Author: Kristine Kirschke

Herring Imming Hosts the AAML Southern California’s Inaugural Annual Evidence Basics Seminar

On October 2, 2026, Herring Imming hosted the Southern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers’ inaugural annual Evidence Basics Seminar. EBS is now a companion to our annual Trial Basics Seminar, which Herring Imming founded in 2015. As with TBS, EBS is geared toward family law lawyers with limited trial experience wanting to learn basic evidence principles and related skills from the AAML’s experts. We present EBS to reach out to our community, improve the skills of less-experienced family law lawyers, and give back to our profession.

Fomer AAML National President, Jim McLaren, previously emphasized that it has been said that each family law case has different needs. We recognize the availability of various alternative courses of resolution. But we believe that if a case cannot be settled, then the consequence is that the courts are there to decide the issues. Our job is to be prepared to expertly litigate those cases to their logical ends.

EBS was a fast-moving event. We gave a whopping 21 presentations throughout the day. Topics ranged from Types of Evidence and Protecting the Record to Use of AI, Trial Presentations,& Evidence in Opening Statements and Closing Arguments. Our audience of nearly 175 continually interacted with us via Zoom’s “Q&A” feature.

EBS was blessed by the presence of evidence guru and friend, Judge Jack Lucky (ret.), as our moderator. Sincere thanks to all our other presenters: Robert Benavente, Nicole Whyte, Gordon Cruse, Kyle Siems, Leigh Galyon, Alexander Payne, Annette Hall, Andrew Botros, Jillian Duggan-Herd, Claudia Ribet, Marshall Waller, and Christopher Melcher. I was glad to handle the programs, “Opinions – Lay Witnesses, Expert Witnesses, Minor’s Counsel, and Custody Evaluations” and “Motions in Limine.”

In the over ten years of TBS – and now EBS — we have educated over 2,250 family law attorneys throughout California! Making it all sweeter is that the AAML presents TBS and EBS at no cost. We provide substantial Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Credits to boot! It remains a huge pleasure and honor for our Chapter to continue serving, sponsoring, and facilitating TBS and EBS.

The International Academy of Family Lawyers in Dublin, Ireland

40 years ago, some of the finest family lawyers from the United States and Europe gathered and drew up the Charter for the IAFL, which was patterned after the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. The IAFL’s mission is to improve the practice of law and the administration of justice in divorce and family law throughout the world. The IAFL uniquely provides extensive resources allowing its Fellows the ability to reach out to each other toward exchanging their knowledge and expertise. Now comprised of 1,114 Fellows from 83 countries, its importance to American family law grows as our world becomes increasingly interconnected.

I was accepted as a Fellow in the AAML in 2006. Five years later, I was accepted by the IAFL.

Since then, I leaned on the IAFL toward developing my family law practice. At Herring Imming, our team now does, too. We routinely encounter international disputes involving “Hague Convention” jurisdictional custody issues (for instance Ventura/Brazil), custody enforcement (presently Santa Barbara/Spain), parent/child relocations (for instance Scotland/Ventura, and presently Santa Barbara/England), child and spousal support enforcement (presently Montecito/Dubai), prenuptial agreement interpretation and negotiations (for instance The Netherlands/Montecito), and general jurisdiction (for instance San Luis Obispo/Australia). Having IAFL colleagues ready to assist from other involved countries provides HI substantial advantages.

During the first week of September, the IAFL’s breadth was on full display at its Annual General Meeting in Dublin, Ireland (last year’s was in Nairobi, and next year’s will be in Mumbai). There, I joined more than 300 Fellows from over 41 jurisdictions. Included were many of our Fellows and friends from our Southern California Chapter (and other Chapters) of the AAML. The ideas shared, and our camaraderie and genuine affection for each other and for our group, made it a special trip.

Especially with the organizational structure and backup our growing law firm provides, I anticipate our increasingly productive involvement in the IAFL.

(Thanks to immediate Past President, Heather Q. Hostetter, Esq. and Past President (2012 – 2014) Cheryl Hepfer, Esq., for some of their explanatory wording above.)

Inspiring the Next Generation: SBWL x Girls Inc. Open Doors

By: Herring Imming Legal Assistant, Arshiya Sanduria


It is powerful for a young woman to realize the future she once admired from afar is one she can build for herself. 

Herring Imming has long financially and otherwise strongly supported Santa Barbara Women Lawyers. Recently, SBWL and Girls Inc. joined to host their annual courthouse experience. Their aim was to open doors for young women to explore the judicial system from the inside, while connecting with women who have carved meaningful careers in law. 

Students from Santa Barbara and Carpinteria spent their morning touring the iconic Santa Barbara courthouse, while learning about the different roles that keep our justice system running. This was followed by a presentation from remarkable women whose careers — and the stories that shaped them — were as resonant as they were distinct. Included were judges, an Assistant District Attorney, court reporters, and judicial clerks. Each conveyed that, no matter where one comes from or what tools she may have in her arsenal, there is nothing one cannot achieve. The key is approaching goals with an unwavering belief in one’s own potential. 

As someone who is far removed from high school days, but not close enough to “practicing law in a fitted suit” days, I found this event invaluable and indelible. While the students were the intended audience, I walked away feeling equally inspired. The curiosity, confidence, and ambition filling the room reinforced a reality often too easily overlooked: before attorneys, judges and legal professionals became the leaders we know today, they were all once students searching for guidance, opportunities, and spaces affirming that careers in law are not reserved for someone else. They are within reach. 

Although I may be a few years past the uncertainty of high school and a few leaps away from the courtroom I hope to one day call home, I find myself reflecting on how transformative moments like these can be. Sometimes, all it takes is one conversation, one mentor, or one glimpse into what was previously unknown to change the trajectory of a young person’s future.

I am grateful to SBWL for creating spaces where women can see what is possible, and for reminding us that sometimes, changing a future begins with opening a door — and showing someone they belong on the other side.

Taylor Fuller Attends the 63rd Annual Conference of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

            The AFCC is the premier interdisciplinary international association of professionals dedicated to the resolution of family conflict. AFCC members include many of the leading practitioners, researchers, educators, and policymakers in the family court arena. For years, one of those members has been Herring Imming law partner, Taylor Fuller.

            Family law requires more than knowledge of statutes and cases. It also demands an understanding of psychology, child development, forensic evaluation, and dispute resolution. With that in mind, Taylor recently attended the AFCC’s 63rd Annual Conference, themed What Lies Beneath: Hidden Forces Shaping Families in Transition.

There, judges, attorneys, mental health professionals, evaluators, mediators, and researchers examined the forces shaping family conflict and child well-being. Taylor participated in various workshops covering parent/child relocations, international child abduction, parent-child contacts, mental health, social media, and parenting across two homes. Lessons she is carrying into her practice concern:

  • The importance of looking beyond the litigation: Family law disputes rarely exist in isolation. The legal conflict is often a symptom of deeper family dynamics. A workshop on parent-child contact cases urged professionals to use a systems perspective rather than assigning blame. For instance, parent-child contact problems may reflect several interacting factors:
    • The child’s temperament and developmental stage;
    • Each parent’s behavior and the level of co-parenting conflict;
    • Extended family and mental health concerns, and
    • The litigation process and professionals involved.

Typically, the goal is not to label one parent “good” and the other “bad,” but to improve how the family functions. That approach fits our firm’s practice: advocate firmly, but do not mistake interparental or parent-child escalation for progress.

  • The dynamics of professional collaboration: Complex custody cases often involve attorneys, evaluators, therapists, parenting coordinators, supervisors, and judges. Each professional has a distinct role and ethical duty. Better outcomes depend on clear roles, shared goals, and communication — not competition or overlap. For clients, that can reduce litigation and maintain focus on the children.

  • The ongoing evolution of parent/child relocation cases: Relocation (“move-away”) disputes remain among the hardest custody cases. A workshop on current research and evaluation methods focused on:
    • Stability, continuity of care, and developmental needs of children;
    • Parent-child relationships and communication between parents;
    • Community ties, support systems, and the practical effects of a move, and
    • Considerations when a parent supports or obstructs the child’s relationship with the other parent.

The discussion incorporated Marriage of LaMusga, California’s leading relocation decision. Under LaMusga, evaluations must holistically consider the family system, not just the proposed move.

  • The challenges of parental “gatekeeping:” Parental gatekeeping may be adaptive — when a parent responds to legitimate safety concerns while supporting healthy relationships. Or it can be maladaptive — when conflict unnecessarily restricts a child’s relationship with the other parent. The key is careful analysis: does the conduct protect the child, or does it undermine safety, well-being, and long-term relationships?

  • International child abduction and Hague Convention cases: A workshop addressed habitual residence, expedited procedures, limited defenses, and the role of forensic mental health professionals. The central point: Hague cases do not decide custody; they only determine which country’s courts should do so.

  • Mental Health in High-Conflict Divorce: High-conflict divorce can cause profound distress. Presenters distinguished the normal psychological strain of divorce from a diagnosable mental health condition. Attorneys should recognize when a client may benefit from therapeutic support. They should reduce stigma around referrals, use person-first language, and stay within the legal role. Supporting a client’s mental health can strengthen legal advocacy and benefit the family.

  • The Growing Influence of Social Media in Family Law: Social media now affects both families and the professionals who serve them. Online posts and reviews can intensify conflict, damage reputations, and lead to complaints, claims, or harassment. For separated parents, instant communication and public commentary can turn social media into another battleground. Professionals should set clear online boundaries, understand the ethics of digital communication, and help clients see how online conduct can affect both litigation and family well-being.

  • Helping Families Navigate Screen Time Across Two Homes: Screen time issues can generate a common source of conflict: different technology rules in each household. Predictable, age-appropriate boundaries can support stability, healthier routines, and better co-parenting. Parenting plans can address screen time, online safety, monitoring, and communication between parents. Clear expectations may prevent routine disagreements from becoming future litigation.

AFCC’s strength is its interdisciplinary focus. Family law is not only about hearings and legal arguments; it is about people facing difficult transitions. Updated research helps us understand those transitions and provide more thoughtful, effective representation. The conference reinforced that effective family law practice combines legal skill with an understanding of the human dynamics beneath each case.

At Herring Imming, ongoing education for all our attorneys and paralegals support our informed, strategic, and compassionate advocacy. We applaud Taylor for her dedicated involvement in AFCC, and for sharing her ongoing education with you and us.