Author: Kristine Kirschke

Taylor Fuller and Victoria Diffenderfer Attend AFCC Conference in San Francisco

Herring Imming attorneys, Taylor Fuller and Victoria Diffenderfer, recently attended the Annual Conference of the California Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, held in San Francisco. The AFCC is the premier interdisciplinary and international association of professionals dedicated to the resolution of family conflict. Its members include many of the leading practitioners, researchers, educators, and policymakers in the family court arena. The Conference’s theme was Maintaining Civility Through Conflict: Effectively Managing the Adversarial Process Without Acrimony.

Course topics delved into high-conflict custody cases. These are typically the most difficult, emotional, and therefore expensive matters seen by HI. Because of their complex inter-personal dynamics – and, too often, involved pathologies — they are often the most frustrating, too. Taylor and Victoria studied:

  • Annual Updates for Family Court Judges, Attorneys, and Custody Professionals highlighted key published court opinions (providing legal precedents) and statutes for 2024. It focused on new social science studies concerning domestic violence — including its effects on children who are exposed to abuse and ways that substance abuse can intertwine with and accelerate DV.
  • Family Law Attorneys and Mental Health Professionals: The Need for Interdisciplinary Reconciliation addressed overcoming the barriers to grater interdisciplinary work in mediated and non-mediated custody cases.
  • Coping Abilities Children Need (And How to Ensure They Get Them) discussed the challenges and obstacles faced by courts, attorneys, parenting coordinators, and mental health professionals toward recognizing children in crisis and providing them better chances at healthy development.
  • A Candid Discussion About Current Issues in Domestic Violence featured a diverse panel addressing the wide panorama of recognized DV. Since the 1980’s, DV has been an increasingly pervasive issue in family law. Its recognized scope now includes concepts of “coercive control” and sexual coercion. HI is not alone in perceiving the legislatively driven rise of DV issues in our family law cases.
  • Complex Navigation Through Troubled Water – Matching Services to Needs Amid Family and Political Conflict addressed recent legislation and practical approaches concerning the impacts of trauma and related family dynamics on children and tools for crafting effective orders and interventions.


Taylor’s and Victoria’s participation exemplifies HI’s commitment to staying at the forefront of family law practice in the 805 and beyond. We applaud their active involvement, which benefits our firm, our clients, and our family law community.

Herring Imming Supports Santa Barbara Women Lawyers’ Annual Award Ceremony

At year’s end, Santa Barbara Women Lawyers (https://www.sbwl.org) hosted another successful Annual Award Ceremony. Herring Imming attorneys, Taylor Fuller and Victoria Diffenderfer, attended. This annual gathering remains a distinguished occasion recognizing the remarkable individuals and organizations making strides in the Santa Barbara legal community.

Established in 1998, SBWL is a nonprofit dedicated to championing the varied interests of women lawyers in Santa Barbara. It endeavors to make a positive impact on new attorneys, law students, and aspiring legal scholars. It does so through initiatives such as presenting continuing legal education, assessing judicial office applicants, providing mentoring programs, and more. SBWL takes a holistic approach, addressing internal and external barriers that impede women in their pursuit of social and professional parity.

Serving the broader community, SBWL fosters connections with other professional and women’s organizations, facilitating collaborative efforts.

HI extends warm congratulations to the recipients of 2023’s prestigious awards. Lisa Franklin received the well-deserved Attorney of the Year Award. Trusted Legal earned the Female Friendly Law Firm Award. Santa Barbara County Counsel received the Family Friendly Law Firm Award. Each exhibits a commitment to excellence and a dedication to fostering an inclusive and supportive legal environment.

HI, the recipient of the Female Friendly Law Firm Award in 2019, gained the honor after undergoing a comprehensive vetting process that evaluated various facets of our policies and practices. This encompassed a thorough examination of our hiring history, compensation and benefits packages, employee handbook, and discussions with our attorneys. The recognition speaks to our ongoing commitment to creating an environment that values and respects the contributions of our female professionals and staff.

In commemorating this event, HI reaffirms its commitment to promoting diversity, equality, and a supportive culture within our local legal community. We are inspired by SBWL’s great efforts.

 

Taylor Fuller Attends the AFCC-AAML Conference on Advanced Child Custody Issues

Herring Imming attorney, Taylor Fuller, recently attended the Conference on Advanced Issues in Child Custody, co-presented by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She is a member of the AFCC. Greg Herring is a Fellow of the AAML. The Conference, held in Washington DC, focused on:

  • The intersection of custody disputes and sexual abuse. These are sensitive but critical issues requiring skills toward identifying, understanding, and countering adults who sexually abuse children.
  • Social science and family Law. Taylor brought home the latest research — including practical case-management/settlement strategies and evidence-based ones for the courtroom.
  • Parent-child contact problems. Uniquely difficult challenges arise in maintaining healthy parent-child relationships during custody disputes. The Conference probed the tensions between (1) the well-being of children relative to (2) the rights of each parent. Proactive strategies must be rapidly deployed when a child resists/refuses contact with a disfavored parent.
  • Technology and evidentiary issues. Technology now plays a significant role in family law cases. HI is a regional leader in using electronically stored information (“ESI”) in discovery and trial strategies. The Conference highlighted emerging trends and implications. Offering texts, emails, and home surveillance videos into evidence is substantially different, but legally identical to offering traditional letters, writings, and photographs!
  • Culture and intimate partner violence. Understanding cultural nuances and their impact on cases involving intimate partner violence can be critical. Taylor learned how to better understand these dynamics in presenting our clients’ narratives and expectations.
  • Children’s stress, trauma, and resilience. Almost by definition, child custody cases are emotionally challenging – especially for the children. HI appreciates the need toward addressing their stress and trauma — while promoting their resilience, too.
  • Drugs, alcohol, and family court. Substance abuse complicates child custody matters. The Conference taught the latest strategies for addressing this challenge.


Taylor’s active involvement in the AFCC and attendance at the Conference exemplifies HI’s commitment to excellence. The knowledge and insights she gained and shared with is will directly benefit our clients. We anticipate implementing them inside and out of the courtroom. This is a great example of our routinely “walking the walk” – she and we pledge to continue doing so.

Announcing Herring Imming LLP

Following nine successful years of Herring Law Group, our family law firm now transitions to a partnership of Greg Herring and Ruston Imming. This recognizes Greg’s and Ruston’s singular teamwork, client service, and success.

Prior to HLG, the new partners met as tough but respectful adversaries. At HLG, they joined in resolving hundreds of complex cases. Their commitment to preparation and trial expertise promote settlements. Nearly all their cases settle.

HLG organically grew from two attorneys to five. Toward maintaining our premium standards, Herring Imming will remain a “boutique.” We stand committed to always improving our client care, communications, and results. We continue to serve “the 805” and beyond through our offices in Santa Barbara, Ventura County, and San Luis Obispo.