Collaborative Law [Paperback]

Pauline H. Tesler (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1570739315 | ISBN-13: 978-1570739316 | Publication Date: June 3, 2003

This unique new handbook explains this emerging dispute resolution model of collaborative law that is helping family lawyers bring their clients through the divorce passage with integrity and satisfaction. Collaborative Law describes how this approach engages the unique problem-solving skills of lawyers to achieve settlements that creatively and appropriately customize outcomes in the way that few courts are able to achieve. In the collaborative process, fees and costs are minimized, high-quality legal counsel and negotiating assistance are built in, and the ability of divorcing spouses to cooperate and coparent is maximized to a dramatic extent.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: American Bar Association (June 3, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570739315
• ISBN-13: 978-1570739316
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,417,925 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After being a public interest lawyer for poor children I spent some years as a hardball divorce litigator. I learned that 100% of the losers and about 70-80% of the so-called "winners" come out of divorce court disgusted with the process and unhappy with the results. In the words of a famous California family law judge, divorce court is where they "shoot the survivors." In collaborative law and collaborative divorce, divorcing couples have plenty of support and advice from their lawyers in a process marked by integrity and self-respect. Couples design their own solutions, and they are content with the results. I like working this way and I know my work is useful.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Collaborative Bible, November 19, 2003

By 

Gene Seltzer (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Collaborative Law (Paperback)

As an attorney engaged in collaborative practice, I make more use of Pauline Tesler's book than any other practice resource. Beyond explaining the basic collaborative philosophy in clear terms, her book provides the practical, step-by-step tools that a practitioner needs to get through the challenging parts of the process.
Through the book, the collaborative process broken down into key stages with specific achievement landmarks and goals. Detailed forms and documents for the process are provided in the text and on a diskette. It is the kind of book you can pick up before a collaborative meeting to develop a concise checklist to cover.
For me, it's the Bible of Collaborative Practice. Although in-person training is preferable, I believe that just studying this book can provide an attorney with all the basic tools of collaborative practice.

5.0 out of 5 stars transformative reading, January 20, 2004

By 

Susan Hansen (Milwaukee, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Collaborative Law (Paperback)

Pauline Tesler is able to combine thought-provoking theory with practical process advice. This is an indispensable tool for collaborative practitioners as well as fascinating reading for anyone who is concerned about the emotional and financial toll of traditional divorce. Working with attorneys as problem-solvers, rather than adversarial litigators, is a revolutionary concept whose time has come. This book provides expert guidance for professionals and the public about the collaborative option. I highly recommend it!

5.0 out of 5 stars Invaluable Resource, November 13, 2003

By 

Karen A. Plax (Leawood, KS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Collaborative Law (Paperback)

Pauline Tesler's book, Collaborative Law, is an outstanding resource for attorneys interested in transforming the litigious divorce process into a client-oriented, principled, and efficient way to solve the problems associated with ending a marital relationship. It not only explains the principles of collaborative family law but provides substantial guidance in making the paradigm shift to this innovative approach and comes with a disk with a core collection of forms needed to get started as a collaborative lawyer. As a family law attorney for over 27 years and a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers I found this book to be invaluable. Nonlawyers will also find this book helpful in finding a better way to divorce. Collaborative family law is growing throughout the U.S. and Canada--and Pauline Tesler has played a leading role in this through her lectures and this fine book.