IAALS, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System, is a national, independent research center dedicated to facilitating continuous improvement and advancing excellence in the American legal system.  The Honoring Families Initiative identifies and recommends dignified and fair processes for the resolution of divorce, separation, and custody in a manner that is more accessible and more responsive to children, parents, and families.

The IAALS Honoring Families Initiative, in partnership with a Steering Committee of national family bar leaders, is hosting an invitation-only summit of carefully selected thought leaders from a cross-section of the family law bar and who are representative of all aspects of the practice and broader community. Roberta Batley is a member of the Family Bar Summit Steering Committee, and as a member of the Advisory Board of the Honoring Families Initiative, will be engaging in the interactive summit format to be held in Colorado Springs November 12-13.

The interactive format will allow attendees to consider diverse problems in the current system and think through suggestions and recommendations for improvement. With a common goal in mind, they can work together to identify and discuss improvements to the system that would allow all practitioners to better serve clients and their children. Shedding all preconceived notions about the system and engaging in a mutually respectful dialogue with their peers, the door is open for suggestions.

Family Law attorneys play a fundamentally important role in helping families through the process of divorce and separation. The IAALS appreciates the frustration that many family law attorneys experience while working within a system that is not structured in a way that enables them to best serve their clients.

Following the event, IAALS will publish a post-summit report, containing recommendations and innovations that represent the perspective of a strong and more cohesive family bar, working toward systemic change to better serve their respective clients.