Join retired Judge Bruce R. Cohen, who spent nearly two decades on the bench in Arizona, as he shares his wealth of experience in family law. He discusses the evolution of the 'best interests of the child' standard, moving beyond gender bias to focus on individual needs. Bruce shares personal stories that highlight the importance of recognizing humanity in each case. He offers practical insights for parents on how to effectively present their cases in court, emphasizing the child's well-being over past conflicts.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
The Bonnie Story
Bonnie, a flight attendant interviewer, initially focused on the volume of interviews.
By shifting her focus to each candidate's perspective, she improved interview quality.
insights INSIGHT
Ubuntu Philosophy
Judge Cohen applied the Bonnie story's lesson to his judicial work, emphasizing presence in each case.
He adopted the Zulu philosophy of "Ubuntu" – seeing the humanity in others – as a guiding principle.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Effective Case Presentation
Focus on key concerns and supporting examples, not chronology, when presenting your case.
Understand your jurisdiction's best interest factors and tailor your arguments accordingly.
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Welcome Judge Cohen: A Fresh Perspective on Family Court
Join Bill Eddy and Megan Hunter as they welcome retired Judge Bruce R. Cohen to the High Conflict Institute team. This episode explores the human side of family court proceedings through Judge Cohen's unique lens, developed over 24 years as a family law attorney and nearly 20 years on the bench in Arizona's Superior Court.
Understanding Best Interests and Judicial Perspective
Judge Cohen shares invaluable insights about the concept of "best interests of the child" and how it's applied in family court. He explains how the legal framework has evolved beyond gender preferences to focus on meeting children's specific needs. Through personal anecdotes, including the transformative "Bonnie story," Judge Cohen illustrates how maintaining presence and recognizing humanity in each case leads to better outcomes.
Breaking Down Family Court Success
The discussion delves into practical advice for presenting cases effectively in family court. Rather than chronological presentations or attempts to prove who's "right," success comes from focusing on children's needs and each parent's ability to meet them. Bill and Megan explore with Judge Cohen how understanding jurisdictional factors and avoiding assumptions about bias can strengthen case presentations.
Questions we answer in this episode:
How do judges determine what's truly in a child's best interests?
What factors should parents focus on when presenting their case?
How has gender bias evolved in family court?
What makes a case "high conflict"?
How can parents shift focus from being right to getting it right?
Key Takeaways:
Focus on children's needs and your ability to meet them rather than chronological events
Present yourself authentically rather than assuming judicial bias
Understand your jurisdiction's specific factors for determining best interests
Recognize that credibility increases when acknowledging both strengths and weaknesses
Success comes from focusing on future solutions rather than past grievances
This episode offers unique insights from both sides of the bench, providing valuable perspective for anyone navigating family court. Judge Cohen's practical wisdom, combined with Bill and Megan's expertise, creates an essential resource for understanding how to approach family court proceedings effectively.
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You can also find these show notes at our site as well.
Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing general patterns of behavior. Nor are we providing legal of therapeutic advice. Please seek the assistance of your local professionals to seek help.
(00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
(01:02) - Welcome Judge Bruce R. Cohen (Ret.)
(01:29) - Judge Cohen’s Background
(06:01) - Connecting
(08:28) - The Bonnie Story
(13:18) - Time in Court
(14:20) - Bill’s Time in Court
(16:59) - Communicate Simply
(27:29) - Best Interest Factors
(29:50) - Gender Issues
(35:31) - Control What You Can Control
(37:07) - Identify Needs of Child
(39:22) - High Conflict Cases
(43:55) - Reminders & Coming Next Week: Answering Listener Questions
It’s All Your Fault: High Conflict People 
