Conference Center at Waltham Woods
INTERSECTING INTERESTS: Navigating the Tension Among Parental Rights, Children’s Rights, and the Best Interest Standard
There has always been an inherent tension between the rights of individual parents in a separation or divorce and the best interest standard, developmental needs, or stated wishes of their children. How do we evaluate and understand the preferences of each parent for a certain outcome or the rights they believe they possess to have a meaningful relationship with their child, and how should those rights and preferences be weighed against the child’s right to stability, family, and to have a valued voice in the process?
We will explore the legal and psychological frameworks that guide these determinations and examine how the Court, guardians ad litem, and attorneys struggle to resolve these deeply human dilemmas.
CONFERENCE AGENDA – Please Note Minor Schedule Changes Below Posted March 11, 2026.
8:30 AM – 8:45 AM: Opening Remarks: Karen Cohen, Esq. . (Co-Chair)
8:45 AM – 10:15 AM: Keynote Presentation – Intersecting Interests
The Keynote Speaker is Linda Elrod, Esq. who during her 50-year career, greatly influenced the practice of family law on a global scale as a law professor and advocate who helped craft the laws leading to systemic child and family law reform, and has written several books and articles on child and family law issues. In May 2025, she was the first woman to receive the prestigious Justice Award from the Kansas Supreme Court for her work, among other things, in improving the lives of children of divorce.
10:15 AM -10:30 AM: Break
10:30 AM -11:00 AM: : Is Shared Parenting Preferable? The Data says, “Not so fast…”
Marsha Kline Pruett, Ph.D., MSL, ABPP
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM: Perspectives from Mental Health & Law: Resolving the Tensions in Two Languages
Marsha Kline Pruett, Ph.D., MSL, ABPP & Linda Elrod, Esq.
Moderator: Robert A. Zibbell, Ph.D
12:15 PM -1:15 PM: Lunch and Remarks:
Chief Justice Brian Dunn, Probate & Family Court
Stephanie Tabashneck, Psy.D., JD., Massachusetts Chapter President
1:15 PM – 2:15 PM: Massachusetts Parentage Act
Discussing the Massachusetts Parentage Act is Patience “Polly” Crozier, JD., an attorney with GLAD Law, who has engaged in cutting-edge trial court and appellate litigation involving family issues, assisted reproduction, and parentage protections. Polly was instrumental in the recent passage of the Massachusetts Parentage Act and successfully worked to help pass laws in several states that ensure LGBTQ+ families have equal access to the legal recognition of their relationship to their children.
In addition to experienced attorney and GAL panelists, our judges will include the Honorable Jessica Dubin of Norfolk County and the Honorable Richard Simons of Berkshire County. Panelists will also include adult children of divorce who will speak to their experiences in the family court and whether their voices were heard in the process. We hope that all MA AFCC members will attend the conference, both for educational purposes and as a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues.
2:15 PM – 3:15 PM: Adult Children of Divorce Speak
Donna Feinberg, LICSW & Lauren Persing, Psy.D.
3:15 pm – 3:30 PM; Break
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Panel Two The Bench, The Bar, and Mental Health: Respective Perspectives
Hon. Jessica Dubin, Hon. Richard Simons, Maureen McBrien, Esq., Robert A. Zibbell, Ph.D., Premela Deck, Ph.D.
Hon. James Menno (ret.), Moderator
DOWNLOAD CONFERENCE MATERIALS HERE
REPORT OF THE 2026 NOMINATING COMMITTEE
At the 2026 Annual Meeting of the Chapter on March 20, 2026, as part of the Annual Conference, Chapter Members will be asked to vote on new Chapter Officers and selected Board Members for terms beginning August 1, 2026. Read about the entire slate of nominees at this special Nominating Committee Report.