The District of Columbia Superior Court Family Court has Attorney Negotiators available to assist litigants with reaching an amicable solution to the problems they have presented to the Court. The overarching goal of working with the Attorney Negotiator is to facilitate conversations that empower litigants to resolve their own issues. If the parties are able to come to an agreement on all the issues before the Court, a Court Order will be issued and the case may be closed. As the Attorney Negotiators provide support to the judicial officers assigned to the DR II calendar, the types of matters addressed include custody, divorce, visitation, child support, legal separation, property distribution, alimony, and annulments.

The Family Court Volunteer Attorney Negotiator Program (VAN) is an opportunity for compassionate attorneys with family law experience and good active listening skills to enhance familial stability by facilitating communication and using negotiation skills to resolve issues. It is a very meaningful way of giving back to the community in which we work and/or live.

Topics to be covered include:
•Family Law Primer
•Process Overview
•Neutrality
•Review of Orders
•What to do when there is no resolution
•Perspectives from the Bench
•Next Steps

Important Information:

•Family law and mediation experience is required.
•Malpractice insurance is not provided by the D.C. Superior Court or the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center to attorneys who volunteer as attorney negotiators.

•All attorneys who attend this training will be required to observe a Family Court Attorney Negotiator for at least one negotiation, as well as volunteer twice before May 1, 2020

Pre-Register for this Event