By SANDRA K. REABUCK
Knowing that family and divorce cases can end up in bitter legal fights, seven Cambria County lawyers have joined in a new approach to settling those cases amicably.
Their aim is to ease stress on families and cut costs.
The group, known as the Alleghenies Region Collaborative Caucus, actually could end up representing opposing parties in family law cases.
The goal is to resolve the cases outside the courtroom while working with trained professionals in various aspects of family life.
As more lawyers receive the training, they can join the caucus, Johnstown lawyer Linda Rovder Fleming said.
In addition to Fleming, the lawyers in the caucus are Michael Carbonara, Daniel Hill, Pamela Mayer, James Pappas, Randi Silverman and Michelle Tokarsky, all with law offices in the Johnstown area.
All will continue to have private practices.
They received training in the collaborative law approach during a two-day session in Pittsburgh sponsored by the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.
Sherri Slovin of Cincinnati, a lawyer and the academy president, was the seminar leader.
“The goal is to work as a team to provide positive solutions for families going through difficult times,” Fleming said.
“The attorneys and parties work together to prioritize the needs of the family and share information to resolve legal, emotional and financial issues outside the courtroom.”
