CDSOC

Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Orange County

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MCLE

Resolve to Improve Your Practice in 2017: Attend CDEI Three-Day Interdisciplinary Team Training – Fundamentals and Beyond

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Resolve to improve your professional practice in 2017 by attending the Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Orange County in cooperation with Collaborative Divorce Education Institute’s (CDEI) Interdisciplinary Team Training January 26-28, 2017 at National University in Costa Mesa, California.

As an intermediate or senior legal, financial, or mental health practitioner, which of the following are true at this stage of your career?

•    You are tired of the grind of litigation in divorce and civil litigation
•    You are tired of toxic personality clients only interested in going to war
•    You are tired of being the “middle man/woman” and the client’s only resource
•    You want to shift your practice orientation from litigation to collaboration, mediation or other out of court resolution processes
•    You want to spend more time working with motivated, quality clients
•    You want to dramatically reduce your receivables and your professional stress
•    You want to help your client put their personal, financial, and social goals at the forefront of their settlement process
•    You want to improve your listening, coaching, and assessment skills
•    You want to learn new ways to communicate with your clients and other professionals in a way that you can be heard and understood
•    You want to experience clients who value the outcomes of their settlement process choices
•    You want to focus on the end goals, manage emotions, and create independence
•    You want to teach clients problem-solving and coping skills
•    You want to preserve family relationships and lessen stressors
•    You want to renew your enthusiasm for your practice and your career

The Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Orange County (CDSOC) in cooperation with Collaborative Divorce Education Institute’s (CDEI) Three Day Collaborative Interdisciplinary Team Training will provide intermediate to advanced training which will meet or exceed minimum membership requirements of most local collaborative law practice groups. It is also beneficial for practitioners who want to develop more skills and a new understanding of how to support, lead your client, and extend your professional skill toolbox by developing a deeper understanding of informed consent, providing you with best practice forms, and equipping you with the next generation thinking of how to lead clients to agreement readiness.

Whether or not you are interested in becoming a Collaborative Professional, this Three-Day Training will strengthen your skills in Alternative Dispute Resolution, which can help you even in a litigated divorce or civil matter to de-escalate conflict and offer new ways to approach negotiation and compromise.

Don’t miss out.  Seating is limited. For more information and to register, visit https://www.cdei.info/3daytraining.html

Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Orange County certifies this activity has been approved for MCLE credit by the State Bar of California in the amount of 19 hours.

We are awaiting approval from the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists for 19 CEU hours. We also anticipate CEUs will be available for Certified Divorce Financial Analysts. 

OC Collaborative Professionals Share Expertise at October 2016 Events

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Members of Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Orange County (CDSOC) are in demand as professional education panelists and seminar leaders throughout Fall 2016 due to their expertise and experience working with a diverse array of Orange County clients in the Collaborative approach to divorce.

Full trials are becoming increasingly rare in family law. With no relief in sight for underfunded, impacted courts in California, trials can take years to set and families can face exorbitant costs and fees. Clients are demanding alternatives to expensive protracted court battles. As a result, good negotiation skills are now absolutely critical for family law practitioners.

“Our member professionals are considered so knowledgeable in their fields, they are called upon not only to properly educate clients, they also train and educate other professionals to ensure the highest levels of ethics and competence,” said Dr. Carol Hughes, CDSOC member who will be among the lecturers at meetings this fall.

“Orange County families who are considering a Collaborative approach to their divorce can be confident in the guidance and qualifications of our members, who not only uphold high standards in their personal practice, but who are called upon to help Collaborative professionals across the United States in developing the highest standards in this area of family law,” added Dr. Hughes.

Collaborative Practice professional education presentations include:

Attorney Diana L. Martinez will join a four member panel to discuss cultural competency in family law practice in a live webinar format hosted by the State Bar of California Family Law Section on Thursday, October 27, from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. Visit https://calawyers.org/section/family-law/ to learn more and to sign up for the presentation.

Diana L. Martinez and divorce coach Dr. Carol Hughes will discuss “Effective Collaborative Practice” at the State Bar of California’s Family Law Conference 2016 at the Mandalay Beach Resort in Oxnard, California on Friday, October 21. This introduction emphasizes assessing potential cases for appropriateness; training and education; professional team expectations, protocols, and understanding of professional roles; educating clients; and ethically and responsibly assisting clients in a Collaborative Divorce process.

 Divorce coaches Dr. Hughes and Bruce Fredenburg, financial professional Cathleen Collinsworth, and family law attorney Brian Don Levy, Esq. will present a panel discussion titled “How Interdisciplinary Teams Bring Clients to Agreement Readiness” at the 17th annual meeting of the International Association of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday, October 27.

For professionals with interest in learning more about any of these presentations, please visit the CDSOC Events Calendar page here.

 

 

Limited Scope Representation and Collaborative Law Featured at October Luncheon

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Robert Hawley, former Chief Labor Counsel, Deputy Executive Director and then Acting Executive Director of the State Bar of California, addressed members of Collaborative Divorce Solutions of Orange County and guests at the organization’s monthly luncheon on October 11.

Mr. Hawley shared his expertise to a full house luncheon honoring former CDSOC president and dear friend, Tracy McKenney who passed away on September 22, 2016.

Robert Hawley began his legal career as a disciplinary prosecutor for the State Bar.  He then entered private practice for over ten years representing management in labor and employment matters before state and federal courts and administrative agencies.  He served as a member of the State Bar’s Standing Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct (COPRAC) as well as its Chair and Special Advisor, as a hearing officer in the former voluntary State Bar Court, as a frequent MCLE speaker, and as a qualified expert witness in professional responsibility and labor law matters.  Mr. Hawley has taught Professional Responsibility and labor law at various Bay Area law schools for the past twenty-five years, and is currently on the adjunct faculty of Pacific McGeorge School of Law. Mr. Hawley is the recipient of the National Organization of Bar Counsel’s 2014 President’s Award, recognizing lifetime achievement and service in attorney regulation.

Mr. Hawley addressed some sensitive and challenging concerns related to limited scope representation and Collaborative Family Law Practice. Yes, Collaborative practice is an accepted process in family law (both by the local court rules and by the state bar). Yes, it falls under the purview of Limited Scope Representation and, therefore, requires a clear expression of the limits of the representation. Yes, it requires a written and signed agreement to enter into Collaborative practice. And, yes, the disqualification provision is accepted and in compliance with California Rules of Professional Conduct, if the proper disclosures were previously made to the clients.

CDSOC thanks Robert Hawley for answering our questions, for sharing his expertise, and doing it all in such an engaging and entertaining way. We hope his Mini Cooper listens to him soon, at least until his 18 month window expires (a joke shared with those at the luncheon).

This event is an example of the benefits CDSOC provides to its members: substantive training through educational luncheons that give our members tools to implement the same day in their practice. Members also earned one hour of MCLE Ethics unit credit.

If you would like to attend a luncheon and experience the value of CDSOC membership for yourself, contact any board member listed on our About Us Page here who can add you to the Evite list. What a great way to spend a Tuesday lunch hour.