What you’ll learn at this webinar
Set realistic expectations with emotionally charged clients from the very first meeting
Structure intake and consultation practices that protect your time and your firm
Avoid common billing mistakes that erode trust and cash flow
Properly manage retainer and trust accounts to stay compliant and audit-ready
Reduce conflict and create better conditions for settlement
Strengthen professionalism, civility, and long-term reputation in family law matters
The hidden cost of emotional representation
Divorce is among the most stressful events a person can experience. Clients are often navigating grief, anger, fear, and insecurity, sometimes all at once. While empathy is essential, unmanaged emotion can quietly derail a case and a practice.
When expectations are unclear or boundaries are loose, attorneys risk escalating conflict, runaway fees, and dissatisfied clients who never feel made whole. A thriving family law practice requires emotional intelligence paired with firm structure. Clear communication, written confirmation, and consistent processes protect everyone involved.
Why good intentions aren’t enough
Many ethical issues in family law don’t come from bad actors. They come from poor systems.
Disorganized timekeeping, delayed billing, sloppy trust accounting, or casual social media advice can quietly expose attorneys to serious risk. As technology evolves and client behavior changes, the ethical landscape grows more complex, not less.
Strong practices build ethics into daily operations. That means disciplined billing habits, thoughtful fee agreements, careful documentation, and proactive client education. Ethics aren’t a single rule to follow. They’re a series of small, repeatable decisions made every day.
Frequently asked questions
Is this CLE webinar available on demand?
Yes. This webinar is available on demand, so you can watch it at a time that works best for your schedule.
Is this program eligible for CLE credit?
Yes. This on-demand program qualifies for CLE credit. Credit eligibility and requirements may vary by jurisdiction, so be sure to review your state’s specific rules for on-demand CLEs.
Can I start and stop the webinar, or watch it in multiple sittings?
Yes. On-demand access allows you to pause, rewind, and return to the program as needed.
Who should watch this webinar?
This session is designed for family law attorneys at any stage of practice, as well as legal professionals who support family law matters and want deeper insight into ethics, billing, and client management.
Will this CLE address trust accounting and billing ethics?
Yes. A significant portion of the program covers billing habits, retainer management, trust account rules, and common compliance mistakes.
Does this CLE focus on legal theory or practice management?
Both, with an emphasis on real-world practice management, ethics, and professional judgment as they apply specifically to family law.
Do I need to complete anything to receive CLE credit?
Yes. You must watch the entire program to receive CLE credit. The webinar includes attendance prompts throughout to verify participation.
This program offers practical guidance across intake, billing, and ethics so you can protect your practice and make decisions you’ll stand behind for years to come.
Presenter
Claude Ducloux