How tHe Global PandemiC Has imPaCted Collaborative law
Collaborative Law Section
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needed the ability to tactfully step away from the meeting room for private conversations ; and ( 4 ) that the team needed to be able to create the perfect environment — complete with snacks and beverages — to facilitate the proper settlement mindset .
Fast forward two-and-a-half years and videoconferences have become the norm , transforming nearly all aspects of the legal practice . Collaborative law has been no exception . The borderline religious belief in the necessity of the in-person meeting that once permeated the field has begun to wane , and it is not at all uncommon for entire collaborative cases to be conducted from start to finish without the team ever being in the same room . This has certain obvious benefits , including bringing down the costs of the process by eliminating travel time . Even when the team does not agree to meet exclusively via videoconferencing , the widespread embrace of technology allows for a “ hybrid ” approach that can be lifesaver in terms of moving cases along . Where in the past one person ’ s busy schedule could make it impossible to timely schedule the next meeting , now the team can accommodate that person by offering the option to participate electronically . This not only speeds the case along , it helps reduce the likelihood that one side ’ s frustration with the other will derail the process .
This is not to say that videoconferencing is a panacea , or that it is right for every case . Whether and to what extent the team relies on virtual participation must always be determined by the group based on the unique circumstances of the case . And of course , some professionals will
always prefer in-person meetings , believing — among other things — that a collaborative case is more likely to fail without personal , faceto-face interaction . Still , video - conferencing is here to stay and collaborative professionals should appreciate it for what it is : one more tool in toolbox that we can use to help families get through the most difficult time in their lives with as little animosity , conflict , and drama as possible . n
Authors : Stacey L . Hudon and Mark F . Baseman – Felix , Felix & Baseman
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