Written by My Collaborative Team member, Kristen Goss, Esq.
I developed a love and passion for helping families at a very early age. My father was a pastor, and my mother was a social worker. I observed them counseling families often as a child. Because of my love for writing, rules, the law, and public speaking, I desired to become a family law attorney. Unfortunately, I did not know about Collaborative Law until a few years after practicing as a family law attorney. Once I learned about it and received the training, I immediately fell in love with it! It is the best way to go for families who are interested in positively resolving their legal interests in a wholistic manner.
As a Certified Guardian Ad Litem, I take pride in the motto that children come first and that the parents should not place them in the middle of their legal interests. The Collaborative Law Process allows for the focus to be on the children while ensuring that the parents’ interests are heard, respected, and addressed. Having had some litigation experience, I have seen the negative impact it has on not only the children, but the parents. No one feels heard and oftentimes, no one’s true interests are resolved. For everyone’s mental health and satisfaction, collaborative law is the way to go when faced with divorce, a paternity matter, or any other family issue.
My first experience on a Collaborative team was that of relief. The team of professionals remained transparent, were efficient with obtaining a positive resolution for the Clients and respected each other despite the Participants’ differences. This was an amazing experience and a breath of fresh air. We completed the case a lot quicker than it would have taken had the Clients decided to litigate, the Clients saved tons of money, and the outcome was one that addressed the Clients’ concerns and in which the Clients actively participated in.
My advice to any lawyer who is considering making the decision to start practicing collaboratively, they must make the firm decision that he/she is not going to litigate family cases any longer. That commitment to staying out of court is imperative to becoming a successful collaborative practitioner. Seek out at a mentor who is collaboratively trained and has experience as a collaborative professional. In Florida where I practice, this can be an accredited collaborative family law professional who has been distinguished as one of the more experienced professionals in Collaborative Law. Ask that person as many questions as you can to become a well-trained collaborative professional. Seek out opportunities to serve as a scribe in cases. Take on a pro bono/low bono collaborative case. Join a local practice group. Join MCT. Become involved in a committee in your local practice group that are focused on areas you are passionate about. Most importantly, continue to attend collaborative trainings, both introductory and advanced. There is no replacement for growing your confidence and competence in the Collaborative Process.
Please make sure to check out next week’s blog as Kristen shares more tips and advice on how to elevate your collaborative practice after you complete your introductory training.
