Inaugural Symposia
Inaugural Symposium
Divorcing and Separating Families: Transforming Crisis Into Opportunities
FamilyKind’s Inaugural Symposium Divorcing and Separating Families: Transforming Crisis Into Opportunities was October 27, 2016.
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An additional “Kickoff Event” on October 26 was a festive evening filled with networking, live entertainment, food and drink, all centered around a panel discussing Divorce Professionals: When Personal History Intersects with Professional Experience
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Our two-day conference convened judges, lawyers, mediators, family science practitioners, mental health professionals, educators, and communicators.
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FamilyKind was proud to partner with Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University and AFCC-NY to host this program.
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We are grateful to Platinum Event Sponsors: Berkman Bottger Newman & Rodd, a New York family and divorce law firm, and Our Family Wizard, offering online tools to make co-parenting better.
We also thank Venue Sponsor: New York City Bar Association.
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See presenters, moderators and event agendas below. View Symposium presenter and moderator bios.
Presenters and Moderators
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Hon. Vanessa Aufiero da Rocha
Magistrate Judge, Author, Special Guest from Brazil -
Kathleen (Kate) Costello Bar-Tur, LCSW, FIPA
Psychoanalyst, Divorce and Family Mediator, and Collaborative Divorce Professional -
Robert E. Emery, PhD
Professor of Psychology and Director of the Center for Children, Families, and the Law at the University of Virginia; Author -
Patricia Grant, Esq.
Partner, Grant + Appelbaum, PC, Family and Matrimonial Attorney, Mediator, and Collaborative Law Practitioner -
James Katz, PhD
Director, Division of Emerging Media Studies, Boston University, College of Communication; University Professor -
Matthew Kiernan, JD
Director of Pilot Projects for the Center for Children, Families and the Law and Managing Editor of Family Court Review, Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University -
April Kuchuk, PhD
Clinical Psychologist, University Professor -
Monica Michell, MD
Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist; University Professor -
Hon. Jane Pearl
Family Court Judge, Immediate Past President of AFCC-NY -
Hon. A. Gail Prudenti
Former NYS Chief Administrative Judge; Executive Director of the Center for Children, Families and the Law; Special Advisor to the Dean of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University -
Maurice Robinson, JD
Attorney, Mediator, University Professor -
Hon. Jeffrey Sunshine
Justice of the Supreme Court, Kings County; Supervising Judge for Matrimonial Matters, Kings County; Chair of the Chief Administrative Judge’s Matrimonial Practice Advisory and Rules Committee -
Ellen Taner, MA
Family and Parenting Educator, University Professor
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View Symposium presenter and moderator bios.
Kickoff Event Agenda
6:00 – 6:25 pm
Sign In, Drinks & Hors d’Oeuvres
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6:25 – 6:30
Welcome Remarks — Lesley Friedland, Esq.
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6:30 – 7:45
Selected Clips from SPLIT • A Film for Kids of Divorce (and Their Parents)
by Ellen Bruno
SPLIT is a deeply personal film that explores the effects of divorce on children. The film features twelve children aged 6 to 12, who explore the often frightening and always life altering separation of their parents. Learn more at splitfilm.org.
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Panel Discussion • Divorce Professionals: When Personal History Intersects with Professional Experience — Moderator: Kate Bar-Tur, LCSW, FIPA
Panelists:
• Catherine Canadé, Esq.
• Stephen Shainbart, PhD
• Ellen Bruno, MA
7:45 – 8:00
Music Performance — Rachel Hundert, singer, with Eric Martin, piano accompanist
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8:00 – 8:30
Further Networking & Refreshments
Symposium Agenda
7:45 – 8:30 am
Sign In & Continental Breakfast
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8:20 – 8:30 am
Slide Show — FamilyKind
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8:30 – 8:45 am
Symposium Opening & Welcome Remarks — Judge A. Gail Prudenti
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8:45 – 9:00 am
Keynote Address — Judge Vanessa Aufiero da Rocha
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9:00 – 10:40 am
1st Plenary Session — Moderator: Attorney Maurice Robinson
Cutting Edge Models of Positively Supporting Families through Transition
Panelists:
• Judge Vanessa Aufiero da Rocha
• Judge A. Gail Prudenti
• Robert Emery, PhD
• Ellen Taner, MA
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10:50 am – 12:30 pm
2nd Plenary Session • Discussion with Audience — Moderator: Judge Jeffrey Sunshine
Effects of Social Media on Divorce and Separation: Cause or Effect?
Panelists:
• Patricia Grant, Esq.
• Monica Michell, MD
• James Katz, PhD
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1:40 – 3:20 pm
3rd Plenary Session • Part 1: Presentations — Moderator: Judge Jane Pearl
Child Focused Parenting Across Two Homes (Presentations)
Panelists:
• Robert Emery, PhD
• Matthew Kiernan, JD
• April Kuchuk, PhD
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3:30 – 4:45 pm
3rd Plenary Session • Part 2: Discussion with Audience — Moderator: Judge Jane Pearl
Child Focused Parenting Across Two Homes (Discussion)
Panelists:
• Robert Emery, PhD
• Matthew Kiernan, JD
• April Kuchuk, PhD
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4:45 – 5:00 pm Closing Remarks — Lesley Friedland, Esq.