Welcome to the AAMLPA
January, 2009
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers will have a busy year in 2009. This organization continuously attempts to improve the process being involved in family court matters. We are active in our county, state, and national bar associations. As is usual, our members are actively involved in trying to improve the law by educating other practitioners. In addition to numerous smaller scale programs, this happens in both January and July when members teach at the Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section meetings.
Further, the Supreme Court is changing the rules regarding support. Our members have actively been involved in trying to make that process better. This occurs because several of our members, Mark Dischell and David Hofstein, serve on the Supreme Court Domestic Relations Rules Committee that recommends such changes. Further, the group as a whole made comments to the Rules Committee about recently proposed changes, under the direction of Jack Howett. The comments were given serious consideration and further changes to the rules are now proposed.
Our members work on trying to improve the custody litigation process on all levels. Maria Cognetti has served on a committee to change the culture in custody court. Mark Dischell was actively involved in a committee to consider the use of parent coordinators as a means of avoiding court action, which is a stress on children.
All of our members daily try to make this process better for their clients. It is one of the motivating reasons for being a member.
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Why Become An Academy Fellow?
What is the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers?
The Academy (AAML) is a national organization of family law attorneys founded in 1962 in order “to encourage the study, improve the practice, elevate the standard, and advance the cause of matrimonial law, to the end that the welfare of the family and society be protected.” Currently, there are almost 1,600 Academy Fellows in 50 states.
Can Anyone Become a Fellow?
There are certain criteria for admission to the Academy. A prospective admittee must have practiced law for 10 years, with a 75% specialization in matrimonial law, have State family law certification, (where certification doesn’t exist, applicant must have completed 15 hours of continuing legal education in each of the previous 5 years before application), pass a written national examination, pass the examination and interview required by the Pennsylvania Board of Examiners, and have published articles and presented continuing legal education seminars.
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