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Collaborative Law - Table of Contents

Additional Collaborative Divorce Links from Gitlin Law Firm links page
Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois (CLIL)
- Events of the CLII
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP)
Website of International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, the umbrella organization for collaborative practitioners and practice groups in the fields of law, mental health coaching, and divorce-related financial services.

Q&As for the Public by IACP

Collaborative Divorce
Collaborative Divorce Training Institute is now devoted mainly to trainings sponsored by the organization. For an overview of all trainings, however, see the IACP's web site (above).

Resources for Collaborative Professionals:
- ABA Ethics Opinion: American Bar Association Ethics Opinion Regarding Collaborative Pracitce: The summary of this ethics opinion states: "Before representing a client in a collaborative law process, a lawyer must advise the client of the benefits and risks of participation in the process. If the client has given his or her informed consent, the lawyer may represent the client in the collaborative law process. A lawyer who engages in collaborative resolution processes still is bound by the rules of professional conduct, including the duties of competence and diligence."
- General Collaborative Divorce ListServe: Collaborative Professionals: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/collablaw/
  This is a listserve for practitioners trained in collaborative family law. Access is free to all trained practitioners but requires an application.
- Mediation Training in Illinois: (Most collaborative lawyers have training in mediation because some of the same skills apply to collaborative practice.)
  - Mediation Counsel of Illinois -- Training Schedule
- Texas Protocols of Practice for Collaborative Family Lawyers - Final Version [01/24/2005]
- Transforming Practices Book and Web Site: Collaborative Lawyers: www.transformingpractices.com
  A website dedicated to transforming how lawyers practice
- Collaborative Law Statutes and Ethics Opinions from Boston Law Collaborative, LLC. This contains links to the statutory law and ethics opinion.
- Appreciative Inquiry: Appreciative inquiry has applications to collaborative practice. It is a method for brining about rapid positive change to any system. See, e.g., The Power of Appreciative Inquiry: A Practical Guide to Positive Change by Diana Whitney and Amanda Trosten-Bloom or see www.positivechange.org.
- Taking the War Out of the Words: The Art of Powerful Non-Defensive Communication An excellent resource for collaborative professionals is Taking the War out of the Words. The tenants work equally well in negotiating traditional adversarial negotiation but are especially well geared toward collaborative representation. This is one of the few books on CD which I strongly recommend.
- The Psychology of Divorce. This is an excellent reading for collaborative professionals and especially for lawyers involved in collaborative practice who wish greater insight into family systems theory and the practical applications to divorcing couples.
- Training Events: See Q&As re Collaborative Law:
  - Calendar of IACP
- Lowenstein Resource Page
- Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School / PON for Lawyers
- Interest Based Negotiations / Integrative Negotiations
Resources for the Public
- Tales from the Front, January 24, 2007: "A Divorce Doesn't Have to be Nightmare."
- February 2007 Forbes article regarding collaborative divorce in cases involving a closely held business.
- www.whileweheal.org
  A valuable resource for divorcing parents who are willing to make serious commitments about coparenting after the divorce for the benefit of their children
- Responsible Divorce (www.proactive-coach.com/divorce/)
  Conventional and collaborative divorce methods are discussed.
- Chicago Tribune Article -- February 9, 2005, "Collaboration is Critical." This is a relatively well balanced discussion of collaborative law. This opens up a link to be able to download the article from www.collaborativepractice.com.
- The Smart Divorce: Book and web-site. This book provides some worthwhile guidance. Her links page provides a link to the Best Lawyers in America site.
  - State your goals and objectives at the beginning. Make sure these are realistic.
  - Maximize your information and knowledge base.
  - Avoid reacting to emotions.
  - Retain the best possible divorce team your budget allows.
  - Treat your divorce as a business transaction.

Videos for the Public

Divorce Collaborative Style: This is a 27-minute videotape that features clients, lawyers, judges and a divorce coach who have had experience with collaboration. Developed by IACP's advisory board member Tony Seton, it features advisory board member Hon. Donna Hitchens and board members Hon. Ross Foote, Nancy Ross, Linda Seinturier and Pauline Tesler. It has earned excellent reviews for its clarity, honesty and purpose.
Today Show Clip Regarding Collaborative Law
Clip by Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW, regarding collaborative divorce.

Collaborative Practice in the News

2004 Article re Collaborative Divorce:
Judges See the Benefits of Collaborative Practice The Republican - Springfield,MA,USA
April 2007 Article Re Collaborative Practice
June 2007 Article re Collaborative Practice Texas
Collaborative Law Institute of Texas -- 10 Top Reasons to Choose Collaborative Divorce
Collaborative Divorce: Spelling Divorce - 'R-E-S-P-E-C-T' Newtown Bee - Newtown,CT,USA
Collaborative Divorce Booms as Method to Ease the Parting
Los Angeles Daily Journal – Los Angeles,CA,USA
September 2007 Article: Advocates Believe Collaborative Method a Better Way to End Marriage

Pittsburg Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Couples Embarcing Kinder, Gentler Divorce
New York, AP Press, USA
Christian Sceince Monitor Op. Ed Article by David A. Hoffman: Collaborative Law Doesn't Have to be an Oxymoron

Christian Science Monitor, October 9, 2007

OTHER COLLABORATIVE LAWYERS AND COLLABORATIVE PROFESSIONALS IN ILLINOIS

Gitlin Law Firm List of local collaborative law attorneys

Collaborative Law Institute of Illinois List of Professionals

International Academy of Collaborative Professionals: This web site gives more background as to the collaborative attorneys as compared to the current Collaborative Law Institute Illinois

The Gitlin Law Firm's practice is limited to family law in areas including McHenry County, Kane County, Lake County, Illinois. These Q&As are provided as a service to potential and current clients. A person's accessing the information contained in this web site, is not considered as retaining The Gitlin Law Firm for any case nor is it considered as providing legal advice. The Gitlin Law Firm cannot guarantee the outcome of any case.

The Gitlin Law Firm
663 E. Calhoun Street, Woodstock, IL 60098
(815) 338-9401