On July 1, 2020 CHGO Attorney Patricia Susi was accepted as a member of the Collaborative Family Law Association.

In order to apply she first had to complete forty (40) hours of mediation training (including divorce mediation) and twelve (12) Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice Trainings taught by trainers who meet the IACP minimum standards for trainers.

The Collaborative Family Law Association is a not-for-profit organization of independent, unaffiliated, attorneys, mental health, and financial professionals, committed to resolving family disputes through a non-adversarial process known as Collaborative Practice.

Collaborative Practice is a proven alternative for resolving legal disputes, including divorce, with respect and privacy. The parties agree to use all of their efforts to reach a mutually acceptable settlement without going to court. Specially trained Collaborative Professionals, which include attorneys, financial professionals, and mental health professionals, work together with the parties, to collect and share information, and to negotiate an agreement that is best for the entire family, including the children. The parties agree to treat each other fairly, respectfully, and with dignity.