Deborah’s clients are often hurt, scared and angry but in addition, they genuinely want an outcome that is fundamentally fair to all involved, particularly the children. She finds it truly gratifying to ensure that families have a dignified and respectful pathway through the divorce process. 

“A new paradigm is needed for the way family law is practiced. Lawyers, mental health professionals, and the public should be educated to understand that families at war produce only losers and no winners. A Collaborative/cooperative approach, using Collaborative Process, mediation, and other tools, should become the norm, and the courtroom saved for truly intractable conflicts. People should be educated about conflict: how to recognize it, avoid it when appropriate, and engage it productively when necessary. I commit to assisting my community and clients in managing conflict with respect and integrity.”