Hi Brad:
Responding in ALL CAPS with my input.
In a message dated 7/18/01 10:40:22 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
brad.hunter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
<<
I am seeking help in two areas, which I now think are vital to us. The
first is marketing and public education. Can we get advice as to the best
approaches for promoting collaborative law.
THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES AS TO THE "BEST" APPROACHES, BUT HERE ARE A FEW THAT
WERE SUCCESSFUL FOR OUR GROUP, COLLABORATIVE LAWYERS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA,
www.collaborativeattorneys.com:
1. PRESS RELEASE TO ALL OF THE NEWSPAPERS READ IN YOUR AREA
2. PERSONAL APPEARANCES ON LOCAL CALL-IN DRIVE RADIO SHOWS
3. SPEAK TO ANY AND ALL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS WHO MEET REGULARLY ON A WEEKLY
OR MONTHLY BASIS
4. SPEAK AT YOUR GENERAL LOCAL BAR ASSOCIATION MEETING, NOT JUST THE FAMILY
LAW SECTION
5. PLACE YOUR BROCHURES IN OFFICES RELATED IN ANY REMOTE WAY TO
FAMILY MATTERS WHO WILL ALLOW IT--INVEST IN THOSE NICE LUCITE BROCHURE HOLDERS
6. "ALLOW" THE NEWSPAPERS TO DO AN ARTICLE ON YOUR RECENTLY FORMED GROUP
7. GET YOUR GROUP WEBSITE UP AND RUNNING ASAP
We would appreciate, if possible, to get some information about
who are the best people to market to, what do they want to know, and any
general advice. We will market other lawyers and our clientele and specific
people in the "helping professions". How should we promote collaborative
law?
THE BEST PEOPLE TO MARKET TO WOULD BE ALL OF THE PEOPLE, ANYONE, ANYWHERE,
ANYTIME, BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH EVERYONE DOES NOT DIVORCE, EVERYONE IS AFFECTED
BY DIVORCE IN SOME WAY, SHAPE OR FORM THROUGH FAMILY, FRIENDS, BUSINESS, ETC.
DON'T FORGET TO INCLUDE INSURANCE AGENTS, REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS, LARGE
AND SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS. BE CREATIVE--THERE MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
SPEAK AT VARIOUS SCHOOLS IN YOUR AREA, JUST TO LET FOLKS OUT THERE KNOW THAT
THERE ARE LAWYERS NOT GOING TO COURT AND FOR GOOD REASON!!
WITH A MARKETING BUDGET, YOU MIGHT CONSIDER A SHORT DOCUMENTARY THAT COULD BE
PRESENTED AND COPIES GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC, FOR EXAMPLE EMPLOYERS. PEOPLE
INVOLVED IN AN ADVERSARIAL DIVORCE DO NOT FUNCTION AT THEIR BEST WHICH HAS A
RIPPLING AFFECT IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR LIVES. MANY EMPLOYERS OFFER LEGAL
INSURANCE PROGRAMS FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES--SO WHY NOT COLLABORATIVE LAW
REFERRALS TO A POSITIVE END AT NO COST!! BE CREATIVE WITH YOUR PRESENTATION!
IF YOU THINK A DOCUMENTARY IS A POSSIBILITY, LET ME KNOW AND I'LL STEER YOU
IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
ANYBODY YOU MARKET TO WILL WANT TO KNOW HOW THE COLLABORATIVE PROCESS IS
DIFFERENT, ITS SUCCESSES, REASONS FOR USING THE PROCESS, WHAT KIND OF LAWYERS
ARE DOING IT, WHY THEY ARE DOING IT--ESSENTIALLY EVERYTHING YOU AND YOUR
COLLEAGUES WANTED TO KNOW WHEN FIRST YOU HEARD ABOUT COLLABORATIVE LAW!
The second question is how do we ensure that people actually practice
collaborative law.? It is one thing for us to go through the training and
approach this with good intentions, but how do we ensure that our members
make sure that they actually practice collaboratively.
THE COLLABORATIVE PROCESS IS BASED ON TRUST. TRUST MUST BE EARNED, SO EACH
AND EVERY COLLABORATIVE PRACTITIONER MUST USE POSITIVE ENERGY IN DEALING WITH
ALL INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS. THE TRUST WILL BE EARNED AND REINFORCED AT EACH
STEP OF THE WAY IN EACH AND EVERY CASE. COLLABORATIVE LAW TENDS TO BE
SELF-POLICING IN THAT IF SOMEONE BREACHES THE PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES OF
COLLABORATIVE LAW, THEN THEY WILL BE EXCLUDED BY OTHER COLLABORATIVE
PROFESSIONALS WHO JUST WON'T DO BUSINESS WITH THEM.
REGULAR MEETINGS OF YOUR GROUP MEMBERS TO DISCUSS CASES AND ASSURE THAT
POSITIVE ENERGY REMAINS FRESH ARE A MUST--EVEN IF NOT EVERYONE CAN BE THERE
EVERY TIME. ENTHUSIASM SOMETIMES WANES AND SUBSEQUENT TRAININGS TO REFINE
COLLABORATIVE SKILLS WILL KEEP THE MEMBERS OF YOUR GROUP COLLABORATING AT
PEAK PERFORMANCE!
>>
Hope this helps a bit. Best to you and your group.
linda
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * Linda L. Seinturier, CFLS*
Attorney at Law
1308 Placer Street
Redding, CA 96001
Phone: 530/243-0253
Facsimile: 530/243-5475
*Certified as a Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of Califonia
Board of Legal Specialization
The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity
to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged
material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of,
or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons
or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you
received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the
material from any computer. Thank you.
