November 2007

The IACP forum in Toronto attracted more than 500 collaborative law professionals from around the world.

Here's just a few of the highlights...

IACP Collaborative Practice Cumulative Results are in for the period October 16th, 2006 – October 15th, 2007. As you know, the IACP Research Committee has worked tirelessly to develop a research study. IACP members have been able to enter data for collaborative cases online and that information has then been used to develop surveys of local communities, states and countries. There have been enough responses to give you results from TX, NY and MN. Here is a quick glimpse of some interesting facts pulled from the MN survey:

-54 cases were submitted during this time period
-28% of the cases involved only lawyers, while 72% were Team or Referral model
-Mean age of clients: 44-45 years old
-Average number of children involved: 2.1
-47% of the cases were completed in 5-8 months

Want to hear more about average income, education level, estate size, outcome, difficulty of case and average cost? Linda Wray will be sharing these numbers with us at the Annual Meeting on December 6th.

IACP rolled out their new website and Online Store. The store contains easy access to brochures and logo items including, mugs, pens, golf ball markers, lapel pins, luggage tags, watches and many apparel choices. We will have a few sample pieces that will be given away at our Annual Meeting. Visit collaborativepractice.com to see the new website. To access the Online store, you will need to log in as a member and then look for the link.

This was the 8th Annual Forum, and attracted professionals from around the world, including England, Scotland, Ireland, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany and Australia. Next year's forum will be located in New Orleans. The 10th Annual Forum (in 2009), will be right here in good 'ole Minnesota.

Last spring, the 1st European Collaborative Conference was held in Vienna, Austria. The 2nd European Conference will be held in Cork, Ireland, May 2nd-3rd. I will bring invitations for the Ireland conference with me to the Annual Meeting, if you are interested in learning more.

Lastly, and most importantly, I'd like to recognize the 2008 IACP President, Ron Ousky. Ron, we thank you for all your passion and dedication to the collaborative movement both locally and internationally!

See you at the Annual Meeting.
Submitted by Amy Wolff, Co-President

Interested in Serving on the CLI Board of Directors?

We will be voting for three new Board members at our annual meeting. There are two spots open for attorneys and one for a mental health or financial professional. The term is for 3 years. The Board meets monthly, the first Tuesday of every month, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. We are seeking enthusiastic, dedicated, hard working professionals to help lead the committees and initiatives. If you are interested in serving, or learning more, please contact Amy Wolff at 952-405-2000 or at amy@ajwfinancial.com. She can provide details and make sure your name gets on the ballot!

Ann Schaibley is our incoming CLI-MN President for 2008. She is sure to continue to bring energy and positive leadership to the Board meetings, and in all the other areas she impacts!

Board Strategic Planning Meeting is set for Friday, December 14th

The Board will be reviewing the current strategic plan, determining the mission for 2008 and reviewing policy. We want to know what is important to our membership, and we value your input. Please contact Judy Johnson, Amy Wolff, or Ann Schaibley if you have thoughts or concerns which you would like to have addressed.

Need a Refresher on Membership Requirements?

Training Credits:
Attend core training during the first year of your membership and attend annually the equivalent of six credits of training sponsored by Collaborative Law Institute, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), or another Collaborative group, mediation training, or other training approved by the Board. As of 2007, you may carryover 6 credits to the next calendar year.

Activity Credits:
Attend on an annual basis, 4 hours of meetings and/or activities, which may include regional group gatherings, committee meetings, annual meeting and CLI-partner sponsored educational meetings.

IACP Membership:
Be a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (group discounted rate of $95/year). Go to collaborativepractice.com to sign up.

Wondering How Many Credits You Have Acquired for 2007?

Here is an overview of events for 2007, and corresponding training and activity requirements.

Here is the 2008 Annual Renewal Affidavit

To renew your membership, please print out, complete and return along with a check, or turn in at the annual meeting.