Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cookies

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cookies

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cookies

I practice mediative divorce law. What exactly does it mean to be mediative? Glad you asked. Mediative is an approach and a mindset to know that our first goal is to collaborate and work with the other side, cooperatively. You can’t always do it, but you should start out with that intention. That’s important because for the family, for your family, being mediative allows you to maintain a sense of respect for the other person. This is important especially if you have children. Think about how your children feel about your divorce; think about how your children can feel if they are aware that you’re going through this process still respecting their other parent. Listen, when a couple goes through a divorce to dissolve their marriage, it’s unrealistic to expect them to get along all of the time or even in some cases much of the time. And really, they don’t need to get along in every area. But when there are children involved, those two people are going to be connected and making joint decisions affecting their children for many years. Especially then, you want to be able to make decisions in as much harmony as possible. It makes the road less bumpy and the outcomes easier to achieve and live. Plus, all throughout their lives, no matter their age even as adults, those children are going to feel the effects of your relationship, just like they did when you were married. It helps to reduce the stress and tension during a challenging period of time. Taking a mediative approach can reduce stress tremendously. You can breathe through your process easier. You may be mad. You may be hurt. There may be unforgivable things that occurred between you which led to this break-down in the relationship. None of that matters. Once you decide to divorce, I say do it with as much dignity and respect for the other person as possible – and if not for them because that respect is not always reciprocated, then for yourself. You don’t need to look back on this period of time and wish you’d handled it with more grace.

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Welcome to Transitions Legal!

Welcome to Transitions Legal!

Welcome to Transitions Legal!

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I was very deliberate in choosing the new name for my law firm –  Transitions Legal.

As in any business branding exercise, I worked with my public relations/marketing consultant to look for the right words to reflect the values and services my business has to offer. The name of a business should tell you more than just what it does or who it is – it should be iconic, something that builds brand awareness and leaves a lasting impression that stands out from the crowd of competitors.

Although not necessarily the “norm” for law firms, this concept struck a chord with me, and I hope that’s what happens with my brand.

As a divorce attorney and mediator with more than two decades of legal experience, I want my clients to know that I am here for them through the major, and sometimes tumultuous, transition of life we call “divorce.” And, I can and will help them emerge on the other side intact, confident and eyes-forward.

I didn’t go to law school thinking divorce would be my specialty. But because of some formative experiences with divorce, a neighbor whose compassionate approach to family law inspired me, and a natural proclivity to wanting to help others, I ended up gravitating toward this niche.

I’m glad I did. It is incredibly satisfying for me to work with someone during their hour of need and see them emerge strong from a challenging time. My main work is not just to make a divorce happen; it’s to empower my clients to move forward in their lives.

The renowned Austrian composer Gustav Mahler once said, “The real art of conducting consists in transitions.”

It’s easy to play the notes in front of you and to continue with a movement that has a familiar flow.

It’s another thing altogether to seamlessly shift from loud to soft, big music to subtle music. What happens in between misery and joy can make all the difference.

And that’s what I do every day.

In my practice, I always felt like I was helping families in transition move from one phase of life to another but I never put this message out there. It’s important for people to know that going through a divorce is a transition – for them and for their family – not an end but the beginning of a new movement that they alone can compose, as beautifully and inspiring as they see fit.

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