Released on: March 21, 2008, 2:50 pm

Press Release Author: Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation, Inc.

Industry: Law

Press Release Summary: Mediators and collaborative law practitioners: Get fresh
perspectives on mediation and collaborative practice--and learn creative ways to use
both methods to resolve client disputes. Let dispute resolution pros Lynda Robbins
and Karen Levitt show you how!

Press Release Body: Chelmsford, Massachusetts-Join the Massachusetts Council on
Family Mediation on Wednesday, April 9 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wellesley Free
Library for a special workshop, \"ADR Professions Colliding: Addressing the Tension
Between Mediation and Collaborative Practice." Mediators and collaborative law
professionals Lynda Robbins and Karen Levitt will share ways to use the best of both
worlds to resolve client disputes.

Mediation and collaborative practice have met in the world of alternative dispute
resolution, and the result has been some confusion (and controversy) regarding the
relationship between the two. This program will explore the resulting tensions and
the role of the professionals in each process. Participants will also get tips on
how to introduce both concepts to clients and how practitioners can work together to
resolve client disputes.

Lynda J. Robbins practices collaborative family law and mediation in Chelmsford,
Massachusetts. Robbins is president of the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation
and a former president of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council, where she
presently serves as clerk. Robbins also serves on the IACP Board of Directors and is
a member of the Merrimack Valley Mediators Group, ACR and AFCC. She has extensive
training and experience in both mediation and collaborative practice.

Karen J. Levitt, principal of the Levitt Law Group in Lowell, Massachusetts, is a
collaborative attorney and mediator. She is the immediate past president of the
Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council and continues to serve on the board. She is
also chair of MCLC's Advisory Committee and co-chair of the Special Projects
Committee. Levitt is a former member of the board of MCFM and currently serves on
the Massachusetts Trial Court Standing Committee on Dispute Resolution and the MBA
ADR Committee. She has extensive experience in collaborative practice, mediation and
litigation.

\"Mediation and collaborative practice are ideal partners," says Robbins. "Both share
the goal of assisting clients in crafting their own resolution to disputes. Although
the roles of mediator and collaborative professional are different, both
practitioners have common skills and interests. This program will explore that
common ground."

Levitt agrees that these two dispute resolution approaches can be a powerful
combination. "The integration of mediation and collaborative law brings alternative
dispute resolution to a higher level-mediation can be a critical part of the
collaborative process and vice-versa. We're excited to share ways to creatively use
both processes."

For more information, contact MCFM at 781-449-4430 or masscouncil@mcfm.org.


* * *

About the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation, Inc.:

MCFM is a nonprofit organization established more than 25 years ago by family
mediators interested in sharing knowledge and setting guidelines for family
mediation. MCFM is the oldest professional organization in Massachusetts dedicated
to family mediation.

MCFM serves the public and its members by

-- Providing information about divorce and family mediation
-- Maintaining a mediator referral directory
-- Publishing the "Family Mediation Quarterly"
-- Providing continuing education to divorce mediators and other professionals
-- Setting standards to guide the professional practice of mediation
-- Offering a certification program for qualified members

MCFM's Web address is http://www.mcfm.org. The council can be reached by phone at
781-449-4430 or by e-mail at masscouncil@mcfm.org.


Web Site: http://www.mcfm.org

Contact Details: Lynda Robbins, President
978-256-8178
masscouncil@mcfm.org