Massachusetts Collaborative Law

Clients' Goals in a Collaborative Case: A Closer Look

Have you seen these goals, "I want the house" or "I don't want to pay alimony"? While they express intentions, they are fundamentally statements of positions that can derail a case. How about these goals, "Joe makes the children his priority" or "To reduce stress"?  One goal contains an accusation and the other is ambiguous. Are these goals helpful clients?  How do these goals inform the decision making process?

We looked at goals generated in dozens of Collaborative cases. We noticed the goals often confused process with outcomes and muddled positions and interests. Thoughtfully generated goals are a good foundation for clients to evaluate and make choices in negotiations.

In this interactive workshop, learn how to help clients develop meaningful, interest-based goals to focus on their priorities. Learn to distinguish goals that express a definable interest from those that state a position. Consider how the professional team works with clients' goals. 

This workshop is designed for Collaborative lawyers, coaches, and other team members.  Participation in this workshop will cause you to think about goals differently.

                                              Early Bird rates expire on February 19--Register Now!!!

Speakers:

Lisa J. Smith is a collaborative attorney and mediator whose practice is exclusively settlement focused.  She has served as the MCLC President and for three years as the MCLC Vice President of Education and Training. Currently, Lisa is a member of an International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) Task Force focused on Practice Groups.  Due her to experience and training, Lisa is a Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation (MCFM) Certified Mediator and has served as a Mentor to mediators at the Community Dispute Settlement Center (CDSC) and as a Mentor to collaborative professionals involved with the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council (MCLC).

Doris Tennant, is an attorney at Tennant Lubell, LLC, in Newton and specializes in the out-of-court resolution of divorce and other family law matters, primarily through Collaborative Practice. Doris also mediates divorces and serves as a parenting coordinator in high conflict cases. Doris has been selected for several years by “Best Lawyers in America” for her specialty in Collaborative Family Law.  She has taught introductory and advanced Collaborative trainings in Massachusetts and other states.

Continuing Education credit for this program is awarded by Commonwealth Educational Seminars (CES) for the following professions.

Psychologists: Commonwealth Educational Seminars (CES) is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to offer continuing education credit programs. CES maintains responsibility for this program. Psychologists receive 3 hours of continuing education credit upon completing this program.

Social Workers: CES, provider #1117, is approved as a Provider for Social Work Continuing Education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. ASWB approval period: 10/15/15 through 10/15/18. CES maintains responsibility for the program. Social Workers should contact their regulatory board to determine course approval. Social Workers participating in this course will receive 3 clinical continuing education clock hours.

Licensed Mental Health Counselors in Massachusetts: As an American Psychological Association approved provider, CES is entitled to grant continuing education credit to Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs) in Massachusetts. CES maintains responsibility for this program. LMHCs attending this program will receive 3 hours of continuing education credit.