Family Law Litigation as a Domestic Violence Strategy

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Family Law Litigation as a Domestic Violence Strategy

Program originally presented Monday, April 4, 2022

Panelists begin with a discussion of the far-reaching implications of domestic violence and other forms of abuse and will set a broader context for family law litigation.  Panelists then explore “litigation abuse,” or the use of the family court system to further the cycle of power and control of a former intimate partner in several kinds of family court cases. Finally, panelists examine the ethical issues implicated for attorneys if family law clients are motivated to pursue litigation for reasons relating to abuse or control of the other party.

The program addresses the following topics among others:

• The many ways in which intimate partner abuse can have an effect on survivors after the end of a relationship
• How litigants can use the family courts to further harass or abuse their former intimate partner 
• The relevant Rules of Professional Conduct implicated when a client is interested in using family court litigation to abuse a former partner 
• How to investigate ways to combat misuse of litigation, including preliminary objections, sanctions and counsel fees

Attorneys should attend this encore session to learn about the ways in which the family court system can be used to further abuse former intimate partners and co-parents, to learn about the ethical implications of representing clients who may be using the court system to further abusive goals, and how to combat misuse of litigation and frivolous pleadings.

Moderators:
Molly Callahan, Esq.
Legal Center Director, Women Against Abuse

Deeya Haldar, Esq.
Associate Professor of Law and Director, Civil Justice Clinic
Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law

Panelists:
Leslie Allen, Esq.
Supervising Attorney, Family Law Unit
Philadelphia Legal Assistance

Professor Lisa A. Tucker
Associate Professor of Law
Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law

 Azucena Ugarte, Ph.D.
Director, Office of Domestic Violence Strategies
Managing Director’s Office, Health and Human Services
City of Philadelphia

0043ODV