12th Annual Conference – October 13, 2026 – Maryland Chapter

Welcome to the 12th AFCC Maryland Chapter Annual Conference

Dedicated to bringing together Maryland professionals for the resolution of family conflicts.

Evolving Families, Emerging Technologies: The Future of Family Law

CONFERENCE AGENDA

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Registration

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM: WELCOME
-Marshall Yaap, Esq. Co-President, AFCC Maryland

9:15 AM – 11:15 AM: NEW SURPRISES AND QUESTIONS RELATED TO JOINT AND OTHER CUSTODY ARRANGEMENTS BASED ON SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

Marsha Kline Pruett, PhD, MSL, ABPP
Models for shared parenting after separation are widely debated—but what does the evidence actually show? This keynote takes a fresh look at international research on parenting plans and family outcomes, questioning assumptions that continue to shape policy and practice. It concludes with practical insights for legal and mental health professionals seeking evidence-informed approaches to working with families wanting “more time” or “50-50”.

11:15 AM – 11:30 AM: Break

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: PANEL: VOICE OF THE CHILD

This session will explore how judges assess and weigh a child’s preferences, the factors that influence the credibility and reliability of a child’s statements, and the methods courts use to obtain information from children while minimizing potential harm. Panelists will also examine the roles of Best Interest Attorneys, custody evaluators, mental health professionals, and allegations of parental alienation in helping courts understand a child’s perspective. The Judges will share their approaches to determining when, how, and to what extent a child’s voice should influence decisions made in the child’s best interests.

–HON. FRED HECKER, HON. CATHY H. SERRETTE, MAGISTRATE ELIZABETH CASE, MAGISTRATE SARAH SCHWARTZMAN, MARSHA KLINE PRUETT, Ph.D, MANDY MIILIMAN, JD, ETHAN T. DELLINGER, JD

Click on Panelist name to review a brief biography.

12:30 PM – 1:15 PM: LUNCH

1:15 PM – 2:45 PM: PRO’S, CON’S, AND ETHICS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN FAMILY LAW

-Steven Bradley, Safety and Technology Expert
With the influx of AI technology in the legal field, professionals are having to navigate the world like never before. Although AI can be a particularly useful tool, lawyers should be cautioned, as there are many ethical implications implicit in its use. This session will illustrate where AI can be useful in practice and also explore where AI is being misused by professionals or offenders to manipulate evidence. Also covered are ethical concerns and implications of using AI in your practice.

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM: BREAK

3:00 PM – 4:30 PM: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN MENTAL HEALTH; THREAT, PROBLEM SOLVER, BOTH?

-Kathryn S. Krase, Ph.D., J.D., MSW, Krase Consulting, Brooklyn, New York
Technology has revolutionized access to mental health services for people around the world. However, the ethical challenges presented by the rapid expansion of the use of technology in the field cannot be overstated. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) by mental health professionals presents both benefits and significant risks. This session will provide an understanding of AI and how it is currently being used in mental health practice, with a significant conversation around the possibilities for the future.

4:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Q & A AND CLOSING REMARKS

Continuing Education: AFCC Maryland has or will apply for continuing education credits for mental health professionals (CEU). Updates will be posted here.

THANK YOU TO OUR ANNUAL CONFERENCE SPONSORS

Conference Speakers

Marsha Kline Pruett, PhD, MSL, ABPP, Dr. Kline Pruett holds masters’ degrees in Education (University of Penn) and in Legal Studies (Yale Law School), and a Ph.D. in Psychology (University of California at Berkeley). After 14 years as a consultant and researcher at the Connecticut Mental Health Center at the Yale University School of Medicine and the Yale Child Study Center, Dr. Kline Pruett moved to Smith College to serve as the first Maconda Brown O’Connor Professor at Smith’s School for Social Work. She also holds an adjunct position in the department of Psychology at Smith College. She was a member of the AFCC Board of Directors and served as AFCC President in 2016

Stephen Bradley graduated with honors from the FBI Academy and served in a critical role investigating cyber-enabled crimes with the FBI for over 24 years—ranging from cyberstalking and network intrusions to financial exploitation and the apprehension of child predators. He now serves on the professional team at OurFamilyWizard, where he champions healthy, technology-assisted communication between co-parents navigating separation and divorce. He is internationally recognized for his leadership on the intersection of technology and abuse, and is a sought-after expert on topics including stalking, cyberstalking, digital forensics, and law enforcement’s role in addressing intimate partner violence.

Kathryn Krase, Ph.D., J.D., M.S.W., is a social worker, lawyer, researcher, educator, and expert on professional ethics. She has significant experience as a family law practitioner, social work supervisor, along with more than 20 years of experience in faculty and administrative roles in undergraduate, masters, and doctoral level social work programs in and around New York City. Dr. Krase is the Principal Consultant for Krase Consulting, in Brooklyn, New York, where she focuses on educating mental and physical health professionals on their general legal and ethical obligations.

Maryland Chapter - AFCC