Community Activities

Association of Certified Family Law Specialists
President, 2000, Board Member, 1989-present

Almonte District Improvement Club, Inc.
President, 1997-99, Board of Directors, 1992-present

Business Network International
President - Civic Center Chapter, 2005

Vice President - Civic Center Chapter, 1997-98
Treasurer, 2002

Center for Attitudinal Healing
Bereavement Facilitator - Children's Program, Adult Program, 1992-97

San Francisco Community Boards
Chair - Mission Area Committee, 1981-85
Mediator - Neighborhood Conciliation Panels, 1980-89

Association of Certified Family Law Specialists

History, Purposes and Activities

ACFLS was formed in 1980 following certification of the first group of Family Law Specialists under the "pilot" program, now a permanent program of the State Bar. ACFLS monitors administration by the State Bar of the specialization program, legislation and court rules, develops and promotes Family Law practice skills and provides advances educational programs for the bar, judiciary, and public.

In the 22 years of ACFLS' existence, membership has grown to 505 of the 1082 California Certified Family Law Specialists, over 50% of those certified by the State Bar.

ACFLS holds dinner meetings with programs in Northern California, usually on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. The Sacramento Chapter meets on the last Tuesday of the month. In addition to programs geared to needs and interest of experienced Family Law practitioners, these meetings are a convivial way to meet and confer with colleagues and Judges from other counties who have similar interest and dedication to Family Law, to compare procedures on various California courts, and to develop a network of contacts of significant value in daily practice. For information regarding meetings, please contact ACFLS Administrator Lynn Pfeifer (415) 499-1610.

Membership in ACFLS requires Certification by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California, and payment of the annual dues. Members receive all ACFLS Newsletters, notices of meetings, are eligible to participate in ACFLS activities (including seminars at reduced cost), and are listed in the ACFLS Referral and Membership Directory, published each year and on our web site:  www.acfls.org.

It is the mission of ACFLS to promote and preserve the Family Law Specialty. To that end, the Association will seek to: (1) advance the knowledge of Family Law Specialists; (2) monitor legislation and proposals affecting the field of family law; (3) promote and encourage ethical practice among members of the bar and their clients; and (4) promote the specialty to the public and the family law bar.

ACFLS Educational Programs developed by Vivian Holley

Parenthood, California Style, 1998 Spring Seminar
Parenthood, California Style, 1997, CA State Bar Convention
Elder Law: When is Divorce a Good Idea?, 1996, CA Sate Bar Convention
Tax Traps in the Practice of Family Law, 1995 CA State Bar Convention
How to Make a Full Time Mediation Practice Profitable, 1995 Spring Seminar
Surviving the Recession and Making a Profit Too, 1994 Spring Seminar
The Attorney's Role in Reviewing Mediation Agreements, 1993 Spring Seminar
Family Law Appellate Practice, 1990, CA State Bar Convention