The September Illinois Bar Journal introduces the concept of  “collaborative practice,” a model of conflict resolution that can be preferable to a litigated case, promoting civility, greater control over the process, and more amicable outcomes. This is according to presenters from “The Collaborative Team Process: A Primer for Family Lawyers and Judges,” an ISBA continuing legal education program. The Illinois Collaborative Process Act, which became effective in 2018, legally defines the collaborative process, including: how to start and end a collaboration and the signing of a collaborative participation agreement, which mandates the disqualification clause and good-faith disclosure of information without discovery. The Act also stipulates that a court must approve any agreement reached. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 294 further codifies all of this.

Read the September Illinois Bar Journal’s article, “Collaborative Practice.”