Collaborative Law

Collaborative Law (also called Collaborative Divorce or Collaborative Practice) keeps families out of court. It encourages cooperation as people agree to work respectfully together for the best interests of each member of the family, assisted by trained professionals.

Collaborative Law Benefits

  • Cooperative environment where communication remains open.
  • Establishes a team instead of creating opponents.
  • Helps shorten the duration of the case and usually reduces the overall expense.
  • Allows you to control the process. Instead of lawyers and judges deciding your future, you and your spouse are the primary decision-makers.
  • Encourages compliance since you and your spouse shape the agreements together.
  • Drastically reduces the fear and anxiety associated with court proceedings.
  • Where there are children, collaborative law models healthy resolution.
  • Is powerful and effective.

Holly is committed to helping families find the best resolutions possible. She is an experienced collaborative attorney with substantial collaborative, mediation and conflict resolution training. She is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and holds or has held leadership positions in various collaborative law organizations including Vice-President of King County Collaborative Law (formerly Washington Collaborative Law and Northwest Collaborative Divorce); Secretary for the Family Law Practice Group of KCCL; and Co-Chair of the King County Bar Association Collaborative Law Section. She is a founding member of other collaborative organizations including Eastside Collaborative Family Law, and the Northwest Institute of Collaborative Practice. She is a trainer, presenter and author on collaborative law and mediation/interest-based negotiations. Holly and her assistant, Maggie, look forward to guiding you and your family through your life transition.

Collaborative Law Resources:

International Academy of Collaborative Professionals- Find collaborative professionals anywhere in the world, and learn about collaborative law
(http://www.collaborativepractice.com)

King County Collaborative Law- Find other King County collaborative professionals
(http://www.kingcountycollab.org)

USA Today Article About Collaborative Divorce
(http://www.hhattorney.com/images/documents/gentler_ways_to_divorce.pdf)

WBUR & NPR's On Point Radio Program Episode on Collaborative Divorce.
(http://archives.onpointradio.org/shows/2008/06/20080612_b_main.asp)

Collaborative Financial Specialist, John L. Twitchell- works with collaborative clients and their lawyers to help co-create financial options
(http://www.financialsettlementsolutions.com)

Facts and Questions About Collaborative Law- IACP
(http://www.collaborativepractice.com/_FAQs.asp)

ABA Handbook for Clients on Collaborative Law
(http://www.hhattorney.com/images/documents/aba_cl_handbook.pdf)

Collaborative Professionals of Washington (CPW) (www.CollaborativePracticeWashington.com)

Eastside Collaborative Family Law (http://www.eastsidecollaborativefamilylaw.org)