Los Angeles County Bar Association, Family Law Section
in association with
Beverly Hills Bar Association, Los Angeles County Psychological Association and
University of West Los Angeles, School of Law
presents

Program

Saturday, July 27, 2024

07:30–08:30	Breakfast – Courtesy of French-American Bar Association
08:30–08:45	Welcome Ceremony, Introduction and Sponsor Appreciation Welcome from the Organizing Committee Hon. Shelley Kaufman, Supervising Judge, Family Law Division, LASC, Dept. 2 - Central District (Stanley Mosk); Dena Kleeman, Esq., Chair, Executive Committee of the Family Law Section, LACBA; Prof. Steve Zand, Associate Dean, Director of Faculty Development, Professor of Law, UWLA
08:45–09:00	Introduction: Overcoming Barriers to Effective Communication Gitu Bhatia, Psy.D. Dr. Bhatia will provide an understanding of what makes communication difficult and how to approach "others" with empathy and respect.
09:00–10:00	Intergenerational Translation: The Art of Creating Effective Communication Across Generations Dr. Sacha Joseph-Matthews Dr. Joseph-Mathews will explore the differences in communication preferences and methodologies across generations and identify strategies for bridging the generation gap and avoiding misunderstandings.
10:15–10:25	Break
10:15–11:00	Panel: Power Dynamics in Intercultural Communication Speakers: Hon. Firdaus Dordi, Asst. Supervising Judge, Family Law Division, LASC, Dept. J/Home Court, Northwest District (Van Nuys) Hon. Diane M. Goodman, LASC, Dept. A12 North District (Lancaster) Noelle M. Halaby, Esq., CFLS, Law Offices of Noelle M. Halaby Moderator: Gitu Bhatia, Psy.D. Panelists will discuss challenging intercultural situations in the context of families in dispute. They will shed light on an evolving understanding of civil conduct, biases inherent in the law, and concepts of coercive control and domestic violence.
11:00–11:45	Communication Skills for Navigating Difficult Conversations Linda Bortell, Psy.D. Dr. Bortell will lead us in exercises demonstrating the essentials of communicating. Participants will leave with communication tools enabling them to have constructive and sensitive conversations about cultural differences.
11:45–12:00	Lunch – Traditional Iranian (Persian) cuisine
12:00–13:15	Lunch with Your Family Law Judge Judicial Moderator: Hon. Firdaus F. Dordi, Assistant Supervising Judge, Family Law Division, LASC, Dept. J/Home Court, Northwest District (Van Nuys) Coordinator: Ellyn J. Stein, Esq. Judicial Panel: Hon. Tony Cho, Judge, LASC, Dept. J/Home Court, Southwest District (Torrance) Hon. Esther Kim, Judge, LASC, Dept. 18/Dedicated Trial Court, Central District (Mosk) Hon. Melanie Ochoa, Judge, LASC, Dept. 13/Restraining Order Court, Central District (Mosk) Hon. Dina R. Richman, Judge, LASC, Dept. F46/Home Court, North Valley (Chatsworth) Hon. Tiffany W. Tai, Comm., LASC, Dept. 201/Home Court, Southeast District (Whittier) Hon. Kendra Thomas, Comm., LASC, Dept. 58/Home Court, North Valley (Chatsworth) Hon. David I. Wasserman, Judge, LASC, Dept. 83/Home Court, Central District (Mosk)
13:15-13:30	Closing Remarks from the Organizing Committee