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Jane Iddings, J.D.,M.S.W.
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Jane Iddings, J.D.,M.S.W.
Law Office of Jane Iddings
PO Box 456
Petaluma, CA 94953
Phone: (707) 292-9121
http://www.AttorneyJaneIddings.com
Mediator & Collaborative Law Attorney
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
My preference is to work with clients who want to prevent and/or resolve conflicts in ways that are a "win" for everyone concerned. For more information please see my website www.AttorneyJaneIddings.com
I encourage my clients to read Nolo self help books, for instance clients who are living together I recommend, "Living Together: the Legal Guide for Unmarried Couples."
Sub-Categories
Children
- Child Support
- Custody
- Visitation
- Domestic Partnerships
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
Please see my website for more information www.AttorneyJaneIddings.com
Clients can save money and time by separating the legal divorce from the emotional divorce. Clients also empower themselves by becoming informed about the issues and the procedures using resources I recommend.
For clients who are divorcing I recommend, "Divorce and Money: How to Make the Best Financial Decisions During Divorce."
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
- Child Support
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1977
Bar Number: 78812
Other Court Admissions
California and Federal Courts
Association Memberships
State Bar of California, Sonoma County Bar Association
Continuing Education
As a collaborative attorney and mediator, I took over 130 hours of education and training in collaborative practice and mediation in 2007. Additionally, I am meeting the State Bar's general continuing education requirements.
Papers and Publications
Non-legal writing: for several years I was a bi-weekly columnist for the Arizona Daily Sun (Flagstaff) writing first about teens and later about our life living aboard a sailboat on the East Coast. I also wrote for a sailing magazine.
Example Cases
Divorces and business cases that are as close to win/win as we can make them. Clients and attorneys wear their "problem solving hats," not their "adversarial hats."
Education
Degree:
A.B.
School:
University of Michigan
City:
Ann Arbor
State:
MI
Year:
1970
Focus and Accomplishments:
Social Work
Degree:
J.D.
School:
University of California Law School at Davis
City:
Davis
State:
CA
Year:
1977
Focus and Accomplishments:
Intern, California Governor's Legal Affairs Office
Degree:
M.S.W.
School:
University of Michigan Graduate School of Social Work
City:
Ann Arbor
State:
MI
Year:
1972
Focus and Accomplishments:
Social Policy
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
I first practiced family and business law in Yolo, Alameda, San Francisco, and Contra Costa counties. I am now making my permanent home in Petaluma (Sonoma County), and in doing so, I am limiting my practice to out-of-court family and business cases, using the collaborative and mediation conflict resolution methods. Please see my website www.AttorneyJaneIddings.com to learn more about collaboration and mediation.
Previous Employment Summary
Other legal experience included:
Staff Attorney, Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Activities and Awards
I am an active member of the following collaborative practice organizations:
Collaborative Council of the Redwood Empire (CCRE), www.collaborativecouncil.org
The International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP), www.collaborativepractice.com (please see my IACP Profile).
In 2007, I took a 34-hour inter-disciplinary team training in collaborative practice and 36.5 hours in mediation skills. I completed a 70-hour course called, "Mastering Collaborative Practice." Overall in 2007 I completed over 130 hours in continuing education.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I applaud their efforts! Knowledge is power. Clients with knowledge know the right questions to ask, they have a sense of "how it works" and they know the terminology so they aren't intimidated. With or without an attorney, I encourage clients to be as knowledgeable as they can be. One place I invite people to get information from is my website AttorneyJaneIddings.com or also at the online legal resource at Nolo.com.
For couples who are planning to get married I recommend, "Prenuptial Agreements: How to Write a Fair and Lasting Contract."
For clients with estate planning needs I recommend, "Plan Your Estate: Everything you Need to Know to Protect Your Loved Ones and Property and Finances."
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Yes.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Yes.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
As an idealistic young lawyer, I wanted to have the skills and knowledge to help make the world a better place. Now that mediation and collaborative practice has come into being as a way to solve problems, my ideals have become reality.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Travel has been my biggest teacher. Mid-way through my career, I became very disenchanted with the adversarial divorce process. I was so disenchanted that I stopped practicing law and moved to Sedona, Arizona to get a fresh perspective on life. There I met my husband (remarried) and together we embarked upon a lifestyle of living extended periods of time everywhere from South Africa to Hawaii (both the Big Island and Kaua'i), as well as living full time aboard a sailboat on the East Coast, spending winters in Key West, Florida, and summers on either Cape Cod or the Chesapeake Bay. These traveling experiences augmented my prior experiences living in Nigeria, Romania, and Paris. Traveling, living in different places, meeting new people, experiencing new cultures, being a sailor -- these all provided an incredible education for understanding people, getting the "Big Picture" and becoming a well-rounded problem solver. And that is exactly what lawyers are: problem solvers.
From these experiences I created a new problem solving paradigm called "The Maturity Paradigm." I taught this original material at the Yavapai Community College/Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Sedona, Arizona, as well as presented this material to community groups. The paradigm teaches us about intellectual, emotional and spiritual maturity.
All of these experiences and knowledge I bring to my collaborative practice.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
With a background in both social work and law, family law has been a natural fit. I also have a major interest in helping small businesses to succeed and to also help them when they don't. Mediation and collaboration are also a natural fit for me because I am very committed to people being the best they can be. If they are, then that alone is helping the world to be a better place. In collaborative practice, the divorcing spouses or disputing business partners can meet the challenge of becoming mature: managing their emotions, communicating effectively with their ex-spouse-to-be or ex-partner-to-be and solving their problems with the assistance of a team of professionals including lawyers, mental health professionals and financial experts.
What do you like best about your career?
I love helping people create a win/win situation.
Tell us about your law firm:
As many lawyers are, I am a sole practitioner. However, in collaborative law and mediation I have a wealth of team members to work with. Please see my collaborative practice group, the Collaborative Council of the Redwood Empire (CCRE) at www.collaborativecouncil.org, and our industry organization, the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) at www.collaborativepractice.com (please see my IACP Profile).
What are your strengths and style?
I am passionate about people being the best they can be. I am compassionate, focused, and direct.
Personal Interests:
Living my motto that "Life Is Good" despite occasional evidence to the contrary. I read, travel, enjoy nature and love to cook for appreciative friends and family.
Office Manager/Assistant
None
Office Hours
I offer flexible office hours to accommodate clients' schedules, including weekend appointments.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
See below.
Hourly Rates
My regular fee is $240 per hour. Please inquire about the "Nolo Discount."
Free Initial Consultation?
For resolution of disputes I help clients by using the out-of-court processes of mediation and collaboration. I welcome phone calls from prospective clients to briefly discuss their legal needs and to discuss the suitability of mediation or collaboration to resolve their dispute. There is no charge for this phone conversation. Please note: I do not give legal advice over the phone.
Please see my website:
www.AttorneyJaneIddings.com
Typical Retainer
$0 to $3,000 depending on what we negotiate.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
