William Fitzhugh, (Lawyer/Mediator)
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I am dedicated to assisting people in resolving conflicts so that they can move forward in their lives with purpose and control. As a divorced parent of two children, including an autistic daughter, I understand the challenges involved in co-parenting effectively after divorce. I am an active member of the Richmond collaborative community and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. I regularly lecture on the issues of divorce, custody, same-sex parenting rights, and resolving disputes. I serve on the Joint Alternative Dispute Resolution Council of the Virginia State Bar and the Virginia Bar Association.
Collaborative Services
Complex financial issues, restructuring of families, and addressing breakdowns in communication all require effective problem-solving. Effective problem-solving is a powerful tool for resolving difficult issues creatively and efficiently. I enjoy collaborative cases because I am working with other professionals who are also investing substantial time into improving their ablity to help problem-solve difficult issues.
Professional Activities
CURRENT:
Committee Member of the Joint Alternative Dispute Resolution Council of the Virginia State Bar and the Virginia Bar Association
Metro Richmond Family Law Bar
Chesterfield County Bar
Virginia State Bar (Family Law Section)
PRIOR:
2014 The Robert R. Merhige, Jr. National Environmental Negotiation Competition, Final Round Judge
Collaborative Practice Training
| Year | Course Title | Instructor | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic/ Introductory Collaborative Law or Interdisciplinary Collaborative Team Training. | |||
| 2006 | Collaborative Divorce Training (Basic) | CDTT | 12 |
| 30-Hr Interest-Based Negotiation & Mediation Skills | |||
| 2010 | Professional Mediation Skills | CMG | 20 |
| 2009 | Interest-Based Skills for Collaborative Practice | Commonwealth Mediation Group | 10 |
| Additional 15 hours Intermediate/ Advanced interest-based negotiation, communication skills, collaborative, or basic professional coach training | |||
| 2010 | Interest-Based Negotiation | FInks/Collison | 3 |
| 2009 | Virginia Collaborative Professionals Conference | Various | 4 |
| 2006 | Collaborative Law with Stu Webb | Stu Webb | 6 |
| 2006 | Collaborative Family Law- Practice and Ethics | VA CLE | 3 |
| Annual 4 hours collaborative continuing education (basic, intermediate, or advanced) | |||
| 2020 | Collaborative Success Stories | CPR: Sandy Cassel | 1 |
| 2019 | Wisdom is Knowing a Mistake When You Make it Again | Sandy Cassel | 1 |
| 2018 | The Complicated Marriage of Family Law & Estate Planning and Estate Law | Scott Stovall, Esq. | 1 |
| 2018 | Intersection of the Property Settlement Agreement & the Parenting Plan, Part 2 | I presented with Mary Owens, Sandy Cassel & Annelise Petry | 1 |
| 2017 | Richmond Bench-Bar Conference: Civility in the Courts | Bench Bar Panel | 2.5 |
| 2017 | Complex Assets in Divorce | I was the instructor. | 4.5 |
| 2017 | Best Practices in Custody and Child Support Matters in the Juvenile & Domestic Court | I was the instructor. | 3 |
| 2017 | Attracting 21st Century Clients & Efficiently Solving Their Problems | Joint ADR Council of Virginia Bar Association and the Virginia State Bar | 5 |
| 2017 | Advanced Collaborative Training - Beyond the Elevator Pitch | Fauss, Robson, Cassel | 6 |
| 2016 | Overview of Same-Sex Marriage Rights | I was the instructor. | 4 |
| 2016 | Never-Married Parents and Co-Parenting Issues | I was the instructor. | 2 |
| 2015 | Collaborative Divorce: A New Approach to Family Law | I was the instructor. | 4 |
| 2014 | Ethics in Family Law: Social Media and Evidence | I was the instructor. | 4 |
| 2013 | Interest-based Negotiation in a Neuroscience Context | CPTI | 6 |
| 2012 | Preparing Your Client for a Successful Collaborative Case | Weiss | 1.5 |
| 2012 | Powers and Influence of Expectations in Collaborative | Aloia | 1.5 |
| 2012 | Family Creation Arrangements in the LGBTQ: Impact on Children and Adults | Allison/Carroll/Sundram | 1.5 |
| 2012 | Failure to Prepare for the Premature Death of a Spouse and Related Contingency Situations | I was the instructor. | 7.5 |
| 2012 | Collaborative Conversations on Support | CPTI | 6 |
| 2011 | Divorce Law A-Z | I was the instructor. | 5.5 |
| 2010 | Special Needs Planning-Handling the Special Needs Divorce | Herzog/Poller/Smith | 1.5 |
| 2010 | Pre-Nuptial & Domestic Partnership Agreements in Collaborative | McHugh/Geldenhuys/Weissman | 1.5 |
| 2010 | Ethical Dilemmas | VA CLE | 3 |
| 2009 | Retirement issues and Spousal Support | Metro Richmond Family Bar | 1 |
| 2009 | Child Custody and Visitation | I was the instructor. | 8.5 |
| 2008 | Understanding the Principles of Equitable Distribution | I was the instructor. | 6 |
| 2007 | State of the Family | University of Richmond | 10 |
| 2007 | Preventing Critical Financial Mistakes During Divorce | I was the instructor. | 6 |
| 2006 | Exploring Custody, Visitation, and Support Issues | I was the instructor. | 4.5 |