Attorney Embraces Collaborative Divorce Option

Grand Rapids, Mich., May 22, 2006-Randall L. Velzen, a shareholder with Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge, recently completed collaborative law training for divorce through the Collaborative Law Institute of Michigan. Mr. Velzen is one of the first attorneys in western Michigan to train in this up-and-coming area of divorce law.

In collaborative law, prior to becoming involved with the divorce litigation process, the parties and attorneys agree to sign a contract committing to try to settle the case. If settlement is not possible, the attorneys are contractually obligated to withdraw from the case.

The primary benefit of collaborative law is that from the onset of the divorce process all parties are committed to settling the case, rather than pursuing litigation. According to the Collaborative Law Institute, this method has proven to be more honest and less damaging to the families involved.

"Families going through a divorce face an enormous amount of stress," Mr. Velzen said. "By utilizing the collaborative approach to divorce proceedings we are able to minimize that stress by focusing on cooperation, trust, respect, and the integrity of all those involved in order to reach a settlement."

Mr. Velzen practices in the areas of family law, estate planning, and real estate. He is the past president of the Young Lawyers Section of the Grand Rapids Bar Association, past member of the Board of Directors of the Grand Rapids Bar Association, past member of the Executive Board of the Family Law Section, and past member of the Association's Library Committee, Pro Bono Committee, and Membership Committee. He is the 2005 Legal Aid of Western Michigan's Michael Barnes Award recipient. The award is presented annually in recognition of exemplary contributions toward the provision of free legal assistance to the poor and the elderly in Western Michigan.

Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge has been helping our clients overcome challenges and take advantage of opportunities since 1941. With offices in Ann Arbor, East Lansing, Grand Rapids and Traverse City, and 90 attorneys and counselors, we offer some of the most comprehensive legal experience available in the areas of Business and Property Law, Health Law, and Litigation. For more information about the firm, call 616.774.8000 or visit www.shrr.com.
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