Jennifer Kirshen: Member Spotlight
Jennifer Kirshen
Lawyer
As a family lawyer, Jennifer Kirshen has always been passionate about finding resolutions that meet her clients needs and interests, so after learning about the higher satisfaction rates among clients choosing a Collaborative Divorce, Jennifer began training in collaborative law. It didn’t take long for her to become committed to Collaborative Divorce and currently sits on the Collaborative Divorce Toronto Board, helping both clients and professionals discover the benefits of this legal method.
As an accredited Collaborative Family Law lawyer, Jennifer advises clients on all aspects of family law, including parental decision making, parenting time, child and spousal support, property, and domestic contracts. In her Collaborative practice, Jennifer’s goal is to achieve collaborative settlements through negotiation and alternative dispute resolution.
Quick Q&A with Jennifer Kirshen:
What drew you to Collaborative Practice? And how did you first learn about it?
I was introduced to Collaborative Practice during a continuing legal education course. The presenter shared the findings of a survey conducted among individuals who were separating and going through the divorce process. The survey results highlighted a contrast between those who opted for a collaborative approach and those who pursued a traditional litigation route. I was notably impressed by the higher levels of satisfaction reported by individuals who chose the collaborative method, as well as the reduced costs (generally) and shorter duration of the process. Given the increasing expenses and significant backlogs associated with traditional court proceedings, I was immediately interested in pursuing collaborative training to better serve clients in a more efficient, respectful and cost-effective manner.
How would you say that practicing Collaborative Law has impacted you, personally?
On a personal level, engaging in Collaborative Law has been deeply fulfilling. It allows me to witness firsthand the transformative effect that a cooperative approach can have on individuals navigating challenging circumstances. The opportunity to help clients reach mutually agreeable solutions without the adversarial tension of traditional litigation has reinforced my commitment to this practice area.
Can you think of a specific example recently where a family really benefited from the Collaborative process?
Recently, I worked with a family going through a complex divorce involving multiple intricate and complex financial assets that involved other extended family members. Instead of pursuing traditional litigation, they chose the Collaborative process. This decision significantly benefited them in several ways. Because we used a Collaborative Process, we were able to involve a neutral financial professional who facilitated transparency, assisted with disclosure, and analyzed the finances. This allowed for honest and open discussions about their financial situation and needs post-separation. The less financially-savvy party benefited from the financial neutral’s expertise, gaining a clearer understanding of the family finances and increasing their confidence in the negotiations.
Moreover, the Collaborative process enabled us to tailor a comprehensive agreement that addressed the family’s specific financial needs and concerns, even allowing for deviations from the standard legal framework, when necessary. It also safeguarded their desire for privacy throughout the process. This experience underscored for me how impactful and beneficial the Collaborative process can be in achieving positive and lasting resolutions for families.
