Author: Kristine Kirschke

Taylor Fuller and The Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation

Tempus fugit. For five years, Herring Imming has been proud to call Taylor Fuller one of our tough, creative, and committed family law attorneys. From relative “rookie” then, to confident case leader now, she has developed impressive professional chops. Our clients have benefitted mightily.

Taylor offers so much more. She is a proud and committed member of the Board of Directors for the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (“TBCF”). It advocates for families in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties who have a child with cancer. It conducts vital work, providing essential financial, educational, and emotional support during what is often the most challenging time in their lives.

Her connection to TBCF is intensely personal. Taylor and local estate planning attorney, Andrew Miller (with Miller & Berryhill), became fast friends in law school. The year they graduated – 2017 — Andrew’s son, Henry, was diagnosed with leukemia. As Taylor now commits herself to our clients, she stood with Henry, Andrew, and wife/mom, Giana, through their difficult journey.

Taylor witnessed firsthand the strength, courage, and love that defined their fight against this devastating illness. She joined them At Cottage Hospital, watching the World Series, bringing meals, and offering endless support. She sat with them during long, anxious nights. She made herself simply “present” to listen.

Today, Henry is a healthy and active 9-year-old boy. His recovery is a testament to the power of hope, advancements in medical care, and the strength of community.

TBCF is presently preparing its flagship fundraising event, the Golden Gala. It marks the culmination of September’s Gold Ribbon Campaign in recognition of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The event, scheduled for October 5th at the stunning Les Belles Fontaines Estate in Santa Barbara, promises to be an evening of celebration, reflection, and community. It is not only an opportunity to honor the remarkable families served, but for supporters to join in solidarity for a cause touching so many lives.

Herring Imming is a proud sponsor. We salute TBCF’s mission and work, as we applaud Taylor’s heart, soul, and enthusiasm.

For more information concerning TBCF, please reach out to Taylor at [email protected].

 

Herring Imming Facilitates another Successful Annual Trial Basics Seminar

Our Southern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers recently presented its eighth annual Trial Basics Seminar (“TBS”). Herring Law Group (Herring Imming’s predecessor) founded the program in 2015. It has become a major annual educational event for California’s family law community. We are pleased to continually host eager and focused family law lawyers toward improving their courtroom skills.

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.

HI believes tight trial skills directly generate settlements. There is nothing like a trial deadline, a list of pretrial tasks and issues, and capable counsel ready to “do what is needed” to generate settlement anxiety in an opposing party. We settle the vast majority of our cases because others know what we can do. We are not always in trial, and we actively fight to keep our clients out of it … but if it is unavoidable, we press for the win.

For TBS, we have been blessed each year by the active presence of family law guru and friend, Garrett Dailey, as our moderator. Garrett’s contributions to California family law through his Attorney’s Briefcase legal research and update service, annual Family Law Boot Camp, Family Law 101 presentation, and Year in Review seminars are unparalleled. His advocacy in the trial and appellate courts is legendary.

TBS is a fast-moving event. We gave a whopping 22 presentations throughout the day. Topics ranged from Pre-trial Discovery Planning to Appellate Considerations. Our audience of nearly 450 continually interacted with us via Zoom’s “chat” and “Q&A” features.

A couple weeks following the “main event” Zoom presentation, we held an in-person Practicum at Loyola Law School in downtown Los Angeles. Chris Melcher and Sandra Mayberry led that as always.

Sincere thanks to all who made it happen: Garrett, Chris, Sandra, Andrew Botros, Ryan Wedeking, Robert Benavente, Kyle Siems, Leigh Galyon, Claudia Ribet, and Justice Sheila Sonenshine (ret.). Supporting all of us was one of HI’s Legal Administrators, Kristiné Kirschke — without whom we could not have succeeded as we did. HI’s Greg Herring served as the annual Dean and as a presenter, too.

In the eight years we have presented TBS, we have educated over 1,500 family law attorneys throughout California! Making it all sweeter is that we present TBS at no cost to our students – not a cent has ever been charged! We provide substantial Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Credits to boot! It remains a huge pleasure and honor to continue serving, sponsoring, and facilitating TBS.

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.