Featuring

Forensic Valuation Testimony on 

McSparron/Grunfeld Duplication

&

New!!!

CSSA Income Reassignment Method –

The Goodman Decision

7 CLE Credits

Practice Level: All Levels – Beginner through Advanced

Last spring’s CLE program, How to Prepare Your Divorce Case for Settlement or Trial was the most popular thematic program we have ever presented. CLICK HERE to see Testimonials. That seminar took you from the initial client consultation up to the courthouse steps on the day of trial. Now we will step right into the courtroom for the trial itself!

The morning session will focus on the vital skills of trial planning, sequencing of witnesses, handling documentary and other tangible evidence, and the techniques of direct and cross-examination.

The afternoon session will present trial demonstrations of the principles taught during the lecture portion of the program, including examination of a forensic evaluator who will present testimony with respect to the value of a professional practice and license and the new, cutting-edge, income reassignment method.

Of particular substantive significance will be the testimony of the evaluator with respect to the income reassignment method that avoids duplication between the license value and the awards of maintenance and child support. This newly developed approach, which has already been embraced by judicial decision, (see, Goodman v. Goodman, Sup.Ct., Nassau Co., Ross, J., 02/10/03) was introduced by Mr. Tippins in his article, Child Support as a Duplicative Award, published in the New York Law Journal in two parts - NYLJ, 01/15/03 (Part I), p.3, col. 1,and 01/16/03 (Part II), p. 3, col. 1. To access article online, just CLICK HERE.

As you can see from the Program Agenda below, How to Try Your Divorce Case – Grounds, Equitable Distribution and Support promises to one of the most informative, cutting-edge seminars we have ever presented. You won’t want to miss this, so REGISTER TODAY!!!

For Online Registration – proceed to bottom of this page

Telephone Registration – Call TOLL-FREE 

1-800-416-8477

Sign-in from 8:00am to 9:00am

Program from 9:00am to 4:00pm

Program Agenda

                     Morning Session

1. Planning Trial Strategy 

     II.  Direct Testimony - Evidentiary Issues

    III.  Direct Testimony – Advocacy Techniques 

   IV.  Cross-Examination – Evidentiary Issues 

   V.   Cross-Examination – Advocacy Techniques 

   VI.  Presenting and Confronting Expert Witnesses – Special Issues  

                   Afternoon Session

  VII.  Demonstrations

• Overview of Issues – Practice/License Valuation – Income Reassignment Method

• Direct Examination of Forensic Valuation Expert – Practice Value – License Value – Duplication Issues – Practice/License Overlap – Maintenance/License Overlap

• Cross-Examination of Forensic Valuation Expert – Practice Value – License Value – Duplication Issues – Practice/License Overlap – Maintenance/License Overlap 

• Direct Examination of Forensic Valuation Expert – Income Reassignment Testimony in Bifurcated Proceeding – License/Maintenance/Child Support Overlap

  VIII.  Panel Discussion 

   IX.  Questions & Answers

Program Faculty

Your Lecture Faculty

Timothy M. Tippins, Esq. (All Locations)

Mr. Tippins has served in all major professional leadership positions in the New York family law community, including President of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, New York Chapter, Chair of the New York State Bar Association Family Law Section, and Chair of the NYSBA Task Force on Family Law.His written contribution to the body of professional literature has been extensive. In addition to his three-volume treatise, New York Matrimonial Law and Practice, published by West Group, he has published numerous articles. His Matrimonial Practice column appears regularly in the New York Law Journal.

In 1993, Tippins founded MatLaw Systems Corp. to provide expert-based information resources and practice tools to the family law bar. Through MatLaw, he developed MatMaster2000 ^TM, a software program specifically designed to aid New York family law practitioners in the preparation of practice documents, which has become New York’s leading comprehensive software system. In 2001, Tippins launched www.matlaw.com, a state-of-the-art website dedicated to building a true community of family law professionals through the power of the Internet. The MatLaw site features a comprehensive and detailed online Library of Annotations, with direct reference to the full text of recent judicial decisions, as well as articles, practice pointers, marketing advice, and interactive forums and chat rooms. Many of his recent writings can be found in the Publisher’s Corner. 

Long committed to legal education, Tippins serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Albany Law School and, for almost two decades, he has been one of New York’s most popular lecturers on the CLE circuit. He has lectured extensively for national, state and local organizations, including the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, American Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, NYS Office of Court Administration Judicial School, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department Law Guardian Training Program, and the NYS Hearing Examiners Association.

Your Courtroom Demonstration Faculty

Cynthia J. Cornaire, Esq. (All Locations) 

Cynthia J. Cornaire, who has been designated in Best Lawyers in America, has engaged exclusively in family law practice since 1989 and maintains a private practice devoted to matrimonial and family law matters in Albany, NY. 

Ms. Cornaire is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and has served on its Amicus Curiae Committee. She serves on the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association Family Law Section and has served as Co-Chair of its Family Court Committee and its Legislation Committee, as well as serving on the Section’s Custody, Legislation and Equitable Distribution Committees. Cornaire served as Counsel to the NYSBA Task Force on Family Law.

Ms. Cornaire has lectured at Continuing Legal Education programs for MatLaw Systems Corp., the Law Guardian Training Program sponsored by the Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department, the New York State Bar Association and local bar groups, including the Women’s Bar Association and has also lectured at Hofstra Law School and Albany Law School for programs sponsored by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. 

In addition to delivering frequent Legal Updates, she has spoken on such topics as Preparing the Custody Case for Trial, Child Custody: The Substantive and Procedural Law, Effective Discovery and Motion Practice in Matrimonial Actions, Litigating and Negotiating Child Support Issues, and Negotiating and Drafting Separation Agreements. Her published writings include numerous contributions to CLE seminar books and similar publications, and such articles as The Status of Spousal Maintenance and the Impact of the 1986 Statutory Amendments, published by the Westchester County Bar Association. Ms. Cornaire is also a member of the American Bar Association Family Law Section. 

Stephen Gassman, Esq., (NYC and Uniondale Locations)

Stephen Gassman has been practicing matrimonial and family law for almost thirty years, and has garnered a nationwide reputation as a leader in the field. He is one of fewer than 100 trial lawyers nationwide to be designated as a Diplomate of the exclusive American College of Family Trial Lawyers.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina and New York Law School, Mr. Gassman has served as an adjunct professor of law at Touro Law School, as Chair of the Family Law Section of the New York State Bar Association, and as President of the Nassau County Bar Association. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a member of the Committee on Matrimonial Practice of the Unified Court System of the State of New York. He also serves on the Law Guardian Advisory Panel to the Tenth Judicial District, and as a member of the Judicial Hearing Officer Screening Committee of the Tenth Judicial District. 

Mr. Gassman has authored numerous articles and monographs on all facets of matrimonial law and is the co-author, with Timothy M. Tippins, Esq., of counsel to the Law Offices of Stephen Gassman, P.C., of the popular works "Evidence for Matrimonial Lawyers" and "Matrimonial Valuation". He is an editor of Fairshare, a monthly matrimonial law publication, and has authored a chapter on the "Use of Appraisers in the Valuation of Marital Property", published by Matthew Bender, as well as articles for the New York State Bar Association’s Family Law Review. Mr. Gassman has lectured extensively to bar groups and at judicial symposiums on the national, state and local levels.

As the head of the firm of Law Offices of Stephen Gassman, P.C., Mr. Gassman has successfully tried hundreds of matrimonial cases, and settled thousands of cases throughout his career. In addition, he has served as appellate counsel in the Appellate Division and the Court of Appeals. The New York Post recently wrote that he is regarded as "the top divorce lawyer in Nassau [County]".

John R. Johnson, CPA (All Locations) 

John R. Johnson has extensive experience in the conduct of valuation studies of privately held business enterprises, professional licenses, advanced academic degrees, enhanced earnings capacities and professional practices. Such valuation studies are conducted for a variety of circumstances including matrimonial proceedings, mergers and acquisitions, economic damage analysis, estate and gift tax matters, and the determination of value for buy and sell agreements and actual sales transactions. 

Mr. Johnson has also provided extensive forensic and investigatory services within the context of civil litigation cases.

Mr. Johnson is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Certified Business Appraiser (CBA), a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Accountants (DABFA), and Licensed Securities Agent (NASD Series 7 & 63), serves as Managing Partner of BST Valuation & Litigation Advisors, LLC and a Senior Partner of its affiliate, Bollam, Sheedy, Torani & Co., LLP, CPAs. Mr. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting and graduated magna cum laude from Siena College in Loudonville, New York. For ten years, Mr. Johnson was a member of the adjunct faculty of Siena College lecturing in accounting and taxation. He is currently a member of the American Institute and New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Institute of Business Appraisers, Inc., the Estate Planning Council of Eastern New York, the National Association of Forensic Economics and The American Board of Forensic Examiners. Mr. Johnson is also currently a member of the Executive Committee of the Family Law Section, of the New York State Bar Association.

Mr. Johnson has frequently lectured to the Bar, members of the Judiciary, and others on the valuation of businesses, professional practices, licenses, and advanced degrees for the New York State Office of Court Administration (Judicial Training Program "Judge’s School" and Court Attorneys Training Program), New York State Bar Association Family Law Section, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the American Bar Association, the Law Journal Seminars-Press, the Practicing Law Institute, the American Society of Appraisers, the Association of the Bar of New York City, Nassau County Academy of Law, and the New York State Society of CPA’s, among others. Mr. Johnson has also published numerous articles in professional journals on various financial topics, including valuation and tax.

Mr. Johnson has personally been involved in the conduct of over 1,300 valuation engagements. He has provided expert testimony on numerous occasions in support of his findings in the capacity of plaintiff’s and defendant’s expert, as well as a neutral and court appointed valuation expert in New York Supreme Courts, Vermont Family Court, Federal District Court and in formal arbitration proceedings under the auspices of the American Arbitration Association. Mr. Johnson has been appointed by New York State Supreme Courts as a neutral valuation and financial expert in over 475 cases.

 This year’s program, How to Try Your Case, builds on what we covered last year in How to Prepare Your Case. If you missed that seminar, or just want to get up to speed for this year by reviewing it, you can order it on tape.

 Just click on icon at left