8:15 a.m.-8:30 a.m.: Greetings and Introductions
Amy M. Keating, JD (Symposium Chair, Cleveland, OH)
S. Scott Haynes, JD, President, Ohio AAML Chapter (Columbus, OH)
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Precedent Proceedings: Case Law Update
Gary J. Gottfried, JD (Westerville, OH)
A perennial favorite, Mr. Gottfried brings us “all the news fit to
print” (or provide in Symposium materials). He summarizes case law
from around the state highlighting important topics, changes in interpretation,
and unusual fact patterns—providing insight on where case law is
now and where it may be going.
9:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m. Family Matters: Telling Stories as Effective Courtroom Practice
Michael Croley, Professor of English at Denison University (Granville, OH)
We think in stories from what we did on our last family vacation to what
our plans are for dinner. By understanding how stories are structured
and how they achieve narrative effect--logos, ethos, and pathos--we can
better understand how to connect with our clients, professionals, and
judges. Maybe even one another, too.
10:30 a.m. -10:45 a.m. BREAK
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Bring in the Pros:Use of Experts from Both Sides of the Bench
Judge Elizabeth Gill (Columbus, OH) and
Julia L. Leveridge, JD (Columbus, OH)
From forensic accountants to child custody evaluators, your use of experts
can be essential to preparing for settlement or a trial in your domestic
relations case. Join both a judge and a practitioner in a conversation
on how and when to use a variety of experts and get tips from both sides
of the bench on how to achieve the best outcomes for your clients.
12:00 p.m. – 12:15 p.m Friedman Award
Presentation of this year’s Friedman Professionalism Award by the
AAML, Ohio Chapter.
12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. LUNCH BREAK
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Put Me in Coach: Benefits and Limitations
of Parenting Coaches in Family Law Cases
Zachary D. Smith, JD, Moderator (Cincinnati, OH)
Panelists: Elizabeth Bach Van Valkenburgh, MSSA, LISW-S, CNM (Solon, OH)
Jamie Niesen, MA, MS, LPCC-S (Columbus, OH) Jennifer R. Szeghi, MA (Cincinnati, OH).
Our lively panel of parenting coaches will discuss how to effectively use
parenting coaches in high-conflict parenting situations—and to differentiate
parenting coaches from other third party professionals. Our panel will
provide examples of their skill-building efforts to enhance co-parenting
communication and resolve disputes without putting children in the middle.
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Character Counts: Ethics Review of Board Opinions,
Cases, and New Developments in Ohio Legal Ethics for 2023-present.
Charles J. Kettlewell, JD (Columbus, OH)
Mr. Kettlewell summarizes relevant developments in Ohio Legal Ethics, so
that we can be up-to-date on the ethical issues that routinely impact
our practice. His presentation will meld the (sometimes heady) formal
text of opinions and case law with tips for practical implementation.
3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. BREAK
3:15 p.m.- 4:45 p.m. Start Me Up: Start Ups, 409(A) Valuations, and Distributing
the Unknown
Kenneth Jr. Pia, Jr., CPA, ABV, ASA, MCBA (New Haven, CT)
Mr. Pia presents a deep-dive into understanding the stages of a start up
business, concepts of capital raising and the potential to effect on value,
and valuations sometimes required for other purposes. He provides potential
strategies for resolving cases that include start up business interests
in an ever-changing economic environment.
4:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Hot Tips
Somebody’s Watching Me: New O.R.C. 2903.216—Illegal Use of
a Tracking Device or
Application: Christopher Reynolds
Find Your Fortune: Annual Reporting Requirements for Unclaimed Funds Amy Weis.
Post, Tag, Litigate: Leveraging Social Media Evidence in Divorce and Custody
Cases in 2025 Ryan Nowlin.
