FAMILY LAW SECTION – BIAS IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
12:00-1:30 p.m.
Via Zoom

Please join the Family Law Section on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, for a presentation by Vocational Experts Soma McCandless and Marlis Bruns on recognizing BIAS in the vocational evaluation process. They will provide recommendations on how to help ensure an impartial evaluation for your client.  An objective evaluation can be used to help settle support issues in your dissolution cases.

Both Marlis and Soma evaluate individuals for the purpose of assessing future employability and wage earning capacity in conformity with California Family Code, Section 4320. They are knowledgeable of local area training and education programs, current employment conditions, job markets and compensation in the Bay Area.

Marlis Bruns has been a Vocational Evaluator Since 2001.  She has qualified and testified as a court expert in Contra Costa, Alameda, San Mateo, San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Joaquin, Solano and Sacramento Counties. She has also performed out-of-state assessments and qualified to testify in Colorado and Texas. Marlis has a Master’s of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from the Golden Gate University and a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from California State University, Chico. She belongs to the following professional associations: Bay Area Vocational Experts, American Board of Vocational Experts (Diplomat), National Career Development Association, California Career Development Association, Alameda County Bar Association, Contra Costa County Bar Association.

Soma McCandless has been a Vocational Evaluator since 2018.  She draws from her experience of over 14 years in the fields of technology consulting, education and the nonprofit sector.  She has qualified and testified as a vocational expert in Santa Clara, San Mateo and Contra Costa Counties.  She obtained a  Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  She also has a Master’s of Arts degree in Education with focus on Multicultural Counseling and a Mental Health Recovery and Trauma Informed Care Certificate from San Diego State University.  She belongs to the following professional associations: Bay Area Vocational Experts, American Board of Vocational Experts, and the National Career Development Association.  

You will receive 1 hour of General Law and Recognition and Elimination of Bias MCLE credit for attending this event. MCLE certificates will be made available in the week following the event.

Cost: $30 for Family Law Section members and $40 for non-section members.

Registration: Please log in on the SMCBA website to register for this event. If you wish to pay by check, please still register online first and send your check payable to SMCBA, to: 333 Bradford St., Ste. 150, Redwood City, CA 94063. Attn: Events. *Please note for which event you are paying and the name of the attendee.

Logistics: Your Zoom credentials will automatically be emailed to you shortly after you register online, as well as the day and hour before the event. Please note that you’ll need to be logged into a Zoom account to join the webinar. The written materials for the webinar will be emailed to attendees the morning of the event. 

Cancellations must be received at least 48 hours prior to the event for a full refund of the registration fee. If you do not cancel within 48 hours or do not show up to the event, you will be charged the full amount.