Paul Smollar, (Lawyer)
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My goal is to support spouses in resolving their marital interests and differences civilly, respectfully, with integrity and compassion, and with commitment to the well-being, both emotionally and financially, of their children and their family. I encourage spouses to take responsibility for their actions, their choices and their decisions, both throughout the divorce resolution proces itself and looking out into the future regarding their interactions between themselves and their co-parenting of their children. The Collaborative Process, I believe, offers the opportunity for transformation in the way spouses and their children will nurture, support and contribute to each other long after the divorce.
Collaborative Services
In Collaborative Divorce, I am a trainer with the Collaborative Practice Training Institute (CPTI) which is based in the tri-state area in the Virginia-D.C.-Maryland tri-state area. I am a presenter for one of CPTI's advanced trainings on Jumpstarting Your Collaborative Practice. I have made numerous presentations for Collaborative practice groups in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. During my 36 years of divorce practice. I have been recognized on multiple occasions by my peers in the publication, The Best Lawyers of the United States; as one of the top divorce lawyers and one of the top 100 lawyers in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area in the Super Lawyers magazine; as one of the top 25 divorce lawyers in the Washingtonian magazine; and as one of the top divorce lawyers in the Washington Post publication of top lawyers. I was just recognized by Best Lawyers of the United States as the Lawyer of the Year for 2012 in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore Metropolitan area in the area of Collaborative Law: Family Law.
Licenses
I practice in both the District of Columbia and Virginia and am an active member of the Fairfax County Bar, the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and the Family Law Section of the District of Columbia Bar. ,J.D.
Professional Activities
CURRENT:
District of Columbia Family Law Task Force
District of Columbia Bar
Virginia Bar
Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Continuing Legal Education Lecturer for programs in D.C. Metropolitan Area
Volunteer, Vienna Women's Center
Attorney Negotiator, D.C.
PRIOR:
Recognized by Super Lawyers 2012, 2013 and 2014 as one of the top ten lawyers in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.
Recognized by Washingtonian Magazine as on of D.C.'s top Divorce Lawyers
Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America
Collaborative Practice Training
| Year | Course Title | Instructor | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic/ Introductory Collaborative Law or Interdisciplinary Collaborative Team Training. | |||
| 2004 | Basic Collaborative Law Training | Janis Pritchard | 20 |
| 30-Hr Interest-Based Negotiation & Mediation Skills | |||
| 2000 | Mediation Training | AAML | 20 |
| 1997 | Mediation Training | AAML | 20 |
| Additional 15 hours Intermediate/ Advanced interest-based negotiation, communication skills, collaborative, or basic professional coach training | |||
| 2009 | Jumpstart Your Collaborative Practice | I was instructor | 3 |
| 2009 | Collaborative Models Workshop | Pauline Tessler and Peggy Thompson | 5 |
| 2006 | Intermediate Collaborative Law Training | Stu Webb and Ron Ousky | 8 |
| Annual 4 hours collaborative continuing education (basic, intermediate, or advanced) | |||
| 2023 | Tax Considerations for Collaborative Divorce Settlements | VaCP Clubhouse: Sallie Mullins Thompson, CPA | 1 |
| 2023 | My Stomach Aches! I Can’t Go to Work Today: How Collaborative Practice and Physical and Mental Wellness Can Solve the Tummy Squabbles | VaCP Clubhouse: Dillina W. Stickley, Esquire | 1 |
| 2023 | Introductory Collaborative Practice Training | I was presenter with other CPTI trainers | 15 |
| 2023 | Drafting Effective Parenting Plans | Lynn Hawkins | 1.5 |
| 2022 | What You Need to Know about Cross Border Families | Melissa Kucinski, Esquire | 1 |
| 2022 | Understanding the 5 Conflict Modes at Play in Our Mediation and Collaborative Cases | CPNV: Jonathan Kales, JD, Amy Kales, JD & Donne Colton, JD | 1.5 |
| 2022 | Transitioning Clients in Collaborative Divorce | Michael McHugh, Esq. and Teresa Cole, Esq. | 1.5 |
| 2022 | They say that sex is like money (you can never get enough); but sometimes too much (spending) is enough | Debbie May, CPA, CFP, CDFA and Theresa M. Mihalik, Esquire | 1 |
| 2022 | Targeted Tools to Resolve Complex Collaborative Impasses | Carl Mitlehner, CFP, Sue Soler, LCSW, and Jennifer Bradley, JD | 1.5 |
| 2022 | Solid Foundations - How to build Practices and Teams That Withstand the Storms | Debbie Beach, LCSW, Don Paris, CPA, MST, CDFA, and Steve Goldman, JD | 1.5 |
| 2022 | If You See Something, Say Something – Navigating Complex Asset Matters During the Collaborative Process | Jamie Blum and Jordan Egert | 1.5 |
| 2022 | Divorcing your Spouse, but Staying Married to Uncle Sam | Sarah Avila, CFP, CDFA | 1.5 |
| 2022 | Collaborative Clients: When kumbaya is not enough | Barbara Burr, Esquire | 1 |
| 2022 | A Parent’s Mental Illness Should Not Prevent a Successful Parenting Plan | Stephanie Smith, Esq. and Patrice Garver, Ph.D. | 1.5 |
| 2021 | Understanding Domestic Violence and the Challenges in Getting It Right | Viola Vaughan-Eden, PhD, MJ, LCSW | 1.5 |
| 2021 | Transform Them | Jonathan Foust, MA, CSA | 1.5 |
| 2021 | The ‘Invisible Kids’ of Divorce: When Your Parents Divorce in Your Adult Years. | Lisa Herrick, PhD and Sue Soler, LCSW-C, LICSW | 1 |
| 2021 | NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE | Barbara Burr, Esq.; Natalie Goldberg, LCSW | 1.5 |
| 2021 | Introductory Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Training | CPTI: I was one of the Trainers | 15 |
| 2021 | Introduction to Collaborative Law Practice | I was instructor | 2 |
| 2021 | How to Utilize a Mental Health Professional In Collaborative Divorce | CPSV: Jenny Kuszyk | 1 |
| 2021 | Help! I’m riding the client emotional rollercoaster, and I can’t get off! | Natalie Goldberg and Barb Burr | 1 |
| 2021 | HOLD ONTO YOUR HATS: STRATEGIES FOR STREAMLINING COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE | CPNV: Jennifer Bradley, Esq., Lynn Fetcher, Esq., Natalie Goldberg, LCSW, Jane Ochsman Rowny, CPA, CDFA | 1.5 |
| 2021 | Collaborating with the Enemy, with thanks to Adam Kahane | Barbara Burr, Esquire | 1.5 |
| 2021 | CPTI Introductory Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Training | I was one of several instructors | 15 |
| 2021 | Beyond Spread Sheets and Cash Flow – A Deep Dive Into The Financial Neutral Roles As Facilitator, Mediator and Advisor | Debbie May CPA, CFP, CDFA and Robin Taub J.D. | 1.5 |
| 2021 | ADULT ADHD IN COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE: A POWERFUL, UNDER-RECOGNIZED X FACTOR | Kate Scharff, Psychotherapist | 1 |
| 2021 | The Flexible Potential of the Child Specialist Role | Natalie Goldberg and Lisa Herrick | 1 |
| 2021 | I Say Advocate? You Say Collaborate? Let's Work the Whole Thing Out! | Robin Taub, Erin Golding and Lisa Herrick | 1 |
| 2020 | YIKES – MY CLIENT IS RECENTLY SOBER: INTEGRATING SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY INTO A PARENTING PLAN | Natalie Goldberg, LCSW and George Young, LCSW, MAC | 1.5 |
| 2020 | Through The Eyes of Children | Debra Nackman, Ph.D, Carol Miller, Ph.D | 1 |
| 2020 | The Psychological and Ethical Dimensions of Collaborative Practice | David A. Hoffman, Collaborative Attorney & Mediator | 6 |
| 2020 | Prenups, the Collaborative Way | CPNV: Michael McHugh & Lynn Fletcher | 1.5 |
| 2020 | Impacts During COVID-19 | CPNV: Lisa Herrick, Natalie Goldberg, Sue Soler, Jennifer Bradley & Grant Moher | 1.5 |
| 2020 | Global Options | Erin Golding, J.D. | 1 |
| 2020 | Divorce in the Age of Corona | Barbara Burr and Debby Reiser | 1.5 |
| 2020 | Disclosure? Distractions? Denial? Dunno.: Addressing Full Disclosure of Ambiguous Adultery in Collaborative Divorce | CPNV: Steve Goldman & David Ginsberg | 1.5 |
| 2020 | DCACP Monthly Meeting | DCACP | 1.5 |
| 2020 | Cash, Covid, and Collaboration: Financial considerations for assisting your clients | Jordan Egert and Jane Ochsman Rowny | 1.5 |
| 2020 | A Virtual Town Hall with Collaborative Pioneers | Stu Webb and Ron Ousky | 1.5 |
| 2019 | UCLA Coming to Virginia Soon?! | Karen Keyes and Teresa Cole | 1.5 |
| 2019 | Stu Webb Lecture - The Power of Vulnerability and Other Ironies We Must Embrace to Knit Our Social Fabric Back Together | IACP Forum | 1.5 |
| 2019 | Out of Bounds: What Does the Team Do When Everything Goes Wrong? | IACP Forum | 3 |
| 2019 | Exceptional Communication The Key to Connection and Resolution | IACP Forum | 6 |
| 2019 | Examining Race and Culture in Collaborative Practice from the Inside Out | IACP Forum | 6 |
| 2019 | Collaborative Wills and Estates: Preparing for the Wealth Transfer Tsunami | IACP Forum | 1.5 |
| 2019 | ASD/Neuro-diversity in the Family: How to better understand the neuro-diverse adult client (and their neuro-diverse children) | Jamell White, Ph.D., LCSW-C | 1.5 |
| 2018 | UCLA Panel: What’s In It For Me? (11th VaCP) 11-12-18 | Del. David Toscano; Robert Merlin, PA; Teresa Cole, JD; and Cathleen Rea, PhD | 1.25 |
| 2018 | Support Redux: Navigating the New Tax Laws and the Emotional Challenges They Create for Spouses (and Teams) (11th VaCP) 11-12-18 | Sanford Cassel, PhD; Frank Morrison, JD; Gigi Robson, CPA, CDFA; and Paul Smollar, JD | 3.25 |
| 2017 | Yoga And Mindfulness Practices For Peacemakers (IACP Annual Forum, Philadelphia, PA) | Henry Yampolsky, JD, RYT | 1.5 |
| 2017 | The Ultimate Paradigm Shift: A Study of “The Untethered Soul” In Collaborative Practice (IACP Annual Forum, Philadelphia, PA) | Deborah Brakeley, MEd RCC, Stu Webb, JD and Catherine Connor, JD | 1.5 |
| 2017 | Peacemaking as a Profession: One Family at a Time (IACP Annual Forum, Philadelphia, PA) | Melissa Sulkowski, RN, MA, LPC, Forrest S. Mosten, Esq, Ron Ousky and David A. Hoffman, Esq. | 5 |
| 2017 | Mindfulness: Finding Clarity and Calm Amidst the Chaos (IACP Annual Forum, Philadelphia, PA) | Nicolle Kopping-Pavars, BA, LLB | 1.5 |
| 2017 | Introductory Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice | I was the instructor. | 15 |
| 2017 | Introduction to Designing and Delivering Engaging Workshops (IACP Annual Forum, Philadelphia, PA) | Victoria Smith, JD, CMED, FMC | 2 |
| 2017 | Creating the Conditions for Growth As We Help Our Clients Navigate Separation and Divorce | Lisa Herrick and Kate Scharff | 6 |
| 2017 | Collaborative 1-Day Training: Complexity and Protocols | Victoria Smith JD, C.Med., Cert.CFM (FMC) | 7 |
| 2016 | Team Challenges: Working Together to Solve Disputes | Nancy Cameron and Yuval Berger | 8 |
| 2015 | Virginia Case Law and Legislative Update for Collaborative Professional | VaCP | 1 |
| 2015 | Sherlock Holmes, Escher, Bach: Authentic Presence & the Art of Seeing (IACP Annual Forum - Washington, DC) | Shasha C. Porter, LICSW and Adriana (Summers) Galimberti-Rennie, AFBPsS | 1.5 |
| 2015 | Perry Mason Goes Digital: What all Collaboration Professionals Need to Know About Electronic Evidence | VaCP | 1.5 |
| 2015 | It’s Not About You, it’s About You! Making the Paradigm Shift from Problem Solving to Empowerment (IACP Annual Forum - Washington, DC) | Henry Yampolsky, JD and Craig Weiss, PhD | 1.5 |
| 2015 | Information Security for Collaborative Professionals | VaCP | 1 |
| 2015 | Collaborative Divorce: Two-Day Team Training | Lonnie Broussard, CFP, CFDA, Barbara Burr, Esquire, Sanford Cassel, PhD, Paul Smollar, Esquire | 15 |
| 2015 | Collaborative Advocacy: Achievable or an Oxymoron? (IACP Annual Forum - Washington, DC) | Sue Cook, MEd, BAFN, CYC, RSW, CCC and Brian Galbraith, LLB, LLM (Candidate) | 3 |
| 2015 | Breaking Down Barriers to Support: How a Cohesive Collaborative Team Can Inspire New Thinking | Kimberly Fauss, Esquire; Lonnie Broussard, CFP, CDFA; Adele D’Ari, Ed.D. and Paul Smollar, Esquire | 6 |
| 2014 | Z is for Zeitgeist: New Directions for Cutting Edge Trainers of Collaborative Professionals (IACP Annual Forum - Vancouver, BC, Canada) | Anne Purcell, PhD, MEd, BEd ST Hons, Dip T, AACM | 5 |
| 2014 | Understanding Attachment Styles and its Application in Collaborative Divorce Cases | Yuval Berger MSW, RSW and Lisa Alexander, B.A. LL.B | 7 |
| 2014 | Scaffolding Complex Collaborative Divorce Cases: Tools for Tackling Tough Issues (IACP Annual Forum - Vancouver, BC, Canada) | Justin Sedell, JD and Karen Bonnell, ARNP, MS | 3 |
| 2014 | Real Learnings for the Challenges of Real World Collaborations (IACP Annual Forum - Vancouver, BC, Canada) | Suzanne L. Brunsting, JD; Donna M. Maier, CDFA™ and David R. Murch, JD | 1.5 |
| 2014 | Making the Paradigm Shift Real: Ideas for Putting Meat on the Bones (IACP Annual Forum - Vancouver, BC, Canada) | Pauline Tesler, JD | 5 |
| 2014 | Collaborative Practice and the Human Brain | Pauline H. Tesler, JD | 7 |
| 2014 | Can We dance If We Aren’t in the Same Ballroom? (IACP Annual Forum - Vancouver, BC, Canada) | Scott D. Clarke, CFP®, CDFA™; Julie H. Quaid, JD and Honey A. Sheff, PhD | 1.5 |
| 2013 | Overcoming Barriers to Settlement | Nina Meierding, MS, JD | 7.5 |
| 2012 | Unique Approaches in Collaborative Divorce | Dr. Gerald Monk, PhD, LMFT, Janice Green, JD and Kristen Algert, JD | 7 |
| 2012 | Collaborative Conversations on Support | I was instructor | 20 |
| 2012 | Collaborative Conversations on Support | I was instructor | 8 |
| 2011 | AOC Training | I was instructor | 20 |
| 2011 | 3-day Interdisciplinary Training---Northern Virginia | I was instructor | 20 |
| 2011 | 3-day Interdisciplinary Training---Chapel Hill, N.C. | I was instructor | 20 |
| 2010 | Jumpstart Your Collaborative Practice | I was instructor | 2 |
| 2009 | Advanced Interdisciplinary Training | Susan Gamache | 20 |
| 2008 | Harvard Law School Negotiation Training--AAML | Robert Mnookin | 20 |
| 2007 | Advanced Interdisciplinary Training | Collaborative Divorce Team Training | 20 |
| 2006 | Basic Interdisciplinary Training | Sue Brunsting | 20 |
| 2003 | Family Law Arbitration Training | AAML | 20 |