It is our goal that, after attending this program, an attorney will be better able to:

• understand the basic underlying concepts of collaborative practice and how they differ from standard family law practice;
• know the types of people involved in collaborative law cases and what each person’s role is in assisting the client; and
• differentiate the types of cases suited for collaborative law from the ones where the client would achieve a better outcome through traditional legal services.

Agenda
Welcome / Defining Elements of Collaborative Practice

Advantages and Cautions

Paradigm Shift

Skills Development and Interest-Based Negotiations

Role Play One: Discussion with client using interest-based negotiations – Topic: “What to do with the house?”

Q & A

Interdisciplinary Approach

• Attorney
• Mental Health
• Child Specialist
• Financial Neutral
• Mediation

Role Play Two: Initial attorney interview with client presenting collaborative law as an option and explaining team concept

Overview
Case Screening
Client Intake
Participation Agreement
Q & A

Role Play Three: Coach’s role and intake with client;
financial neutral meeting with client

Role Play Four: Team meeting

Q & A

Faculty
Brigitte Schmidt Bell, Brigitte Schmidt Bell, P.C., Evanston
Anna Markley Bush, Bush & Heise, Barrington
Caralyn Graham, LCPC, Therapist/Divorce Coach, Northfield
Sasha von Varga, LCSW, Northfield
Christiana Zouzias, CPA, Zouzias & Zouzias, Inc., Chicago