Collaborative Law

This handbook explains the emerging dispute resolution model of collaborative law that is helping family lawyers bring their clients through the divorce passage with integrity and satisfaction. The author describes how this approach engages the problem-solving skills of lawyers to achieve settlements that appropriately customise outcomes in the way that few courts are able to achieve. Pauline H. Tesler explains the goals of collaborative law and elaborates on the various stages of a collaborative representation. She covers a number of concepts, techniques and approaches. Other chapters cover the unique ethical considerations for collaborative lawyers, how to develop and market a collaborative law practice, identifying and planning for the key moments in a collaborative representation, and an array of published and online resources for both lawyers as well as clients in this area of family law. Clear, complete and well-crafted documents that explain the responsibility of each party are essential in collaborative representation. This text provides the purpose behind each of these documents as well as sample forms ready to be adapted to your own use.
An accompanying diskette contains the volume's sample forms. These documents include a phone screen form, sample letters, a sample collaborative retainer agreement, principles and guidelines for the practice of collaborative law, wording about collaborative representation and future dispute resolution to include in marital settlement agreements, withdrawal and termination notices, and a client evaluation form. The manual also includes a handbook which is designed to orient clients to the collaborative process. This handbook for clients is also included on the diskette and may be reproduced for client use.
 
This handbook explains the emerging dispute resolution model of collaborative law that is helping family lawyers bring their clients through the divorce passage with integrity and satisfaction. The author describes how this approach engages the problem-solving skills of lawyers to achieve settlements that appropriately customise outcomes in the way that few courts are able to achieve. Pauline H. Tesler explains the goals of collaborative law and elaborates on the various stages of a collaborative representation. She covers a number of concepts, techniques and approaches. Other chapters cover the unique ethical considerations for collaborative lawyers, how to develop and market a collaborative law practice, identifying and planning for the key moments in a collaborative representation, and an array of published and online resources for both lawyers as well as clients in this area of family law. Clear, complete and well-crafted documents that explain the responsibility of each party are essential in collaborative representation. This text provides the purpose behind each of these documents as well as sample forms ready to be adapted to your own use.
An accompanying diskette contains the volume's sample forms. These documents include a phone screen form, sample letters, a sample collaborative retainer agreement, principles and guidelines for the practice of collaborative law, wording about collaborative representation and future dispute resolution to include in marital settlement agreements, withdrawal and termination notices, and a client evaluation form. The manual also includes a handbook which is designed to orient clients to the collaborative process. This handbook for clients is also included on the diskette and may be reproduced for client use.