News
BLC Member Speaks on “Alimony Reform in Massachusetts – What Every Financial Advisor Should Know”
BLC Member Rachel B. Goldman presented a workshop on the new Alimony Reform Act of 2012 to the Financial Planning Association’s Massachusetts Chapter on January 31, 2012 at the Natick Marriott Courtyard.
BLC Executive Director Teaches Conciliator Communication Skills and Conflict Resolution Skills
BLC Executive Director Israela Brill-Cass taught Conciliator Communication Skills and Confliction Resolution Skills during the second day of the 8 hour Lowell District Court Conciliation Training at the Middlesex Community College Law Center on December 16. The training was sponsored by the Administrative Office of the Trial Court for new court conciliators.
BLC Presents "The Good Wife"
The second event in BLC’s Film Series presented an episode of “The Good Wife,” devoted to the mediation of a medical malpractice case on January 18. Please RSVP to Annie O’Connell (aoconnell@BostonLawCollaborative.com) for one or both of the upcoming events in the film series that start at 5 p.m. at BLC – we supply popcorn, pizza, and beverages:
February 7 - “High Noon,” with Gary Cooper and Grace Kelley – the classic 1952 Western contains fascinating negotiation scenes as Cooper tries to persuade town residents to stand up to a gang of killers, plus at the very end, some gun-slinging ‘alternative dispute resolution.’
March 15 - “Fairly Legal,” the first TV show about a mediator (played by the engaging Sara Shahi) on the USA Network; we will watch some hilarious and intense mediations – excerpts from the show’s first two seasons – including the mediation of a convenience store hold-up.
BLC Member and Affiliate Present on "The Psychology of Mediation"
BLC's David Hoffman and BLC Affiliate Dr. Richard Wolman presented a two-hour advanced mediation workshop on "The Psychology of Mediation" for the Harvard Mediation Program on December 5, 2011. The workshop focused on a book chapter of the same title that David and Richard have written for a mediation manual that will be published in 2012 by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education.
BLC Executive Director Participates in Peer Mediation Teaching
BLC Executive Director Israela Brill-Cass participated, for the fourth year, as part of a team teaching Peer Mediation to students at Newton North High School on December 6, 2011.
BLC Members Selected as New England Super Lawyers in Fall 2011
BLC’s Executive Director and ADR Program Manager Israela Brill-Cass and BLC founding partner David Hoffman were selected New England Super Lawyers this fall – a list published annually by Thomson-Reuters of lawyers viewed by their peers as being in the top 5% of the profession.
BLC Receives “Best Law Firm” Ranking
On November 1, 2011, U.S. News & World Report, the leading rankings publication in the United States, partnered with Best Lawyers® to name BLC a “Best Law Firm” in Alternative Dispute Resolution and Family Law Mediation. This second issue includes more than 9,600 firms in 75 different practice areas nationally, and 119 practice areas arranged by metropolitan area. BLC is recognized as a Tier 1 law firm for Family Law Mediation and Tier 2 for Arbitration, Family Law and Mediation. The U.S. News – Best Lawyers press release is available here.
BLC Executive Director Speaks About Careers in Alternative Dispute Resolution at Suffolk University Law School
BLC Executive Director Israela Brill-Cass spoke about careers in Alternative Dispute Resolution on November 17, 2011 at SUSL’s Alumni Fall Career Forum. The format was table-talk discussions with students, and the program was sponsored by the Rappaport Center for Law & Public Service and the SULS Career Development Office.
BLC Member Lectures on Collaborative Law at Brandeis University
BLC Member Rachel Goldman lectured about Collaborative Law as an effective conflict resolution process in the Conflict Analysis and Intervention course on November 8, 2011 at Brandeis University.
BLC Executive Director on Mediation in the “Real World” Panel
BLC Executive Director Israela Brill-Cass was one of the speakers at a panel discussion on Mediation in the “Real World” on November 9, 2011 at Suffolk University Law School.
Meeting on “Diversity and ADR: Basic Diversity Awareness Concepts and Skills for Working Across Differences with Colleagues and Clients”
Doug Reynolds presented and facilitated the discussion on “Diversity and ADR: Basic Diversity Awareness Concepts and Skills for Working Across Differences with Colleagues and Clients” on November 10, 2011 at BLC.
BLC Member Presents Workshop on “25 Wild and Crazy Ideas for Breaking Impasse”
BLC Member David Hoffman and Forrest "Woody" Mosten presented a workshop entitled, "25 Wild and Crazy Ideas for Breaking Impasse" at the International Academy of Collaborative Professional's 12th Annual Forum in San Francisco on October 29, 2011.
BLC Member Teaches Collaborative Law to Students at New England Law Boston
BLC Member Rachel Goldman taught students about Collaborative Law in the Negotiation course at New England Law Boston on October 31, 2011.
Presentation at BLC on “Cultural Dynamics in Conflict Communications”
Robert W. Kubacki, JD, MPA, conflict competency coach, mediator and adjunct faculty at Clark, Duquesne and Northeastern Universities presented on and invited participants to consider the role of culture in conflict communication. His October 11, 2011 presentation discussed: What is culture? What is conflict? What is communication? and, How does culture influence conflict communication? This interactive intercultural lunch time meeting included an opportunity to observe cultural dynamics and some tips on how to recognize culture as a dynamic in conflict communication.
BLC Member Gives Plenary Talk on “The Use of the Internal Family Systems Model in Mediation”
BLC Member David Hoffman and Prof. Len Riskin gave a plenary talk on “The Use of the Internal Family Systems Model in Mediation” at the annual conference of the Center for Self Leadership which was held in Boston October 14-16, 2011.
BLC Member Presents Workshop on “Bringing Peace into the Room: Managing Workplace Conflict”
BLC Member David Hoffman presented a workshop on “Bringing Peace into the Room: Managing Workplace Conflict” for the Human Resources Leadership Forum at Bentley University on October 18, 2011.
BLC Member Presents Workshop on “How to Talk to Clients About Collaborative Law”
BLC Member Rachel Goldman presented a workshop with Gina Arons, Psy.D. on “How to Talk to Clients About Collaborative Law” at the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council’s Civil Committee meeting in Wellesley, Massachusetts on October 19, 2011.
BLC Member Leads Workshop on Dispute Resolution Options
BLC Member David Hoffman will lead a workshop on dispute resolution options for the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar, which held its annual retreat in Boston on October 20, 2011.
BLC Members and Affiliate Participate in MCLE’s 3rd Annual ADR and the Law Conference
BLC Executive Director Israela Brill-Cass Co-Chaired MCLE’s 3rd Annual ADR and the Law Conference on October 24, 2011. The Conference included: Keynote Speaker David E. Matz, Esq. who share his experiences mediating and negotiating in the Middle East; a Plenary Panel on Dispute Resolution in the International Arena; a Judicial Forum on the Future of ADR in the Courts; and workshops including Sports/Labor Management Arbitration, Cutting Issues in Environmental ADR, Arts and Entertainment Law Conflicts, and the Team Approach to Conflicts in Family Law. BLC Member David Hoffman and BLC Affiliate Dr. Richard Wolman presented at the Conference and this is the third time Israela serves as Co-Chair.
BLC Attorney Named as One of the Top Women Lawyers in Northeast
BLC Attorney Vicki Shemin was named as one of the Top Women Lawyers in the Northeast by Arrive Magazine. Click here to see the complete listing from the July/August 2011 issue.
BLC Member Speaks as Panelist on Arbitration in Divorce Cases
BLC Member David Hoffman was one of the speakers at a panel discussion on the use of arbitration in divorce cases, sponsored by the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation on September 14, 2011 at the Weston Public Library.
BLC Member Leads Training for Mediators for the U.S. Court of Appeals
BLC Member David Hoffman led a training for Mediators of the U.S. Court of Appeals on September 15, 2011 at their annual conference in San Diego. Hoffman discussed the use of caucusing in mediation and “the negotiation within.”
Training Mediators in North Dakota
BLC Member David Hoffman was hired by the North Dakota courts to provide a one-day advanced mediation training for mediators who handle custody disputes. The training was held on May 19, 2011 in Bismarck, ND.
Training for Relationship and Dating Coaches
BLC Affiliate Dr. Richard Wolman and his wife Peggy Wolman – in conjunction with New York Times best-selling author Rachel Greenwald – presented a workshop on relationship and dating coaching at BLC on June 5, 2011. The workshop was well attended by therapists, coaches, and other professionals.
BLC Welcomes New Affiliate
We are pleased to announce that Jean M. Kolling, Esq., will be joining BLC as an Affiliate on May 1, 2011. Jean is a principal at Lourie & Cutler and her practice focuses on estate planning, tax planning and business planning for individuals, families, businesses and charitable organizations. A graduate of Georgetown University and Harvard Law School, Jean is a trained mediator and is admitted to practice law in both Illinois and Massachusetts. Jean serves as an advisor and board member for several charitable organizations and her articles have appeared in Estate Planning Magazine and the New England Real Estate Journal among other publications.
Cradles to Crayons Celebrates Grand Opening
Cradles to Crayons (C2C) recently celebrated the grand opening of their new Giving Factory in Brighton. As part of C2C’s grand opening, they debuted their new “Everyday Essentials” video. BLC has been volunteering at C2C since 2006 and BLC’s Executive Director, Israela Brill-Cass, is a C2C Community Leader and Champion Volunteer and appears in the video. C2C is a nonprofit organization that provides essentials to children living in low-income or homeless situations across Massachusetts (www.cradlestocrayons.org).
BLC Receives “Best Law Firm” Ranking
On September 15, 2010, U.S. News & World Report, the leading rankings publication in the United States, partnered with Best Lawyers to name BLC a “Best Law Firm” in the country for Alternative Dispute Resolution and Family Law Mediation. The inaugural issue includes 30,322 rankings of 8,782 law firms in 81 practice areas across the country. BLC is recognized as a Tier 1 law firm for both ADR and Family Law Mediation. Rankings are posted online at www.usnews.com/bestlawfirms and the national first-tier rankings will be featured in the October print issue of U.S.News & World Report, which will go on sale September 27. U.S. News & World Report’s press release is available here.
BLC Welcomes New Affiliate
We are pleased to announce that Katherine Triantafillou, Esq., will be joining BLC as an Affiliate on March 1, 2011. Katherine is a family law, probate, general litigation, and civil rights attorney and mediator. A graduate of Suffolk Law School, the University of Michigan and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, she was the co-founder and first co-chair of the National Lesbian and Gay Law Association and the Massachusetts Lesbian and Gay Bar Association. Katherine is a former Cambridge City Council member, and was previously chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities and a member of the MBA’s Family Law Section Council. She has taught law at Northeastern and Suffolk University, and she is the co-author of the Massachusetts Abuse Prevention Act (ch. 209A). She is also the editor of the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education reference book, Representing Nontraditional Families.
BLC Member Teaches Collaborative Law
On March 21, 2011, BLC Member Rachel Goldman taught about Collaborative Law in the Negotiation course at New England School of Law in Boston.
BLC Attorney Speaks on Custody and Parenting Plans
On March 29, 2011, BLC Attorney Vicki Shemin spoke at the fourth session of The Divorce Center's five part seminar series on "Divorce in Massachusetts." She spoke at the Needham session on the topic of, "What is Custody and how do I make a Parenting Plan?"
BLC Members Teach at CDSC's Advanced Divorce Mediation Training
On April 8 and 12, 2011, BLC Members Rachel Goldman and David Hoffman taught at Community Dispute Settlement Center’s Advanced Divorce Mediation Training.
BLC Attorneys Participated in Suffolk University Law School Panel
On April 13, 2011, BLC’s Executive Director Israela Brill-Cass and Member Rachel Goldman participated in a panel at Suffolk University Law School presented by the Career Development Office and the student-run ADR Association. The program involved a discussion of ADR and Collaborative Law and provided insight for students on how to embark on career paths in these fields.
BLC Member Speaks in Plenary Session on Mediation
On April 14, 2011, BLC Member David Hoffman was one of four speakers in a plenary session on “The Mediation Post Mortem: A Model for Enhancing Mediation Learning and Practice” at the annual conference of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution in Denver, Colorado. The other speakers included Michael Lewis, James Lawrence, and Irma Tyler-Wood.
BLC Member Teaches About Mediation and Collaborative Law
On April 14, 2011, BLC Member Rachel Goldman taught about the attorney’s role in Mediation and Collaborative Law in the Mediation course at New England Law Boston.
BLC Executive Director Appointed to Trial Court’s Standing Committee on Dispute Resolution
On March 15, 2011, BLC’s Executive Director Israela Brill-Cass became a member of the Administrative Office of the Trial Court (AOTC)’s Standing Committee on Dispute Resolution. The Committee is comprised of judges, court personnel and attorneys, and is responsible for the implementation and oversight the Trial Court's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) programs. The Standing Committee is undertaking a number of new initiatives including early intervention of ADR in the courts.
BLC Member Speaks on Conflict Resolution at Congregation Kerem Shalom
On March 13, 2011, BLC Member David Hoffman gave a talk on “Bringing Peace into the Room: Conflict Resolution as a Form of Spiritual Practice” at Congregation Kerem Shalom, 659 Elm Street, Concord, Massachusetts.
BLC Executive Director Participates in Suffolk University Law School Panel
On March 9, 2011, BLC’s Executive Director Israela Brill-Cass participated on a panel at Suffolk University Law School as part of the Career Insight Series. The program was moderated by Professor Charles Kindregan and included public and private practitioners talking with students about their professional experiences, as well as providing information about opportunities available in family law and what they can/should do if they are interested in pursuing a career in the field. The program was co-sponsored by The Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service and Suffolk University Law School’s Career Development Office.
BLC Member Provides Mediation Training for ADR Section of the New Hampshire Bar Association
On March 9, 2011, BLC Member David Hoffman provided a continuing legal education training for the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the New Hampshire Bar Association on "The Negotiation Within: How Mediators Can Manage Their Competing Internal Voices and Help their Clients Do It Too."
BLC Member Speaks at The Divorce Center's Seminar Series
On March 8, 2011, BLC Member Rachel Goldman spoke at the first session of The Divorce Center's five part seminar series on "Divorce in Massachusetts." She spoke at the Needham session and the topic was, "What is the process and where do I start?"
BLC Provides Advanced Family Law Mediation Training for ABA
On March 4-6, 2011, BLC offered an Advanced Family Law Mediation Training for the American Bar Association Section of Family Law at BLC’s offices. BLC team members David Hoffman, Israela Brill-Cass, Nicole DiPentima, Rachel Goldman, Don Greenstein, Vicki Shemin, and Dr. Richard Wolman led the training, along with Harvard Medical School psychiatrist Dr. Ranna Parekh.
BLC Member Presents on Divorce Planning at the Raskin Financial Planning Group
On March 2, 2011, BLC Member Rachel Goldman gave a presentation at the Raskin Financial Planning Group in Boston, entitled “Love and Money: The Changing Landscape of Divorce Planning”.
BLC Member Participates in ABA Panel Discussion
On February 19, 2011, BLC Member Rachel Goldman participated in a panel discussion at the American Bar Association First Circuit Student Division’s Spring Conference at Harvard Law School. The panel topic was “Legal Rebels: Non Traditional Legal Career Options”.
BLC Executive Director Presents at Northeastern University Law School
On February 10, 2011, BLC’s Executive Director Israela Brill-Cass presented at an educational forum on ADR sponsored by the International Alternative Dispute Resolution Society at Northeastern University School of Law.
BLC Presents at IACP Annual Forum
On October 31, 2010, BLC Affiliate Dr. Richard Wolman and BLC Member David Hoffman presented a workshop entitled, “The Negotiation Within: How Collaborative Professionals Can Manage Their Competing Internal Voices and Help Their Clients Do It Too” at the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals annual Forum in Washington, D.C.
BLC Member Judges ABA Law Student Negotiation Competition
On November 13, 2010, BLC Member Rachel Goldman served as a judge at the American Bar Association Law Student Negotiation Competition at Harvard Law School.
BLC Team Presents at MCLE "ADR and the Law" Conference
On November 29, 2010, BLC’s, Israela Brill-Cass co-chaired the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education’s second Annual “ADR and the Law” Conference (along with Jack Wofford). BLC attorneys Rachel Goldman and Vicki Shemin presented workshops at the Conference.
Collaborative Law Training
On September 24-26, 2010, BLC Member, Rachel Goldman, served as a trainer for the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council’s three-day training entitled, “Collaborative Practice Interdisciplinary Training: A Step-by-Step Approach to Conflict Resolution.”
Bias at Work
On October 1, 2010, BLC Attorney Vicki Shemin moderated a panel entitled, "Bias at Work - Perspectives from the Bench, in Professional Training, and in Specialty Areas of Evaluation" at the annual conference of the Massachusetts Association of Guardians ad Litem.
Talking to Clients
On October 13, 2010, BLC Member, Rachel Goldman and Gina Arons, Ph.D., gave a talk at the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council Northern Massachusetts Collaborative Law Practice Group on the subject of “How to Talk to Clients about Collaborative Law” in Andover.
ABA Point/Counter-Point on Mediation Caucusing
On September 14, 2010, an American Bar Association continuing legal education teleseminar entitled “Point/Counterpoint on Mediation Caucusing” featured Harvard Law School Professor Robert Mnookin and BLC’s Member David Hoffman. The seminar materials included an article co-authored by David and BLC intern Lily Hoffman-Andrews. Click here for a copy of the article.
Op-Ed on Divorce in Christian Science Monitor
BLC Member David Hoffman published an op-ed piece on divorce negotiations in the Christian Science Monitor. The article, “Divorce is costly – The settlement need not be,” appeared on July 30, 2010. Click here for a copy of the article.
Collaborative Lawyer and Mediator Rachel Goldman Joins BLC
On July 1, 2010, attorney Rachel Goldman joined the BLC team as a Member of the firm. Rachel brings to BLC her extensive family law experience and is a leader in the collaborative law community. She has served on the Board of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council since 2005 and is a member of the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. She contributed to the designing and is on the faculty of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council’s Three-Day Interdisciplinary Training and is also part of the faculty of the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education Divorce Mediation Training. Rachel is an honors graduate of Macalester College and Suffolk University Law School, where she was editor-in-chief of the Law Review.
BLC Member Named in "Best Lawyers in America"
BLC Member David Hoffman was selected for the seventh consecutive year for the book The Best Lawyers in America – he is listed in three categories: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Collaborative Family Law, and Family Mediation. David’s name will be included among Boston’s Best Lawyers in a special magazine distributed with the June 20, 2010 Boston Globe.
BLC Wins Law Firm ADR Award
On January 13, 2010, the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (“CPR”) presented its Law Firm Award for Excellence in ADR at the organization’s annual meeting in New York. CPR is one of the leading organizations in the world promoting the use of alternative dispute resolution.
Spirituality and the Meaning of Work
On April 29, 2010, BLC Affiliate Dr. Richard Wolman led a workshop at BLC on “Spirituality and the Meaning of Work,” exploring our relationship to work and its meaning. Richard is on the faculty of Harvard Medical School and the author of the book Thinking With Your Soul: Spiritual Intelligence and Why It Matters(2001).
Organizational Ombuds 101
On April 20, 2010, BLC hosted a Brown Bag Lunch on “Organizational Ombuds 101: How the Use of an Ombudsperson Enhances the Culture of an Organization.” Several experienced ombudspeople – Melissa Brodrick (Harvard Medical School), Lydia Cummings (Harvard University), and Mary Rowe (MIT) – joined us for this informal discussion. BLC Affiliate Don Greenstein facilitated the discussion.
Boston Marathon
On April 19, 2010, BLC member David Hoffman ran in the Boston Marathon to support one of BLC’s favorite charities, Greater Boston Food Bank.
Workshop on Mediation Caucusing
On April 8, 2010, BLC Paralegal and ADR Case Manager Nicole DiPentima and BLC Member David Hoffman co-presented a workshop on mediation caucusing at the annual Conference of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution, held this year in San Francisco.
The Negotiation Within
On February 26, 2010, The Harvard Negotiation Law Review held a symposium entitled “The Negotiation Within,” and BLC Member David Hoffman was one of the speakers. Click here for more information.
Bargaining with the Devil
On February 4, 2010, David Hoffman was one of the speakers at a Reception at Harvard Law School – along with Dean Martha Minow, Prof. Robert Mnookin, Prof. Gabriella Blum, and Margot Strom -- honoring Prof. Mnookin on the publication of his new book, “Bargaining with the Devil.” For a link to the video of this event, click here.
To Caucus or Not to Caucus: It’s Complicated
On February 3, 2010, BLC lawyers Vicki Shemin and David Hoffman presented a workshop on mediation caucusing for the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation, entitled “To Caucus or Not to Caucus: It’s Complicated.”
Exploring the Crossroads of Diversity and Spirituality
On January 22, 2010, BLC’s David Hoffman presented a workshop in San Francisco on “Exploring the Crossroads of Diversity and Spirituality.” Daniel Bowling, Homer LaRue, and Marvin Johnson presented with David. Click here for information about this event.
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