Fellow, American
Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
 

Divorce and Family
Law

Louisville, Kentucky

CURRICULUM VITAE
 

DIANA L. SKAGGS
Diana L. Skaggs & Associates
623 West Main Street
Suite 100
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (502) 562-0050
Voicemail: (502) 329-0234
Facsimile: (502) 582-3523
Email: Skaggs@LouisvilleDivorce.com
www.LouisvilleDivorce.com

EDUCATION & HONORS

J.D., cum laude, University of Louisville Law School, 1982

Honors: Class Standing - top 10%
Brandeis Scholar
Dean's List, all semesters

B.A., English, University of Louisville, 1974

2006 Recipient of Judge Richard A. Revell Family Law Award, Louisville Bar Association, for being in the forefront of new developments in the practice of family law, dedication to families and children through work both inside and outside of the courtroom, innovation in family law and dedication to public service.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 1996 - present, Kentucky Delegate to National Board of Governors, 2003-2004

• Certified Arbitrator, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

• Kentucky Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, President-Elect 2005-2007, Vice-President 1999-2001

• Louisville Bar Association, 1982 - present, Board of Directors, 1984; Family Law Section

• Kentucky Bar Association, 1982 - present, Family Law Section

• Attorney Steering Committee, Citizens for Better Judges

• Kentucky Supreme Court Civil Rules Committee, 1988 - present

• Kentucky Collaborative Family Law Network, Inc., 2002 – present

• International Academy of Collaborative Professionals

• American Bar Association, Family Law Section

• Twelfth Circuit Bar Association ( Oldham, Henry, Trimble Counties)

LECTURES

• "Appreciated Nonmarital Assets- Active or Passive," Kentucky Chapter American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Louisville Bar Association, 2006

• "Fifteenth Annual Domestic Relations Update," Louisville Bar Association, 2006

• Attorneys’ Role in Collaborative Process," Kentucky Collaborative Family Network, Inc. Interdisciplinary Training, 2005.

• Modification of Spousal Support- New Surprises," Kentucky Chapter American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Louisville Bar Association, 2005

• “Discovery in Complex Divorces,” Complex Divorce Litigation: Forensic Accounting, Discovery, & Alternatives to Litigation, Louisville Bar Association, 2004

• “Modifying and Terminating Maintenance: Some Surprises,” Kentucky Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Louisville Bar Association, 2004

• "Child Support and Maintenance in Large Income Cases," Kentucky Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Louisville Bar Association, 2002

• "Custody, Access and the Voice of Children of Divorce," Louisville Bar Association, 1999

• "Ethical Use of Trusts and Limited Partnerships" and "Representing the Corporate Executive," American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and LBA, 1999

• "Family Lawyer/Family Mediation Roundtable," LBA, 1999

• "Discovery and Disclosure," American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, KBA and LBA, 1998

• "Family Law Litigation in Kentucky," National Business Institute, 1995

• "Child Abuse and Spouse Abuse: Emerging Theories of Liability," Kentucky Bar Association, 1991

• "Child Sexual Abuse Allegations - Evidentiary Issues," Kentucky Alliance for Exploited and Missing Children, 1991

• "Spouse Abuse," Kentucky Bar Association, 1991

PUBLISHED CASES

Welch v. Velten, ___ S.W.3d ___, (Ky. 2006)
Bennett v. Bennett, 133 S.W.3d 487 ( Ky. App. 2004)
Downing v. Downing, 45 S.W.3d 449 ( Ky. App. 2001)
Giacalone v. Giacalone, 876 S.W.2d 616 ( Ky. App. 1994)
Johnson v. Smith, 885 S.W.2d 944 ( Ky. 1994)

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION (Past few years only)

2006	9th Annual Kentucky Chapter American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and LBA, Louisville Bar Association, Louisville, KY Relocation- Fenwick "Dead or Alive" KY Law Updates Pre-Nup/Post-Nup "Love Me Forever, But Not My Assets" Maintentance Symposium
2005	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Chicago, IL Custody, Intellectual Property Rights, Evidence and Ethics The Legal Status of Same Sex Marriages/Relationships Alimony, Spousal Support, and Maintenance
2005	2005 8th Annual Kentucky Chapter AAML and LBA, Louisville, KY 39 Ways to Improve Your QDRO Practice Big Issues/Big Cases Stepping Back from Anger, Kentucky Style A Methodical Approach to Resolution of Spousal Support Electronic Evidence Discovery and Cyberspace Misconduct Dissipation of Hidden Assets Constitutional Rights of Parents to Joint Custody Arbitration: A New Concept on Time in Family Law Alternative Dispute Resolution Ethics and Professionalism
2005	Collaborative Divorce Interdisciplinary Training, Louisville, KY
2004	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Chicago, IL Standard of Value for Professional Practices and Closely Held Business Comparative Types and Forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution The Use of Behavioral Science Specialists in Contested Child Custody Cases
2004	7th Annual Family Law Seminar, Kentucky Chapter AAML and LBA, Louisville, KY  Family Law and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act  Child Support Deviations: Big, Small, and All Around  Recognition of Same-Sex Partnerships—What Is in Store for Kentucky?  Common Problems for Family Law Practitioners and Ethics 2000 on the Horizon  Classification and Division of Stock Options  Negotiating Skills for Family Law Attorneys  Law Office Management and Technology  Criminal Matters in Child Support  Domestic Violence and Immigration—New Skills for the Active Family Lawyer  Care and Feeding of Your Financial Expert: How to Work Ethically and        Effectively for Maximum Results  Domestic Violence and Custody - Its Evolution in 2004
2004	AAML Matrimonial Arbitration Training Institute, Louisville, KY Scope of Matrimonial Arbitration: History and Development Statutory Overview and Case Law Advantages and Disadvantages of Matrimonial Arbitration Uniform Arbitration Act and Selected State Statutes Ethical Consideration for Arbitrators Arbitration Agreements and Court Orders for Arbitration Preparing for Arbitration as a Litigator: You and Your Client Conducting a Successful Arbitration: Facilities, Decorum and Procedures Entering Judgments and Post-Judgment Issues Arbitration Fees and Costs Judicial Immunity Techniques of Effective Award Writing Drafting of Arbitration Awards
2003	American Bar Association Section of Family Law, 2003 Fall CLE Conference, Seattle, WA Trusts: Creativity in Dividing Marital Property Sleuthing in Seattle: Seizing and Deciphering Computer Evidence Competency Issues in Divorce, Custody and Guardianship Cases Marital Stew: Commingling and Tracing Assets in      Divorce: His, Hers or Theirs Catch Me If You Can, or, Who Really Owns the Property?
2003	6th Annual Family Law Seminar, Kentucky Chapter AAML and LBA, Louisville, KY Disability, Retirement and Pensions What Judges Need to Know to Decide Complex Financial Issue Cases Complex Financial Issue Cases - The Judge’s Perspective A Vision for Kentucky’s Family Courts After the Constitutional Amendment Military Benefits: A Trap for Unwary Lawyers and Judges Rehabilitative Maintenance - Not Always in Kentucky Dissipation & Fault Maintenance The Complex Financial Case - Get a Grip and Analyze the Tax Returns Pre-Nuptial Agreements: Status in Kentucky Ethics, Bounds of Advocacy and Challenges Evaluation of Closely Held Business
2003	LBA Family Law Section, Louisville, KY Changes in Jefferson Family Court Due to Passage of the      Constitutional Amendment
2002	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Chicago, IL Federal Wiretapping Laws and Related Topics Federal Legislation—Employee Benefit Reforms Accounting Standards and Practice: Changes and Impact on Family Law Changing Tides in Compensation Ethics Jeopardy The Executive Mine Field: Are the Time Bombs Real or Imagined? Soldiers & Sailors Relief Act Indiana Welfare Act Drug Testing & Related Federal Issues Children’s Passports & Travel Restrictions - An Update Relocation Laws Relating to Mental Health Federal Gun Control Laws and Temporary Orders and      Family Violence Orders Federal Tax Laws - An Update Bankruptcy - An Update How Attorneys Can Evaluate Custody Evaluations Management of a Family Law Practice Preparing and Presenting Charts, Graphs, Etc. Hague Convention Anderson, Enron - A Unique Perspective
2002	Collaborative Family Law Workshop, Louisville, KY Traditional Practice of Family Law History of Collaborative Family Law Shifting the Paradigm—Becoming a Collaborative Lawyer The Interest-Based Negotiation Model Collaborative Communication The Initial Client Interview Role Play: The Initial Client Interview The Collaborative Four-Way Settlement Conference Role Play: Client Preparation for the Four-Way Role Play: Attorneys Preparation for the Four-Way Role Play: Four-Way Settlement Conference Professionalism
2002	Kentucky Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and Louisville Bar Association, Louisville, KY Collaborative Divorce Law Training Parental Alienation in High-Conflict Cases Model Family Courts and the Role of Lawyers in Kentucky Unspoken Marriage Agreements and Their Impact on Divorce Panel of Ethical Issues in Alternative Dispute Resolution Divorce Taxation Dissipation Claims in Dissolution Cases
2001	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Chicago, IL How to Give the Present a Past, Marriage from 1950 to 2000 The Emerging 21st Century Family Stepparents and/or Rights of Children The Politics of Sex Rights of Lesbian and Gay Parents and Their Children Bio-Ethics The Development of New Technologies in Human Reproduction How to Examine and Cross-Examine a Psychologist International Law Business Evaluation/AICPA Presentation
2001	Louisville Bar Association and University of Louisville School of Law PowerPoint Proficiency in the Practice of Law
2001	Louisville Bar Association and University of Louisville School of Law Custody Evaluation and Parenting Schedules
2001	Kentucky Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and LBA, Louisville, KY Thinking Tools for Lawyers, Technology for Family Law,      Especially Multidimensional Tools and Mindmapping Child Support Guidelines and Deviations, Particularly in Equally      Shared Parenting Time Schedules The Joys of Settlement Part II A Vision for Family Court—The Rule of Law Custody Testing with Interactive Discussion of Rorschach The Joys of Ethics
2000	American Academy of Matrimonial Laywers, Chicago, IL Exotic Executive Compensation, How to Discover, Value,      Negotiate, Divide and Protect Against Hidden Tax      Consequences Uniform Parentage Act Cutting Edge Progress to Strategize, Organize and      Present Your Case Communication Arts for the Professional Statements from Children - Can They Be Trusted
2000	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and LBA, Lexington, KY Third Annual Family Law Seminar Business Appraisals for the Advanced Practitioner Preparing Your Client for Mediation Working with the Experts New Innocent Spouse Rules Divorcing the Military and Civil Service Employees Third Party Access for Children Highlights from the General Assembly 2000
1999	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Chicago, IL Children in the Underground Computer Tips for Family Law Lawyers Federalization of Family Law Very Advanced Business Appraisals Advance Trial Techniques
1999	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and LBA, Louisville, KY Second Annual Kentucky Family Law Seminar Children of Divorce Current Trends in Custody Proposed Legislation on Custody and Parenting De Facto Custodian Missing Assets QDRO's Divorce vs. Bankruptcy COBRA/QMCSO Tort Claims Tax Issues
1998	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Chicago, IL Mental Health Professionals and the Legal System Including      Ethical Issues Special Concerns of Children Creative Custody Strategies & Arrangements Valid/Invalid Sexual Abuse Allegations and Ethical Considerations Management of Big Property Cases Representing the Corporate Executive Ethically Attacking and Defending the Use of Trusts to Reduce the Marital Estate When Worlds Collide—Divorce v. Bankruptcy Tax Issues Related to Sale of a Residence and Attorneys' Fees Allocated to Preservation of Property Division of the Large Marital Estate Valuation of Professional and Celebrity Goodwill
1998	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, LBA and UK, Louisville, KY, First Annual Kentucky Family Law Seminar Revolution in Relocation: New Major Decisions, Commentary on Clauses, Advanced Techniques and Trial Strategy Parental Alienation Syndrome: Case Notes and Practice Pointers A Vision for Family Court Obtaining Attorney Fee Awards How to Classify, Value and Divide Non-Vested Assets Dirty Tricks, Hardball and Officers of the Court Mediation and the Family Lawyer Child Support Guidelines Child Support Outside the Guidelines Discovery & Disclosure Valuation of Marital Property Guardian Ad Litem Guidelines for Attorneys Representing Children in Custody and Visitation Current Law in Kentucky on Joint Custody 1997 Tax Consequences Affecting Family Law Non-Parental Visitation Rights Private Adoptions in Kentucky
1998	Women Lawyers Association Legal Ethics
1998	Kentucky Bar Association 1998 Kentucky Law Update
1997	University of Kentucky—Family Law Institute Development in Domestic Relations Law Tax Considerations Attendant to the Typical Domestic      Relations/Divorce Case Use and Misuse of Qualified Domestic Relations Orders Bankruptcy Planning in Domestic Relations Representing Parties in Family Law Matters Involving Child Sexual Abuse Parent Relocation Issues: Revolution in Relocation Specificity and Flexibility in Custody Rulings Time Sharing for Parents and Children Dealing with Mental Health Experts in Domestic Relations Cases Family Law Practice Ideas to the Year 2000 and Beyond Professional responsibility and Domestic Relations Practice
1997	Women Lawyers Association—Legal Ethics
1996	American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers—Chicago, IL Matrimonial Law Using Financial Planning Techniques in Divorce Trials to Obtain High Maintenance Awards & Other Benefits Drafting Marital Agreements in Anticipation of Estate Planning Issues Creative Use of QDROs in Divorce Planning Who Gets Custody of Uncle Sam (Drafting to Avoid Taxes) Strategies for Outlining High Maintenance Awards Re-examining Joint Custody Relocation: Moving Forward or Moving Backwards? Joint Custody: Practice Pointers and Consideration Fault: Should It Return to Our Cases and, if so, Where and When? Valuation of Professional Service Practice
1996	Jefferson Family Court - Jefferson Family Court Rules
1996	Louisville Bar Association Center for Continuing Legal Education— Basic Legal Guide to the Internet
1996	Kentucky Bar Association, 1996 Convention

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