CLE
Kathryn Mickelson
Kathryn Mickelson Beermann LLP
Trial Prep Power Hour Essential Tools for Family Law Attorneys
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Premieres April 7, 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT
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Trial Prep Power Hour: Essential Tools for Family Law Attorneys

The best family law attorneys will prepare their cases for trial starting on day one, even if settling on the courthouse steps is a likely outcome. In this hourlong session, participants will learn the nuts and bolts of trial prep, from why developing a theme is important to tell your client’s story to ideas on how to make that story both persuasive and compelling to the trier of fact. Even if you are not a litigator, walk away from this session with tips and tricks on how we can serve our clients best, both inside and outside the courtroom.

Agenda:
  • The Whys?
    • Why is trial prep in Family Law important?
    • Who am I to teach it?
    • Why do cases go to trial and should they?

  • Statistics on “Final” Litigation in Family Law
    • How many family law cases filed in 2022
    • How many went to trial
    • The appellate process and cost

  • Trial Prep Timeline and Checklist
    • Themes. Are they necessary?
    • Preparation is key. You must be prepared or prepare to fail.
    • Deadlines. You need to keep yourself to deadlines. Start early.
    • Research your judge. How has my judge ruled on similar issues? What is his/her demeanor? Hot buttons?
    • Trial memorandum (a total underutilized tool).

  • The “Star Witnesses”
    • Who to call
    • What to introduce (documents, tangible evidence)
    • Examinations – mapping out what to ask, how to ask it and how to protect it

  • Opening Statements and Closing Arguments
    • It is best to start with your closing argument first. Themes come out and you build backwards with what to use.
    • Is it better to write out or use bullet points? That’s personal preference. But tone, demeanor and emphasis are key.

  • A Real Case Study
    • When an effective opening statement worked… and the case settled

  • Making the Sausage
    • Organizing your exhibits and processing the pitfalls. What landmines should you anticipate?
    • Trial notebooks – the more organized, the better.
    • Revising the trial memo is key. What are you missing? Round it out.
    • Master Checklist for Trial Prep

  • Q&A (As Time Permits)
Read More
Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes
When: Premieres in 4 days | April 7, 2026 10:00 AM PT
Register Now
Speaker
Kathryn Mickelson
Kathryn Mickelson Equity Partner
Beermann LLP

Katy Mickelson is a leading family law professional, speaker, and Equity Partner at Beermann LLP — the only partner in the firm to rise from law clerk to owner. She actively represents high-profile clients, business owners, and individuals navigating complex family matters. Read More ›

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

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Alaska CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

California CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Hawaii CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Illinois CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Missouri CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.20 General

Nevada CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

New Jersey CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.20 General

North Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Ohio CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Pennsylvania CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Substantive Law, Practice, and Procedure

Texas CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

Vermont CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 General

West Virginia CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.20 General


This presentation is approved for one hour of General CLE credit in Alaska, one hour of General CLE credit in California, one hour of General CLE credit in Hawaii, one hour of General CLE credit in Illinois, one hour of General CLE credit in Missouri, one hour of General CLE credit in Nevada, one hour of General CLE credit in North Carolina, one hour of General CLE credit in Ohio, one hour of Substantive Law, Practice, and Procedure CLE credit in Pennsylvania, one hour of General CLE credit in Vermont, and one hour of General CLE credit in West Virginia. This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.20 hours of total CLE credit. This course has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE in the amount of 1.00 credit hours.

Justia only reports attendance in jurisdictions in which a particular Justia CLE Webinar is officially accredited. Lawyers may need to self-submit their certificates for CLE credit in jurisdictions not listed above.

Note that CLE credit, including partial credit, cannot be earned outside of the relevant accreditation period. To earn credit for a course, a lawyer must watch the entire course within the relevant accreditation period. Lawyers who have viewed a presentation multiple times may not be able to claim credit in their jurisdiction more than once. Justia reserves the right, at its discretion, to grant an attendee partial or no credit, in accordance with viewing duration and other methods of verifying course completion.

At this time, Justia only offers CLE courses officially accredited in certain states. Lawyers may generate a generic attendance certificate to self-submit credit in their own jurisdiction, but Justia does not guarantee that lawyers will receive their desired CLE credit through the self-submission or reciprocity process.

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