You know what they say, everything’s bigger in Texas, and that includes plans on revamping the family law industry.
One group of lawyers with this mission is the Council of the State Bar of Texas Collaborative Law Section, which has hit the road to bring Collaborative Law education to a further reach of people. And their initiative is quite unique: a traveling “Road Show” aimed at bringing this education directly to individual communities in Texas.
Anita Savage, a family law attorney with Wilson, Lake & Savage, is one of the lawyers at the wheel, both theoretically and, occasionally literally, of this travelling Road Show. The Road Show is her second initiative for her 2-year term serving as the Section’s Chair. Her first initiative was to re-initiate a semester-long Collaborative Law Course into Texas law schools so the newest generation of Texas lawyers had this tool in their toolbox. She is proud to announce that Collaborative Law is Course #6356 on the Spring 2025 Course List at SMU Dedman School of Law.
“What The Road Show is, is a reboot of what we did a decade ago where we go out into these smaller communities and let them know about the collaborative law option”, said Savage.
Originally, The Road show spread information of collaborative law to those considered “first responders” of divorce – ministers, counselors, and others who were often the first to hear if a couple was separating. The Road Show was orchestrated to teach these first responders about collaborative divorce so they could help educate the couples on that being an option.
Attorney Savage states that this reboot, however, has now focused on a new audience: attorneys in smaller communities around Texas of all fields of law. The goal there is to bring the information directly to those that don’t always have access to collaborative law education locally.
“If attorneys knew about collaborative divorce, they would do it. But, in a lot of these communities, they aren’t even aware it is an option,” said Savage.
When determining where the Road Show takes its talents, Savage feels that smaller, rural communities are key in this operation. Not only are they often the communities that have the least access to this education, but they are also the communities that could benefit the most from collaborative law.
“Especially in these smaller, rural communities, where everybody knows everything about each other, and everybody wants to continue to maintain relationships after a dispute, it can be extremely effective,” said Savage. “The goal is to spread the word on how collaborative law can be beneficial, not just in family law disputes but in business disputes, land disputes, and all aspects of law.”
Savage feels that having groups of attorneys presenting this education to other attorneys helps make the information stick easier as well. Additionally, a mental health professionals or financial professional will join the Road Show, which helps the education almost mimic how the collaborative legal process operates as well.
Beyond spreading education, Savage also says that she feels one of The Road Show’s greatest accomplishments is extending and encouraging community building amongst lawyers in Texas, something that is often lacking.
“We have a tendency to insulate ourselves and only hang out with the people that we know,” said Savage. “The Road Show has really allowed us to extend our networks and interact with attorneys all across the state.”
While collaborative law can apply to many areas, Savage’s main passion is collaborative divorce. She hopes that The Road Show will continue to educate attorneys and communities about collaborative divorce, and also shift the cultural mindset around divorce entirely, encouraging individuals to operate with more compassion and understanding.
“Legal processes only go as fast as the slowest player. I cannot make someone come to the table to negotiate a resolution if they aren’t ‘ready’ to do that. Forcing them to do that through litigation inevitably results in them becoming resentful and combative, which is counter to the collaborative process and to dispute resolution overall,” Savage pointed out. “Oftentimes, the person who wants the divorce is 10 feet out the door and the person who is being left is sitting there wondering what is happening. People have to have grace and understanding that it takes time for other person to catch up to where they are.”
The Road Show aims to do just that, providing individuals with the tools to catch up and equipping them with the tools to tackle problems with collaborative solutions.
Want to see The Road Show roll into your town? Anita Savage and her team are ready to bring collaborative law education directly to you. Whether you’re an attorney looking to host a community session or a first responder interested in an informative lunch-and-learn (lunch is on them!), simply reach out to schedule a visit tailored to your needs.