CLASP is a consortium of lawyers in Southwestern Pennsylvania trained in a process called "Collaborative Practice."  Used primarily with divorce, this process has the following characteristics:

• Both parties seek an amicable divorce

• Each party has their own, specially trained, collaborative lawyer

• Collaborative lawyers work with each other and with their clients to arrive at the most fair and mutually-agreeable outcome

• Each party agrees not to go to court (if it comes to this, both professionals agree to withdraw)

Because of the non-combative nature of the process, collaborative divorces tend to cost less than the traditional process.

The Collaborative Law Process

Collaborative Practice has been around since the 1980s and is used throughout the country to help well-meaning divorcing couples achieve the most fair, amicable, cost-effective settlements.

Collaborative Law...

• Is a dispute resolution process in which lawyers, trained in the collaborative process, guide and support the parties to resolve their outstanding issues in a mutually acceptable settlement.

• Fosters respect between the parties and understanding of their needs through communication tools such as active listening and reframing.

• Encourages trust through interest-based negotiations with full disclosure in a transparent process.

• Uses professionals, such as parenting coaches and financial planners, as resources to support the parties in the resolution of their disputes.

• Requires a commitment by all professionals to a collaborative solution evidenced by their agreement to withdraw from the case if the parties must resort to litigation.

• Helps parties to generate options that may go beyond the legal model for dispute resolution.

• Encourages parties to resolve future disputes by developing skills for communication and issue resolution.

Collaborative Divorce: A Safe Place
Follow the true life story of one couple as they proceed through their own Collaborative Divorce.