Day 1 Schedule & Times
8 am - 9 am
Keynote Speaker - Emerging Issues in Forensic Mental Health Evaluation, with Aaron Norton, PhD, LMHC, LMFT, CFMHE, CFBA, CFP
9 am - 10 am
Expert Testimony for Family Law, with Donald Dempsey, Esq.
10 am - 10:15 am
Break
10:15 am - 11:45 am
Children's Issues and The Most Effective Use of an Expert Witness, with David L. Ferguson, Esq.
11:45 am - 12:45 pm
Lunch
12:45 pm - 2:15 pm
Complex Ethical Issues in Forensic Evaluation, with Marissa Jordan, LPCC-S, CCTP-II, CFMHE
2:15 pm - 3:15 pm
How to Prepare Forensic Mental Health Expert Witnesses for Cross Examination, with Leonard Ross Esq.
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm
Break
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
What Every Mental Health Expert Witness Needs to Know About Divorce Law and Testifying in Florida, with Doug Kneller, Esq.
4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Expert Question & Answer Panel with Dr. Hoffman, Dr. Norton, and Doug Kneller, Esq.
Day 2 Schedule & Times
8:00 am - 8:30 am
Welcome and Introduction with Norman Hoffman, PhD, LMHC, LMFT, CFMHE, CCCE; the Honorable Judge Dawn Nichols; Kim Banister, Esq.
8:30 am - 10:00 am
Expert Witness Scenarios and Role Play, Part 1, with Norman Hoffman, PhD, LMHC, LMFT, CFMHE, CCCE; the Honorable Judge Dawn Nichols; Kim Banister, Esq.
10:00 am - 10:15 am
Break
10:15 am - 12:00 pm
Expert Witness Scenarios and Role Play, Part 2” with Norman Hoffman, PhD, LMHC, LMFT, CFMHE, CCCE; the Honorable Judge Dawn Nichols; Kim Banister, Esq.
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Wrap-Up and Questions and Answers” with Norman Hoffman, PhD, LMHC, LMFT, CFMHE, CCCE; the Honorable Judge Dawn Nichols; Kim Banister, Esq.
About the Presenters
Norman Hoffman, PhD, EdD, LMHC, LMFT, CFMHE, CCCE, CFBA, CFP
A man who saw the potential, an innovator, pushing the boundaries to advance the cause of licensed professional counselor in the field of forensic mental health. He had the vision, the success in his field, sometimes overcoming great challenges to pave the way for those seeking status and professional recognition in a field of forensic mental health that has in the past been inaccessible.
Dr. Hoffman had the boldness and courage to create a training and certification process paving the way for those seeking the status as psychiatrists and psychologists have. His dedication and persistence, despite systematic discrimination, made it possible for licensed professional counselors to have equal, if not elevated status in the field of forensic mental health.
Dr. Hoffman is considered a pioneer with his passion and creativity to develop the pattern for those who pursue a role as an expert forensic mental health expert witness.
Today, as Clinical Director of the Counseling and Psychotherapy Center in Ormond Beach, Florida, Dr. Hoffman continues to break through conventional barriers to provide families with the help and guidance they need. But he has not forgotten his musical foundation. He credits music with inspiring his collaborative approach to working with parents and professionals, and he continues to perform and write the jazz that started it all.
Aaron Norton, PhD, LMHC, LMFT, CFMHE, CFBA, CFP
Dr. Aaron Norton is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapy with certifications in addictions, trauma treatment, forensic evaluation, rehabilitation counseling, psychometry, telehealth, and virtual reality therapy. He is the Executive Director of the National Board of Forensic Evaluators, Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida's Department of Mental Health Law and Policy, Southern Regional Director and Ethics Committee Liaison for the American Mental Health Counselors Association, and Chair of the Government Relations Committee for the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association. Dr. Norton co-authored the forensic evaluation section of the American Mental Health Counselors Association's "Standards for the Practice of Clinical Mental Health Counseling" and assisted with revision of the forensic section of the "2020 AMHCA Code of Ethics." He has 20 years of clinical and forensic experience at Integrity Counseling, Inc., was awarded Mental Health Counselor of the Year by the American Mental Health Counselors Association and Counselor Educator of the Year by the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association in 2016, Researcher of the Year by Florida Mental Health Counselors Association and Public and Community Service Award by the American Mental Health Counselors Association in 2020, and has been published in several social science journals and professional magazines in clinical mental health counseling and related disciplines (e.g., American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, Psychotherapy and Politics International, Addiction Professional, Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services, Journal of Individual Psychology, Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, The Advocate Magazine, Counselor Magazine, Counseling Today, InSession Magazine).
Marissa Jordan LPCC-S, CCTP-II, CFMHE
Ms. Jordan has been in the counseling profession since 2015. During her tenure, she has sought specialties in trauma, crisis intervention, and forensic populations. Ms. Jordan has worked in community health settings, group practice, crisis management in both in-person and telehealth formats. She has served individuals, families, and groups in addition to advocating for her clients’ interests in the courtroom as a subject matter witness. Currently, Ms. Jordan works for R3 Continuum as a Disruptive Event Therapist serving as a consultant and therapist nationwide. She holds specialty certifications as a Natural Disaster Mental Health Responder, a Level 2 Trauma Specialist, and a Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator.
Ms. Jordan is currently enrolled in her PhD program at the University of the Cumberlands studying Counseling Supervision and Education, expecting to complete her program in December of 2023. This presentation was designed by Ms. Jordan with mentorship by one of her esteemed professors and mentor, Dr. Gary Patton, PhD. Ms. Jordan’s dissertation is scheduled to be a psychometric study hoping to develop the first objective measure of evaluating the effects of mental providers responding to Disruptive Events in the workplace setting.
Kim Banister, Esq.
Kim Bannister is a private attorney with a practice centering on family law, domestic violence, dependency and probate. She is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator. She is the former managing attorney for the family law division of Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Inc. (CLSMF). During her tenure at CLSMF, she managed seven attorneys and support staff in twelve counties across Central Florida and was named Outstanding Supervisor of the Year.
Kim is also actively involved in a variety of community and professional organizations. She is the current President of the Volusia County Bar Association and a former Executive Board member. She is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Volusia Flagler PACE Center for Girls, serving for six years, and a past member of the Junior League of Daytona Beach.
She has also served as a two-term President as well as Vice President and Board Member for the Volusia Flagler Association for Women Lawyers, and served on the State Board for the Florida Association for Women Lawyers. She has served on the steering committee for the formation of Sally’s Safe Haven Visitation Center in Flagler County. Ms. Banister is a past volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America and served in leadership with the Girl Scouts of America for over seven years.
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Judge Dawn Nichols
Dawn Nichols, Circuit Judge, Seventh Judicial Circuit, DeLand (2014-present). B.A. in Criminal Justice University of Florida (1987); J.D. University of Florida (1991). Former Partner, Law Office of Nichols & Ahmed (1994-2014); Associate Attorney Law Offices of Rice & Rose, P.A. (1994-1996); Assistant Public Defender, Office of the Public Defender, Seventh Judicial Circuit (1993). Board Certified Marital & Family Law (2002-present). Currently serving on the felony bench in DeLand, Volusia County, Florida.
David L. Ferguson, Esq.
David Ferguson, a Seabreeze High School graduate, holds degrees from Daytona Beach Community College and the University of Florida, culminating in a Juris Doctorate from Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law in 1982. With a career spanning over three decades, Ferguson initially worked in insurance defense before branching out into various legal domains including personal injury, criminal law, family law, estate planning, trusts, and probate. His extensive experience in representing clients across Volusia, Flagler, Orange, and Seminole counties underscores his expertise in criminal defense, family law matters, and diverse legal areas. Notably, he also served as a chief executive for Rankin-Patterson Oil Company, offering unique insights into safeguarding assets during divorce and estate planning processes. Actively engaged in community service, Ferguson is involved in multiple organizations and holds a strong commitment to mentoring in Volusia County Schools. He remains a proud and active member of the Ormond Beach/Daytona Beach area, contributing to the community through his legal expertise and civic engagement.
Donald Dempsey, Esq.
Mr. Dempsey is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh (1987), Southern Illinois University (Cum Laude 1990-1993). He has served in several law positions, including Assistant State Attorney, Seventh Judicial Circuit, Volusia County, Florida (1993-1995); Associate Attorney, Landis, Graham, & French (1995); and solo practitioner, Law Office of Donald B. Dempsey, Jr. (present).
Douglas Kneller, Esq.
Mr. Kneller is a highly accomplished legal professional specializing in Marital and Family Law, boasting dual Board Certifications from the Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. As the Managing Member of iFloridaDivorce.com LLC, a respected boutique law firm focusing on these matters, he leads a team of attorneys and staff. With a wealth of experience dating back to 1988, he's been involved in over three thousand Marital and Family Law cases, playing diverse roles such as representation, mediation, and appellate cases. He's renowned for his contributions to legal education, having authored and presented Continuing Legal Education on marital issues and actively staying updated with the latest legal precedents. His significant appellate cases have influenced Florida law, setting important precedents in alimony and relocation statutes. Recognized as an expert in Marital and Family Law by the Florida Circuit Court, Mr. Kneller's expertise extends to representing various parties involved, including fiancés, partners, spouses, parents, and children.
is www.iFloridaDivorce.com.
Leonard R. Ross, Esq.
Mr. Ross is a dedicated legal advocate serving clients across multiple Florida counties, including Daytona Beach, Orlando, and St. Augustine, specializing in marital and family law. With a Bachelor's in Administration of Justice from American University and a Juris Doctor from Vermont Law School, where he contributed to the esteemed Law Review, Mr. Ross also pursued studies in annuities at the University of Florida. Beyond law, he's an MMA fight manager licensed by the Florida Boxing Commission and a certified MLB player/agent. Board-certified in marital and family law by The Florida Bar, he's a certified family law mediator, qualified Parenting Coordinator, and trained in Collaborative Law. With 37+ years of experience, Mr. Ross champions each client's unique perspective, earning high success rates and accolades like Florida Trend magazine's recognition as a Florida Legal Elite. Actively engaged in legal circles, he contributes as a lecturer, previously teaching law at Daytona State College, and continues to guide peers through complex family law matters. His commitment to quality representation and community involvement shines through his memberships in various bar associations.
Hotel and Travel Information
Registration Cap and Hotel Reservations
Disclaimer
Please note that registration without payment does not guarantee your slot at the conference. If you have not submitted payment by 9/30/23, your registration will be cancelled.
Maximum attendance for the Pre-Conference Certification Workshop In-Person is limited to 50. Maximum attendance for days 1 and 2 of the conference is limited to 100. A hotel registration link for a discounted room rate of $169 plus taxes will be supplied in the registration confirmation you receive by email. The discounted rate is available to conference registrants for the nights of 1/3/23 through 1/5/23 conference until our 40-room block is full, so we recommend reserving a hotel room as quickly as possible to ensure the lowest rate available.
Parking and Resort Fees
Room rates are subject to a $30 daily resort charge for in-resort services (e.g., pool chairs and towels, wireless internet access, fitness center access). The “self-parking” rate has been reduced from $15 a day to $10 a day plus tax per 24-hour period for conference registrants. Valet parking is available at a rate of $30 plus tax per 24-hour period.
Conference Wifi
Wifi will be covered for all attendees during the conference. Please bring your laptops/tablets to access handouts/links during the conference.
Meals and Refreshments
NBFE will not be providing meals during the conference. We will provide coffee and snacks during breaks.
Air Travel
Registrants are responsible for their own travel arrangements. The airport nearest the conference is Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB). Click here to access the Daytona Airport website. Click here to access Mapquest instructions from the airport. The drive from the Daytona Airport to the hotel is approximately 6 miles (13 minutes depending on traffic).
An alternative airport is Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). Click here to access the Orlando Sanford International Airport website. Click here to access Mapquest instructions. The drive from the Orlando Sanford International Airport to the hotel is approximately 53 minutes depending on traffic.
Orlando International Airport (MCO). Click here to access the Orlando International Airport. Click to access Mapquest instructions. The drive from Orlando International Airport to the hotel is approximately 45 miles (1.25 hours depending on traffic).
If you have any questions about booking your hotel room please contact Valentino@nbfe.net or call or text 386-366-5761.
Continuing Education Information
NBCC ACEP
# 6189
Florida CE Broker Tracking
# 20- 1039928
CE Broker Provider
#50-15823
This workshop has been approved for 12.75 hours of continuing education (11.25 general hours, and 1.5 hour ethics/professional boundaries) with the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy, & Mental Health Counseling and the Florida Board of Psychology.
The National Board of Forensic Evaluators (NBFE) has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6189. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. NBFE is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.
NBFE is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. NBFE maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
NBFE is recognized and endorsed by the American Mental Health Counselors Association.
Click here for NBFE
Cancellation/Refund Policy.
