Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

Beverly Hills Bar Association
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Courses

On Direct Examination, hosts Dan Bemel and Lauren Youngman interview leading Family Law practitioners, judicial officers, and mediators to unpack the technical realities of practice: building a case from the ground up, navigating client relationships, crafting arguments that resonate with the bench, and avoiding common procedural and strategic missteps. They also explore how to work productively with opposing counsel, especially when personalities or litigation styles add complexity—an area closely tied to civility in the legal profession.

  1. 9h ago

    Alexandra Leichter | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

    Co-founding partner of Leichter Leichter-Maroko LLP, Alexandra Leichter has developed a reputation for providing excellent representation to her clients, leaving no stone unturned, assessing each case thoroughly to assure that the client is provided with all possible information to make a reasoned and educated decision regarding his/her case. While Alexandra has developed a reputation for being a fierce litigator, less than 10% of her cases ever see the inside of a courtroom — because she develops strategies and assessments of her clients' cases to assure that the case is ready to be tried but is best resolved through mediation/settlement. Alexandra has a great reputation for knowledge of the law, astute assessment of practical solutions to complex family law problems, and an excellent ability to convey difficult issues in a simple manner to clients and judicial officers. She is the author of numerous articles ranging from Religious Conflicts in Custody cases; Tips for Concerned Parents in Move-Away Cases; The Custody Attorney's Guide to the Jewish Holidays; Private Trial, Arbitrations and Other Solutions to Family Law Disputes; The Effect of Islamic Family Law on North American Family Law Issues; the Effect of Jewish Divorce Law on North American Family Law Issues; and Practical Tips on Preparing and Trying Child Custody Cases. She has formerly served on the Executive Committee of the Family Law Sections of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Executive Committee of the Beverly Hills Bar Association Family Law Section. She is a Certified Family Law Specialist and Certified Family Law Arbitrator. Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E6rkMV1FxZURdn_qEwoyB78qbbh3VpNO/view No CLE is provided for this program.

    1h 1m

  2. 1d ago

    Michael Trope | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

    Michael Trope's journey to California family law is a tapestry woven with professional prowess, personal challenges, and an unconventional twist. Over three decades in the heart of Los Angeles, he not only navigated but triumphed in intricate family law litigation, all without relying on the towering legacy of his esteemed father, Sorrell Trope. At 21, Trope ventured into sports representation. Despite early success, he shifted gears, seamlessly blending family law litigation and related civil cases in his pursuit of a legal career. His notable victories include million-dollar jury verdicts, such as securing compensation for emotional distress in a child custody exchange and successfully defending against high-profile domestic abuse allegations. One of his significant achievements includes the representation of Lisa Kerkorian in the case of Lisa Kerkorian v. Kirk Kerkorian, in which Lisa Kerkorian was awarded a remarkable $10.25 million as a retroactive child support payment and a monthly child support amount of $100,000 for one child. Representing prominent figures like Dennis Quaid and Larry Birkhead, Trope has become a stalwart in the family law arena. With a career spanning over 30 years, his focus on intense preparation, intellectual rigor, and the unique challenges presented by family law underscore a commitment to excellence in this specialized field. Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J8_AB0gXOQjQRJnh9XNbbijxoMSD_lpI/view?usp=sharing No CLE is provided for this program.

    1h 1m

  3. 2d ago

    Laura Wasser | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

    In this episode Laura A. Wasser (Wasser Cooperman & Mandles) is interviewed by Daniel R. Bemel, CDFA (Financial Advisor and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst) and Lauren O. Youngman, CFLS (Associate Attorney at Youngman Reitshtein, PLC). Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fp8fMladXfN-R4gwHAdlaLmruxMfvq2F/view?usp=sharing No CLE is provided for this program.

    56 min

  4. 3d ago

    Chris Melcher | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

    Christopher C. Melcher is a partner with Walzer Melcher & Yoda LLA. Business owners, celebrities, and trust beneficiaries across California turn to Christopher for assistance in protecting their most valuable assets in high-stakes divorces. With deep experience in complex family law litigation, he provides tactical representation in the most challenging family law disputes. His clients include A-list celebrities, executives, and tech company founders. Frequently, he is hired by other family lawyers as a consultant, expert, or co-counsel on significant divorce cases in California. Before entering family law exclusively, Christopher practiced criminal defense and civil personal injury litigation. Presented by UBS No CLE is provided for this program.

    1 hr

  5. 4d ago

    Samantha Klein | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

    Samantha is a partner and head of the California family law practice of Withers Bergman LLP. She has 20 years of litigation experience representing high net worth and high-profile clients in diverse fields including the entertainment and sports industry, executives, entrepreneurs, doctors and attorneys, as well as their spouses. She represents clients in all aspects of family law, concentrating much of her practice in the areas of complex financial issues, custody disputes and parenting issues. Samantha also provides legal services in the area of cohabitation, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. She works with each client to prepare an agreement that is tailored to meet their individual needs and ensures that they understand how the agreements impact their rights and responsibilities under California law. Samantha's practice also includes mediation services, working with both sides to find common grounds for settlement. Samantha was recognized as a Super Lawyer in Family Law in 2021, 2022 and 2023. She was also named to Hollywood Reporter's Power Lawyers list for divorce in 2018 and 2022. In addition to her legal practice, Samantha serves on the Executive Committee of the Beverly Hills Bar Association - Family Law Section, and in 2019 joined the Board of Directors of C5 Youth Foundation of Southern California. She continues to volunteer as a mediator for the Los Angeles Superior Court, Alternative Dispute Resolution Panel. Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gu2ApAZ_spOFJhA_lmFIW1tcsVQT0iIR/view?usp=share_link No CLE is provided for this program.

    1 hr

  6. 5d ago

    Lisa Meyer | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

    Lisa Helfend Meyer is a founder and the senior partner of Meyer, Olson, Lowy & Meyers, LLP. Lisa is a certified Family Law Specialist and has built a reputation for taking on the toughest cases — matters other attorneys reject — and prevailing in high-asset and high-conflict family law matters. Lisa represents both men and women in high-stake/bet-the-company divorce, custody and paternity cases. These include complex financial marital dissolutions, relocation and high-conflict child custody litigation, grey divorce and sophisticated prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Her more than 35 years of practice include family law cases within California, across the United States and international jurisdictions. Known for her exceptional trial and courtroom skills and impassioned advocacy, Lisa gained national prominence during her successful representation of a mother for whom she secured visitation when the mother became comatose while giving birth to triplets. Lisa's experience raising a daughter with special needs has made her a champion of special needs children and adults. Lisa founded the female-owned family law firm in Los Angeles, Meyer, Olson, Lowy & Meyers, in 2000 to bring a strong female presence to family law. She has led its growth into one of the country's most respected family law firms. Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z4zKexvLFKi2TsPFCxFW4_F9GmfpiXaY/view?usp=sharing No CLE is provided for this program.

    57 min

  7. 6d ago

    Melanie Mandles | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

    Ms. Mandles has exclusively practiced family law with the firm since passing the bar in 1997. She became a partner with the firm in 2007, and a named partner in 2016. During her years of practice, Ms. Mandles has represented high net worth individuals in many different fields, including the entertainment and sports industry, business executives, doctors and attorneys, as well as beneficiaries of substantial family wealth and their spouses. Ms. Mandles is most noted for her settlement oriented approach, but has also achieved great success in the courtroom for her clients. Ms. Mandles serves on the executive board of the Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice, and has worked as a volunteer attorney for the Alliance for Children's Rights. Among other accolades, Ms. Mandles has been named in "Best Lawyers in America" and "Top Women Lawyers in Southern California" since 2013, and is proud to have been included in the "Top 50 Women Attorneys in Southern California" each year since 2017. Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fo2sGPlt7-eSG1Q3o2lH73YRc7XcJA9d/view?usp=sharing No CLE is provided for this program.

    1h 1m

  8. Jul 6

    Adam Lipsic | Direct Examination with Dan and Lauren

    Adam Philip Lipsic is a Partner at Summers Levine Lipsic & Hersh, LLP and a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. After graduating from Pepperdine University School of Law in 2005, Mr. Lipsic immediately commenced practicing at Hersh Mannis LLP, where he had been interning since his sophomore year of college at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Mr. Lipsic was elevated to a Partner of the Firm in 2014. Adam's practice is devoted exclusively to family law, including a wide range of domestic matters such as divorce, dissolutions of same-sex domestic partnerships, custody, premarital and postnuptial agreements, and parentage. He is equally as comfortable litigating a case to its completion as he is guiding a client to a negotiated settlement agreement, and he frequently deals with highly complex and sophisticated family law matters. Mr. Lipsic has represented a wide range of clients, from famous entertainers and athletes, to corporate and entertainment executives, to stay-at-home parents. Through his direct, goal-oriented approach, he attempts to achieve the best potential resolution as expeditiously and quietly as possible. Presented by UBS 📂 Access materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11XlUE-Wfe_EHvH-kv8kNQijagnT10zpg/view?usp=drive_link No CLE is provided for this program.

    54 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

On Direct Examination, hosts Dan Bemel and Lauren Youngman interview leading Family Law practitioners, judicial officers, and mediators to unpack the technical realities of practice: building a case from the ground up, navigating client relationships, crafting arguments that resonate with the bench, and avoiding common procedural and strategic missteps. They also explore how to work productively with opposing counsel, especially when personalities or litigation styles add complexity—an area closely tied to civility in the legal profession.

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