Resilience in high conflict families will be the theme of the Marion County Family Law Advisory Committee’s biennial High Conflict Symposium, to be held at the Willamette University College of Law on Friday, May 30, 2008 from 8:00 – 4:30. The symposium will feature national speakers and material developed by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

“Most of us know a lot about the challenges of many of the families we work with, and a great deal about the risks to children in high conflict situations. We think it’s time for this symposium to focus on what is being learned about the resilience of children and families, and ways we can foster these,” commented Judge Thomas Hart, chair of the Marion County FLAC.

Speakers Judge Ernestine Gray of Orleans Parish Juvenile Court, Katherine Yetter, J.D., and Ruby Starr White are frequent presenters for the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Presenters will share techniques for court personnel, bar, and related service providers aimed at fostering resilience in litigants involved in the various types of family-related legal proceedings.

Symposium topics will include current resilience research, the distinction between violence and abuse, parenting time in high conflict cases, and mediation in the context of high conflict.

For further information contact: David Bertram at David.Bertram@ojd.state.or.us or 503-584-4754.