Texas has long been a leader and one of the most innovative jurisdictions in the Collaborative Law movement. We embraced the collaborative process with passion and educated and trained our lawyers, mental health professionals and financial professionals in the art of Collaborative Law. We developed and honed the team model to exacting standards that are the envy of collaborative professionals worldwide.
Nevertheless, there remained one critical piece to the puzzle: knowledgeable consumers. Our clients, by and large, had never heard of “Collaborative Law” and even if they had heard the words, often did not really understand what the reference meant and whether it applied to their issues. That deficiency was adeptly addressed last week, when at the 9th Annual State Bar of Texas Collaborative Law Course, it was announced that the Collaborative Law Institute of Texas was being re-branded Collaborative Divorce Texas.
I applaud the leadership of Collaborative Divorce Texas for their vision and initiative in taking such a bold measure. Coupled with the adoption of a three tiered integrated marking plan, the last remaining hurdle to the growth of the use of the collaborative process has been addressed - an informed marketplace - while at the same time, instilling knowledge of the extraordinary benefits of the “collaborative option” in those who need legal services. With the implementation of this strategy, a clear, singular and distinct message that Collaborative Divorce is the far better option for Texas families will soon be woven into the fabric of the public’s consciousness. I believe that this will increase the viability of the collaborative process for other areas of civil law in the future, as consumers begin to ask their lawyers whether they can use this process in their probate matters, their employment disputes, landlord tenant, and closely held or family business matters, to name just a few.
I encourage all who practice Collaborative Law and believe in its principles, to whole-heartedly embrace this move, and vigorously carry forward Collaborative Divorce Texas’ outlined plan to insure that Texas once again shows the world how it is done and that in Texas, it is always done bigger and better.
March 7, 2016
Charles J. Quaid
Martha Bourne says
I agree with Charles. Sometimes giant steps are necessary to initiate change though baby steps feel safer. This is a giant step for the Collaborative Law movement. Kudos to all who spent long hours making this happen.