The 20th Family Law Summit is a premier event organized by the National Business Institute (NBI), designed to provide family law practitioners with cutting-edge insights and practical tools to enhance their practice. This live online event is scheduled for June 4th, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 5:20 PM EDT.
Attendees will explore key topics such as the integration of artificial intelligence in family law, strategies for handling high-conflict custody cases, evidence collection techniques, and methods for identifying and dividing digital assets like cryptocurrencies. The summit features live demonstrations, practical exercises, and real-world scenarios to equip participants with actionable knowledge.
The event boasts a lineup of esteemed speakers, including George T. Dowd III, an expert in digital assets and cryptocurrency; Hon. Jeanette A. Irby, a retired Circuit Court Judge; Erika E. MacCormac, a partner at Winslow McCurry & MacCormac, PLLC; Kathryn H. Mickelson, an equity partner at Beermann LLP; and Brian L. Sobol, a board-certified family law attorney. These experts will share their insights and experiences, providing attendees with valuable perspectives on current trends and challenges in family law.
This summit is ideal for family law attorneys, legal professionals, and practitioners seeking to stay ahead in the evolving landscape of family law. Participants will gain practical tools, templates, and frameworks that can be implemented immediately to enhance their practice and better serve their clients.
Speakers(5)
Brian L. Sobol
Attorney
Brian L. Sobol is board-certified in family law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy — one of only 15 lawyers in Minnesota to hold this distinction. He is also one of only four lawyers in Minnesota recognized for high-net-worth family law matters with a Band 1 ranking by Chambers and Partners, and is a diplomate in the American College of Family Trial Lawyers. Mr. Sobol has extensive experience in complex asset dissolution, custody disputes, spousal maintenance, and appellate family law, having participated in roughly 100 appellate matters. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota and earned his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School.
Erika E. MacCormac
Partner at Winslow McCurry & MacCormac, PLLC
Erika E. MacCormac is a partner at Winslow McCurry & MacCormac, PLLC in Midlothian, Virginia, where she leads the family law team. Her practice focuses on divorce, child custody and visitation, spousal support, adoption, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. She also serves as guardian ad litem in abuse, neglect, and contested custody proceedings. Ms. MacCormac presents for NBI and serves as a guest lecturer at the University of Richmond Law School Family Law Clinic. She earned her B.A. from Virginia Tech and her J.D. from the University of Richmond.
George T. Dowd III
Attorney & Digital Assets Expert
George T. Dowd III is an attorney and subject matter expert in foreign exchange, futures, cryptocurrency, and metals markets. He served on the Board of Directors of the Global Digital Asset & Cryptocurrency Association in 2020 and 2021, and is the primary author of Digital Assets, Cryptocurrencies, and Blockchain (IICLE®, 2022). Mr. Dowd has testified as an expert before the National Futures Association, FINRA, the London Court of International Arbitration, and the Federal Court of Australia. He has appeared on CNBC, Bloomberg TV, and Fox Business Network, and has lectured at the People's Bank of China, DePaul University, and the Chicago Bar Association. Previously, he served as head of the Chicago Foreign Exchange Desk at Société Générale and held senior FX roles at JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America, and Credit Suisse. He earned his B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross and his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law.
Hon. Jeanette A. Irby
Retired Circuit Court Judge at Juridical Solutions PLC
Hon. Jeanette A. Irby is a retired Circuit Court Judge for the 20th Judicial Circuit of Virginia and currently managing director of Juridical Solutions PLC, where she mediates family law disputes suited to alternative dispute resolution. She is experienced in all areas of civil litigation, including divorce, custody, spousal support, and personal injury. Before taking the bench, she focused her practice on domestic relations. Judge Irby earned her B.S. from Central Michigan University and her J.D. from Thomas W. Cooley Law School.
Kathryn H. Mickelson
Equity Partner at Beermann LLP
Kathryn H. Mickelson is a divorce and family law equity partner at Beermann, handling dissolution of marriage, paternity, prenuptial agreements, and domestic violence matters. The only equity partner at the firm to rise from law clerk to owner, she brings 20 years of family law experience to every case. Ms. Mickelson is a certified mediator and draws on her extensive trial background to resolve cases efficiently. She is known among peers, colleagues, and judges for her practical approach and deep commitment to her clients' long-term wellbeing.
Event Details
- Date
- March 25-26, 2026
- 2 days
- Location
- 🇨🇦 Toronto, Canada
- Pricing
- Varies by tier
- Audience
- Family law attorneys, legal professionals, and practitioners seeking to enhance their practice with cutting-edge insights and tools.
- CLE Credits
- CLE accreditation pending