2026 Institute for Family Law Associates
In late September, attorney Cecily Morris had the opportunity to attend the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) 2026 Institute for Family Law Associates in Chicago. The intensive four-day program brings together family law attorneys from across the country for hands-on training led by some of the most respected practitioners in the field.
From the first session, it was clear the Institute was built around the realities of family law practice. Over twenty sessions, AAML Fellows and financial experts from across the country covered everything from organizing a case file and reading tax returns to handling objections, preparing witnesses and drafting orders that hold up on appeal. Each participant was also paired with an assigned mentor from the Academy, creating a chance to ask questions and learn from attorneys with decades of experience.
What stood out most was the emphasis on preparing with keeping the end in mind. Several speakers urged attendees to begin a case by drafting the proposed order, knowing exactly what the client will ask the court to decide, and to build a detailed chronology early. Judges think chronologically, and a clear timeline often becomes one of the most valuable tools in a case. The sessions on personal and business tax returns and business valuation reinforced the same lesson: financial documents tell a story, and knowing where to look shapes the entire discovery strategy.
Another key takeaway was the importance of planning for a family’s future, not just the present. One session described a parenting plan as "an operating system, not a calendar", a document that may guide a family for fifteen years or more, through school changes, new jobs, moves and adolescence. A strong plan answers not only who has the children and when, but how parents make decisions, share information and resolve disagreements. A session on mental health in custody litigation offered a similarly practical perspective: a diagnosis is a noun, but parenting is a verb. Courts focus on how a parent actually functions and cares for their children today, not on a label.
The program also addressed the human side of the work. Sessions on client management, boundaries and dealing with opposing counsel underscored that civility and professionalism serve clients well. Judges notice which side is reasonable, and needless conflict raises costs and emotions for everyone. Between sessions, there were opportunities to connect with fellow family law attorneys from across the country, exchange perspectives and build relationships that will extend well beyond the Institute.
By the end of the program, Cecily walked away with more than a stack of notes. She gained a sharper framework for organizing cases, a deeper understanding of the financial and custody issues at the heart of family law, and practical strategies she can immediately apply to her everyday work as an attorney at Gill Family Law.
