Finding a "Real" Collaborative Professional

For clients, and collaborative professionals, this morning I received a note from the IACP advising that they have received information that IACP members are being solicited to advertise in an on-line directory with Mediate.com and CollabLaw.com.  A copy of the notice is as follows:

Dear Robert,

We have just learned that many IACP members have been or may yet be contacted by Mediate.com/CollabLaw.com with a commercial solicitation for placement in an on-line directory ostensibly dedicated to Collaborative Practice. Please be assured that IACP did not release your name or contact information and had no involvement with or consultation into the content of this offer or this directory. IACP will never release your name or contact information for any purpose to any vendors. Unsolicited commercial email can be reported as "spam" to the marketing company through which the e-mail was distributed.

We are concerned regarding this directory as it apparently lists anyone who has paid the fee to be included, whether that professional actually offers Collaborative Practice services or not. There are many services divorcing couples could consider. And, we believe the professional community who serves these couples owes them clear information. Advertising oneself as a Collaborative practitioner when, in fact, one does not offer Collaborative Practice services is misleading to the public and does a disservice to consumers who are sorting through complex issues during troubled times.

We urge IACP members to be very clear in all the ways and through all the means by which you educate the public about Collaborative Practice.

With best regards,

Lynda Robbins, President

Talia Katz, Executive Director

The concern raised is that there is no need to verify training in Collaborative Law to belong to the service, such that those coming to the site should be aware that these sites do not necessarily guarantee that the person being contacted is, in fact, fully trained in the process.

As such, while lawyers, financial professionals, or mental health professionals are free to use the service, if desired, those who are seeking to find someone to assist them in Collaborative Law may be advised to either search for practitioners under the IACP website, found here:

http://www.collaborativepractice.com/_loc.asp

Or, alternatively, search their local area for their State or Provincial Organizations who may have  a similar list of TRAINED collaborative professionals, which, for Alberta can be found here:

http://www.collaborativepractice.ca/find-a-professional/

Collaborative work is not easy, and it's not simply a matter of trying to be amicable.  Many practitioners have taken many hours of training, beyond simple interest-based negotiation - and those seeking out Collaborative Professionals are well advised to take care in seeking out the most qualified professionals possible.