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WSBA Family Law Mid-Year


2026 WSBA Family Law Section Mid‑Year Conference

📅 July 17–19, 2026
📍 Hotel Murano, Tacoma, Washington

The WSBA Family Law Section invites you to join colleagues from across the state for three days of high‑value education, practical insights, and community connection at the 2026 Mid‑Year Conference.

This year’s program features a diverse lineup of presenters and timely topics::

Friday, July 17

  • 12:50 – Welcome & Introductions

  • 1:00 – The Ethics of Withdrawing and Terminating Representation Under RPC 1.16 (1.0 Ethics) — Jeanne Marie Clavere

  • 2:00 – Guardianship Updates (1.0 L&LP) — Todd Yelish

  • 3:00 – Break

  • 3:20 – Loan Assumptions in Divorce (1.0 L&LP) — Mihaella Bayla

  • 4:30 – The Dog in the Room: Courthouse Facility Dogs in Family Law (1.0 Other; live dog present) — Felicia Ako, Kim Carroll, Celeste Walsen, Megan Winder

  • 5:30 – Adjourn / Reception

Saturday, July 18

  • 7:55 – When Immigration Law Meets Family Law (1.25 L&LP) — Janet Gwilym, Katrina Zafiro

  • 9:30 – From Impasse to Agreement: Mediation Issues and Pitfalls (1.5 L&LP) — Jacqueline Jeske, James Shipman

  • 11:20 – Vicarious Trauma in Family Law (1.0 Other) — Leslie J. Hagin

  • 12:30–2:00 – Awards Luncheon

  • 2:00 – The LGBTQIA+ Litigant and the Court (1.0 Ethics-DEI) — Judge Jeffrey P. Bassett

  • 3:00 – Intimate Partner Violence in Family Law Cases (1.25 L&LP) — Diane F. Russell

  • 4:15 – Adjourn

Sunday, July 19

  • 7:55 – Understanding Harms of Removal and Family Separation (1.5 L&LP) — Jacob D'Annunzio, Ambrosia Eberhardt, Laura Vogel

  • 9:45 – Legislative Update (1.0 L&LP) — Jacqueline Jeske, Christopher Fox

  • 10:45 – Case Law Update (1.25 L&LP) — Christina Meserve, Charles Szurszewski

  • 12:00 – Closing Remarks / Adjourn

Conversations with a few of the presenters

Previous
April 17

FLEC Retreat