This Friday is our first Think Tank.  Join us at 1 p.m. Eastern as we discuss the importance of setting client expectations at your first meetings with the clients. 

The first meeting with a Collaborative client is about much more than collecting facts and completing paperwork. It is an opportunity to establish the foundation for everything that follows.

We set expectations about the process.

We set expectations about communication.

We set expectations about disagreement.

We set expectations about time, cost, decision-making, and the attorney's role.

Most importantly, we help clients understand that Collaborative Law asks them to approach a difficult legal problem differently.

The better the setup, the better prepared the client is for the journey.

And in the Collaborative Process, preparing the client for the journey may be one of the most important things we do.

In Collaborative Law, we often talk about the importance of the Process, respectful communication, transparency, problem-solving, and reaching agreements without going to court. But before any of that can happen, there is another critical piece of the puzzle that can determine whether the process gets off to the right start.

As Collaborative professionals, our role is to help clients navigate a difficult transition, understand their choices, identify what matters most to them, and participate meaningfully in creating their own solutions. That starts with the setup.

The client needs to know what Collaborative really means. For many clients, the legal system is the frame of reference they know. They may assume that divorce or another family law dispute is about building a case, gathering ammunition, and persuading a judge that they are right. Collaborative Law requires a different mindset. From the beginning, clients need to understand that the goal is not to “beat” the other person. The goal is to reach a durable agreement that addresses the needs and interests of the entire family.

That distinction sounds simple, but it is fundamental.

Before the Process can get off on the right foot we must ask ourselves:

               Do the clients know and understand their role in the Process?

               Have you shared the core Ethical Standards the professionals must abide by?

               Does your client have reasonable expectations of the Process?

Let’s discuss!  See you Friday at 1 p.m. Eastern.