Yesterday many of us had the good fortune to hear Woody Mosten speak to the Collaborative Law Committee of the ABA Alternative Dispute Section and take part in a very interesting discussion.

In 2011, Woody made predictions about the future of Collaborative by the year 2030.  Some of his predictions have come true but some, unfortunately, have not.

Woody presented two ideas for the future that I believe merit a great deal more discussion. These ideas should be at the top of every practice group’s and state association’s strategic plans.

First, the real future of Collaborative Practice lies in the hands of the newest members of the legal, mental health and financial profession. Today’s generation wants a more peaceful, simpler way of handling their problems. Collaborative is the answer. We should be training, not only at the college graduate level, but the newest professionals fresh out of college. Since convincing universities to commit to Collaborative law education is rather difficult, Practice Groups should be looking to attract young lawyers as they begin their career. Provide educational opportunities for initial and advance training in the Collaborative Process.

Second, Woody spoke about Court mandated divorce process education requirements.  This is the second time this idea has come up in the past month. In Woody’s presentation he spoke of a community that does require litigants to take a class but by then it is too late. The case has already begun. At our recent Florida state conference, a Judicial Panel of family judges thought that requiring attendance at a Divorce Options online session could be considered. The key to this appears to be to require attendance before a divorce matter can be filed with the Court.

We must keep looking to the future and growing this fantastic Process. Join us on Friday at Happy Hour as we continue this discussion. Have an opinion on these ideas or the future of the Collaborative Process? Share your thoughts. Write a blog and we will post it.