Maryland Collaborative Law Association, Inc. Who We Are What We Do How We Work Together

MCLA, Inc. Models of Conflict Resolution Adversarial/Litigation Mediation/Arbitration Cooperative Combination of Models Collaborative Law

MCLA, Inc. Resolution Through Collaboration Standards of Integrity and Ethics The Collaborative Law Model The Participation Agreement The Four-Way Meeting Open Exchange of Information and Ideas The Final Agreement

MCLA, Inc. Applying these Principals To Family Law Collaborative Family Law encourages: Openness Transparency Communication Cooperative behaviors

MCLA, Inc. Applying these Principals To Family Law In the traditional divorcing model, husband and wife wage war and their attorneys become their warriors.

MCLA, Inc. Applying these Principals To Family Law In the Collaborative model, all the family and their attorneys work together to find the best resolution for the particular family.

MCLA, Inc. Who are we? A non-profit organization of unaffiliated attorneys and other professionals Committed to the collaborative resolution of family conflicts

MCLA, Inc. What is MCLA? MCLA provides Public Education and resources for the public and members Training Continuing education for members Social functions

MCLA, Inc. What is MCLA? We work closely with other professionals to achieve the goals of our clients.

MCLA, Inc. What is MCLA? Lawyer Members Admitted to practice in the State of Maryland, for at least five (5) years Substantial experience in family law Received specialized training in collaborative law

MCLA, Inc. IACP Membership (8 countries and forty states) 75 in in in 2004 Approximately 2,000 at 12/31/2005 California – 460, NY – 166

MCLA, Inc. Collaborative Divorce FAQ If I offer Collaborative Divorce services, can I litigate or mediate cases? Yes, a Collaborative Attorney is free to offer a “menu” of services, including litigation and mediation. They cannot represent their collaborative Divorce Client in court.

MCLA, Inc. Collaborative Divorce FAQ How are my fees affected by the Collaborative Divorce Process? Each attorney sets his/her fee with their respective client just as they do in regular divorce cases.

MCLA, Inc. Collaborative Divorce FAQ Is a judge needed to finalize the settlement document? The final document is prepared by either attorney and submitted to the court for approval, just like an uncontested settlement.

MCLA, Inc. Collaborative Divorce FAQ What training is necessary to become a Collaborative Divorce Attorney? The IACP and the various Collaborative Divorce Groups offer the initial two-day training that is necessary to become a Collaborative Professional.

MCLA, Inc. How can we work together? Provide an innovative alternative to litigation for your clients and patients

MCLA, Inc. How can we work together? Work as a team to assist divorcing parties learn about communication, parenting and dispute resolution

MCLA, Inc. Collaborative Divorce FAQ Special thanks to John Faggio, CPA, CFP, Financial Divorce Specialist, for permission to use his Collaborative Divorce FAQs.

MCLA, Inc. How can we work together? Let’s Collaborate! MCLA: Passion for Truth, Justice and Families