Laura Cabanilla

Laura Cabanilla attended college at Brigham Young University in 1980, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in English in 1986. During college she joined the U.S. Army Reserve
to fund her schooling and because of her desire to serve her country. She was the only female cadet enrolled in BYU’s ROTC program at that time, and the second woman Following her admission to the South Carolina Bar, Mary Fran practiced as a Marine Corps Judge Advocate serving as a Legal Assistance Attorney and Defense Counsel. She continued to serve in the United States Marine Corps Reserve until May of 2006 when she resigned her commission as a Major. After her release from active duty in 2002, Mary Fran became an Associate at Harvey & Battey, P.A. in Beaufort, South Carolina. She worked as their family law practitioner until 2005 when she opened her own practice in Beaufort. Mary Fran’s practice is concentrated commissioned through the program.

In 2010 Laura was deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; while she was based in Kuwait she travelled frequently to Iraq, Bahrain and Qatar, experiencing the Arab Spring first hand. She is a 1994 graduate of Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School. She previously worked as a prosecutor with the Utah County Attorney’s Office where she prosecuted many high-profile criminal cases. In 2000, Laura Cabanilla joined the law firm which is now Esplin|Weight.

Laura Cabanilla is a partner with the firm and shares in the ownership of the historic building where the firm is located. Her practice consists primarily of family law cases (including appointment on children’s advocacy cases) and criminal defense. She previously served on the Provo City Council which is a four-year term. Currently Laura serves on several boards including Utah Pet Partners (an organization that trains handlers and their therapy animal to conduct therapy visits at area hospitals and other organizations); Provo City Farmers Market; and Provo City Parks and Recreation Board.

She is married to Dave Cabanilla, an airline pilot with Federal Express and local land developer. They have four adult children: triplets: Paige, Cliff and Sierra and a
younger son Marc. Laura and her husband are the happy grandparents of 8 grandchildren. In her spare time, Laura oil paints and breeds Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

• Family Law Basics for the Non-Family Law Attorney

  
  

  Discuss initial consultation, preparation of answer, counter- petitions, financial declarations, mediation and alternate dispute resolution, case management and trial. Discuss how to spot the “red flags” of a difficult client, and how to gracefully exit a case. Learn tips for presenting your case to a judge in a way that will gain credibility.

• Impact of Mental Health and Substance Abuse in Family Law Cases

  
  

  Family law cases can often be complicated by mental health and substance abuse issues. These issues can affect your case, not only in adding extra complications, but can cause difficulties in your professional relationship with your client. In a negotiated resolution these issues can be positively and appropriately addressed; you’ll be provided the proposed language for a stipulation addressing drug testing, visitation, etc. Sometimes these issues lead to the appointment of a Guardian Ad Litem or the appointment of a Custody Evaluator to address the best interests of the children. We will discuss the differences between these professionals, as well as discuss the process and when this might be appropriate in your case and what benefits your case may achieve.