The North Carolina Civil Collaborative Law Association ("NCCCLA") is a non-profit organization formed to serve as a resource for both attorneys and the public to learn about and put to use the practice of collaborative law in resolving disputes without going to court. In collaborative practice, the parties and their lawyers work in a cost and time effective manner to achieve a settlement that reflects the needs and interests of all, including an agreement that the collaborative lawyers will not take the matter to court themselves if the effort fails. This concept works best when the disputing parties have an ongoing relationship with each other or with third parties that they wish to maintain. The many benefits collaborative law offers in the resolution of certain civil disputes include the following: Saves time, Saves money, Saves stress, Preserves relationships, Maintains confidentiality, Offers maximum flexibility, and Maintains client control over the outcome. NCCCLA defines uniform standards and best practices for civil collaborative professionals, and provides a way for clients to find collaborative lawyers who have been properly trained in the collaborative process. The types of disputes that could be resolved using collaborative law practice include: Family and other small business disputes, Construction disputes, Employment disputes, Disputes involving trusts, estates and other fiduciary matters. Each attorney member has completed many hours of training in the collaborative law process and interest-based negotiations. Many of our members have additional training in interest-based negotiations, communication skills, and high conflict situations. As collaborative lawyers, we are committed to empowering parties and enabling win-win solutions. We have experienced the damage that traditional litigation can do to parties and relationships and are committed to a better process for the resolution of disputes.