Divorce Dynamics: Substance issues, property management, and ethical considerations

John J. Schrot | Berry Moorman P.C.

With more than 40 years of experience, John J. Schrot, Jr.’s legal career has predominantly focused on matrimonial and family law, and other complex civil litigation matters. He has been helping people through complex divorces. He is known for handling high-stakes divorce, and for keeping clients’ cases private. He helps families achieve amicable divorces while ensuring clients receive their fair share and/or protection of their children. With experience in all areas of family and domestic relations law, Mr. Schrot skillfully guides his clients through the legal process, always mindful of the fact that he is dealing with emotional and stressful situations. His broad range of services includes divorce, complex property settlement, business valuation issues, child and spousal support matters, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, annulment and separation matters; custody, parenting time and grandparenting time issues, guardianships, stepparent adoption, change of domicile, personal protection orders, Friend of the Court matters, enforcement, and post judgment issues. When disputes end up in the courtroom, Mr. Schrot is a seasoned litigator.

Mr. Schrot is also a trained professional in collaborative divorce practice and can explain the different options for divorce. He is a member of the Collaborative Practice Institute of Michigan, as well as the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.

Mr. Schrot has been repeatedly recognized as a Top Lawyer in Metropolitan Detroit in the practice areas of family law and litigation; again, this year selected by his peers as a Leading Lawyer in Family law in Michigan; and annually selected as a Michigan Super Lawyer and awarded Avvo 10.0 Superb Rating, Michigan Lawyers Weekly selected him as one of the “Leaders in the Law” Class of 2016. Global Who’s Who has selected him as a Top Lawyer

Mr. Schrot has served by court appointment as a facilitator, mediator, umpire, arbitrator, receiver, and discovery master. He has consistently (since 1989) achieved an AV Preeminent rating, the highest peerrating by Martindale Hubbell, for his legal ability and ethical standards. Professional memberships include the American Bar Association, State Bar of Michigan, Oakland County Bar Association, Oakland County Bar Foundation (Fellow), and Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association. He is an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association.

Bridget Landry | Cordell & Cordell

Bridget Landry began practicing domestic relations in order to help families. Given that individuals involved in divorce and custody cases are going through extraordinarily difficult times, Ms. Landry takes time to get to know her clients so she can relate to them.

“Not only do they need a good attorney, but they need a person who can be there for them, to talk with them, and to help them through this stressful time in their lives,” she said. “I feel like this gives me an opportunity to better understand my clients and better represent them.”

Christopher G. Campbell | DLA Piper

Chris Campbell is the Chair of DLA Piper’s Product Liability and Mass Tort practice group, which is among the world’s largest and most award-winning team of product liability defense counsel.

A graduate of Harvard Law School, Chris has 20 years’ experience in all phases of mass tort, class action, and other complex commercial litigation, including trying cases and arguing appeals. He has served as global, national, and trial counsel for many global companies in the life sciences, food and beverage, automotive, and insurance sectors. In addition, Chris also advises clients on regulatory, communications, and other strategic matters with the potential to impact the clients’ business interests or reputations.

Clients say of Chris: “He is great. Period.” Others praise the quality of his strategic advice and devotion to client service as “truly indispensable” to their teams, noting their gratitude for “all the help (almost around the clock!) and good advice.”

The Legal 500 United States has repeatedly recognized Chris, noting that he “commands respect.” Law360 selected Chris as a “Rising Star” in the area of product liability, citing his “knack for breaking down difficult science into concepts” and “creativity and unorthodox tactics” that “have set him apart.”

Chris regularly speaks and writes on the topics of product liability, mass torts, and class action litigation, as well as the attorney-client privilege, expert witnesses, pharmacovigilance, trial tactics, and other topics.

Vanessa Offutt | DLA Piper

Vanessa Offutt practices primarily in the area of product liability, focusing on pharmaceuticals and medical devices as well as environmental and toxic tort litigation. She represents clients facing challenging litigation in state and federal court, including complex consolidated dockets and multidistrict litigation. Vanessa develops strategies and assists in pre-trial work, including motion practice, discovery, briefs, and depositions, as well as working on trial teams.

Vanessa has a strong background in trial advocacy and court practice, as well as a deep commitment to helping her community. She brings real-world experience, compassion and discipline to her work for clients facing the challenges of litigation.

Session I – Substance Abuse and Divorce: Key legal consideration in family law | 11:50am – 12:50pm

• Impact On Legal Custody and Parenting Time
• Assets Division/Support Considerations
• Judicial Analysis and Bias
• Court-Ordered Treatment and Substance Testing
• Abuse And Safety Measures
• Proof Issues and Expert Witnesses
• Strategies

Break | 12:50pm – 1:00pm

Session II – Addressing the Marital Home During Divorce Proceedings | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

• Home Occupancy Options During the Divorce
• Home Sale Options During the Divorce
• Post-Divorce Options for The Marital Home
• Enforcement Issues

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

Session III – Safeguarding Attorney−Client Privilege in Online and Cross−Border Collaboration | 2:10pm – 3:10pm

• Foundational Principles Regarding the Attorney−Client Privilege and Attorney Work Product Doctrine
• Recent Key Decisions on Privilege and Work Product in Cases Involving Online and Cross−Border Collaboration
• Advice And Best Practices for Safeguarding These Protections in The Modern World