Bert Dempsey
How did I get here?
I'd have to say that it all started in 1991, the year of my divorce. I had
my law practice which at that time was mainly personal injury work. With a young
child, my days were about work and my nights were about spending time with my son
and my wife. Then one day I was informed that things were going to change, and change
they did. No longer was my son at home when I arrived but was twenty miles away
and available three days per week. Mediation did not prove fruitful and after months
of legal 'negotiation', an agreement was worked out prior to trial. This was a painful
time for me, my child and his mother. She and I just did not know any better.
From this emotionally draining time something did emerge; the understanding that
there had to be a better way for couples to handle these situations. In 1996 I attended
CDR Associates in Boulder to learn mediation skills. Following this training I volunteered
for several years with Community Mediation Service in Boulder. This city-funded
service, now called Children Youth and Family services offered a great opportunity
to do a lot of mediating while earning hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.
( Just kidding about the money) Mediation became and continues to be one of the
key services offered.
In 2001 I learned about a fascinating conference that had occurred in Arizona regarding
what was called Collaborative law. In the fall of that year I attended the first
Collaborative law training in Colorado and soon thereafter, in association with
other professionals I met at that training, became a founding member of the Rocky
Mountain Collaborative Divorce Professionals, a Denver practice group.
With the knowledge gained through this training and network of professionals I met,
I realized that I had found another alternative to conventional divorce. While the
knowledge of Collaborative law spreads, I mediate and I still accept conventional
divorce cases. However, I have found that even these conventional cases go smoother
when infused with a cooperative spirit and a desire for a win-win solution for the
parties.
I now have a workable co-parenting partnership with my son's mother, a great relationship
with my son (now a college senior) as well as a growing mediation and Collaborative
practice. These relationships and rewarding work are a great source of personal
joy.
Being a good attorney, mediator or being good at anything for that matter, is a
combination of education and experience. Having similar experiences to someone you
are trying to help is a tremendous asset to professionals working with divorcing
couples. Until you have walked a mile in someone's moccasins, what does one really
know?
As a result of these personal experiences and training I now offer:
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Mediation as a method of working through divorce and post divorce issues.
Collaborative divorce with the availability of other capable professionals from
diverse specialty areas.
Unbundled legal services in which I advise those who may wish to file their own
paperwork.
Legal representation in traditional divorce cases. |
A member of Rocky Mountain Collaborative Divorce Professionals, I, along with
other professionals, began the Collaborative Divorce Professionals of Boulder, a
group which includes psychologists, attorneys, financial consultants, child &
family experts and other professionals in Boulder County. I am a former member and
chairperson of the board of directors of Blue Sky Bridge, a non- profit organization
assisting children and families dealing with childhood sexual abuse. I volunteered
as a Court appointed special advocate for Voices for Children from 1991-97.
These experiences can benefit you.
My goal is to help families realign themselves in a sane and thoughtful manner.
My life experiences have contributed to my patience and awareness of the issues
you are facing in your divorce. I would like to share this knowledge and experience
with you and your family.
Contact information:
Bert Dempsey
3775 Iris Avenue, Suite 5
Boulder, CO 80301
303-554-1415
www.BertDempseyLaw.com
