2026 ISBA ANNUAL MEETING

CLE PROGRAM
Wednesday, June 24

Family Law Track

Room: Bishop C

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Best Interest and Beyond: Iowa Minor Guardianship Practice
Shelby Smail, Nidey Erdahl Meier & Araguas, PLC

This CLE will discuss the ways to establish a minor guardianship, changes in the practice, and common issues that arise in the practice. 

1 state and 1 juvenile CLE credit

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Arbitration?: Understanding Iowa’s UFLAA
Stacey Warren, CashattWarren Family Law, P.C.

Iowa’s Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act takes effect July 1. This fast-paced session walks you end-to-end through the new framework: what’s arbitrable, drafting enforceable agreements, and abuse safeguards. Learn to select the right arbitrator and leverage private arbitration for faster, more efficient outcomes for your clients.

1 state CLE credit

11:00 – 11:15 p.m.
Break

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
AI and Family Law: It’s Complicated
Tyler Coe, Dentons Davis Brown
Hon. Samantha Gronewald, State of Iowa Judicial Branch
Hon. Elisabeth Reynoldson, State of Iowa Judicial Branch

The intersection of AI and family law presents unique challenges for lawyers, litigants, and judges. This presentation examines the practical uses, ethical considerations, and evolving realities of AI, equipping legal professionals to navigate these emerging technological disruptions in practice.

0.75 state CLE credit

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Family Law Case Update
Andrew Howie, Shindler Anderson Goplerud & Weese PC

This session provides an essential review of recent, pivotal family law rulings from the Iowa Supreme Court and Iowa Court of Appeals, delivering critical insights directly impacting your practice.

1 state CLE credit 

2:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Break

2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
New Proposed Standards
Jenny Dorman, Carney & Appleby PLC
Ellen Ramsey-Kacena, State Public Defender – Cedar Rapids

1 state and 1 juvenile CLE credit

3:45 – 4:30 p.m.
Earning, Losing, and What’s Left After Everyone Gets Their Cut
Thomas Kingston, Dentons Davis Brown 

This session explores advanced best practices for structuring Spousal Lifetime Access Trusts (SLATs). Attendees will examine drafting techniques, optimal funding strategies, and critical compliance steps necessary to navigate the reciprocal trust doctrine, maximize current gift tax exemptions, and effectively preserve multi-generational wealth.

0.75 state CLE credit

Judges Track

Room: Skinner A–B

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
FEDs and Small Claims
Hon. Michael Motto, District Associate Judge, District 7

1 state CLE credit

2:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Break

2:45 – 3:45 p.m.
Brain Injury 101
Katrina Carter, Director of Programs and Reentry, Department of Corrections
Judy Dettmer, National Association of State Head Injury Administrators
Maggie Ferguson, Disability & Injury Prevention Project Director, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
Kelly Miller, Social Workers at UI Health Care
Jim Pender, Iowa Department of Public Health Brain Injury Program
Shelley Seitz, Iowa Workforce Development

1 state CLE credit

3:45 – 4:30 p.m.
Copilot Q&A
Ben Schorr, Affinity Consulting

0.75 state CLE credit

Plenary Track

Room: Bishop A–B

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Deception Boomerang: The Ethical and Well-Being Consequences of Dishonesty
Craig Nierman, Nierman ADR

While ethical rules clearly prohibit deception, empirical research reveals that lying triggers significant social, psychological, and negative health outcomes—even if undetected. Conversely, practicing honesty expands our creative problem-solving capacity. Discover how refraining from deception enhances cognitive flexibility and elevates long-term professional well-being.

1 state and 1 ethics CLE credit 

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Modernizing Jury Selection: Scientifically Informed Policy Recommendations for Selecting Fair, Impartial, and Representative Juries
Dr. Jessica Salerno, Associate Professor of Psychology, Associate, Member of the Law Faculty, Cornell University

1 state and 1 diversity CLE credit 

11:00 – 11:15 a.m.
Break

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Modernizing Jury Selection in Practice: Lessons from One Court’s Experience
Hon. Pamela Gates, Judicial Branch of Arizona

0.75 state CLE credit

Today's Non-CLE Activities