Volunteers needed: note-takers in collaborative matters

Learn through being a note-taker in collaborative matters

Have you done the collaborative training? Want to get some experience in collaborative practice?

Become a volunteer note-taker to record the meetings and prepare the minutes. This is a win for:

• You as you have an opportunity to see real-life (warts and all) collaborative practice from a ring-side seat;
• The lawyers, as they can fully participate in the meeting without pausing to record notes;
• Clients, as their lawyers are more present, and they have a neutral person recording the meetings.

Here’s what note-takers have said so far:

“Note-taking was an invaluable experience for me as a practitioner. I was able to observe first hand, the interaction between the two separating parties and their respective legal practitioners in a controlled and resolution focussed environment.

Being an experienced family law practitioner with somewhat limited experience in Collaborative Law, the ability to observe and to take notes allowed me to have a sense of involvement and understanding of Collaborative Law, but without the responsibility or pressures of having my client present for my first collaboration.

I feel much more confident in running a Collaborative Law matter now that I’ve seen and participated in one.”

— Daniel Rod, Senior Solicitor, Farrar Gesini Dunn

“It was a great practical opportunity to watch a collaborative law meeting unfold. For me, collaborative law was a difficult process to appreciate when I was used to the traditional approach. Being able to participate as a note taker in a meeting, provided me with clarity as to the collaborative law process and helped me identify what types of personalities and relationship types might be appropriate for the collaborative process. ”

— Michelle Curtis, Solicitor Southern Waters Legal

“Being a minute taker in this collaborative matter not only provided valuable insights as to the intricacies and different styles of the role of Collaborative Coach (compared to the role of mediator) but also reaffirmed the benefits of replacing ‘the war of correspondence’ with Minutes and the many benefits of resolving family law matters through an interdisciplinary collaborative practice approach. Thank you to the collaborative professionals in this matter for this opportunity!”

— Fiona Kirkman, Principal  Kirkman Family Law

“I gained a “behind the scenes” perspective as to how different lawyers approach matters. It is refreshing to be afforded the opportunity to watch two people sit with their legal representatives and hash out how a matter can be resolved in an alternative and more harmonious way. I was able to watch the dynamics of everyone sitting in a room and learnt a lot about body language cues and the like. I truly believe that people can consciously uncouple without fighting tooth and nail and that is better for the mental health of the profession moving forward and simply society as a whole.”

— Kalisha Martin, Solicitor, Southern Waters Legal

“The benefit is invaluable – experiencing a collaborative matter first hand is extremely helpful. While in training you get an idea how a collaborative matter runs in theory, it is most helpful to witness and be involved in it. You have the benefit of not being aligned with any side – you’re a middle man which also helps follow and focus on the process holistically.”

— Carly Mirza-Price,  Senior Associate,  Mills Oakley

Please contact Sam [email protected] if you wish to volunteer as a note taker.