It remains critical to Collaborative Practice that our community continually “gets the word out” about the benefits of Collaborative Divorce. To educate and encourage others to join in CDT’s efforts to revolutionize the practice of Family Law. 2022 Gay G. Cox Award winner Julie Quaid took the opportunity at this month’s Advanced Family Law Seminar to do just that, using her acceptance speech before the Texas Family Law Bar to deliver the following message:
“I am grateful and humbled to receive this award for excellence in collaborative law named for my friend Gay Cox who before her death, did so much for the collaborative movement.
When I look at the names of those who have won this award before me: Norma Trusch, Harry Tindall, Linda Solomon, Jennifer Tull, Kevin Fuller, Jack Emmott, Kris Algert, Camille Miller and Honey Sheff, I feel more than a little bit unworthy to add my name alongside theirs and I remain in awe of each of them for the skill with which they practice collaborative divorce and thank them for the time they have devoted to furthering the collaborative movement.
Collaborative divorce practitioners are the most professional, generous, and kind people I know. I want to thank each of you for your dedication and commitment to the process and to the families you serve. You have helped me to be a better collaborative lawyer and I learn from you every day.
I look around this room filled with family law colleagues and want to encourage each of you to consider getting trained in collaborative practice (CDT is offering a training for two and ½ days in mid-September in San Antonio), add another skill to your toolbox, and see if collaborative practice is for you.
Collaborative divorce is continuing to grow not only in Texas and the United States but also across the world. Studies show that participants are more satisfied at the conclusion of their case than those who used another process and the professionals involved are more satisfied with their practice as well.
Most of us who practice family law gravitated to this area of practice because we wanted to help people transition through this painful time in their life. What better way to do it than in a process which is designed to help resolve family law matters in a safe and dignified environment reducing the conflict and minimizing its impact on the family?
I challenge each of you – "Be a Peacemaker.”
