Family Law

Sponsored by the Beverly Hills Bar Association Family Law Section, VAST gives the Court, the Bar, and litigants another voluntary settlement conference resource. The Family Law Section has assembled a list of senior attorneys who have agreed to serve in two-attorney teams to conduct voluntary settlement conferences (VSCs). The program is free for litigants and is intended to take place in a single session. VAST is designed for cases that need experienced family law settlement officers, and cases can involve any issue, including child custody and visitation.

Upon referral, VAST assigns two experienced family law attorneys to your case. The VAST referral form includes a completion deadline (usually at least 45 days from the date of the referral) and identifies the issues for mediation. The two attorneys volunteer a full day for mediation to help preserve court resources, and additional volunteer professionals, such as a forensic accountant or custody evaluator, may join the team as needed. Judicial referrals to VAST are typically made before a Mandatory Settlement Conference is scheduled. The parties, their attorneys, and any expert witnesses must sign a Mediation Confidentiality Agreement and follow the VAST requirements, which ensure everyone is prepared for a meaningful attempt at settlement.