January 2022 26-28 Building a Satisfying Collaborative Practice An Online Training Partnership of IACP and Mosten Guthrie Academy (Virtual) February 2022 1 First Lunch and Learn of 2022 at 12:00 - 1:00pm - Speakers: Rhonda Cleaves, JD & Honey Sheff, Ph.D., Topic: Effective Debrief 8 Civility Session with the Collaborative Professionals of Southeast Michigan Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84848112989 Contact email: … [Read more...]
Come One, Come All
While Covid did not slow the use of the collaborative process, and in fact, provided through its adaptability, one more reason why it is superior to litigation, it did impact the bond that collaborative professionals share. The experience of “up close and in person” collegiality with like-minded professionals has been negatively affected by Covid. I think you will be pleased to learn that with vaccines, boosters and/or appropriate Covid protocols, the band is getting back together (so to speak - … [Read more...]
What We Are Hoping to Find Under the CDT Christmas Tree This Year
This month marks the beginning of my second year as Editor of this Newsletter. We have strived to make it a little less formal, more informational than educational (except information about collaborative education opportunities), and more succinct. The Crouch Group team that does the yeoman's job getting this Newsletter out to you, took my desire to change its appearance and made it all shiny and bright. Ronda Robinson has been her normal incredible always-with-a-solution Executive Director, and … [Read more...]
What’s Going On In the Collaborative Community
December 2021 2 and 3 - CLI Minnesota Forum Non-Members Welcome Virtual and In Person https://www.collaborativepractice.com/event/cli-minnesota-annual-forum-2021 January 2022 12, 13, 14 and 20 - IACP Introductory Collaborative Practice Training. Non-Members Welcome Virtual https://www.collaborativepractice.com/event/1st-quarter-2022-online-introductory-interdisciplinary-collaborative-practice-training March 2022 3-5 Collaborative Professionals of Washington 15th Annual … [Read more...]
Their Process, Their Party
Scott Clarke left us with an important reminder in his last presentation at Collaborative Divorce Texas’ annual Spring Conference: it is the parties’ process. I am constantly reminding myself of same as I try to improve my skills as a collaborative attorney. One way I do so is not only continuing my training and education but immersing myself in the collaborative community in Texas, across the country and throughout the world. Learning from and observing the awe-inspiring talent that has … [Read more...]
One More Reason to Divorce Collaboratively
Last month, a Kentucky judge in a Bullitt County Family Court declined to grant a divorce after hearing the prove up for the divorce, and instead, sent the couple back to counseling. The parties had previously tried counseling several times, but those attempts were unsuccessful. The Judge’s rational for this ruling was that because the parties cordially resolved their divorce and put the interests of their child before their own, their marriage must not be irretrievably broken. Even the … [Read more...]
What’s Going On In The Collaborative Community
October 2021 28-31th The International Academy of Collaborative Professionals’ 22nd Annual Forum: Lighting the Way Together will take place live and in person in San Diego, California. For more information about the Forum and a detailed description of the planned presentations go to: https://www.collaborativepractice.com/iacp-forum For those unable to attend in person, IACP has created an opportunity to virtually attend a modified Forum Beacon When We Are Apart. For … [Read more...]
Summer Is Over, So Why Are The Dog Days Still Here?
Summer 2021 is winding down however, COVID Is not. While increase in the number of vaccinated has occurred, Delta has slowed our return to “normalcy”. The light at the end of the tunnel just seems to keep drifting farther. That reality weighs upon us, personally and professionally. It also weighs upon our clients. Nerves can be a little more on edge. Emotions run a little higher. Attention is more easily distracted and patience a little too thin. Therefore, we as collaborative … [Read more...]
What’s Going On In the Collaborative Community
September 2021 14 The Financial Neutral Role – It’s not just about the numbers IACP September Webinar (open to non-members) For more information or register go to https://www.collaborativepractice.com/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=136 23-24 JUST ROLL WITH IT: Recognizing & Responding to Resistance, a virtual Two Day Advanced Interdisciplinary Training Presented by CDT (detailed elsewhere in this Newsletter) October 2021 5 Noon CDT October … [Read more...]
Spotlight on the Collaborative Law Section
Congratulations to the new 2021-2022 State Bar of Texas Collaborative Law Section Council and Officers: Chair: Jill LoweVice Chair: Chris FarishVice Chair, Family: Cindi Barella GrahamVice Chair, Civil: Anne ShutteeSecretary: Dianne CarlsonTreasurer: Constance Mims Immediate Past Chair: Laura Schlenker Council Members are Richard Shannon and Lori Kern. In other BIG NEWS, the Section is launching a new and improved website this summer, CollaborativeLawSection.com Check it … [Read more...]
A Little Farther Afield
For those seeking an even broader perspective on the use and differences in collaborative law practice around the globe, the Australian Association of Collaborative Professionals (AACP) is holding an 8-part session series, the 2021 Road to Resolution Conference from April – November 2021. AACP RTR will be live-streamed online to offer a safe, secure and flexible experience for attendees to access from home, work or abroad. It also allows opportunity to those in Texas to attend a conference that … [Read more...]
Save The Date: IACP’s 22nd Annual Forum
The International Academy of Collaborative Professionals’ 22nd Annual Forum: Lighting the Way Together will take place live and in person in San Diego October 28 – 31, 2021. For those unable to attend in person, the Forum will also be available through a virtual program entitled Beacon When We’re Apart. The Forum consists of 8 Pre-Forum Institutes, 29 in-person workshops and 9 virtual workshops, each with highly skilled collaborative presenters from around the world, renowned Keynote speakers, … [Read more...]
September 2021 Advanced Interdisciplinary Training
CDT will present JUST ROLL WITH IT: Recognizing & Responding to Resistance, a virtual Two Day Advanced Interdisciplinary Training on Thursday, September 23, 2021: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Friday September 24, 2021: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The Trainer will be Deborah, Gilman, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist, mediator, child specialist, and coach who has special expertise working with those impacted by trauma. Dr. Gilman will inform us on how to better help clients navigate their … [Read more...]
CDT At Advanced Family Law Seminar
CDT will have a vendor booth during next month’s Advanced Family Law Seminar in San Antonio (Aug 2-5), so please stop by and say hello to our Executive Director, Ronda Robinson, who will be manning the booth. She would love to see people in person - finally. It is also an opportunity to encourage colleagues to learn about and join CDT. Also, on Monday August 2, 2021’s Awards Ceremony (usually held at the end of the day’s session) Dr. Honey Sheff will be receiving her Gay G. Cox Award. This … [Read more...]
A Few Words About Our Outgoing President
“Kid in a candy shop” is a great way to describe how our outgoing CDT Board President, Julie Quaid felt when she learned about Collaborative Law 20 years ago. Her excitement to learn everything about the process and implement it in her family law practice became her professional quest. She trained repeatedly (still does) and fully immersed herself in the new, better, and less destructive way for families to resolve divorce and child issues. And, as same was consistent with her personality and … [Read more...]
A Changing of the Guard
June marks the beginning of a new Board of Directors and Officers, and sadly, the end of the tenure of one who has worked tirelessly to help CDT be the best state Collaborative Association in the country. New board members are Mary Beth Dennie and Jamie Patterson. Mary Beth is a family counselor based in Weatherford, Texas. She holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology and is licensed by the State of Texas to provide psychotherapy and counseling services to individuals of all … [Read more...]
Sometimes It is Not About the Orange – A Review of May’s Lunch & Learn Presentation
The beauty of Collaborative Divorce and the collection of voices in CDT was punctuated by May’s “Lunch and Learn” presentation on “Curious Listening” by Syd Sharples, MBA, LCSW (assisted by Kris Algert, Tasha Rock and Julie Quaid). The topic addressed revealed how collaborative practice continues to evolve and redefine itself, never resting on its laurels. “Curious Listening” is a concept and technique that grew from the recognition that sometimes it is not about the “orange”. In many cases, … [Read more...]
Expand Your Reach
Membership in Collaborative Divorce Texas is crucial to a successful Collaborative Divorce Practice. It provides access to forms, training, education, shared marketing and critically, interaction and connection with like-minded professionals. Along with membership, CDT facilitates a sense of Community. Our statewide community is expansive but it is also extremely important to participate in the collaborative community at all levels. Becoming active in your collaborative practice group, local bar … [Read more...]
CDT Presenting “Lunch And Learn” Series
On April 6, 2021 Collaborative Divorce Texas initiated its virtual “Lunch and Learn” series which features a cross section of experienced collaborative professionals discussing various issues of common interest to those who practice collaborative divorce - all from comfort of your desk/desktop. The series of unique one-hour presentations will be held at noon on the first Tuesday of each month through November, 2021. Not only will CDT members gain great insight from the Lunch and Learn, but … [Read more...]
Spring Conference Wrap
Touted as The Best Seminar You Will Never Attend, the tongue-in-cheek promotion was spot on. Having attended IACP's Annual Forum in October, I was keenly aware that virtual collaborative conferences can still be intimate, connections can be made, and community shared. Texas Collaborative Professionals insured that 2021 Spring Conference was all that and a bag of (tortilla) chips more. The Course Directors, Planning Committee, presenters, CDT Board, State Bar and all responsible for the technical … [Read more...]
COVID-19 and Its Impact on Foundational Changes to The Practice of Law and Service Professionals
The massive shifts in daily lives occurring in 2020 required lawyers and other service providers to rethink, reimagine and reengineer how they provided their services to their clients, interacted with other professionals, and fulfilled their obligations to their clients. Grace and understanding during the initial learning curve have given way to an expectation of competence. All of this has occurred when none of us know exactly what the future will bring as far as COVID-19 is concerned. We … [Read more...]
Make Diversity in Collaborative Practice Your New Year’s Resolution
Collaborative Divorce will only truly succeed if it is viewed as a process for everyone. Every sex, every ethnicity, every religion, every sexual orientation, every gender identification, and every economic group. Such applies to the professional who practice Collaborative Divorce. Our membership and leadership must reflect society. Unfortunately, and despite efforts such as pro bono projects, CDT and our clients lack diversity. Therefore, we must look deep within ourselves as … [Read more...]
Seeing 2020 Out the Door
Season’s Greetings to all. You may notice that I am not Harry. More on that next month. But until then… 2020 was, without exaggeration, a year that will live in infamy. From COVID to the elections, the stress level of the country reached record highs. Loss of life was heartbreaking. Loss of connection to friends, family, and colleagues difficult. But, with a slight Twist on Dickens, while it was the worst of times, it was at points, the best of times. It allowed our greatest angels to … [Read more...]
