San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/16/2021 -- Leslie Ryland, president of the Collaborative Practice San Diego (CPSD), has an article on collaborative divorce in the June edition of Discover Magazine.

The article explains how the collaborative process produces a peaceful and respectful divorce instead of the "scorched earth litigation" so many people have come to expect.

An attorney with the Schaffer Family Law Group, Ms. Ryland is well-versed in mediated and collaborative divorce. As she explains in the article, this process allows both sides to keep the peace during the divorce.

"The main point I wanted to get across in the article is that collaborative divorce is a calm process. Two adults may agree to end their relationship. But they don't have to lose their minds during the divorce or hate each other when it is over," Ryland explained.

That process includes stating what each side wants and then working to an agreed-upon compromise. Negotiation with collabortively trained professionals is an important part of this.

"Too many people think divorce has to be a war with each side fighting for everything they can get. It does not have to be that. It can calm, peaceful and no one has to fight," she said.

Ryland also discusses how the collaborative process especially benefits children. While minor children can make a divorce more complicated, working together to fashion a solution in the family's best interest creates a win-win situation.

"I am also thankful to the editors and publishers at Discover who encouraged me to write this article. I hope many people read it and realize that they can bring a legal end to their relationship in a calm way," she said.

Visit Discover and turn to Page 23 to read the article.

For more information about Ms. Ryland or collaborative divorce, visit the CPSD.

About Collaborative Practice San Diego
Collaborative Practice San Diego is an association of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial advisors working together to learn, practice, and promote Collaborative processes for problem solving and the peaceful resolution of family law issues, with an eye toward preserving the emotional, as well as the financial, assets of the family. Its goal is to transform the resolution of family law issues through respectful, Collaborative processes protecting the integrity and health of family relationships and eliminate the need of families to resort to court litigation.

Media Contact
Collaborative Practice San Diego
Leslie Ryland/President
11622 El Camino Real Ste 1042
San Diego CA 92130
(858) 472-4022
https://www.collaborativepracticesandiego.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/16/2021 -- Several members of the Collaborative Practice San Diego presented seminars and awards at this year's CPCal Celebration, April 23 - 25.

CPCal is an annual statewide meeting of collaborative divorce professionals. Because of the COVID-19 social distancing precautions, the event this year was virtual.

The seminars started Friday morning with "The Big Rocks: Preparing Parties for Settlement by Identifying Common High Level Shared Values and Goals." This workshop was presented by Shawn Weber and Shawn D. Skillin, both attorneys and members of the Collaborative Practice San Diego.

The seminar description: "In life, there is a temptation to sacrifice overarching principles and values for the minutia. To get as many rocks as possible into a container, one should start with the big rocks (basic principles) and then fill in with the smaller rocks (details and minutia). The same is true for negotiations. Learn how in this fun and interactive workshop."

"In short, we talked about dealing with the big issues in mediation, which are the values each party holds. Get past them and go to smaller issues," Mr. Weber said. "If you can't get the boulders out of the way, you'll never clear away all the sand."

Workshop No. 4 featured Collaborative Practice San Diego members Shawn Weber, Mark Hill. This panel continued a discussion of a couple getting a divorce. The look at this process started at the summer 2020 meeting.

"A major part of this is now the online meeting platform Zoom which was used during the respectful divorce proceedings in this presentation," Mr. Hill said. "Having virtual mediation sessions is something new to most of us and we all need to learn more about it. I expect this kind of peaceful divorce process will become more and more common. One of the unexpected benefits of using an online meeting platform, was that the parties seem to be less reactive because they are usually not in the same room together."

Mr. Weber and Mr. Hill were the masters of ceremony for the annual Eureka Awards. Awards were presented during the Saturday evening social event. Member Lynn Waldman received the honor of a Eureka Award.

Collaborative Practice San Diego attorneys Leslie Ryland and Doug Wolf were honored for their inclusion on the Super Lawyers list.

For more information about collaborative divorce, visit Collaborative Practice San Diego.

About Collaborative Practice San Diego
Collaborative Practice San Diego is an association of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial professionals working together to learn, practice, and promote Collaborative processes for problem solving and the peaceful resolution of family law issues, with an eye toward preserving the emotional, as well as the financial, assets of the family. Its goal is to transform the resolution of family law issues through respectful, Collaborative processes protecting the integrity and health of family relationships and eliminate the need of families to resort to court litigation.

Media Contact

Collaborative Practice San Diego
Leslie Ryland/President
11622 El Camino Real Ste 1042
San Diego CA 92130
(858) 472-4022
https://www.collaborativepracticesandiego.com
https://www.collaborativepracticesandiego.com/contact-us/

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/02/2021 -- Lynn Waldman is one of five people to receive the Eureka Award from the Collaborative Practice in California Association (CPCal). Each year, CPCal honors a small handful of professionals for their outstanding contributions to collaborative divorce in the Golden State.

The Eureka Award recognizes and honors those who "have made significant contributions and demonstrated an abiding dedication to establishing and sustaining Collaborative Practice in California." CPCal gives the award each year to 2-5 attorneys, financial specialists and/or mental health professionals.

Ms. Waldman is a licensed clinical social worker. She works with adults who have children and are going through a divorce. Her goal is to guide the parents through the process and help them remain calm and effective by focusing their intentions on acting in their children's best interests. She is a member of Collaborative Practice San Diego (CPSD).

"The state group only gives out a maximum of five of these awards each year," said CPSD President Leslie Ryland. "For one of our members to receive this award is just amazing. Lynn is certainly deserving of this recognition. She puts in many hours offering seminars and classes to other professionals and people going through divorce. She is a credit to her profession and to the peaceful divorce process in California."

Ms. Waldman said she was surprised and honored to receive the award.

"I look at the others who have received this award before me, and I am awed to be in their presence. This award is just going to make me work that much harder to prove I am worthy of it," she said.

For more information about Ms. Walden visit LynnWaldmanLCSW.com. For more information about CPSD, visit CollaborativePracticeSanDiego.com . Visit CPCal.com for more information about the Eureka Awards.

About Collaborative Practice San Diego
Collaborative Practice San Diego is an association of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial advisors working together to learn, practice, and promote Collaborative processes for problem-solving and the peaceful resolution of family law issues, with an eye toward preserving the emotional, as well as the financial, assets of the family. Its goal is to transform the resolution of family law issues through respectful, Collaborative processes protecting the integrity and health of family relationships and eliminate the need of families to resort to court litigation.

Media Contact

Collaborative Practice San Diego
11622 El Camino Real Ste 1042
San Diego CA 92130
(858) 472-4022
https://www.collaborativepracticesandiego.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/26/2021 -- Members of the Collaborative Practice San Diego recently joined forces with a UCLA professor for a course about lawyers as peacemakers.

"Mediation, Lawyer as Peacemaker, Family Law Practice: A Non-Litigation Approach" was led by UCLA professor Forrest "Woody" Mosten. Collaborative members Elizabeth "Liz" M. Brown, Cinda L Jones, Garrison Klueck, Kamela Love and Frann Setzer also presented during the program.

Those attending learned about an attorney's role as a professional who can broker a peaceful settlement to a situation and avoid going to court. Helping a couple separate amicably is a driving goal behind collaborative practice associations. Training the future generations of attorneys is an important part of the Collaborative Practice San Diego's mission.

"When people can come to a peaceful divorce, especially a no-court divorce, it works out better for all involved. Collaborative divorce avoids hard feelings and provides a fair settlement for all involved. We find it is also easier on children," said Leslie Ryland, President of Collaborative Practice San Diego. "Woody's class shows beginning lawyers every case they handle does not have to be filled with tension and controversy. Given the right help, most people can work things out peacefully. This class shows how it can be done."

The course was well received by all attending. And by the people helping present it.

"I had the pleasure of helping out these last two weeks with Woody's course, Lawyer as Peacemaker, at UCLA School of Law. The students were brilliant, engaged, and truly appreciative of the chance to delve into topics rarely covered in law school: peacemaking approaches to lawyering, unbundled legal services to increase access, lawyer as preventive legal health provider, and many more. They even got to watch a collaborative team in action thanks to Liz Brown, Cinda Jones, Garrison Klueck, Kamela Love and Frann Setzer, who did a marvelous job demonstrating a professional team meeting, client meetings, and an all-team meeting in addition to sharing insights about their roles and practices," said Alison Beck. "It was great to see the students get excited about possibilities they hadn't considered before!"

Professor Mosten is a member of the San Diego Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution and Family Law Sections, SCMA- San Diego Chapter and Collaborative Family Law Group of San Diego and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. For more information about the professor, visit Mosten and Guthrie.

Collaborative Practice San Diego members specialize in settling family law matters through non-court venues. The collaborative is made of lawyers, financial advisers, and mental health experts that may have a role to play in family law matters.

The goal of the collaborative practice is to help families reach fair settlements especially in things like collaborative divorce. For more information, visit Collaborative Practice San Diego.

Collaborative Practice San Diego is an association of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial advisors working together to learn, practice, and promote Collaborative processes for problem solving and the peaceful resolution of family law issues, with an eye toward preserving the emotional, as well as the financial, assets of the family. Its goal is to transform the resolution of family law issues through respectful, Collaborative processes protecting the integrity and health of family relationships and eliminate the need of families to resort to court litigation.

Media Contact

Leslie Ryland/President
Collaborative Practice San Diego
11622 El Camino Real Ste 1042
San Diego CA 92130
(858) 472-4022
nickeyh@ptconciergeservice.com
https://www.collaborativepracticesandiego.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/30/2020 -- Collaborative Practice San Diego members Kamela Love and Shawn Weber are now a team at Weber Dispute Resolution.

The duo will work together in mediation or collaborative divorce cases. As a mediator with more than 8 years of experience in trusts and estates, Love brings a valued skill set to the Weber team. She specializes in trust, inheritance, care-giving and sibling co-ownership of inherited property.

In divorce cases, Ms. Love will come in when children and trusts become an issue.

"I'm looking forward to this. Shawn is a great leader and a tremendous inspiration. I look forward to learning from him and bringing my set of skills to the practice," she said.

Mr. Weber is an attorney trained in family law, mediated and collaborative divorce. He has nearly 21 years of experience working in family law matters in California.

"Kamela is a fierce advocate for children and the rights of people who may not be able to fully speak for themselves. Her experience with trusts, Probate Court matters and jointly inherited property is a valuable addition to the practice," Mr. Weber said.

The pair have worked together in the Collaborative Practice for years, so they know they can work together as a team.

"We are delighted to see this kind of partnership," said Collaborative Practice President Leslie Ryland. "This is a great example of what Collaborative Practice San Diego can do for members."

Collaborative Practice San Diego is an association of professionals involved in all matters of family law. Members are financial experts, attorneys and child behavior experts. The association hosts continuing education credit programs for professionals and seminars for the general public. # CollaborativePracticeSan Diego#Attorneys# KamelaLove#ShawnWeber#ShawnSkillin

For more information about Collaborative Practice, visit https://www.collaborativepracticesandiego.com. For more information about the members and their areas of practice, visit https://www.collaborativepracticesandiego.com/find-a-professional.

About Collaborative Practice San Diego
Collaborative Practice San Diego is an association of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial advisors working together to learn, practice, and promote Collaborative processes for problem solving and the peaceful resolution of family law issues, with an eye toward preserving the emotional, as well as the financial, assets of the family. Its goal is to transform the resolution of family law issues through respectful, Collaborative processes protecting the integrity and health of family relationships and eliminate the need of families to resort to court litigation.

Media Contact
Collaborative Practice San Diego
11622 El Camino Real Ste 1042
San Diego CA 92130
(858) 472-4022
CFLGSD@gmail.com
https://www.collaborativepracticesandiego.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/23/2020 -- The Collaborative Practice San Diego association has elected a new Board of Directors for the coming year.

Attorney Leslie A. Ryland is taking over as President. Ms. Ryland spent the past year as President-elect working with now outgoing President Shawn Skillin.

Ms. Ryland was admitted to the California Bar in 1989. She practices family law with the Schaffer Family Law Group. A Certified Family Law Specialist, she is a member of several other family law associations and is included in the 2020 San Diego Super Lawyers for Family Law. She earned her Bachelors degree from UCSD and her law degree from UCLA School of Law.

As President, she will lead the group and chart a path through the coming year. She will help lay a foundation for those who follow her.

"My thanks to Shawn for helping me get through this past year and giving me plenty of on-the-job experience. I look forward to leading Collaborative Practice San Diego in a way that will benefit all the members. I want to see our organization grow and become a greater resource for family law professionals and the public in general," she said. "Shawn certainly leaves behind a great legacy with everything she did the past year."

Ms. Skillin stays on the Board another year as Past-President, which is not an elected post. As such, she will be a voice of experience for the Board and Ms. Ryland.

"2020 was certainly a challenging year. No one saw it coming. The pandemic forced us to consider new ways to offer continuing education programs, workshops and public outreach," she said. "I am so thankful for the Board's support during the year. We learned. We improved. We made it through. That is a success by any measure."

Ms. Skillin specializes in collaborative divorce and mediation. Her first degree is a BSN in nursing from San Diego State University. She followed that up with a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of San Diego Law School in 1994. She is an advocate for children.

NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Liz Brown is the new President-elect. As such, she will assist President Ryland in her duties. She will also learn from Ms. Ryland as she plans to take the organization's reins in 2022. Ms. Brown is a Certified Family Law Specialist and was admitted to the California Bar in 2000. Her degree is from the California Western School of Law in San Diego.

"I have to thank the members for the faith and trust in me. They believe I can be a leader and I will work hard to maintain that trust. I look forward to helping Leslie implement her agenda. I know it will good for the association and the members," she said.

Ms. Brown was the Board secretary for the past year.

Cinda Jones joins the board this year as Secretary. She will keep minutes, report those minutes to the Board and let the Board know about coming meetings.

A CFP and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, Ms. Jones has worked exclusively with couples going through divorce since 2002. She prepares financial information about the couple, what will happen to their money and assets after the drive and helps them to make informed decisions about their financial future.

"Minutes are important. The Board needs to be able to look back and see what was done and, more importantly, why that decision was made at the time. Keeping accurate and complete records is vital, something I have learned through my years of financial counseling and planning," she said. "Liz kept great records. I know if a question comes up about why something was done, her notes will explain it."

Ginita Wall returns to the Board as Treasurer. She keeps the books and provides regular reports to the Board about the Association's finances. She reconciles financial statements and prepares needed tax reports.

Ms. Wall is a CPA, Certified Financial Planner and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. She was named one of the country's most trusted financial planners for seven years in a row by Worth magazine. She works in family law and collaborative divorce from the financial side, guiding clients as they move forward with separate lives.

"This is quite an honor to continue to be Treasurer. I appreciate the trust our members have in me. This is a responsibility I take very seriously. The members deserve to have an accurate accounting of the money and I have delivered that. Thank you again for trusting me," she said.

New Board members are Shelle Wisdom Lazar and Barry Levine.

Ms. Lazar is a child specialist and coach for the divorce process. Her focus is on the children and making sure their needs are met. She guides parents in how to continue to parent after the divorce.

Mr. Levine is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst and Certified Financial Planner with more than 30 years' experience in financial counseling. He works with families going through divorce to make sure they understand the financial implications and repercussions as well as helping them plan for the future.

"I'm glad the members saw fit to add Shelle and Barry to the Board," Ms. Ryland said. "Collaborative Practice San Diego is for anyone and everyone involved in family law and divorce. We need representation from all the professional fields our Association represents. I know Shelle and Barry are going to do a wonderful job for the membership.

Collaborative Practice San Diego offers free divorce options workshops the first Saturday of each month via Zoom. The workshops explain the basics about divorce and explores the differences in the various processes available to couples who are divorcing. After making the decision to divorce, the most important decision a couple makes is how to get divorced. The public is invited to attend. Registration is required.

For more information about the Collaborative Practice San Diego or to learn more about the Board of Directors, visit CollaborativePracticeSanDiego.com.

About Collaborative Practice San Diego
Collaborative Practice San Diego is an association of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial advisors working together to learn, practice, and promote Collaborative processes for problem solving and the peaceful resolution of family law issues, with an eye toward preserving the emotional, as well as the financial, assets of the family. Its goal is to transform the resolution of family law issues through respectful, Collaborative processes protecting the integrity and health of family relationships and eliminate the need of families to resort to court litigation.

Media Contact
Collaborative Practice San Diego
11622 El Camino Real Ste 1042
San Diego CA 92130
(858) 472-4022
CFLGSD@gmail.com
https://www.collaborativepracticesandiego.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/09/2020 -- Shawn D. Skillin, an attorney in family law practice in San Diego, received the 2020 Eureka Award from Collaborative Practice California (CPC).

The Eureka Award is given each year to someone who makes "significant contributions and demonstrated an abiding dedication to establishing and sustaining Collaborative Practice in California," the association says. Skillin is the fourth member of Collaborative Practice San Diego (CPSD) to receive the award. The others are Mark Hill, 2006, Shawn Weber, 2015 and Meredith Lewis, 2018.

"I am honored and humbled by this award. To be included in the same group as three of my colleagues is even more amazing," Ms. Skillin said. "It is always a wonderful experience to be honored by your peers, the people who know what you do because they are doing it too. They understand the time, effort and dedication that goes into working in and improving this field of practice."

The Eureka Award is not limited to those in any particular practice or career. Previous honorees include members of the core disciplines – mental health, financial, and legal – as well as those who are not licensed in these professions.

The Eureka Award was established in 2006 as part of the very first Celebration of Collaborative Practice in Sonoma, California and pre-dates the founding of CP Cal. In its first two years, the Eureka Award Committee chose to play "catch up" and honored several recipients each year. In 2008, the CP Cal Board chose to limit the Eureka Award to three to five Honorees.

Ms. Skillin is an attorney, mediator, collaborative attorney, speaker and trainer. She views the team approach of Collaborative Divorce as the most supportive, emotionally healthy and positive way for a couple to divorce. It is especially helpful to families with children. When Collaborative Divorce isn't possible, Ms. Skillin enjoys her work as a neutral mediator, assisting clients, with and without attorney, to resolve their issues out of court.

"I know collaborative divorce makes things easier on everyone involved. I believe in the process and I try to help other professionals in the family law field understand how useful collaborative work is," she said. "Peaceful divorce is best for everyone, especially children."

Collaborative practice makes divorce easier on everyone. Attorneys, mental health professionals and financial advisors all play a role in the process. The goal is to find a fair and amicable way to divorce. The state organization, CPC, and the CPSD bring all these people together to learn from each other. Members attend seminars, workshops and even after-hours casual gathering. Depending on the meeting, those attending can also earn continuing education credits.

The CPSD also offers workshops to the general public. The first Saturday of every month they hold a free Divorce Options™ workshop. These workshops are for anyone considering divorce who want to learn about all options available to them. Visit here to learn more and register.

Collaborative Practice San Diego is an association of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial advisors who work in family law and collaborative divorce. Their goal is to make the separation process as peaceful and friendly as possible.

Visit the Eureka Awards to learn more about the awards and past recipients.

About SHAWN SKILLIN
Ms Skillin is the current president of CPSD, Vice President of CP-Cal, Chair of Practice Excellence committee for CP-Cal, a member of Divorce Options Committee CP-Cal, Cp Cal Divorce Options Liaison for CPSD, Co-Chair for The Cp Cal Celebration 2019, San Diego, CA, a frequent presenter at DO, a frequent presenter at Cp-Cal Conference and a former presenter at IACP. She is an attorney, mediator, trainer, speaker and president of Shawn D. Skillin, APC, a legal firm offering "Personalized Divorce Transitions". She is a founding partner of Family Resolution Institute – A mediation Training Institute. She regular speaks about and trains people in mediation. Collaborative divorce, high conflict personalities in legal and workplace situations.

About Collaborative Practice San Diego
Collaborative Practice San Diego is an association of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial advisors working together to learn, practice, and promote Collaborative processes for problem solving and the peaceful resolution of family law issues, with an eye toward preserving the emotional, as well as the financial, assets of the family. Its goal is to transform the resolution of family law issues through respectful, Collaborative processes protecting the integrity and health of family relationships and eliminate the need of families to resort to court litigation.

Media Contact
Collaborative Practice San Diego
11622 El Camino Real Ste 1042
San Diego CA 92130
(858) 472-4022
CFLGSD@gmail.com
https://www.collaborativepracticesandiego.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/04/2020 -- San Diego family law attorney Shawn Skillin was recently elected vice president of the Collaborative Practice California, a state association of people involved in the divorce process.

Ms. Skillin has worked in family law for the past 24 years. She joined the Collaborative Practice California some years ago to collaborate with other professionals. The association has broadened her perspectives and improved her ability to help families work through a divorce.

"I am a strong believer in giving back. I joined Collaborative Practice California to learn and to share my experience and knowledge. I do believe the more you give, the more you will get back," she said. "Being elected president of the group is proof that I have contributed to the efforts. I appreciate the support the other members have in me by choosing me for this post."

As Vice-President, Ms. Skillin is in a support role for President-Elect George Richardson and President Don Blythe. She will help both implement their vision for the state association as they groom her for the lead role in two years.

"I know I have a lot to learn from George and Don and I am looking forward to it. I know they have best interests of Collaborative Practice California at heart. By working together, we can make the association stronger and better equipped to help the members succeed," she said.

Ms. Skillin is currently president of Collaborative Practice San Diego, having previously served as President-Elect for a year. Meredith Lewis, now a board member, was president.

"I thank Meredith for her leadership and the things she taught me about guiding the association. I will be calling on her in during year to get her advice and input," Ms. Skillin said.

Collaborative Practice California is a state-wide professional association of family law attorneys, mental health professionals and financial advisers. Through the association, conferences, meetings and networking, the members learn more about family law in California and how to make the collaborative divorce process easier on families.

"Divorce is hard on everyone in the family, not just the two people separating. Children can be greatly affected. Collaborative divorce makes sure the children's needs are known and respected by everyone involved," Ms. Skillin said. "My parents divorced and I've been through a divorce, so I'm telling you from my own experience."

Collaborative Practice San Diego puts on a Divorce Options(TM) Workshop the first Saturday of the month. Visit https://www.collaborativepracticesandiego.com/divorce-options-workshop/ for more information.

For more information about Collaborative Practice California , visit https://www.cpcal.com/ .

About Shawn Skillin
Shawn has spent the last 36 years dealing with families in crisis. The most recent 24 years as a family lawyer, and the prior 12 years as an intensive care and trauma resuscitation nurse. In addition, Shawn is a child of divorce and has been through divorce herself. This unique combination of work and life experience gives her the ability to see all sides of your issues and concerns, including those of your children.

Collaborative Practice San Diego is an association of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial advisors working together to learn, practice, and promote Collaborative processes for problem solving and the peaceful resolution of family law issues, with an eye toward preserving the emotional, as well as the financial, assets of the family. Its goal is to transform the resolution of family law issues through respectful, Collaborative processes protecting the integrity and health of family relationships and eliminate the need of families to resort to court litigation.

Media Contact
Collaborative Practice San Diego
11622 El Camino Real Ste 1042
San Diego CA 92130
(858) 472-4022
Business Email : CFLGSD@gmail.com
https://www.collaborativepracticesandiego.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/14/2020 -- Collaborative Practice San Diego is the new name for a group in San Diego that has worked for years to help couples divorce peacefully.

The former name Collaborative Family Law San Diego, was changed to Collaborative Practice San Diego in 2019 as voted by the Board.

"We are professionals providing collaborative divorce, a process for problem-solving and the peaceful resolution of family law issues," said President Shawn D. Skillin. "As an association of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial advisors, we work together to transform the resolution of family law issues through respectful processes. Our goal is to bring everyone to the table who can help a couple separate amicably. This is especially important in a divorce where the couple has minor children."

Collaborative Practice San Diego helps facilitate healthy, respectful, fair and private divorces for couples contemplating separation or divorce, with no adversarial court appearances.

To do this, the association brings together a custom team of professionals such as mental health coaches, divorce coaches, financial specialists, and child and family specialists. All these experts work with both sides to find a way for the couple to divorce in a peaceful, respectful way.

Those involved in collaborative practice understand people change and can grow apart. They also understand separation and divorce does not have to be a mean or brutal fight. That a family still exists after divorce, even though it may be structured differently.

When a couple comes to Collaborative Practice San Diego to discuss divorce, they and their attorneys decide what other professionals need to be in the mix. Ms. Skillin said the type and number of experts brought into each situation depends on the couple and their needs.

"We first sit down to see what the couple wants to do," she said. "Based on that, we know what professionals to bring in. Do the children need counseling? If the couple has a complex set of assets and debts, do they need a financial professional to come in?"

Despite the name change being months-old, many people are still not aware of it.

"We just need to make sure people understand we offer the same suite of services and the same level of care and professional assistance we have always provided," Ms. Skillin said.

About Collaborative Practice San Diego
Collaborative Practice San Diego is a nonprofit, multi-disciplinary referral network of independent professionals, trained to provide our divorce clients the opportunity of choosing alternatives to traditional divorce litigation. Its goal is to transform the resolution of family law issues through respectful, Collaborative processes protecting the integrity and health of family relationships and eliminate the need of families to resort to court litigation.

Media Contact

Shawn Skillin
Collaborative Practice San Diego
11622 El Camino Real Ste 1042
San Diego CA 92130
(858) 472-4022
https://www.collaborativepracticesandiego.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/14/2020 -- The Collaborative Practice San Diego, a group of professionals involved in the collaborative divorce process, has elected a new Board of Directors.

Taking the helm as president is Shawn D. Skillin. Ms. Skillin steps into the role of president after serving as president-elect. She is a 1994 graduate of the University of San Diego School of Law. In addition to her law practice she is a mediator, speaker and mediation trainer.

As president, Ms. Skillin will steer Collaborative Practice San Diego with support of the Board and the membership. Her goals include growth, more continuing education for the members and maintaining the professional reputation the Collaborative Practice San Diego has.

"I look forward to leading this diverse group of professionals. I appreciate the confidence the members have in me," she said. "I have spoken to most of the members and listened to their ideas. With their help, I will make the Collaborative Practice San Diego an even stronger organization and one which attract more professionals in the peaceful, no-court divorce arena."

Leslie Ryland is the new President-Elect. She will step into the role of president in 2021. She is a 1989 graduate for the UCLA Law School and in 2011 became a Certified Family Law Specialist with the California State Bar.

As the president-elect, her job is to support the president and help carry out Ms. Skillin's aims and objectives.

"I thank the members for having enough trust in me to put me on the Board and in line for presidency. This is a high honor," she said. "I plan to work hard to increase that level of trust the members have in. Please know that I am here to help."

Elizabeth Brown is the secretary. Ms. Brown is an attorney, 1999 California Western School of Law, and a Certified Family Law Specialist.

"I appreciate the faith the members showed by electing me secretary. I want them to know our records are open for inspection. Some of the things we do and decide lead to legislation or influence legislation in Sacramento, so accurate records are critical," she said.
Ginita Wall is the treasurer. Ms. Wall is a CPA and was named by Worth magazine as one of the most trusted financial planners in the country for seven years in a row. She writes a blog for TurboTax twice monthly, has appeared on nationally broadcast programs and in national financial and women's publications. She specializes in assisting people with the financial aspects of respectful divorce.

"We all know how important money is. I thank the members for having enough trust in me to put me in the position of treasurer. Our members should know that can review the books with me if they have concerns. I want everyone to know we are handling their money appropriately," she said.

Other board members are:

Member-at-large Tina Mears - Ms. Mears is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist and Divorce Coach. In addition she is the Executive Director of Cooperative Parenting, San Diego, co-parenting workshops for those separating or divorcing. She educates parents on how to communicate with each other, strengthen their ability to emotionally detach and think clearly and effectively co-parent their children.

Member-at-large and past-president Lynn Waldman - Ms. Waldman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She is a Divorce Coach and empowers clients by listening to their concerns and teaching skills to cope with the transition of divorce. She also helps clients to focus on child-centered parenting plans.

Past-president Meredith G. Lewis - Ms. Lewis is a Certified Family Law Specialist, and focuses most of her practice on complex property and financial issues. She is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, a designation that enables her to assist her clients in understanding the short-term and long-term financial impact of a divorce settlement.

About Collaborative Practice San Diego
Collaborative Practice San Diego is an association of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial advisors working together to learn, practice, and promote Collaborative processes for problem solving and the peaceful resolution of family law issues, with an eye toward preserving the emotional, as well as the financial, assets of the family. Its goal is to transform the resolution of family law issues through respectful, Collaborative processes protecting the integrity and health of family relationships and eliminate the need of families to resort to court litigation.

Media Contact
Shawn Skillin
Collaborative Practice San Diego
11622 El Camino Real Ste 1042
San Diego CA 92130
(858) 472-4022
https://www.collaborativepracticesandiego.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/03/2019 -- Shawn D.Skillin Esquire, currently the president-elect of Collaborative Practice San Diego, was the keynote speaker at a recent conference on conflict resolutionat a large healthcare institution in Houston. Ms. Skillin's presentation was titled "Understanding and Managing High Conflict Individuals."

The Collaborative Practice San Diego specializes in collaborative and peaceful divorce. The collaborative brings a team of professionals in mental health, finance, family law and other specialties that may be needed to divorce and separation cases. Ms. Skillin often speaks on high conflict issues on behalf of the High Conflict Institute. As such, she is internationally known for her work in teaching people to resolve high conflict situations in legal, personal and workplace situations. She regularly speaks to groups of lawyers, nurses, doctors, judges, court personnel, therapists and others who may deal with high-conflict people.

More than 100 people attended the conference.

"Based on the comments, they all appreciated the common sense and practical tips for dealing with high conflict situations in a workplace environment," she said.

Her comments centered around how to defuse conflict and calm the High conflict person, setting boundaries for high conflict people by presenting them with specific choices appropriate for the workplace they are in. That can be critical in healthcare situations.

"A lot of people will understand the stress and high emotions that come with going to an emergency room. But those same emotions and that same level of conflict can be found anywhere in the healthcare system," she said. "Family can come to a nursing home and get very upset about how they think someone is being treated."

Teaching people how to deal with conflict in the healthcare workplace goes beyond dealing with patients and families, she added. Two employees could get into a heated debate, for instance. That kind of interaction is not good for the business, the employees or the clients of the business.

Following her keynote presentation, she led a workshop on Communicating Effectively with BIFF.

"A substantial part of communication is listening without judging," she said. "Hear what the other person is saying, identify the actual issue by filtering out some of the emotional distractors. When you can get to the central issue, present them with options and the consequences of each option and then you are well on the way to a calmer discussion. "

About Collaborative Practice San Diego
Collaborative Practice San Diego is an association of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial advisors working together to learn, practice, and promote Collaborative processes for problem solving and the peaceful resolution of family law issues, with an eye toward preserving the emotional, as well as the financial, assets of the family. Its goal is to transform the resolution of family law issues through respectful, Collaborative processes protecting the integrity and health of family relationships and eliminate the need of families to resort to court litigation.

Collaborative Practice San Diego
11622 El Camino Real Ste 1042
San Diego CA 92130
(858) 472-4022
https://www.collaborativepracticesandiego.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/09/2019 -- Collaborative Practice San Diego is an association of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial advisors working together to learn, practice and promote Collaborative processes for problem solving and the peaceful resolution of family law issues.

The goal of the organization is to make divorce proceedings fair, private and respectful, protecting the integrity and health of family relationships and eliminate the need to resort to court litigation for those couples considering divorce.

The expressed goal of the team is to ensure that all needs from emotional to financial are met for the couple and their family.A team is assigned to each couple. The team works to find the absolute best solution for all involved.

Recently, one of the members of the group, Forrest (Woody) Mosten, Esq., was honored with a Lifetime Achievement award from the Academy of Professional Family Mediators, APFM, an organization devoted to helping couples with collaborative practices. Mosten will receive his award at the 2019 APFM conference in Boston, Mass., later this year.

"It was a pleasant surprise to be honored with this award. Our group has been a member of the APFM for a few years now. I am humbled to be selected from among my peers for this," said Mosten.

Collaborative Practice San Diego also hosts a Divorce Options™ Workshop on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon and provides up-to-date, unbiased information about litigation, mediation and collaborative divorce processes. All couples and individuals contemplating separation or divorce are invited to attend to get information to help make decisions about property, alimony, child support and custody, tax consequences and to answer any questions.

Collaborative Practice San Diego is an association of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial advisors working together to learn, practice, and promote Collaborative processes for problem solving and the peaceful resolution of family law issues, with an eye toward preserving the emotional, as well as the financial, assets of the family. Its goal is to transform the resolution of family law issues through respectful, Collaborative processes protecting the integrity and health of family relationships and eliminate the need of families to resort to court litigation.

Media Contact

Collaborative Practice San Diego
Meredith G. Lewis, CLS-F,CDFA - President
11622 El Camino Real Ste 1042
San Diego CA 92130
(858) 472-4022
https://www.collaborativefamilylawsandiego.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

San Diego, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/07/2019 -- Meredith Lewis, CLS-F, CDFA and Shawn Skillin, Esq. co-chaired this year's CP CAL Conference, the California statewide Conference for Collaborative Professionals.

The CP CAL organization is a group of attorneys, financial professionals and mental health professionals who are dedicated to helping couples through a collaborative divorce proceeding. The goal of each professional involved is to help the clients negotiate the divorce process in a more peaceful manner and to reach a agreements as fairly as possible. This prevents parties from holding grudges and negativity towards the other which often ends up using with the clients using assets, children or the legal system as leverage against each other. Most importantly, the collaborative process strives to keep the family unit functioning in a healthy way after the divorce.

Hosted in April and entitled Building the Bridge, the three-day conference featured workshops that included such subjects as "Building a Successful Collaborative Practice," by Forrest "Woody" Mosten, JD, "Preparing Parties for Settlement …" by Shawn Skillin, Esq. and Shawn Weber, and "Quelling Family Drama in Probate …" by R. Kamela Laird, Esq., Marcus Hinds, Cinda Jones, CPF,CDFA and Lynn Waldman, LCSW, to name a few. Attorneys, financial professionals and mental health professionals who attended all benefited from all of the information presented at the conference. Most of the workshops provided continuing education credits.

Following the conference, Skillin and Lewis received feedback from the attendees. Both were pleased to learn the conference was a success for all involved. One attorney reported that it was the best conference he attended in 10 years of attending legal conferences.

"Sharon Ellison's workshop on Saturday, Beyond Pitfalls in Commonly Accepted Best ADR Communication Practices, was a game changer. The power and sense of communication that she discussed is "critical for anyone in collaborative divorce, if we want to get better at what we do" said Skillin.

Skillin is part of a live stream show called Real Divorce Talk. She co-hosts this stream with Lynn Waldman and Mark Hill. The show takes topics of collaborative divorce that can be taboo and talks about them in an open, honest way. Additionally, Collaborative Practice San Diego hosts the Divorce Options Workshop which takes place on the first Saturday of every month. The workshop provides couples considering separation or divorce answers to their questions and options that help reach a fair, peaceful resolution. Topics include children, tax liabilities and many other topics that many couples do not consider or know about when considering divorce.

About Collaborative Practice San Diego
Collaborative Practice San Diego is an association of attorneys, mental health professionals and financial advisors working together to learn, practice, and promote Collaborative processes for problem solving and the peaceful resolution of family law issues, with an eye toward preserving the emotional, as well as the financial, assets of the family. Its goal is to transform the resolution of family law issues through respectful, Collaborative processes protecting the integrity and health of family relationships and eliminate the need of families to resort to court litigation.

Media Contact
Collaborative Practice San Diego
Shawn Skillin, Esq.
11622 El Camino Real Suite 1042,
San Diego, CA 92130
(858) 472-4022
https://www.collaborativepracticesandiego.com/

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm