What about using one neutral coach? That should appeal in some measure
to the clients because it is one fee rather than two attys fees.
Darcy A. Shoop, Attorney At Law
Stein, Sperling, Bennett, De Jong,
Driscoll & Greenfeig, P.C.
25 W. Middle lane,
Rockville, MD 20850
(301) 838-3228 direct telephone
(301) 354-8128 direct facsimile
dshoop@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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________________________________
From: CollabLaw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:CollabLaw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of sandra crawford
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 1:39 PM
To: cliiFELLOWS@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; CollabLaw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: 'Pauline Tesler'
Subject: [CollabLaw] LOOKING FOR SOME INSIGHT AND FEEDBACK ON WHERE TO
TAKE A CASE
Dear Collaborative Colleagues:
I am looking for input and helpful feedback about how to redirect or
terminate a CP Case.
General Scenario:
I have been working on a Collaborative Practice case since last June.
The couple and counsel signed a PA in July and since then have convened
a team consisting of the 2 attorneys and a Financial Neutral and have a
total of 3 four-ways and meetings with the FN. From the outset the
other lawyer and spouse have openly resisted any discussion of engaging
coaches although there are repeated concerns and fears expressed by the
spouse that my client has an on-going gambling habit/addiction and is
engaged in an extra-marital relationship. There is one very young
child, only one income and the possibility of a removal of the child
from the state post decree. There are concerns on both sides that there
are limited resources. For now the couple remains living together under
very tense conditions and cannot sell their home to generate enough cash
for either to move on. As reported by the FN a large part of the
couples separate sessions with the FN are taken up focusing on spouse's
fears about my client's alleged addiction and focusing on the costs of
the CP professionals and the process. Now my client wishes only to
communicate via e-mail as an additional cost saving measure and both
parties have expressed concerns that communications among the
professionals must also be limited to minimize fees. I have explained
to my client that it is very difficult to conduct confidential
communications via e-mail only and that we committed in the PA to
four-way and five-way meetings and professional to professional
communication and the same are essential to moving the process along. I
feel I am getting no recognition or support from my professional team
mates that what might best serve here is a joint recommendation of the
professional team to coaching in some form - not more lawyering or FN
meetings. My own sense of never wanting to abandon a client keeps me
going along and getting along. However, where a couples' major issues
to me seem clearly to be around working through their fears and getting
help visualizing a new future I keep coming back to in my own thinking
- we will continue to be unable to make true progress without some of
mental health feedback and coaching. Now I have the added "guilt" of
having to be in the position of being the professional who is "plugging
the plug" on the process.
Any suggestion, support, or insight would be appreciated.
lawcrawford@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:lawcrawford@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sandra C.
