Hello IACP Community,



My term as President of IACP concludes on March 31. As I prepare to step into the role of Immediate Past President and welcome President-Elect Rajashree Suppiah into leadership on April 1, I want to thank you for the honor of serving this organization and this community.

At the start of my term, I set a few personal goals: to introduce and explore the Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice, to involve more younger professionals, and to bring some energy and fun back into our work.

We made meaningful progress, but there is more ahead.

This year also gave me the opportunity to travel and speak with Collaborative groups across our community. My final stop is this week, March 27, at the Spring Conference of Collaborative Divorce Texas. These conversations have been one of the most rewarding parts of this role. I have learned a great deal from you, and your insights have helped shape IACP’s direction going forward. And yes, I still owe a few of you follow-up emails.

Throughout the year, I have used this space to reflect on the Ten Pillars of Collaborative Practice. Last month, we explored Confidentiality. This month, we conclude with our tenth Pillar: Respect.

Each Pillar is a value statement, not listed in order of importance. The final six reflect what we value as a community. Here is the full statement:

In line with the IACP mission, we are committed to creating a community that promotes respectful and constructive communication.

What stands out to me is how Collaborative Practice builds respect through the process itself. Many clients begin in conflict, carrying hurt, fear, or distrust. Initially, trust may rest only in their own Collaborative Attorney. Over time, with the support of the team, they begin to trust the process, and eventually, in many cases, each other.

This is not accidental. It is the result of consistent communication, transparency, and professionalism. It is also reflected in the data. The 2015 IACP Divorce Experience Study found that 78% of clients chose Collaborative Practice expecting a more respectful process, and 76.82% reported satisfaction with that expectation, strongly correlating with overall satisfaction.

Respect is not simply a value we promote. It is something the Collaborative process makes possible. It is built step by step through trust, safety, and human dignity. This is the work of building peace, and it is the work we carry forward together.

It has been an honor to serve as your President. I look forward to continuing this work as Immediate Past President, and to seeing many of you in the months ahead, including at the IACP Forum in Vancouver this fall.