This unique new handbook explains this emerging dispute resolution model of collaborative law that is helping family lawyers bring their clients through the divorce passage with integrity and satisfaction. Collaborative Law describes how this approach engages the unique problem-solving skills of lawyers to achieve settlements that creatively and appropriately customize outcomes in the way that few courts are able to achieve. In the collaborative process, fees and costs are minimized, high-quality legal counsel and negotiating assistance are built in, and the ability of divorcing spouses to cooperate and coparent is maximized to a dramatic extent.

The groundbreaking alternative for the millions of couples with children who face divorce each year—couples who want to avoid litigation, but don’t want to give up on getting what they want. Even under the best circumstances, divorce can be marked by a range of painful emotions. But research now reveals that how a couple conducts themselves during a divorce has far greater impact on their children than the act of divorcing itself. Groundbreaking and revolutionary, The Collaborative Way to Divorce is the first guide to the Collaborative process, a nationally acclaimed approach based on the concept that both spouses hire legal representation, yet agree to resolve their differences with no intention of ever going to court. Stressing cooperation over confrontation and resolution over revenge, Collaborative divorce is fast transforming how couples dissolve their marriages, divide their assets, and reinvent their post-divorce relationships, particularly when they have children. Written by Stu Webb, the founder of the Collaborative law movement and Ron Ousky, an early pioneer of the process, The Collaborative Way to Divorce guides you through the steps of the Collaborative process so that you can make better, more informed, and more strategic decisions—resulting in a win-win outcome for you and your spouse.

The Impact of the Uniform Collaborative Law Act provides an authoritative, insider's perspective on the role that collaborative law can play in the divorce process. Featuring top partners and chairs from across the country this book discusses the recent trends in the practice area, including the standardization that the UCLA will provide and the greater acceptance of a non-antagonistic legal process. These top lawyers consider key challenges, such as bringing in experts, working with difficult emotional issues, and cooperating with other members of the team. Additionally, these leaders discuss when collaborative law is appropriate for settlement and when a litigation-based approach might work better. The different niches represented and the breadth of perspectives presented enable readers to get inside some of the great legal minds of today, as these experienced lawyers offer up their thoughts around the keys to success within this ever-changing field. Inside the Minds provides readers with proven business and legal intelligence from leading C-Level executives and lawyers. Each chapter offers thought leadership and expert analysis on an industry, profession, or topic, providing a future-oriented perspective and proven strategies for success. Each author has been selected based on their experience and C-Level standing within the business and legal communities. Book jacket.

"Skills & Values: Alternative Dispute Resolution is designed to give students both theory and practical application for the skills and values which come into play during the various forms of alternative dispute resolution, including negotiation, mediation, collaborative law and arbitration. It may be successfully used as a stand-alone course book or as a practical supplement to a standard text. Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of the dispute resolution process. The idea is to read the material and then test and develop knowledge through exercises and simulations"--

Collaborative Law: A New Model for Dispute Resolution is the most comprehensive book available on this innovative process. Created for attorneys and professionals who want to learn more about this alternative method of resolving disputes, it is filled with practical information that will enhance your understanding and give you the tools you need to successfully implement the collaborative law process in your business. Book jacket.

Collaborative Law began with a family lawyer who was disenchanted with the negative effects of litigation on clients and their lawyers. Out of his frustration, a new dispute resolution process was born. Lawyers soon realized that there are many reasons that the benefits of the collaborative process should be extended beyond family cases. Collaborative lawyers discovered that disputes could be settled quickly at a fraction of the cost of ordinary litigation due to a completely different approach to negotiations. In addition, the process offers a confidential forum away from the courthouse, and scheduling is at the discretion of the parties rather than court dockets. Knowing that the majority of classes in law schools emphasize an adversarial approach to dispute resolution, this author set out to compile materials to teach law and business students about this new non-adversarial form of dispute resolution which focuses on the clients and their interests and concerns rather than the lawyers and the legal system. Beginning with a history of the law and continuing through a review of several forms of dispute resolution, the text then addresses the collaborative process and provides questions and exercises for readers to use in developing collaborative skills of their own.