California Lawyers Association Meets on Tribal Land for the First Time

PLACERVILLE, Calif., April 24, 2018 -- The Family Law Section of the California Lawyers Association (formerly housed at the State Bar of California) hosted “Family Law Essentials 2018,” a continuing education event for members of the California Bar at the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians’ reservation on April 16.  This was the first time, in the Family Law Section’s 40-year existence, that an education program has been hosted by a tribe on tribal lands. 

Left to right: Honorable Mark Juhas, Honorable Vicki Lynn Ashworth, Honorable Dale Wells, Honorable Christine Williams, Honorable Sue Alexander, retired, Barbara Hammers, CFLS, and David Lederman, CFLS

In another groundbreaking effort to reach across jurisdictions, Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians Tribal Court Chief Judge Christine Williams and local El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Vicki Lynn Ashworth were guest speakers.  For its 2018 Family Law Essentials Program, the Family Law Section wanted to focus on bringing quality educational programing to rural areas and highlight local judges.  The other esteemed presenters were:  Honorable Mark Juhas from the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Honorable Sue Alexander from the Superior Court of Alameda County, Honorable Dale Wells from the Superior Court of Riverside County, Barbara Hammers, Certified Family Law Specialist from Los Angeles County, and David Lederman, Certified Family Law Specialist from Contra Costa County.

The program content was “FAMILY LAW ESSENTIALS 2018; Making a Real Difference—Candid Discussions between Bench and Bar Regarding Custody in Today’s Courts.” It included lively discussion and real world analysis between prominent family law bench officers and certified family law specialists as they addressed paramount custody issues. Topics included factors influencing a court’s decision when fashioning parenting plans, the effective use of custody evaluations, how the family law court system is integrating the changing views, attitudes, and law toward substance use with families, approaches and strategies related to move away requests, practical approaches to child support related issues, and the nuances and hard facts of dealing with domestic violence issues when children are involved.

“Judge Williams was great, she explained how gaming revenue worked in child support, what some of the challenges tribal courts and tribes face and generally she provided much needed information about the whole tribal court system. Most importantly, she demonstrated that she is an excellent, thoughtful judicial officer and that the tribal court system is out there and should be respected and embraced,” said Honorable Mark Juhas, Superior Court of Los Angeles County.

-Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians-

Contact:  Kim Stoll, Director of Public Relations
Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians
530-387-4183 or 775-232-4976

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/f6dcd73f-a750-49ce-ae35-a4db70ac3bce