Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council

MCLC Annual Meeting 2025
2025-03-20 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Join us for the Annual MCLC Members’ Meeting. This is an opportunity to connect with fellow members, reflect on the past year’s achievements, and discuss future initiatives. Don’t miss this chance to engage with the MCLC community and stay informed about upcoming opportunities!
AGENDA

Zoom Room Opens – 3:50 PM
Welcome and Opening Remarks – MCLC Year In Review
Election of 2025 Board of Directors (see slate)
UCLA Presentation/Q & A with David Hoffman & Devlin Farmer
Poll/Break/Breakout Rooms
Facilitated Discussion about Past/Future of MCLC
Upcoming Events
Raffle and Closing Remark (you must be present to win raffle)

📅 Date & Time: Thursday, March 20, 2025 | 4:00 – 6:00 PM📍 Location: Zoom
Please RSVP and the Zoom link will be emailed to you.

Northern Essex Collaborative Law Group
2025-03-06 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-02-06 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-01-02 16:30 - 17:30, 2024-12-05 16:30 - 17:30 | Zoom
Are you looking to sharpen your skills and connect with fellow MCLC members? We invite you to join the Northern Essex Collaborative Law Group, meeting on Zoom every first Thursday of the month. This is a great opportunity to practice, collaborate, and learn in a supportive environment, no matter where you are.
The group is open to all MCLC members—whether you’re new or experienced, we’d love to have you join the conversation! Check your email for the weekly member newsletter which includes the Zoom link to join.
Please RSVP to Clint Dalton (cdalton@brigantine.law) if you plan to attend.

MCLC/MCFM Member Drop-In Meeting
2025-03-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-02-06 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-01-02 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-12-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
You are invited to the Dispute Resolution Drop-In Meetings for Collaborative Practitioners to meet for informal discussions about cases and practice related topics and networking.

All experience levels are welcome.
No registration is required, but all attendees must be members of MCLC or MCFM.

Please check your member newsletter for the Zoom link.

Tri-River Practice Group
2025-02-20 16:00 - 17:30 | Zoom
Join us for an insightful discussion on Reverse Mortgages!
We invite you to join us for the upcoming Tri-River Practice Group Meeting. This session will feature Luke Centrone, Senior Loan Officer with Cross Country Mortgage, LLC, who will present on the topic of Reverse Mortgages.
Whether you’re looking to expand your knowledge or engage in meaningful discussions with fellow professionals, this is an excellent opportunity to learn and connect.
Check your email for the weekly member newsletter which includes the Zoom link to join.

MCLC Book Club
2025-02-13 16:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
Join Us for Our Next Book Club Discussion!
This session’s pick, Between Mom and Jo by Julie Anne Peters, dives into the emotional journey of a teenage boy navigating his moms’ divorce. It’s a heartfelt exploration of love, family, and resilience.
Whether you’ve read every page or just a few chapters, join us for an engaging and thought-provoking conversation. Everyone is welcome!
Check your email for the weekly member newsletter which includes the Zoom link to join.

Collaborative Connections
2025-01-23 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Register here for this FREE QUARTERLY NETWORKING EVENT!
Join us on January 23, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, for casual networking with Collaborative Divorce Practitioners and related professionals.
Who should attend:

Financial professionals
Real estate professionals
Professional/executive coaches
Mental health professionals
Insurance professionals
Anyone interested in networking with colleagues
Anyone interested in learning more about the Collaborative Divorce Process

Zoom link will be sent to you immediately upon registering.

Tri-River Practice Group
2025-01-16 16:00 - 17:30 | Zoom
PLANNING MEETING – Bring your Calendars and Ideas!
We are looking for another year of Inspiring Presentations! Let us know if you would like a chance to present and/or have someone in mind who may be interested in presenting during 2025.
Check your email for the weekly member newsletter which includes the Zoom link to join.

MCLC & MCFM Drop-In Meeting
2025-01-09 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
You are invited to the Dispute Resolution Drop-In Meetings for Mediators and Collaborative Practitioners from MCFM and MCLC to meet for informal discussions about practice-related topics and networking. All experience levels are welcome. Meetings will generally be held the 1st Thursday of odd months from 1:00-2:00 pm on Zoom. No registration is required, but all attendees must be members of MCLC or MCFM.
Check your email for the weekly member newsletter which includes the Zoom link to join.

MCLC Book Club
2024-12-11 16:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
MCLC Members, please join us for our next Book Club meeting to discuss the book, No Bad Parts by Richard C. Schwartz, PHD. You’re welcome to join us, even if you are unable to complete the book by 12/11. This will a lively discussion on this topic! Check your email for the weekly member newsletter which includes the Zoom link to join.
Please RSVP to Sonja (sstarins@ssjmattorneys.com) if you plan to attend.

MCLC & MCFM Holiday Party
2024-12-05 16:30 - 20:30 | SSJM Attorneys, 629 Main Street, Woburn, MA, 01801
Come and enjoy spectacular food and wine with your colleagues! Bob Jutras and Sonja Starins invite you to drop-in for our joint MCLC & MCFM Holiday event at the beautiful SSJM Attorneys Woburn Office (629 Main St, Woburn, MA 01801). This is an event specifically for members of either MCLC or MCFM.
Please RSVP to Sonja Starins (sstarins@ssjmattorneys.com) if you plan to attend.

2024 Introductory Interdisciplinary Collaborative Law Training
2024-11-13 10:00 - 2024-11-15 16:00 | Zoom
This training is designed for family law attorneys, psychologists, social workers and other mental health professionals, coaches, mediators, financial professionals, child development and co-parenting specialists, graduate students entering the professions of law, finance and mental health, anyone assisting family clients in conflict and other allied professionals such as mortgage brokers, realtors, appraisers, estate attorneys, judges, etc. This training meets IACP standards.

Benefits Of Attending

Learn the fundamentals of the Collaborative Law model and how to apply it to Family Law cases.
Develop results-oriented techniques to help clients reach successful resolutions to disputes.
Identify and implement strategies to navigate challenging cases and to achieve success with high-conflict clients.
Train with experienced professionals who are passionate about the team approach.
Learn best practices for both in-person and virtual collaborative work.
Fulfill the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) standards for a Collaborative Law Intro Training.
Registration includes one year of introductory membership in Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council (MCLC) upon completion of the training.
CEU’s for Social Workers pending.

Who Should Attend
This training is designed for:

Family law attorneys
Psychologists, social workers and other mental health professionals
Coaches, mediators, and financial professionals
Child development and co-parenting specialists
Graduate students entering the professions of law, finance and mental health
Anyone assisting family clients in conflict
Other allied professionals such as mortgage brokers, realtors, appraisers, estate attorneys, judges, etc

Training Faculty
Betsy Ross, LICSW, CGP works with couples, families, and individuals as a Collaborative Divorce Facilitator and Co-Parenting Relationship Coach, a Divorce Mediator, and as a Licensed Psychotherapist in Boston and in Canton, MA. For over 30 years, Betsy has helped individuals, couples and family members to talk to each other more, fight less, and improve their ability to communicate, address issues, and problem solve together. Betsy’s training in three different specialties: psychotherapy, coaching, and mediation has provided her with a large repertoire of tools to choose from when working with clients to improve their relationships. She has served as a consultant and has taught workshops and facilitated discussions in many settings. Betsyrosscoaching.com

Beth L. Aarons, JD, MSW, is a collaborative attorney and mediator focused on helping families navigate the complex family dynamics of divorce and inheritance disputes through dispute resolution processes. Beth is the current President of MCLC, and Co-Chairs the Probate and Estate Dispute Resolution Committee. She also teaches Mediation at Suffolk Law School and has presented at local and national conferences on Collaborative Law and mediation topics.

Jennifer Hawthorne, Esq. is a collaborative law attorney and mediator focusing mainly on family law matters. Jennifer established a practice in 2013, and later joined Skylark Law & Mediation, PC in Southborough, Massachusetts. Her work is firmly rooted in helping families to resolve conflict. She is dedicated to helping clients disentangle their financial lives while also working to preserve an on-going family relationship post-divorce enabling her clients to be effective co-parents. Jennifer joined the board of the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation (MCFM) in 2016 and is a co-chair of the MCFM Publishing Committee and the MCFM Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Jennifer is an active member of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council (MCLC) and is the co-chair of the Continuing Education Committee. Jennifer worked as the Onsite Coordinator for the DOR Pilot Mediation Project in Suffolk County representing MetroWest Mediation Services (MWMS) where she serves as a volunteer mediator and the Probate and Family Court Coordinator. Jennifer has presented on various topics related to dispute resolution and family law through MCFM, the Academy of Professional Family Mediators (APFM), the International Association of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) and the Divorce Mediation Training Associates (DMTA). Jennifer earned her B.A. from Boston University and her J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law.
Justin Kelsey, J.D. is a collaborative divorce attorney and mediator. Justin is the President of the Massachusetts Council of Family Mediators and is the Past President of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council. He also serves as a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution Section Council. Justin is the owner of Skylark Law & Mediation, PC, which is located in Southborough, MA and concentrates primarily on the resolution of family conflict outside of court. Learn more at SkylarkLaw.com.

Karen Van Kooy is managing partner at Israel Van Kooy Law, LLC (“IVK Law – Your Family Matters Law Firm), with an office in Coolidge Corner, Brookline and at The Collaborative Law Outpost in Southborough. Karen is a Collaborative Law attorney and mediator, assisting families through transitions (pre-nuptial agreements, family formation, second parent adoptions, divorce) and with their estate planning needs (wills and trusts). Karen is committed to helping families find the right, client-centered process for their situation, whether attorney assisted negotiation, mediation, the collaborative law process, limited legal representation, or combinations thereof.

Kim Whelan is a CDFA® (Certified Divorce Financial Analyst), mediator, and collaboratively trained financial neutral. Kim has an MBA from Harvard Business School and, after an eclectic business career, established her mediation practice in 2012, earned her CDFA® and was collaboratively trained — with the goal of helping her clients better navigate the financial maze divorce often presents. She is dedicated to helping her clients maintain their financial and emotional integrity for their lives going forward. Kim has spoken at several national conferences including IACP and the Academy of Professional Family Mediators and she presents regularly on divorce financial analysis at trainings and workshops in Massachusetts. Kim is on the board and is Treasurer of the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation and serves on the Membership Committee of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council.
Ben Stich has his own family and divorce mediation practice, Mediation and Family Services. Ben serves as a coach in Collaborative Divorce and has mediated hundreds of divorces, parenting disputes, and family conflicts. He takes pride in helping families stay in control of their decisions while saving time, money, and heartache of contested divorce proceedings. Ben is on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Council of Family Mediation. In addition to mediation and collaborative law, Ben is an Instructor for William James College’s High Conflict Co-Parenting Education Program. He is also a clinical trainer and consultant for MGH Psychiatry’s Think:Kids program, disseminating the Collaborative Problem Solving® (CPS) model. Ben’s blog is chock-full-of information about mediation, effective communication, and conflict resolution and can be found at www.benstich.com.

Please note that we are unable to offer refunds for Intro Training registration fees. Please contact admin@massclc.org for questions. Thank you for your understanding.
