Since my first training in 2004, I am a convert to resolving family disputes through the collaborative process. Only in the collaborative process can spouses work together in a comfortable, safe setting to resolve property, support and very importantly their children's future. Collaborative's core principle of open, transparent communications in a respectful manner lays the foundation for continued open communication post-divorce. This maybe something that you do not think is that important, however, it is very important for your children no matter their age. Most divorcing couples are divorcing because of failed communications to continue that dynamic only continues the misunderstandings that lead to conflict. I have more than 30 years of family law experience from complicated litigation to negotiated agreements. I advise that all of these are inadequate way to resolve family issues. For example, courts are limited to the law and the law does not provide spouses with some necessary remedies, life insurance, college, and other expenses for children.
I believe that by creating an atmosphere of open communication and cooperation, the Collaborative Law process allows both parties to preserve their dignity while they work toward a settlement that works for everyone involved. I am proud to embrace this new alternative process.
PRIOR:
Former President of Virginia State Bar
Fellow of the Virginia Law Foundation
former Chair of State Bar Ethics Committee
former delegate to the American Bar Association
former President of Farifax Bar Foundation
member of Family Law Sections of the American Bar Association, Virginia State Bar, and Fairfax Bar Association
Year | Course Title | Instructor | Hours |
---|---|---|---|
Basic/ Introductory Collaborative Law or Interdisciplinary Collaborative Team Training. | |||
2004 | Basic Collaborative Law Training | Pritchard & Carter | 13 |
30-Hr Interest-Based Negotiation & Mediation Skills | |||
2004 | Mediation Training | G. Friedman | 32 |
Additional 15 hours Intermediate/ Advanced interest-based negotiation, communication skills, collaborative, or basic professional coach training | |||
2010 | Best Practices and Collaborative Protocols | Smollar, White | 1 |
2009 | Roles of Mental Health Professionals in Collaborative Team | Lipp, Miller | 1 |
2008 | Interdisciplinary Team | Pauline Tesler | 3 |
2008 | Collab Practice: Negotiation Skills, Team Communic, and Ethical Issues | Pauline Tesler | 4 |
2006 | Intermediate Collaborative Law Training | Webb/Ousky | 6 |
Annual 4 hours collaborative continuing education (basic, intermediate, or advanced) | |||
2018 | Spiritual Journeys in a Material World: Thoughts about Spirituality for Divorce Professionals | Larry Gaughan | 1 |
2018 | Creative “Out-of-Court’ Process Options: How to Keep Our Work Effective and Ethical? | Debbie May CPA, CFP®, CDFA®, Sue Soler LCSW-C, LICSW, Suzy Eckstein JD | 1 |
2018 | Avoiding Financial Errors in Divorce Settlement | Adam Morgan, CFP, CDFA, MBA | 1 |
2018 | And They Lived Happily Ever After… | Carol Miller, Ph.D, J. Christopher Brown, Elizabeth Gray, Steve Metzler | 1 |
2017 | Stop Driving at the End of Your Hood | M. McHugh | 1 |
2017 | Neuroscience of Conflict and Negotiation: What Really Works | Jennifer Kresge | 5 |
2017 | Financial Errors in Divorce | Spanka, Brown | 1 |
2017 | Business Valuations in Collaborative Divorce | J. Bradley | 1 |
2016 | Substance Abuse and Addiction Issues in Divorce | Bonin, Herrick & Moher | 1 |
2016 | Is One Client Controlling the Team? | Michael McHugh | 1 |
2016 | Experience & Connections Among Collaborative Practice:What to Share with Clients | Karen Keyes, Jennifer Bradley and Hayden Lee | 1 |
2016 | Ethics Guideline For Collaborative Practice | A. White | 1 |
2016 | Discernment Counseling | Rona Hitlin-Mason | 1 |
2015 | Working with Families with Special Needs Children in Collaborative | Nuzzo | 1 |
2015 | Our Core Collaborative Principles, Part II | Flectcher | 1 |
2015 | Managing Conflict, Pain and Co-Parenting during and After Separation | Robert Emery, Judge Ann Sundt | 2 |
2015 | Ethical v Practical Considerations for VA Law Practice | Lee | 1 |
2015 | Discussion of Core Collaborative Principles | Flectcher, Miller | - |
2015 | Delving into the Heart of Conflict | Burr, Smollar, Herrick | 1 |
2015 | Collaborative Premarital Agrements | McHugh | 1 |
2015 | Affairs and Divorce, from a child's point of view | Nackman, Fletcher | - |
2014 | Finding Money Harmon in Collaborative Divorce | Olivia Mellan | 6 |
2013 | Understanding Alcohol and Drug Additions in Collaborative | Jan Beauegard SPC, CSAD | 1 |
2013 | The Gray Divorce | L. Pendzich, A. D'Ari,M. Szpanka | 1 |
2013 | The Continuum of Parental Alignment Estrangement and Aliention | Bill Zuckerman | 1 |
2013 | Meaning of Money | Rona Hitlin-Mason, LPC | 1 |
2013 | Everthing You Wanted to Know About Divorce Tax Law | K. Lindahl, CPA | 1 |
2013 | Ethics Guidelines in Collaborative Practice | S. Butler,Esq. S. Soler LCSW, Robin Taub, Esq,Jan White, Esq.,Debbie May, CPA, P. Smollar, Esq. | 2 |
2013 | Divorce Research Reduz: Which Myths should be believe about consequences of divorce on Adults and Children | L. Herrick, PHD | 1 |
2013 | Division of Hybrid property in Virginia Collaborative Case | M. McHugh, Esq, G. Moher,Esq | 1 |
2012 | Unique Approaches in Collaborative Divorce | G. Monk, PHD, J. Green, Esq., K. Algert, JD | 6 |
2012 | The infinity Loop; When the Process Becomes Conflict | D'Ari;Herrick; White | 1 |
2012 | Team Collaboration in a Difficult Case | Miller,Fletcher, Pendzich | 1 |
2012 | Fees in Colllaborative Cases | May, Ravdin | 1 |
2012 | Engaging the Reluctant Spouse | Cook, Galbriath, Ramier | 1.5 |
2012 | Empirical Findings Regarding Children & Divorce | Herrick | 1 |
2012 | Delving into the Heart of Conflict | Burr, Schenkel, Morrison | 3 |
2012 | Coping with Anxiety & Depression in Divorce Process | Kupfer | 1 |
2012 | Collaborative Conversations on Support | Broussard,D'Ari,Fauss,Smollar | 6 |
2011 | Forgiveness getting beyond through Collaborative | Beach | 1 |
2011 | Ethical Guidelines in Collaborative Practice | White,Soler | 1 |
2010 | How to enlist client into Collaborative | I was instructor, Pacetti | 1 |
2009 | Advanced Interdisciplinary Collaborative Training | Gamache, McCollam | 12 |
2005 | Advanced Collaborative Law Training | Hunter/Richardson | 8 |