About CollabFest Midwest
CollabFest Midwest was founded in 2020 as an online conference by Iowa Collaborative Divorce as a way to bring collaborative professionals together from across the Midwest and across the country to share and learn from each other. We are glad you are here to join the conversation.
2024 AGENDA
Pioneering Collaborative Divorce Case Management from the Unicorns of Triangle Financial Services
- presented by Kendra Erkamaa, Lucas Kane, and Bailey Davis. Step into the enchanting realm of collaborative divorce resolution, where the magical synergy of unicorns inspires innovation and harmony. At the heart of this process lies effective case management, which plays a pivotal role in guiding the proceedings towards an amicable resolution. You will explore the magical approach of Triangle Financial to the essential elements of collaborative divorce case management, highlighting its significance in facilitating a smooth and efficient process. From initial client intake to the final settlement, the collaborative divorce case manager serves as a central figure, orchestrating communication, managing expectations, and ensuring transparency throughout the journey. Through real-life case examples, practical insights and the special unicorn magic, this presentation aims to equip legal professionals, mental health practitioners, and other stakeholders with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage collaborative divorce cases. By embracing a collaborative approach to divorce resolution and implementing sound case management practices, professionals can help clients achieve fair and sustainable outcomes while preserving their dignity and well-being.
Even Unicorns Have Sorrow: The Trauma Informed Collaborator
- presented by Kimberly Stamatelos. As collaborative professionals we are immersed in trauma. Our clients and their families move through the trauma of divorce with us as their guides. Many of them live in chronic trauma in other aspects of their lives, and some relive the trauma of divorce that they themselves suffered as children in their families of origin. As humans living our own lives, many of us are navigating our own trauma stories behind the scenes. How do we make room for compassion for our clients AND ourselves in the collaborative process against the backdrop of trauma and grief? Join us as we put a framework around trauma and grief in collaborative practice, and share skills for recognizing when trauma gets in the way of being a fully present member of the collaborative team.
Collaborative Law Beyond Divorce
- presented by Marc Sheridan and Paul Faxon. Come join leadership from the Global Collaborative Law Council as they explore the application of Collaborative Law to resolve disputes that share many elements of divorce, including conflicts arising in: Trust and estate administration; Family business governance and succession planning; Closely held business break-ups; Contractor-subcontractor arrangements; Employment relations; and non-profit organizations. Learn how Collaborative Law’s rare and unique approach to resolving family law disputes can make you a Unicorn in the field of client-centered business law dispute resolution.
Break/Lunch
Improving Outcomes for Families — How co-parenting apps can prevent families from returning to court
- presented by Racheal Howits. The OurFamilyWizard app (OFW) is frequently included in parenting agreements as a way to reduce litigation and improve family outcomes. Learn how OFW can simplify co-parenting communication, prevent coercive control, and streamline the work of practitioners. This training will also include our new updates and information regarding our new Calls feature.
Capturing the Magic of the Neutral Professional
- presented byJulia A. McAninch, Psy.D. Cheryl Panther, CPA, Advanced CDFA, Institute for Family Conflict Resolution. Unlock the mysteries of adding mental health and financial neutrals to your Collaborative Team and let them work their magic for you and your clients! Learn to assess case complexity and team needs to set everyone on the path to success. Julia and Cheryl will share best practices for optimal team dynamics as well as limited scope options for those clients who only need a sprinkle or two of pixie dust.
Trauma Stewardship and Self-Care in Collaborative Practice
- presented by Annie von Gillern, Kristine Reich. Participants will share a mindful hour of exploring the challenges faced by multi-disciplinary professionals in Collaborative practice, particularly when it comes to their own self-care. How is it possible to walk away unscathed when we day in and day out bear witness to the pain, despair, and high conflict that families are experiencing during their divorce process? Join our discussion and tips for optimizing team dynamics, boundaries of preservation, screening, and humanizing our clients and ourselves, so that boundless "unicorn energy" can sustain in our work.
Collaborative Divorce: The Next Generation(s)
- presented by Ron Ousky, Megan Yates. Collaborative Divorce was started more than 30 years ago and fueled, during the early years, by members of the Silent Generation and the Baby Boomers. However, today our core professionals are primarily Gen Xers and Millennials. Our professionals, and our core clients, have changed since those early years. The growth of Collaborative Divorce will depend on our ability to adapt our process, and ourselves, to meet the needs of this dynamic world. This workshop, presented by a baby boomer and a millennial, will start by outlining some generational differences, (mixing in a few amusing videos) and then discuss how those differences affect our practices today. Finally, we will discuss a blueprint for the future; a way of helping Collaborative Divorce evolve to meet the current needs and the future needs of Collaborative Professionals and their clients.
Speakers
Kendra Erkamaa
Kendra Erkamaa
Kendra Erkamaa
At Triangle Financial Services, we understand that divorce is more than just numbers—it’s about rebuilding lives. Our commitment is to guide our clients toward financial stability, empowering them to move forward confidently. Kendra, Bailey, and Lucas are powerhouses of expertise in divorce financial analysis.
Lucas Kane
Kendra Erkamaa
Kendra Erkamaa
At Triangle Financial Services, we pride ourselves on being collaboratively trained and certified divorce financial analysts, ensuring that we provide comprehensive and empathetic services to our clients. Kendra and Lucas, both trained mediators.
Bailey Davis
Kendra Erkamaa
Bailey Davis
With over a decade of experience as a financial neutral, the Triangle Financial Services team brings wisdom, balance, and practical insights to every case.
Speakers
Kimberly Stamatelos
Kimberly Stamatelos
Kimberly Stamatelos
Attorney, Mediator and Author Kimberly Stamatelos has been a practicing attorney and mediator for over 40 years. She was an early adopter of collaborative law in Iowa and served as a primary trainer in Collaborative Practice for years. Kim was a founder of Iowa Collaborative Divorce and has handled many collaborative divorces. She is the author of "The Compassionate Lawyer," "The Spirit-Filled Practice" and "Compassionate Divorce," all of which are available for purchase on Amazon. Currently she limits her practice to Mediation and Parenting Coordination and her online divorce platform for uncontested cases, "UnHitchUs." Kim enjoys writing, hiking and being Yia Yia to her grandchildren. Her blog is "Beyond Resolution."
Marc Sheridan
Kimberly Stamatelos
Kimberly Stamatelos
Marc Sheridan, J.D. has represented individuals, closely-held and family businesses, and multi-national clients for more than 20 years in the areas of commercial litigation and employment law. He is a panel mediator for the Supreme Court, Westchester County Commercial Division and Civil Panels, and Westchester County and Bronx County Surrogate’s Court Panels, and an employment discrimination panel mediator for the United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. Marc co-authored the 9th Judicial District Presumptive Mediation Program and the Westchester County Surrogate’s Court Presumptive Mediation Program Rules. He is also a Board Member for Attorneys for Family-Held Enterprises (AFHE), a former Chair of the Westchester County Bar ADR Committee, and a member of the New York State Bar Association ADR Section. Marc is a recognized leader in Civil Collaborative Practice, lecturing and training lawyers and other professionals on Civil Collaborative Practice both domestically and internationally. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Trainers’ Networking and Development Group for the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), and the Northeast Regional Director for the Global Collaborative Law Council (GCLC). Marc can be reached at marc@mslawny.com.
Paul Faxon
Kimberly Stamatelos
Paul Faxon
R. Paul Faxon, J.D. practices in the areas of closely-held and family business law, commercial real estate transactions, and legal conflict assessment and resolution. He has taught at New England Law School and Boston College Law School. He also serves as a Senior Consultant with Continuity Family Business Consulting. Paul has been involved in Collaborative Law for many years and served as an attorney in one of the first cases to apply Collaborative Law to a business dispute. He is a past President of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council and has served on the Board of the Global Collaborative Law Council. Paul has presented numerous times at the International Association of Collaborative Professional’s North American and European annual conferences and published articles on Collaborative Law topics in trade and professional journals. He has also spoken on conflict resolution at the Family Firm Institute’s and Attorneys for Family Held Enterprises’ national conferences, as well as the annual meeting of the American Bar Association’s Business Law Section. Paul has served as a presenter as well as leader at numerous Collaborative Law trainings, including in Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Spain, Italy and Holland. Paul can be reached at pfaxon@rpfaxonlaw.com.
Speakers
Racheal Howits
Julia A. McAninch, Psy.D.
Julia A. McAninch, Psy.D.
Racheal Howits is Manager of Professional Relationships, International The OurFamilyWizard® website
Racheal has been a professional liaison for the OurFamilyWizard® website since 2016. Her role includes educating Judges, lawyers, and other family law professionals, across the US and internationally, on the online tools that can be utilized to benefit and monitor the parental communication process in family law cases.
She is a current board member of AFCC Minnesota and on several committees. She graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design receiving a BFA in Photography. Her interests include travel and health & wellness related topics.
Julia A. McAninch, Psy.D.
Julia A. McAninch, Psy.D.
Julia A. McAninch, Psy.D.
Julia A. McAninch, Psy.D. is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed Family Mediator and President of MPCS, PLLC. With over 20 years experience in diverse settings, Julia has a unique set of qualifications to support her client's goals. Julia's experience includes work at colleges and universities, treatment centers, community mental health centers, group private practice, public and private schools, not-for-profit settings, companies, and firms. In 2009 Julia entered the world of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods and helped bring the Collaborative Divorce process to TN, later becaming a TN Rule 31 Family Mediator. More recently Julia has taken conflict resolution into the workplace. In addition to being a Psychotherapist, Collaborative Divorce Coach, and Mediator, Julia has supervised teams, has provided consultation and leadership development for organizations, and has led trainings across the United States and Canada. As a founding member of the Collaborative Divorce Nashville, Institute for Family Conflict Resolution, and Out Central, she has been a part of the process of creating sustainable organizations from the ground up. She received her Doctorate in Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, with training rotations in Chicago, New York City, and Nashville. Julia was previously an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University and has taught at Pace University in NYC and Columbia College Chicago. She is a graduate of the Inaugural Leadership Academy of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) and continues to serve on committees focused on training and development of practice groups around the world. Julia is a Past President of the Collaborative Divorce Nashville and Past Co-Chair of the Nashville Psychotherapy Institute (NPI), and continues to serve on the Advisory Council at NPI. Julia is a member of the board of directors for the International Academy of Collaborative Professional and currently serves as its President.
Cheryl Panther CPA/PFS
Julia A. McAninch, Psy.D.
Cheryl Panther CPA/PFS
Cheryl Panther, ADFA/CDFA is a Certified Public Accountant/Personal Financial Specialist, Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed Family Mediator Advanced, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. She is President of Panther Financial Divorce Solutions, LLC and has been providing services to clients and attorneys in family law matters since 2011. After working with a number of clients in her financial planning practice following their divorce, she learned people encounter unexpected and unpleasant financial consequences of the divorce for which they were not prepared. Cheryl wanted to find ways to help clients and their attorneys understand tax and financial considerations before committing to a divorce settlement. She provides creative, outside-the-box analytical skills to the often complex and confusing financial and taxation issues in divorce cases and settlements. Cheryl has been a CPA for more than three decades and earned the prestigious Personal Financial Specialist designation from the American Institute of CPAs. She graduated from The University of Tennessee – Knoxville and received an Executive Certificate in Financial Planning from Belmont University. Cheryl often teaches and presents to other professionals on the tax and financial aspects of divorce. She also teaches alternative dispute resolution processes locally and internationally to other professionals through the Institute for Family Conflict Resolution. Cheryl holds membership in the following professional organizations: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Collaborative Divorce Nashville , Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts, Association of Divorce Financial Professionals, and Academy of Professional Family Mediators. She currently serves on the board of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals as its treasurer. She is a past board member and past president for Collaborative Divorce Nashville and a past board member of the Association of Divorce Financial Professionals.
Speakers
Annie von Gillern
Annie von Gillern
Annie von Gillern
Annie von Gillern has been practicing as a clinical social worker since 2006 and was also sworn into the Iowa Bar in 2014. She has a holistic and collaborative practice as a clinical social worker and attorney in the areas of family law and custody issues.
Annie’s practice focuses on helping families manage the transitions involved with reorganization of their families and learning to thrive as they move through these difficult phases in their lives. Annie also performs custody evaluations and advocates for children as a collaborative child specialist, a Guardian ad Litem, and attorney.
Annie owns and operates von Gillern Law Firm and Rising Phoenix Wellness Center in Urbandale, Iowa.
Kristine Reich
Annie von Gillern
Annie von Gillern
With an expertise in mediation, collaborative law, and family and juvenile law matters, Kristine Reich has three decades of experience working with families and children experiencing difficult transitional life events. Borne of a deep appreciation for holistic, solution-focused practice, Restorative Law and Mediation, PLLC was organized by Kristine in December 2014. Kristine’s multi-disciplinary approach to practice is influenced by her legal education received from Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University (’08), and Masters in Social Work at Arizona State University (’93). Kristine has practiced family law since 2011, has worked as an adjunct professor, Faculty Associate, or in legal education since 2008, and was a child welfare social worker and therapist for 15 years prior to law school. Kristine has coached the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law mediation team for the American Bar Association (ABA) Representation in Mediation Competition for nine years. Kristine is the only national champion of this competition (’06) that has coached five subsequent national competition teams and two national champion teams (’12 and ’14). Kristine’s best days in the profession are being witness to the transformative process of those that start in despair, and go on to create meaningful futures.
Ron Ousky
Annie von Gillern
Megan Yates
Ron Ousky graduated with honors from the University of St. Thomas and with honors from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1982. For the first 15 years of his practice, he helped families in the traditional way; using the court, or at least the threat of court, to protect clients and their children. When he realized that these traditional methods often led to long term damage, he looked for better ways to help. During the past 20 years, Ron found and helped develop some truly innovative ways get better outcomes through things like Collaborative Law and mediation. He has been internationally recognized for his work in these new areas. In 2006, Ron co-authored The Collaborative Way to Divorce: The Revolutionary Method that Results in less Stress, Lower Costs and Happier Kids, Without Going to Court, with Stu Webb, the founder of Collaborative Law. In 2015, he was awarded the Lawyer as Problem Solver Award by the American Bar Association. He has been a speaker at events and forums on the topic of Collaborative Law and has conducted training seminars throughout North America, South America and Europe. Ron has handled thousands of family law cases, including hundreds of cases in each of the following areas: traditional negotiation; mediation; Collaborative Law and litigation. He is the cofounder of the Collaborative Alliance Executive Suites, believed to be the largest interdisciplinary family law center in the world.
Megan Yates
Megan Yates
Megan Yates is an Attorney and Partner at Ousky Yates Law Office. Megan has a knack for sifting through overwhelming and confusing situations and focusing on what matters most. Her practice focuses exclusively on family law matters. She believes that each client’s situation is unique, and therefore, process choices should be tailored to meet the specific needs of each family. She helps clients reach resolutions using Collaborative Law, mediation, and a variety of unbundled legal service options. Megan has a common-sense approach to financial/budgeting matters and enjoys helping clients with these issues post-divorce as well. Megan graduated from the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities with a degree in Family Social Science (think family psychology meets sociology) in 2007. After a brief stint in graduate school, she obtained her post-baccalaureate certificate in Paralegal Studies. After working as a paralegal Ousky Law Office for many years, she decided it was time for law school. However, with an 18-month old at home at the time, traditional law school wasn’t going to cut it, and instead she joined the inaugural group of law students in Mitchell Hamline School of Law’s Hybrid J.D. Program, the only ABA-approved hybrid (partially online, partially on-campus) law program in the country. Megan graduated magna cum laude from Mitchell Hamline in 2018. Transition and re-organization are the hallmarks of her upbringing. Being on the cusp of a new beginning can be intimidating and anxiety-filled and exciting and exhilarating, all at the same time. And it uss Megan's goal to help guide families through times of adjustment and transformation.
co-sponsors
