8:30 AM Starting a Case

• Information gathering at initial meeting
• Addressing life choices with clients
• Parenting Plans under Wis. Stat. § 767.41(1m)
• Temporary orders
• Early-stage mediation
• Child Specialist / Coaches in Collaborative cases

Adam Onkels

9:30 AM Introducing the Guardian ad litem

• Appointment of a GAL
• Home study
• Mental health / AODA / DV assessments
• Tips on getting successful outcomes with GAL
• Trial preparation

Lisa M. Friedrich

10:15 AM Break

10:30 AM Addressing Mental Health Needs during the Divorce Process

• Children’s emotional and developmental needs
• Parent’s mental health needs
• Minimizing conflict within the family
• Introducing significant others
• Setting families up for success
• What mental health professionals want attorneys to know

Karla Angel, John Binkley

12:00 PM Lunch (on your own)

1:00 PM Trial Strategies: Making the Most (or Least) of a Custody Evaluation

• Working with a custody evaluator
• Preparing expert witnesses, or preparing yourself to showcase the expert witness
• Coordinating with a positive home study or guardian’s ad litem recommendation
• How to deal with a negative home study or guardian’s ad litem recommendation

Margaret W. Hickey

2:00 PM Settling Cases

• The basics of negotiating and settling children's issues
• Preparing your client for mediation
• Basic considerations for custody and placement agreements
• Tips and considerations for mediation
• Final agreements and court orders before final judgmen

Aislinn Penkwitz

2:45 PM Break

3:00 PM It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over: Post-judgment Custody & Placement Issues

• Modification of placement and custody orders
• Moving/Removal
• Common issues: School choice, teenagers, and “Use it or Lose it” cases

Daniel P. Bestul

3:45 PM Maintaining Your Sanity (LAU Credit)

• Keeping your objectivity
• Dealing with high conflict parents and/or opposing counsel
• Avoiding comp

Margaret W. Hickey

4:30 PM Program Concludes

• Understand custody and placement in paternity and divorce cases
• Learn techniques to address children’s needs in parenting plans
• Recognize the rights and responsibilities of parents or guardians after separation or divorce
• Gain tips for making the most of custody evaluations and expert witnesses
• Hear best practices for addressing common post-judgment issues
• Discover strategies for maintaining your objectivity and preventing burnout

• Family law attorneys
• Children’s and juvenile law attorneys
• Guardians ad litem
• New lawyers
• Paralegals

YLD Discount!

Young Lawyers Division members receive a $20 discount on tuition.* Discount applied automatically upon log-in.

*Young Lawyers Division Members are State Bar member attorneys 36 years of age or younger, or within five years of admission to the State Bar of Wisconsin. If you’ve opted out of YLD, you will not receive this discount. The $20 discount only applies to in-person, live webcast, and webcast replay versions of this seminar – not CLE OnDemand. YLD members with Ultimate Passes, other CLE passes, or PINNACLE discounts are not eligible for this discount.

Book Bonus!

Family Law in Wisconsin: A Forms and Procedures Handbook
Save 15% on Family Law in Wisconsin: A Forms and Procedures Handbook.* From initial client meetings to post-judgment matters, the Handbook can help you streamline your family law practice while sparing your clients undue stress. Use discount code CA3781 when you order online or by calling (800) 728-7788.

*Discount applies to both print and digital Books UnBound editions of this title and cannot be applied to previous purchases. Offer valid through 12/31/26. For Books UnBound users, discount may be applied to purchase of individual Books UnBound title only and may not be used on the purchase of libraries. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers.

The Build Your Practice Series from State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE^® introduces you to the fundamentals of various practice areas. Gain the tools and information you need to develop a new area of practice and expand your firm's offerings. Build Your Practice Series programs are endorsed by the State Bar's Young Lawyers Division.