Message from the Chair

• Publication year: 2017
• Author: Avi Levy

Message from the Chair

Avi Levy

This is my first message as the new Chair of the Executive Committee of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of California ("FLEXCOM"). FLEXCOM is composed of seventeen voting members, plus advisors who serve at the pleasure of the Chair and several legislative liaisons from various regions of the state. I am the new Section Chair for the 2017-2018 term, and Amber Hayes, from Napa, has been elected as Section Vice Chair.

The Family Law Section currently has more than 4,100 members. Steven Hittelman, from Newport Beach, is starting his second year on the Committee and will be taking over the great work of Shauna Chastain as Membership Chair. Stephen Montagna and Louise Bayles-Fightmaster will be assisting him. Steve practices in Fairfield and is new to the Committee. Louise, from Sonoma County, is a retired judicial officer and private judge.

Our education efforts are being divided into several subcategories. Our self-study articles will be handled by returning Committee members Renee Fairbanks of Santa Barbara and Shauna Chastain from Fairfield. Leena Hingnikar, from Woodland Hills, is returning to the Committee as the Webinar Chair, taking over for Abbas Hadjian of Sherman Oaks, and will be assisted by new member Kelly Robbins from San Francisco.

New members Tony Storm, from Beverly Hills, and Steve Montagna will lead the Section-sponsored live programming. The cornerstone of our live programming over the last few years has been the Family Law Essentials Program. Stay tuned for a new type of live programming for the upcoming year. FLEXCOM also puts on family law programs at the State Bar Sections Convention and will continue to provide this type of excellent programming in 2018. Sherry Peterson, from Pleasanton, and Melinda Sammis, from San Francisco, will stay on as education advisors.

The Family Law News will remain under the fine stewardship of Executive Editor Dawn Gray, who is starting her third year on the Committee. Dawn is a past editor of the ACFLS Specialist and perhaps the most prolific commentator on family law in California. She will be aided by Assistant Editor Shauna Chastain. Renee Fairbanks, from Santa Barbara, will edit the Family Law News Monthly (FLNM), which will continue to provide Dawn Gray's new case summaries. Renee will be taking over this role from Jason Elter, from San Ramon, who was elected as Section Secretary for the 2017-2018 term. Andrew Cain, from San Jose, will stay on as a publications...