2026 AFCC-CA Annual Conference
by California Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC-CA)
The 2026 AFCC-CA Annual Conference, titled "Practical Solutions for Complex Family Law Challenges," is organized by the California Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC-CA). This event is scheduled to take place from February 6 to February 8, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Sacramento in Sacramento, California.
The conference will address multifaceted issues in family law, including parental relocation, parent-child contact problems, family violence, and the needs of neurodivergent individuals. Attendees can expect a range of sessions such as "The Do’s and Don’ts of Interviewing Children: Legal, Ethical, and Psychological Dimensions," "Bridging the Gap: Working with Neurodivergent Adults in Family Court Systems," and "Safety Planning for Domestic Violence Survivors."
In addition to educational sessions, the conference will feature networking opportunities, an exhibitor space, and notable speakers like Ellen Bruno, director of "SPLIT UP: The Teen Years," and Caitlin Ryan, director of the Family Acceptance Project. The event is designed for family law professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in addressing complex family law challenges.
Speakers(23)
Andrea Palash
JD
Andrea Palash served on the 2026 AFCC-CA Annual Conference Committee.
Angelina Ray
Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS)
Angelina Ray is a Certified Family Law Specialist who co-chaired the 2026 AFCC-CA Annual Conference and presented on interviewing children in legal proceedings.
Arati Vasan
Esq.
Arati Vasan is an attorney who co-presented on the legal, ethical, and psychological dimensions of interviewing children in legal contexts.
Caitlin Ryan
Director at Family Acceptance Project, San Francisco State University
Caitlin Ryan is the Director of the Family Acceptance Project at San Francisco State University and presented on family acceptance.
David L. Blacker
JD, Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS)
David Blacker is a Certified Family Law Specialist who co-presented on the impact of language in family law contexts.
Deborah H. Wald
JD
Deborah Wald co-chaired the 2026 AFCC-CA Annual Conference.
Diane Wasznicky
JD
Diane Wasznicky served on the 2026 AFCC-CA Annual Conference Committee.
Ellen Bruno
Film Producer and Director
Ellen Bruno is a filmmaker who presented her film 'SPLIT UP: The Teen Years' and participated in a live Q&A session.
Eva Bermudez
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Eva Bermudez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who co-presented on the legal, ethical, and psychological dimensions of interviewing children in legal contexts.
Frank Davis
Ph.D.
Dr. Frank Davis co-chaired the 2026 AFCC-CA Annual Conference.
Hon. Jonathan Hayes
Judge at Sacramento Superior Court
Judge Jonathan Hayes of the Sacramento Superior Court provided judicial insights on evaluating child statements and interviews in court.
Hon. Lauren Zorfas (Ret.)
Retired Judge
Hon. Lauren Zorfas is a retired judge with experience in family law and domestic violence cases.
Hon. Monica Wiley
Judge
Judge Monica Wiley served on the 2026 AFCC-CA Annual Conference Committee.
Jessica Wharton
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Jessica Wharton is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who presented on the intersection of educational systems and family law.
Jocelynn Maier
Esq.
Jocelynn Maier is an attorney who co-presented on the legal, ethical, and psychological dimensions of interviewing children in legal contexts.
Justin O'Connell
JD
Justin O'Connell served on the 2026 AFCC-CA Annual Conference Committee.
Ken Perlmutter
Ph.D.
Dr. Ken Perlmutter served on the 2026 AFCC-CA Annual Conference Committee.
Lyn Greenberg
Ph.D., ABPP
Dr. Lyn Greenberg is a board-certified psychologist who co-presented on the impact of language in family law contexts.
Matthew Sullivan
Ph.D.
Dr. Matthew Sullivan is a psychologist who led a session on the roles and responsibilities of parenting coordinators.
Michael Kretzmer
Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS)
Michael Kretzmer is a Certified Family Law Specialist who co-presented on the legal, ethical, and psychological dimensions of interviewing children in legal contexts.
Michelene Insalaco
JD
Michelene Insalaco served on the 2026 AFCC-CA Annual Conference Committee.
Susan Rempel
Ph.D.
Dr. Susan Rempel is a psychologist who co-presented on the legal, ethical, and psychological dimensions of interviewing children in legal contexts.
Yi Martins
Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), Master of Law and International Relations (MLI)
Yi Martins is a Marriage and Family Therapist with expertise in international relations who presented on working with neurodivergent adults in family court systems.
Event Details
- Date
- February 6-8, 2026
- 3 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Sacramento, United States
- DoubleTree by Hilton Sacramento
- Pricing
- $175 - $625
- Audience
- Family law professionals, including attorneys, judges, mental health practitioners, and child custody evaluators
- CLE Credits
- Up to 16.5 Continuing Education credits available, including 12.5 hours for the conference and 4 hours for institutes