This powerful session brings together voices from the judiciary, government, and academia to shed light on one of the most urgent issues facing families and professionals today: coercive control in domestic relationships. • Presiding Judge Michele M. Christiansen Forster will share insights from her concurrence in Lerman v. Lerman, breaking down what practitioners need to know about this landmark case and the evolving statutes on coercive control. • Lieutenant Governor will courageously recount a deeply personal family tragedy—her cousin’s experience with unchecked domestic violence with a tragic ending. Her story is a sobering reminder of what can happen when warning signs go unaddressed. • Dr. Katz will provide a research-based framework for understanding coercive control, helping professionals recognize its patterns, implications, and risks. Why Attend?
This is more than a legal discussion—it’s a call to action. You’ll leave with: 1 A deeper understanding of the complex dynamics of coercive control. 2 Essential knowledge of the Lerman decision and related domestic violence case law. 3 Real-world perspective on the devastating consequences when systems fail to intervene. 💡 Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear from leaders across the bench, government, and scholarship as they unpack one of the most pressing challenges in family law and beyond.