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VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
I am proud to report a success with the first segment of the Virtual Conference held on March 13. Did it go off perfectly? No, but the glitches that would be expected from a first-time event were worked out and the show went on. I received several compliments on the content and overall presentations. Special thanks go Eric Sachs for managing the technology for the entire segment and to Sheila Furr who made the live presentation in Boca Raton happen. We had a nice gathering in Boca with a live presentation by My Exemption Check, and plenty of food, including an entertaining lunch with our colleagues. Gatherings are still available for the final two segments.
The Board of Directors voted to extend the invitation to those who did not register for the entire package to register at this time for the final two segments (April 10 and May 8). Registration will qualify you to also view the BONUS Ethics Webinar to be held on May 15. Attached is the Official Notice from FACP which you should share with your practice group members and colleagues to register. CEU’s and CLE’s are being applied for and are thus far being obtained.
FACP AS THE LEADER IN THE COLLABORATIVE LAW PROCESS
The fact that Collaborative Law is recognized in Florida by Statute and Supreme Court Rule is a positive for all Practice Groups and our members. Being a member of FACP, the State-wide organization, should work to enhance the standing of each practice group and its members. We continue to promote the Uniform Administrative Order throughout the Circuits in Florida and the Comparison Chart with the Circuit Court Clerks in Florida, already adopted by the Office of Supreme Court Administrators (OSCA), on their self-help page. We have an active Accreditation program, only available to our members. We work with the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar as the representative for collaborative law in the State. Most recently we have been able to establish a collaborative sub-group with the ADR Section of the Florida Bar. I am not sure if any of this could have occurred without a state-wide organization promoting these accomplishments. And FACP continues to be the lead promoter of collaborative in the state.
We previously had a meeting with the Practice Group leaders who attended, whereby the FACP Budget was provided and we were open for questions. I do not remember there being any questions, however. According to our Bylaws, the records of FACP are open to its members upon request and we have not hidden anything relating to our ongoing financial issues. I am pleased to discuss the finances of FACP with anyone who cares to reach out to me, so please do so, if you have questions.
In the prior issue of the Pulse #7 in February, I tried pointing out the many current programs FACP is running on a State-wide basis for our members, many of which have a cost factor attached. Yet, I am still hearing questions about what FACP is doing for its members. On that note, please let me and the Board know what it is you are wanting that we are not providing. We really need to hear from you in this regard.
DIVORCE OPTIONS
As with most things, this takes effort on the part of our members to build momentum for this program in promoting alternative forms of processing divorces. We are working with a great core group, but we need additional participation by more members to make it grow more. Please contact Carina Leeson for information on how to participate.
ADR SECTION COLLABORATIVE SUBGROUP
Keith Grossman is in charge of the Collaborative subgroup of the ADR Section of the Florida Bar. Please reach out to him if you wish to become a member of his group and also be a member of the ADR Section of the Florida Bar. This opportunity is open to non-lawyers, as well.
SURVEYS UPON COMPLETION OF YOUR COLLABORATIVE CASES
The responses received from the article by Adam Cordover and Randi Heller that appeared in the Family Law Section Commentator in the fall of 2025 should be enough of a reason to motivate everyone to complete the Survey on your cases upon competition, whether by agreement or termination. Our statistics are vital in promoting our Process. Please submit your surveys directly through the SurveyMokey link found in the members section of the website. The newest shortened survey can be found on our website.
Jeff Wasserman,
FACP President
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