A colleague recently shared some training materials from Bill Eddy, founder of High Conflict Institute. This article shares some of Bill’s wisdom on how to help resolve conflicts by making effective proposals. Setting the Stage Most conflicts, from international disputes to divorces, have been percolating for some time. Someone has done something to someone (maybe […]
As a Mediator and Collaborative attorney, I only work with clients who want to avoid court and resolve their issues themselves, on a mutually fair basis. This gives me a window from which to see and hear many interesting, touching stories of couples who are determined to be their best selves, while at the same […]
No Common Sense, & No Help Here’s my final critique of this movie: a basic lack of common sense exhibited by the various participants. What Were Nicole & Charlie Thinking? How could such empathetic people possibly allow their family to be hi-jacked into a painful, expensive legal process that neither wanted? Why were they […]
It Ignored Current Options for Peaceful Divorce In my first installment, I gave a synopsis of the film and noted the bad, and even unethical lawyering that was shown. Now, I’ll describe more ways the movie failed to show the peaceful processes that are currently being used by a majority of divorcing couples. Collaborative Law […]
Marriage Story is an excellent film with a tremendous cast, including Scarlett Johansen (Nicole), Adam Driver (Charlie), Laura Dern (attorney Nora Fanshaw), Ray Liotta (attorney Jay Morotta) and Alan Alda (attorney Bert Spitz). Now, I want to explain why I absolutely H-A-T-E-D this movie’s presentation of what divorce looks like in 2020. First, a brief […]
On August 19, 2017, portions of Oregon and the U.S. experienced the once in a generation experience of a total solar eclipse. I had reservations at a state park on the path of totality and then a month or so before the event, a friend suggested I come to rural Idaho which was also on […]
Collaborative Divorce Summaries: A couple who had once been childhood sweethearts could not keep communication civil. Tensions increased as custodial issues regarding their five-year-old son arose. The breaking point for the couple led them to Collaborative Divorce where they learned how to communicate with each other to enable the healthy development of their son. The […]
IACP Forum 17th Annual Networking and Educational Forum October 27-30, 2016 Hilton / Lake Las Vegas Several of your Bridges Divorce professionals are back from the world collaborative conference in Lake Las Vegas, Nevada. IACP is the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, an international community of legal, mental health and financial professionals working in concert […]
Your Bridges’ professionals took Veterans’ Day away from their offices to honor vets and learn from and with about forty local collaborating professionals. We spent the day engaged and engaging with our peers. Tonya started the conference with her presentation on What? Why? How? When? The Essential Questions for Collaboration. Dona was inspirational with her talk on The Power […]
Welcome Metro-Parent readers… If you saw our tall, skinny ad on page 19, you’re entitled to a free telephone consultation. Please call 503-567-2848. ~~~ Jim O’Connor, Collaborative Attorney / Mediator 3939 NE Hancock St., Ste. 309 Portland, OR 97212 503-473-8242 Jim’s Website Email Jim
Why do I do this work? I work as a mediator and Collaborative attorney to assist individuals and couples who are willing to work together to achieve peaceful, respectful solutions to their family issues. My practice: I provide free consultations that including an overview of the typical issues involved in separation, and the ways couples can work […]
