Varnum Family Law Attorney Jude Pereira was a featured speaker at the Referees Association of Michigan (RAM) annual training conference held May 20 – 22 at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island. Pereira’s presentation focused on the impact of mental illness on family law and juvenile law matters including divorce, child custody, and abuse and neglect petitions.
The Referees Association of Michigan is a special purpose bar organization recognized by the State Bar of Michigan and made up of attorneys who serve as juvenile and domestic relations referees throughout the state.
Pereira, an experienced family law attorney, is distinguished as a leader in the area of mental health as it relates to family law issues through his legal practices, training and educational presentations.
Pereira’s presentation included information on the mechanics of ordering psychological evaluations; the impact of bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and major depressive disorder on family life; treatment options; and information on how mental health issues can affect parenting time proposals.
Pereira has practiced family law for more than 15 years, with a strong record in divorce matters of all sizes and complexities, as well as post-judgment matters. He is experienced in the areas of complex business valuations, forensic accounting, and mental health illnesses as they relate to marital difficulties, custody and parenting time. He is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and volunteers as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), representing abused and neglected children.
Founded in 1984, RAM’s primary focus is to educate its members through the annual training conference and other means. RAM also contributes to the improvement of the legal system by appointing members to serve on numerous State Bar and State Court Administrative Office committees, and by offering comments to proposed legislation and court rules.