This year's CLE program aims to not only advance your practice but also support the full spectrum of what it means to be a successful, fulfilled family law professional.
Wednesday, March 11
Leading with Heart: Authentic Practice Management
8:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
AAML Remarks
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
The Language of Leadership: Understanding Your DISC Profile (Part 1)
Debbie Foster, Chief Executive Officer, Affinity Consulting
Why do some conversations feel effortless, while others leave you frustrated? In this energizing keynote, attendees will open their personal DISC results for the first time and learn how to decode their own communication style. Through the lens of behavioral design, we’ll explore how individual style influences leadership, collaboration, and decision-making, especially in high-pressure family law environments. This session sets the foundation for building stronger teams, improving trust, and leading with greater impact.
9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
DISC in Action for Practice Management (Part 2)
Debbie Foster, Chief Executive Officer, Affinity Consulting
It’s time to turn insight into action. This interactive workshop builds on the morning keynote by applying DISC insights to everyday challenges in your firm, from leading team members to communicating with clients. Through hands-on group exercises, participants will explore how communication style influences delegation, conflict resolution, motivation, and overall leadership effectiveness. Whether you're navigating difficult client conversations or working to improve team performance, you’ll leave with practical strategies to lead more intentionally and communicate more clearly with everyone in your firm.
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Leading from the Inside Out: Authenticity, Effective Communication, and High-Performance in High-Stress Environments
Taylor House, Managing Partner, Reardon House Colton PLC (Arizona)
Adam Kibort, Partner, Grund & Leavitt, P.C. (Illinois)
Aidan Welsh, Partner, Schoonmaker, George, Blomberg, Bryniczka & Welsh, P.C. (Connecticut)
Susan Moss, Partner, Chemtob Moss Forman & Beyda, LLP (New York)
Moderated by Debbie Foster, Chief Executive Officer, Affinity Consulting
In this dynamic panel, AAML Fellows will explore how behavioral styles shape leadership in family law firms. Through candid conversation, they’ll share strategies for authentic leadership, empathetic communication, and maintaining high performance without burnout, especially when guiding teams through emotionally charged cases. Leave with actionable strategies to build a practice culture that values well-being alongside client service.
Thursday, March 12
Leading with Hands: Practical Tools for Practice Management
8:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.
AAML Remarks
8:15 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
From Experimentation to Implementation: Establishing an AI Strategy for Your Firm (Part 1)
Stephen Smith, AI Strategy Expert and Chief Executive Office, Intelligence by Intent
More information coming soon!
9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
How Family Lawyers Are Using AI Today (Part 2)
Stephen Smith, AI Strategy Expert and Chief Executive Office, Intelligence by Intent
Charles DeLacey, Partner, DeLacey, Riebel & Shindell, LLP (California)
More information coming soon!
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
60 Tips in 60 Minutes to Supercharge Your Practice
Charles Hardy, Partner, Higdon, Hardy & Zuflacht LLP (Texas)
Kathryn Mickelson, Equity Partner, Beermann LLP (Illinois)
Jennifer M. Riemer, Partner, Wasser, Cooperman & Mandles (California)
Lynn Slaathaug Moen, Attorney/Owner, Nilson Brand Law (North Dakota)
Moderated by Debbie Foster, Chief Executive Officer, Affinity Consulting
Wrap up the day with this fast-paced, high-energy session featuring a panel of AAML Fellows sharing their favorite tools, hacks, and strategies to elevate your practice. From time-saving apps to wellness tips and business development tools, you’ll leave with a treasure-trove of ideas to boost efficiency, improve client experience, and grow your business.
Friday, March 13
Leading with Head: Strategic Practice Management for Growth
8:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
AAML Remarks
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Pricing & Profitability: How Innovation, Automation, and Client Value Influence the Future of Legal Fees
Kiilu Davis, Owner, kdlaw, P.C. (Arizona)
Meighan Harmon, Managing Partner, Schiller DuCanto and Fleck LLP (Illinois)
Rob McAngus, Partner, Verner Brumley Mueller Parker, P.C. (Texas)
As AI and automation reshape how family lawyers work, this session explores how pricing models are evolving to reflect efficiency, transparency, and client expectations. AAML Fellows from firms of varying sizes will share insights on alternative billing structures, profitability tracking, and how technology is influencing both rates and perceived value. Learn how to align your pricing strategy with a modern, client-centered practice.
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Tracking What Matters: How to Use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to Drive Smarter Decisions
Ed Kainen, Senior and Managing Partner, Kainen Law Group, PLLC (Nevada)
Robert Russell, Business Manager, Cage & Miles (California)
Zach Smith, Founder and Partner, Zachary D. Smith, LLC (Ohio)
Moderated by Debbie Foster, Chief Executive Officer, Affinity Consulting
Smart firms run on smart data. This session illustrates how family law firms can establish and leverage KPIs to guide strategic decisions related to resource management, marketing, and more. Panelists will share approaches for selecting meaningful metrics, setting achievable goals, and using dashboards and automation to turn performance data into actionable insights. Discover how starting small with the right data can lead to big, long-term impact.
10:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Reputation That Resonates: The Branding Advantage for AAML Fellows
EJ Stern, MA, CPC, Co-Founder and CMO, Fractional Law Firm CMO
Katherine Wilson, JD, Co-Founder and CMO, Fractional Law Firm CMO
High-stakes clients don’t hire just any lawyer; they hire the lawyer whose reputation precedes them. For AAML Fellows, brand-building is about carefully cultivating trust, credibility, and distinction. In this interactive session, we’ll explore how personal branding, firm identity, and a strategic referral network all work together to strengthen your reputation among sophisticated clients and influential peers. You will learn:
- How to define and communicate a personal brand that reinforces your reputation in high-stakes family law matters
- How to align your firm’s brand identity with the values and experiences that resonate most with discerning clients and referral sources
- How to develop a deliberate referral strategy rooted in storytelling, visibility, and relationship stewardship