total
Connecticut CLE Approved 3 Total
Delaware CLE Approved 3 Total
Florida CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Georgia CLE Approved 3 Total
Hawaii CLE Approved 3 Total
Iowa CLE Upon Request 3 Total
Idaho CLE Pending 3 Total
Illinois CLE Approved 3 Total
Indiana CLE Approved 3 Total
Kansas CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Kentucky CLE Approved 3 Total
Louisiana CLE Approved 3 Total
Maine CLE Approved 3 Total
Minnesota CLE Approved 3 Total
Missouri CLE Approved 3.6 Total
Northern Mariana Islands CLE Approved 3 Total
Mississippi CLE Approved 3 Total
Montana CLE Pending 3 Total
North Carolina CLE Approved 3 Total
North Dakota CLE Approved 3 Total
Nebraska CLE Approved 3 Total
New Hampshire CLE Approved 3 Total
New Jersey CLE Approved 3.6 Total
New Mexico CLE Approved 3 Total
Nevada CLE Approved 3 Total
New York CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Ohio CLE Approved 3 Total
Oklahoma CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Oregon CLE Approved 3 Total
Pennsylvania CLE Approved 3 Total
Rhode Island CLE Approved 3.5 Total
South Carolina CLE Approved 3 Total
Tennessee CLE Approved 3 Total
Texas CLE Approved 3 Total
Utah CLE Approved 3 Total
Virginia CLE Approved 3 Total
Vermont CLE Approved 3 Total
Washington CLE Approved 3 Total
Wisconsin CLE Approved 3.5 Total
West Virginia CLE Approved 3.6 Total
Wyoming CLE Upon Request 3 Total
Live Online
3 hours 15 minutes
Brenda Lopez
Thomas Smith
Beth Tanner
Sue Crane
With Brenda Lopez from Patterson, Lopez, Banuelos, Khiterman, LLP + 3 others

Wed, Sep 23, 00:00 AM – 00:00 PM

Product ID 102309

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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

  1. Emergency and Temporary Orders: Where Attorneys Get it Wrong
  2. Contempt Motions: Why They Succeed and Why They Fail
  3. Property Division: What Actually Drives Judges' Decisions
  4. Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements: When to Enforce or Set Them Aside
  5. Support Deviations, Income Manipulation, and Imputed Income: What Judges Look For

Break: 1:30 – 1:45

  1. Custody and Parenting Time: What Factors Truly Move the Needle
  2. Parental Alienation and Other Difficult Custody Issues: What Judges Need to See
  3. Modifications: What Actually Qualifies as a Substantial Change
  4. What Evidence Actually Persuades Judges (and What Doesn't)
  5. 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.

Product ID 102309

Credit Details

Credits Available
Credit Status Total
Alaska CLE Reciprocity 3 Total
Alabama CLE Approved 3 Total
Arkansas CLE Approved 3 Total
Arizona CLE Approved 3 Total
California CLE Approved 3 Total
Colorado CLE Approved 4 Total
Connecticut CLE Approved 3 Total
Delaware CLE Approved 3 Total
Florida CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Georgia CLE Approved 3 Total
Hawaii CLE Approved 3 Total
Iowa CLE Upon Request 3 Total
Idaho CLE Pending 3 Total
Illinois CLE Approved 3 Total
Indiana CLE Approved 3 Total
Kansas CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Kentucky CLE Approved 3 Total
Louisiana CLE Approved 3 Total
Maine CLE Approved 3 Total
Minnesota CLE Approved 3 Total
Missouri CLE Approved 3.6 Total
Northern Mariana Islands CLE Approved 3 Total
Mississippi CLE Approved 3 Total
Montana CLE Pending 3 Total
North Carolina CLE Approved 3 Total
North Dakota CLE Approved 3 Total
Nebraska CLE Approved 3 Total
New Hampshire CLE Approved 3 Total
New Jersey CLE Approved 3.6 Total
New Mexico CLE Approved 3 Total
Nevada CLE Approved 3 Total
New York CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Ohio CLE Approved 3 Total
Oklahoma CLE Approved 3.5 Total
Oregon CLE Approved 3 Total
Pennsylvania CLE Approved 3 Total
Rhode Island CLE Approved 3.5 Total
South Carolina CLE Approved 3 Total
Tennessee CLE Approved 3 Total
Texas CLE Approved 3 Total
Utah CLE Approved 3 Total
Virginia CLE Approved 3 Total
Vermont CLE Approved 3 Total
Washington CLE Approved 3 Total
Wisconsin CLE Approved 3.5 Total
West Virginia CLE Approved 3.6 Total
Wyoming CLE Upon Request 3 Total
Select Jurisdiction
CLE

Agenda

All times are shown in
  1. 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

    1. Emergency and Temporary Orders: Where Attorneys Get it Wrong
    2. Contempt Motions: Why They Succeed and Why They Fail
    3. Property Division: What Actually Drives Judges' Decisions
    4. Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements: When to Enforce or Set Them Aside
    5. Support Deviations, Income Manipulation, and Imputed Income: What Judges Look For

    Break: 1:30 – 1:45

    1. Custody and Parenting Time: What Factors Truly Move the Needle
    2. Parental Alienation and Other Difficult Custody Issues: What Judges Need to See
    3. Modifications: What Actually Qualifies as a Substantial Change
    4. What Evidence Actually Persuades Judges (and What Doesn't)
    5. Mistakes That Family Judges See Attorneys Make Over and Over

Who Should Attend

This program is designed for attorneys. Paralegals may also benefit.

Speakers

Brenda Lopez
Brenda
Lopez
Patterson, Lopez, Banuelos, Khiterman, LLP
Hon. Thomas Smith
Hon. Thomas
Smith
Benton County Nineteenth West Judicial Circuit
Hon. Beth Tanner
Hon. Beth
Tanner
Innocence Inquiry Commission
Hon. Sue M Crane
Hon. Sue M.
Crane
Callaway County 13th Judicial Cirsuit
Speaker bio
Brenda Lopez

Brenda Lopez

Patterson, Lopez, Banuelos, Khiterman, LLP
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

Hon. Thomas Smith

Benton County Nineteenth West Judicial Circuit
Thomas Smith

is a Circuit Court Judge in the Nineteenth West Judicial Circuit in Benton County.

Speaker bio
Hon. Beth Tanner

Hon. Beth Tanner

Innocence Inquiry Commission
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

Hon. Sue M. Crane

Callaway County 13th Judicial Cirsuit
Sue Crane

is an Associate Circuit Court Judge in the 13th Judicial Circuit in Missouri.

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