Message from the Chair

Welcome to the Collaborative Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.

We are looking forward to an exciting and eventful 2025-26 Bar year!

The purpose of this Section is to: (1) promote the study and use of collaborative law, (2) study and report on laws and decisions as they may affect the rights of parties in the collaborative law process, (3) provide a forum for members of the profession interested in collaborative law, and (4) provide resources and continuing education for attorneys representing clients participating in collaborative law in the state of Texas. (from Bylaws of the Collaborative Law Section of the State Bar of Texas)

We value your input and invite your participation as we work to spread awareness of the collaborative law process and to increase its use in both general Civil Law and Family Law cases.

Some of the ongoing projects and work of the SBOT Collaborative Law Section include:

CLE – we are planning both virtual and live CLE events this Bar year, so keep posted for upcoming announcements.

Road Show – the Collaborative Law Council has prepared a Road Show presentation about collaborative law, which can be used to promote collaborative law throughout the state of Texas. Dates are being scheduled for 2025-26, so please let us know if you are interested in featuring the Road Show at local Bar or practice group meetings or at events in your community.

Innovations Committee – the Innovations Committee was formed in 2020 to enhance collaborative law models, to spread the word about collaborative law to fellow attorneys and other professionals, and to make the process more accessible to the public. The Innovations Committee anticipates completing their initial report and collaborative law survey for dissemination to attorneys this Bar year.

SBOT Annual Meeting – the Collaborative Law Section will host a CLE program at the State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, to be held on June 11-12, 2026, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Houston.

We hope that you will participate in some of the wonderful events planned this year, and I look forward to seeing both new and familiar faces!

Sara E. Saltmarsh, Chair
Collaborative Law Section
State Bar of Texas