Linda Wray
Edina, Minnesota 55439
United States
Profession(s)
LawyerThe dissolution of a marriage is one of the most difficult events in a person's life. The legal process of divorce ideally should not contribute to conflict between partners, but instead should enable partners to restructure their families with dignity, respect and integrity. The Collaborative Practice model was borne out of this perspective. I was trained in the model in 2000, have had the privilege of representing many clients in this process and assisting them with a healthier restructuring of their families, and have served in a variety of leadership positions in the Collaborative movement.
Professional Activities
I have had the privilege of serving in several leadership positions in the Collaborative Community since 2004. I am currently serving a three year term on the IACP Board of Directors. I was the 2006 President of the Collaborative Law Institute and served four years on its Board of Directors. I chaired a committee of the Minnesota Collaborative Law Institute that drafted protocols of practice for Collaborative professionals; chaired a Task Force whose work contributed to the enactment of the first statewide rule of Collaborative Law; and made numerous presentations and have written about the Collaborative model. From 2007 - 2009 I represented the Collaborative Law Institute of Minnesota as an Observer to the Uniform Law Commission Drafting Committee on Collaborative Law, and have been actively involved in enactment of the Uniform Collaborative Law Act in Minnesota and on a national level through enactment activities of the IACP and ABA. I am presently serving as a co-chair of the Collaborative Law Committee of the American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section. I have been a leader in the development of research regarding Collaborative Law, serving since 2005 as co-chair and chair of the IACP Research Committee, which has conducted the most comprehensive research regarding Collaborative Practice to date.Undergraduate Education
Carleton College, Northfield, MN - B.A., 1978, Magna Cum Laude, Member of Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, Major Psychology, satisfied coursework to obtain secondary education teaching license
Postgraduate Education
University of California at Los Angeles School of Law, J.D., 1986, Legal Research and Writing T.A.
Professional Education
See Listing of Trainings
Comments
Individuals deserve a more humane way to resolve family law matters and at a societal level much greater attention to the well-being of families going through a family restructuring is needed. The Collaborative movement is serving an increasingly important role in establishing a norm for conflict resolution particularly for families.