My vision is to assist clients with reaching a quality settlement agreement which addresses the best interests of the children and the financial needs of the parties and focuses on the future instead of the past. This agreement can be achieved without court intervention. A goal is to minimize the emotional and financial cost to parties and their family members while preserving assets and/or restoring positive relations between parties and family members.
I subscribe to the belief that family members can best be served if domestic relations issues can be resolved outside of litigation through a mutually agreeable settlement in an amicable and transparent process that empowers all parties involved.
Virginia Licensed Attorney and Certified Mediator (Advanced Family Level) Supreme Court of Virginia
District of Columbia Licensed Attorney
ADDITIONAL TRAINING:
Virginia Supreme Court Guardian Ad Litem Course, Fairfax, VA (1997);
"Advanced Family Mediation Skills (Non-Divorce)," Community Mediation Center, Harrisonburg, VA (1996);
"Divorce Mediation for Attorneys," Arlington County Bar Association, Arlington, VA (1994);
"Dealing with Issues of Spousal Abuse," Academy of Family Mediators, Washington, DC (1993);
"Domestic Conflict Containment Program," Behavioral Science Associates, Beaufort, SC (1986);
"Divorce & Family Mediation," Haynes Mediation Training, Washington, DC (1986); and
Numerous Continuing Legal Education and Alternative Dispute Resolution Courses. ,J.D.
CURRENT:
Virginia Collaborative Professionals Council Member, (2018 - Present)
Liaison, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, (2018 to Present)
Virginia Women Attorneys Association:Northern Virginia Chapter Member, (1991 to present)
Virginia State Bar, (04/1991 to present)
Virginia Bar Association, (11/2000 to present)
Virginia Mediation Network, (1995 to present)
Fairfax Bar Association: Member, (1991 to present), Family Law Section, (1991 to present)
Selected by peers and listed in The Best Lawyers in America and US New and World Reports Best Lawyer and Best Law Firms, (2015 to present)
Global Partner Rep. VaCP to International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, 2019 - present
PRIOR:
DCACP (D.C. Academy of Collaborative Professionals) in the areas of Collaborative Law/Family Law and Family Law Mediation; Executive Board Member, (2013-2015)
Past Chair, Virginia Collaborative Professionals
Past Co-Chair, CPNV (Collaborative Professionals of Northern Virginia)
Virginia Alternative Dispute Resolution Joint Committee, Council Chair, (2004-2005)
Substitute Judge, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court and Commissioner in Chancery, (1997-2005), Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Arlington, Virginia
Arlington Chamber of Commerce: Board of Directors, (1997-1999)
Virginia Coalition on Family Law Legislation, (09/1996-09/1998)
Adjunct Professor, Alternative Dispute Resolution, George Mason University School of Law, (1996-1997)
Virginia Women Attorneys Association: Northern Virginia Chapter, Past- President, (1996-1997)
Arlington County Bar Association: Chair, Family Law Section, (1995-1997)
Public Service Committee and Public Relations Committee
Year | Course Title | Instructor | Hours |
---|---|---|---|
Basic/ Introductory Collaborative Law or Interdisciplinary Collaborative Team Training. | |||
2003 | Basic Collaborative Law Training | Palliser Conflict Resolution, Inc. | 16 |
30-Hr Interest-Based Negotiation & Mediation Skills | |||
2004 | Mediation Training | see professional license information | 150 |
Additional 15 hours Intermediate/ Advanced interest-based negotiation, communication skills, collaborative, or basic professional coach training | |||
2007 | Collaborative Process: What is it and how is it complimentary to mediation? | I was instructor | 1 |
2006 | Intermediate Interdisciplinary Training | Webb and Ousky | 6 |
2005 | Advanced Collaborative Law Training | Palliser Conflict Resolution, Inc. | 8 |
Annual 4 hours collaborative continuing education (basic, intermediate, or advanced) | |||
2022 | Your Brain on Conflict: De-escalating Upset People (including yourself) | Kim Kristenson | 2 |
2022 | When Standards Collide: The intersection of Mediator and Attorney Ethics | VMN: Kenneth Rosenbaum and Mac Reed | 1 |
2022 | The First Five Minutes: Options to Maximize the Success of Mediation | VMN; Brenda Waugh and Elliot Hicks | 1.5 |
2022 | Solid Foundations - How to build Practices and Teams That Withstand the Storms | CPNV: Debbie Beach, LCSW, Don Paris, CPA, MST, CDFA, and Steve Goldman, JD | 1.5 |
2022 | Raising Happy Rainbows: LGBTQ+ Youth in Divorcing Families | CPNV: Amy Cannava, Ed.S., NCSP | 1.5 |
2022 | Methods to Resolve a Spouse’s Request for Financial Reparations for the Marital funds Spent on Extramarital Pursuits | DCACP: D. May and T. Mihalik | 1.5 |
2022 | Managing Challenges in the Collaborative Divorce Process: Cognitive Bias, Mental Health, High Conflict Personality Disorders, and Addictions | Dr. Beth I. Wilner, Ph.D. | 6 |
2022 | Divorce Mortgage Planning & Divorcing Seniors | VMN: Jody Bruns | 2 |
2022 | Calculate This! Determining an Initial Child Support Calculation | VMN: Scott Darnell and Mitch Brody | 1.5 |
2022 | A Parent’s Mental Illness Should Not Prevent a Successful Parenting Plan | CPNV: Stephanie Smith, JD, and Patrice Garver, MHP | 1.5 |
2021 | Understanding Domestic Violence and the Challenges in Getting It Right | CPNV: Viola Vaughan-Eden, PhD, MJ, LCSW | 1.5 |
2021 | Transform Them | CPNV: Jonathan Foust, MA, CSA | 1.5 |
2021 | The Flexible Potential of the Child Specialist Role | CPNV | 1.5 |
2021 | Strategies for Streamlining Collaborative Practice | CPNV | 1.5 |
2021 | Pragmatic Strategies to Assist When Working Through Resistance | CPNV | 1.5 |
2021 | Maximizing the Role of a Financial Neutral in Unprecedented Times (14th VaCP) | Jane Rowny, CPA, CFP®, CDFA®, Jamie Blum, CPA, CDFA®, & Jordan Egert, CPA, CFE, CDFA® | 2 |
2021 | Collaborative Practice Consultation and Study Group | Forrest Mosten and Ron Ousky | 13.5 |
2021 | Changes, Practical Applications and Issues now that the UCLA Statute has been Enacted (14th VaCP) | I was presenter with Teresa Cole, JD & Cheryl Smith, JD | 1.25 |
2021 | Advanced Legal Research with Fastcase | Virginia State Bar | 1.0 |
2021 | A Deeper Dive into the Role of the Child Specialist (14th VaCP) | Natalie Goldberg, LCSW & Lisa Herrick, PhD | 2.75 |
2021 | A Deep Dive Into the Financial Neutral Roles | Debbie May and Robin Taub | 1.5 |
2020 | What does IACP have to do with it? | IACP | 1.0 |
2020 | Understanding Divorce and Bankruptcy During COVID-19 | Wade Grimes et al | 1.0 |
2020 | The Psychological and Ethical Dimensions of Collaborative Practice | David A. Hoffman, Collaborative Attorney & Mediator | 6 |
2020 | The New Normal, Logistics, Practice & Process, and Reflection | DCACP | 1.0 |
2020 | Safe Harbors & Calm Seas: Navigating Risks in Law Practice | CAN | 2.0 |
2020 | Online Family Mediation Training, Mediate.com | Colin Rule, Clare Fowler, Jim Melamed, and Michael Aurit | 20.0 |
2020 | ODR in the Era of COVID-19: Experts answer your questions | David Larson, Colin Rule, Amy Schmitz | 1.0 |
2020 | Implicit Bias – How to deal effectively with Racism, Sexism, and other forms of Bigotry | David Hoffman | 2.0 |
2020 | IACP Forum | IACP | 1.0 |
2020 | Ethics Privacy and Confidentiality in Distance Mediation, Dispute Resolution Services | Mandy Sarkissian | 1.0 |
2020 | Ethics | Michael West, Virginia Mediator Ethics | 2.0 |
2020 | Divorce Professionals' Guide to Working at Home: Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices | IACP | 1.0 |
2020 | DR Chat during COVID-19: use of DocuSign, notary, circuit court update | - | 1.0 |
2020 | DR Chat during COVID-19: Winship tower and others on meeting remotely with clients in mediation and otherwise | VBA | 1.0 |
2020 | COVID-19: Impacts and Opportunities, emotional, legal, process, and substantive issue implications of the Coronavirus pandemic on professionals and our clients | DCACP/CPNV | 1.5 |
2020 | COVID-19: Enduring Lessons for Conflict Resolution Practitioners | IACP | 1.0 |
2020 | Building Trust and Teamwork on Zoom | IACP, Pauline Tesler | 1.0 |
2020 | Addressing Full Disclosure of Ambiguous Adultery in Collaborative Divorce | CPNV | 1.5 |
2019 | What's IACP Got To Do With It? | Chris Farish, JD | .5 |
2019 | What We Don't Talk About...Enough | DCACP | 1.0 |
2019 | Voluntary Pro Bono Reporting Ethics | VBA | 1.5 |
2019 | UCLA Coming to Virginia Soon?! | CPNV, Karen Keyes and Teresa Cole | 1.5 |
2019 | The nature of shame and how it shows up in our clients and ourselves | DCACP | 1.0 |
2019 | Options for proceeding when Collaborative cases go awry | CPNV | 1.0 |
2019 | Neuro-Diversity For Children and Adults: How can we better understand our clients who are | DCACP | 1.0 |
2019 | Managing Client Expectations | CPNV | 1.5 |
2019 | IACP Annual Conference | IACP | 9.5 |
2019 | Essential Tax and Valuation Topics for Divorce Attorneys in 2019 | Mark Vogel | 1.5 |
2019 | Drafting Real Estate Provisions | CPNV | 1.5 |
2019 | Collaborative Boot Camp: An Experiential Day of Refining Skills and Deepening Team Cohesion (12th 11-11-19) | Barbara Burr, JD & Lisa Herrick, PhD | 5.5 |
2019 | Collaborative Boot Camp: An Experiential Day of Refining Skills and Deepening Team Cohesion | VaCP Annual Conference | 5.5 |
2019 | Blending Worlds: Complexities of Multiculturalism and the Collaborative Divorce Model | DCACP | 5.5 |
2019 | A Collaborative Case Study | CPNV | 1.5 |
2019 | 7 Keys to Success: What no one told you about Growing your Collaborative Practice | IACP | 1.5 |
2018 | Working with High Conflict Couples | DCACP | 1.0 |
2018 | Working Creatively With Conflict | CPNV | 1.0 |
2018 | Visuals in Alternative Dispute Resolution | IACP | 1.5 |
2018 | Virginia Mediator Ethics | NVMS | 2.0 |
2018 | The Things We Carry: The Effects of Working With Divorce | DCACP | 1.0 |
2018 | The Enneagram Typology | IACP | 1.5 |
2018 | Premarital Agreements: Planning for Death and Divorce | DC Bar Association | 3.0 |
2018 | Post Settlement Work | CPNV | 1.0 |
2018 | New Tax Law Changes that Impact Divorcing Couples | Keith Lindahl CPA | 1.0 |
2018 | Modern Families: Courageous Conversations about Culture, Diversity and Divorce | IACP | 1.5 |
2018 | Military Family Law: Essentials and Updates | Arlington County Bar | 3.0 |
2018 | How the New Tax Reform Law Will Affect Your Divorce Clients | Mark Vogel | 1 |
2018 | Financial Creativity in Collaborative Divorce | IACP | 1.5 |
2018 | Compelling Findings from Clients; Moving Collaborative Practice INto the Future | IACP | 3.0 |
2018 | Communications Flow: Bringing Authenticity and Presence to Collaborative Practice | IACP | 1.5 |
2018 | Building Your Own Collaborative Practice From Within | DCACP | 1.0 |
2018 | Avoiding Financial Errors in Divorce Settlement | CPNV | 1.0 |
2017 | Window of Tolerance | Wendy Fischer, LCSW, CPNV | 1 |
2017 | What's New in IACP Ethical Standards | IACP | 1.5 |
2017 | What to Share with Collaborative Clients Re: Experience and Connections with the Professionals | CPNV | 1 |
2017 | The Value of using a Financial Professional in the Divorce Process: Common Financial Errors and the Need for Post-Divorce Financial Planning | CPNV | 1.5 |
2017 | Resolving Emotionally Charged Conflicts | Dr. Daniel Shapiro, IACP | 1 |
2017 | Peacemaking as a Profession: One Family at a Time, Pre-Forum Institute | IACP | 6 |
2017 | Managing the Middle Class Matrimonial: Bolstering Collaborative Success within Blue Collar Budgets | IACP | 1.5 |
2017 | How to Read Business Tax Returns; What They Can Tell You About Income and Assets | Mark Vogel | 1 |
2017 | Factors to Consider in the Moment | DCACP | 1 |
2017 | Dealing with Implicit Bias - Ours and Others' - in Collaborative Practice Cases | IACP | 3 |
2017 | Creating the Conditions for Growth As We Help Our Clients Navigate Separation and Divorce | Lisa Herrick and Kate Scharff | 6 |
2017 | Complexity and Divorce: Adapting Collaborative Process in the Complex System of Divorce | DCACP | 5.5 |
2017 | Building a Culture of Collaboration | Shawn Dunning, IACP | 1 |
2017 | An Expansive Vision of Collaborative Ethics - Diversity, Psychology, Peasemaking and Social Justice | David Hoffman, IACP | 1 |
2017 | ADR Symposium on Attracting 21st Century Clients and Efficiently Solving Their Problems | Joint ADR Committee VSB-VBA | 5 |
2017 | 33rd Annual Advanced Family Law | Virginia CLE | 6 |
2016 | Virginia Mediation Ethics | NVMS | 2 |
2016 | The Top Five: Common Missteps Across Cultures and Gender | IACP | 1.5 |
2016 | The Power of a Neutral | DCACP | 1 |
2016 | The Power of Empathy in Conflict Resolution | CPNV | 1 |
2016 | The Collaborative Toolbox | DCACP | 1 |
2016 | The Challenge of Teams | DCACP | 6 |
2016 | Tell Me a Story: Narrative & Restorying in Collaborative Conflict Resolution | IACP | 4.5 |
2016 | Stock Options and Deferred Compensation in Divorce | Mark Vogel, CPA | 1 |
2016 | Rethinking Interests, Needs and Goals | DCACP | 1 |
2016 | Relationships Between Team Members | CPNV | 1 |
2016 | QDRO Creativity in the Collaborative Financial Process | IACP | 1.5 |
2016 | Purple Cows and Common Sense: Inspiration and Ideas for Creating and Sustaining a Remarkable Collaborative Practice | IACP | 4.5 |
2016 | Mediator Ethics | Northern Virginia Professional Mediator Forum | 1 |
2016 | It Starts Before It Begins: Building a Strong Container from the Ground Up | DCACP | 1 |
2016 | Insights from Neurobiology to Foster a Problem Solving Climate in Mediation | Northern Virginia Professional Mediator Forum | 1.5 |
2016 | Forgive for Good | IACP | 1 |
2016 | Discernment Counseling | CPNV | 1 |
2016 | Client Science: Advice for Lawyers on Counseling Clients Through Bad News and Other Legal Realities | VaCP | 6 |
2016 | Anatomy of a Modest Means Collaborative Case: Streamlining the Process | IACP | 3 |
2015 | Wheel of Awareness and Letter to Your Client | DCACP | 1 |
2015 | Unconscious Communication/Managing the Most Challenging Clients | IACP Forum | 3 |
2015 | The Power Paradox | IACP Forum | 1 |
2015 | Moving from Self to Community: In Self-Awareness, Community and Influence | IACP, Pre-Forum Institute | 6 |
2015 | Marketing Collaborative Practice for the Experienced Practitioner | IACP Forum | 1.5 |
2015 | How Can The Collaborative Model Be Adapted in Order to Make It More Responsive to the Clients' Needs | DCACP | 1 |
2015 | Feedback Skills for More Satisfying and Effective Teamwork | IACP, Pre-Forum Institute | 6 |
2015 | Ethics in Collaborative Practice: Limited Scope Representation and Informed Consent | CPNV | 1 |
2015 | Essential Elements of Dignity | IACP Forum | 1 |
2015 | Dividing Retirement Benefits Upon Divorce | Virgina CLE | 2 |
2015 | Delving Into the Heart of Conflict | CPNV | 1 |
2015 | Building Your Collaborative Practice; Virginia Case Law and Legislative Update for the Collaborative Professional; and Information Security for Collaborative Professionals and What Collaborative Professionals Need to Know About Electronic Evidence | VaCP Annual Meeting | 4.5 |
2015 | Attachment Theory | DCACP | 1 |
2015 | Assessing for Domestic Violence and Effectively Diffusing Conflict | IACP Forum | 3 |
2015 | (Ethics) Technology Traps | ALPS | 1 |
2015 | (Ethics) Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect | Fairfax ADR Section | 1.5 |
2014 | Understanding Attachment Style and Its Application in Collaborative Divorce Case | Yuval Berger, MSW, RSW & Lisa Alexander, B.A. LL.B; VaCP Annual Meeting | 7.5 |
2014 | Tools for Tackling Complex Divorce Cases (Advanced Level) | IACP Forum | 3 |
2014 | The Peacemaking Circle | IACP Forum | 1 |
2014 | The Brain and Making Decisions | CPNV | 1 |
2014 | Program/Meeting | DCACP | 1 |
2014 | Program/Meeting | DCACP | 1 |
2014 | Mortgage Qualification in Divorce | M. Hofberg; CPNV | 1 |
2014 | Mid-Life Issues | DCACP | 1 |
2014 | Mediator Ethics | Virginia Office of Dispute Resolution | 2 |
2014 | Gray Divorce (Advanced Level) | IACP Forum | 1.5 |
2014 | Finding Money Harmony in Collaborative Divorce | CDRP | 6 |
2014 | Extramarital Affairs and Impact on Children | DCACP | 1 |
2014 | Ethics Technology Traps | IACP Forum | 1.5 |
2014 | Divorce & Financial Issues: Training for Collaborative Professionals | CDRP/CDA | 6 |
2014 | Collaborative Practice and the Human Brain | Pauline Tesler | 8 |
2014 | Collaborative Differences in Professionals: Building Bridges | DCACP | 1 |
2014 | Client Pain and Challenges for Collaborative Professionals | DCACP | 1 |
2014 | Challenging Ethical Questions in Negotiation (Webinar) | VBA | 1 |
2014 | 33rd Annual Family Law Seminar on Marital Agreements | VSB | 5.5 |
2013 | Understanding Sexual Addiction | DCACP | 1 |
2013 | The Meaning of Money | CPNV | 1 |
2013 | Streamlining the Collaborative Process: The Collaborative Roadmap | MCPC | 7 |
2013 | How You Process Information When Working In Small Groups | DCACP | 1 |
2013 | Gray Divorce | CPNV | 1 |
2013 | Ethics Guidelines for Collaborative Practice | Tri-State Collaborative Task Force | 2 |
2013 | Ethics Guidelines for Collaborative Practice | DCACP | 2 |
2013 | Collaborative Practice: The DCACP Model | DCACP | 1 |
2013 | Collaborative Conversations about Support: A Model Between Fear and Fairness | CPNV | 1 |
2013 | Brave New World for Mediation | Virginia Joint ADR Committee | 3.5 |
2012 | Virginia Mediation Network Fall Conference Continuing Education | VMN | 10 |
2012 | Virginia Collaborative Professionals Annual Meeting and Continuing Education | VaCP | 4.5 |
2012 | Unique Approaches in Collaborative Divorce | Mont. Co. Bar Assn. | 4.5 |
2012 | IACP Forum Plenary Session and Workshops | IACP | 12 |
2012 | Fees In Collaborative Cases | CPNV | 1 |
2012 | Empirical Findings Regarding Children and Divorce | CPNV | 1 |
2012 | Coping with Anxiety and Depression through the Divorce Process | CPNV | 1 |
2012 | Advanced Resolution Skills for the Civil Family Law Practitioner | I was instructor | 3 |
2011 | Virginia Mediation Network Fall Conference Continuing Education | VMN | 9 |
2011 | The Ethics of Negotiating in Mediation | VA Joint ADR Committee | 2 |
2011 | Preventing Real Property Pitfalls in Divorce | VaCP | 2 |
2011 | Navigating Emotional Currents in Collaborative Process | VaCP | 3 |
2011 | IACP Forum Plenary Session and Workshops | IACP | 6 |
2010 | Virginia Mediation Network Fall Conference Continuing Education | VMN | 6.5 |
2010 | Lawyers Behaving Badly in Mediation | VA Jt. ADR Comm. | 1 |
2010 | IACP Forum Plenary Session and Workshops | IACP | 7 |
2010 | Continuing Mediation Credits | VMN | 5.5 |
2010 | Continuing Mediation Credits | VA Jt. ADR Comm. | 1 |
2010 | Collaborative End Game | CDA | 6 |
2010 | Annual Family Law Seminar: Spare the Child | I was instructor | 4 |
2009 | The Impact of Collaborative Practice on Mediation | Virginia Mediation Network Panel | 1.5 |
2009 | Jumpstarting Your Collaborative Practice: Tools for Engaging Collaborative Cases | CPTI | 2 |
2009 | IACP Forum Plenary Sessions and Workshops | IACP | 8 |
2009 | Fitting the Forum to the Fuss: Helping Clients Choose Mediation, Collaborative Practice or Cooperative Practice | Lande | 2 |
2009 | Financial Neutral Workshop | Debora May, CPA, CFP, CDFA | 4 |
2009 | Emotional Dynamics of Collaborative Divorce: Understanding Our Clients and Improving Our Team Functioning | CPTI | 2 |
2009 | Collaborative Models: Which One is Right for Your Case? | Pauline Tesler and Peggy Thompson | 5.5 |
2009 | Collaborative Boot Camp (Advanced) | DCACP | 7 |
2008 | When and How to Use Mediation in Cases Involving Elderly Clients | Virginia State Bar | 1.5 |
2008 | Virginia Beach, Collaborative Law with a Capital C – Lawyers as Healers of Conflict | Virginia State Bar | 1.5 |
2008 | The Power of a Team: Moments of Impasse | CDRP | 8 |
2008 | Solutions for the Future Interest Based Neg. | Virginia Bar Association | 1.5 |
2008 | Plenary session and workshops (Fall Conference) | IACP | 12 |
2008 | Intermediate Collaborative Training | Pauline Tesler | 4 |
2008 | Difficult Conversations | DCACP | 1 |
2008 | Collaborative Practice: Negotiation Skills, Team Communication and Ethical Issues | VaCP | 4 |
2008 | Collaborative Boot Camp | DCACP | 7 |
2007 | Virginia Mediation Network Fall Conference Continuing Education | VMN | 6.5 |
2007 | Virginia Mediation Network Conference: Expanding Options with Property Distrib. In a Divorce Case | I was instructor | 1.5 |
2007 | The Role of the Child Specialist in Collaborative Practice | DCACP | 1 |
2007 | Breaking Impasse, or Tips to Unstick the Stuck | VA Joint ADR Committee | 2 |
2006 | Modern Families: Courageous Conversations about Culture, Diversity and Divorce | IACP | 1.5 |
2006 | Compelling Findings from Clients; Moving Collaborative Practice INto the Future | IACP | 3 |