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Serving People Facing Divorce Throughout Massachusetts

North Shore Collaborative Divorce Attorneys & Neutrals

Anthony C. Adamopoulos, Collaborative Attorney

Are you facing divorce?

Divorce can be a difficult experience. It can mean a significant adjustment for you and your spouse, and when children are involved, the challenges can be overwhelming.

The divorce process itself can be isolating. It can put “a lot on your plate” at one time.

Collaborative Divorce can help you get through this very tough time.

As your collaborative divorce attorney,

I will work with you and the Collaborative Team to get you through your divorce efficiently and with the least amount of pain and expense.
I will listen to you, answer your questions and work with you to achieve your interests and reach your goals.
I will likely save you money, time, and emotional distress by using the Collaborative Team Approach for the successful resolution of your divorce issues.

My history with Collaborative Divorce in Massachusetts:

I am a founding member and former director of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council. I trained in the first Collaborative Divorce Certification program in Massachusetts. Since then, I have lectured at continuing education programs of the Council and regularly participate in Council programs.

I am also a founder of North Shore Collaborative Divorce for which I have lectured and participated in public education programs.

To learn more about my services and me, please go to my web page at Divorcing Options.

Please contact me at 978-744-9591 or at [email protected]

Shannon Barnes, Collaborative Attorney

I am a family law attorney trained in collaborative divorce and mediation. I am committed to maintaining civility throughout the divorce process and assisting clients in reaching sensible resolutions to their divorce and other family law cases. I strongly believe that family disputes should not be resolved in courtrooms. In addition to my mediation, collaborative law and litigation practice, I also serve as a Probate and Family Court Guardian ad Litem and court connected conciliator.

I serve on the Board of Directors for Northeast Legal Aid with offices in Lawrence, Lynn and Lowell, and on the Board of Managers for Northeast Justice Center serving Essex and Middlesex County. I am a past board member for North Shore Community Mediation Center and in addition to my private mediation practice I currently serve on their panel of family law mediators.

Please contact me at 978-744-5444 or through barnesleighton.com

Linda Cohan, Neutral/Facilitator & Executive Coach

My combined experience as a clinical social worker, executive coach and trained mediator has given me a unique expertise as a neutral coach facilitator. I work with collaborative attorneys and clients to resolve their divorce with compassion and dignity, avoiding litigation.
Prior to starting a case, I meet with both husband and wife separately to assist with clarifying their interests and goals: to identify what might trigger and set them off in a meeting and to strategize how they want to communicate during the meetings in the most effective and productive way possible. During the meetings, I insure that the agenda is followed and that all parties are given the opportunity to have a voice in the process. I work with the team to manage any challenges and roadblocks that might arise during the meetings, in order to help move the process forward to resolution. My hope is that when clients have resolved their divorce, they can look back on this process and know that they have done the best for their children.

Background:
I trained as a Neutral Coach Facilitator in 2009 and have been on the board of the Mass Collaborative Law Council for 3 years. In addition to working with family attorneys, I also work with business attorneys, who do civil cases.
Please contact me at: [email protected] 508-291-5397
www.lindacohan.com
www.massclc.org/member/485

Clint Dalton, Collaborative Attorney

As a family law practitioner specializing in domestic relations and divorce litigation, I litigate, collaborate, and mediate all significant family law issues, including divorce, custody, parental rights, support, property division, removal, modification, and contempt actions at the trial court and appellate levels.

Prior to opening my law practice in Topsfield, Massachusetts, I worked in Washington, DC providing support to anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing initiatives alongside the US Treasury and State Department.

I was born and raised in Ipswich and am a graduate of St. John’s Preparatory School (’88), Stanford University (BA, Philosophy ‘92), The Graduate Institute at St. John’s College (MA, Liberal Arts, ‘95) and The University of San Diego School of Law (JD, ‘03) where I was awarded for his Jurisprudence work. During law school, I interned with the Federal Defenders of Billings, MT and for the Foundation for Freedom of Information in St. Petersburg, Russia. Prior to attending law school I was the Director of the San Francisco office of Human Rights Watch.

I have been a member of the Massachusetts Bar since 2006 and am an ongoing member of the Massachusetts, Greater Newburyport, and Essex County Bar Associations. Regarding the collaboration and mediation sides of my practice, I strongly believe in the positive influence the collaborative divorce process has on the health and well being of the parents and children involved.

Please contact me at 978-462-3177 or via watsondalton.com

Jody K. Goldman, Financial Neutral, CDFA®, ASA, CFE

Throughout my career, I have assisted legal counsel and their clients in analyzing various complex financial issues in support of shareholder, divorce, and contract disputes. In countless situations, I believe the parties may have benefited from a more collaborative approach to resolution.

As a Financial Neutral in the collaborative process, I am committed to assist clients in:

  • Understanding their financial positions;
  • Exploring financial options to meet their objectives;
  • Making informed financial decisions impacting both themselves and their families;
  • Achieving positive financial outcomes.

I work with individuals and their attorneys regarding all financial aspects of divorce, including: financial affidavit preparation; asset division analysis and tax implications; cash flow analysis; alimony and child support calculation; pre- and post-divorce budgeting; forensic accounting; and valuation of businesses.

Prior to starting my own firm, I was Partner at the accounting firm of DGC, Vice President in the Finance practice of CRA International, and Principal in the Fraud, Investigative and Dispute Services practice of Ernst & Young.

Qualifications:

  • Over 30 years of experience in valuation, financial disputes and forensic investigation
  • Master of Business Administration, Finance
  • Accredited Senior Appraiser in Business Valuation
  • Certified Fraud Examiner
  • Collaboratively Trained Financial Neutral
  • Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® Professional
  • Trained Mediator

Please contact me at 781-797-0023 or [email protected].

Scott C. Marks, Collaborative Attorney

My Philosophy:

25+ years as an attorney, litigator, mediator, conciliator and collaborative professional, have led me to the realization that a negotiated solution is generally preferable to one that is ordered by the Court. Self-determination has become the guiding principle of my practice.

My Reasoning:

Litigation is expensive, both financially and emotionally. It often results in burned bridges and further straining of already strained relationships. Its outcome is usually unsatisfying, as it is decided by someone (a Judge) who knows little about the parties or their children.

The Collaborative Divorce process, on the other hand, is designed to preserve relationships, encourage discussion, and allow both parties to be heard so that they may reach a settlement that they believe is fair. The result is something the parties can better accept because they made the decisions – based on their entire life experience.

My Background:

I am trained in collaborative practice and have been a member of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals since 2004. I am also a founding member of North Shore Collaborative Divorce.

I also offer mediation and conciliation services and am trained and experienced in Limited Assistance Representation.

I regularly give talks for North Shore Collaborative Divorce, help train divorce mediators at North Shore Community Mediation Center and have regularly participated in divorce public education programs.

To learn more, please visit my website – scottcmarks.com – or call my Salem, MA offices, at 978-741-5655.

richard reade litigator

Richard J. Reade Jr., Collaborative Attorney

Richard Reade brings 20 years of experience as a litigator and trial lawyer to the Reade Law Firm, PC, where he now handles litigation, mediation, and collaborative matters related to Family Law.

Richard has successfully represented individuals in complex litigation is state and federal court including medical malpractice, police misconduct, traumatic personal injury, as well as family law. Richard’s practice now focuses on helping people through family transitions in the court setting or mediation, including divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support or alimony, complex property division, and business and property valuations.

Originally from Massachusetts, Richard attended Boston College obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature before moving to California to attend Pepperdine University School of Law, where he focused on litigation and trial practice, including Advanced Family Law. Richard received his Juris Doctorate degree and was admitted to practice in the State of California in 2000. Richard was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 2009, where he has focused his practice on all aspects of family law matters.

Cynthia T. Runge, Esq.

Cynthia T. Runge, Collaborative Attorney

I have practiced law for over 30 years and I am admitted to the bar in both Massachusetts and New York. In addition to family law, my background includes experience in real estate and intellectual property matters (focus on artists, museums and non-profits). In 2001, I was formally trained as a mediator. Since that time, I have continued my training by taking and presenting advanced courses in divorce law, mediation, marital mediation and collaborative law.

From 2007 through 2010, I was the Coordinator of Court and Divorce Mediation Services at a community mediation program in Cambridge. I am the former Vice President of the Massachusetts Council for Family Mediation and I am a former Co-Chair of the Charles River Collaborative Law Practice Group. I am a member of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council, the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation, the Massachusetts Association of Trial Attorneys and the Family Law Section of the Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA). Prior to my involvement in the Family Law Section, I served as a member of the Dispute Resolution Section of the MBA. I graduated from Whittier College School of Law (J.D.) and Boston University (B.S.). I also received a Certificate in Museum Studies from Tufts University.

I help my clients to transition through divorce with confidence.


Contact me by email at: [email protected]
or by phone at: 617-399-8751

Ginny Simon, Neutral/Facilitator & Educational Psychologist

Being involved in a legal dispute is trying and complicated, with potential for long term damage to important relationships. As a coach, I am trained to help you negotiate the process as part of a team that fosters respect and caring. I work with each member of the collaborative team, individually and together, to be sure that when you are finished you will feel as good as you possibly can with the resolution. In addition, my experience as a School Psychologist gives me insight into developing parenting plans and helping individuals co-parent well. I work as a solo practitioner as a Collaborative Coach. The majority of my clients are referred to me by the attorneys they have retained, however, I have been contacted by individuals for whom I make the attorney referral. In addition to working with clients from the beginning to the end of the collaborative process, I have been called in to help couples communicate better prior to the first four way meeting. I help develop parenting plans both within and outside of the Collaborative process. I often meet with each client separately to set goals and understand triggers that may impede the process. During the meeting I maintain a neutral position, manage the time constraints, and help facilitate a timely and successful conclusion to the process. Retainer requested, hourly charge case dependent.

Professional Memberships: Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council, National Association of School Psychologists, Massachusetts Teachers Association

Please contact me at 508-641-0417 or at [email protected]