SUZANNE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN SECURING THE ETHICS OPINION ALLOWING COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE IN NEW JERSEY!
HER WORK HAS SERVED AS A MODEL FOR ATTORNEYS NATIONWIDE AND WE PROUDLY CALL HER OUR OWN!
Suzanne has been at the foundation of our group since our beginning in 2004. Our practice group was initiated in Ocean County, New Jersey by a core group of approximately twelve professionals. Before we could even begin, we had to obtain Ethics approval from the Ethics Committee of the Supreme Court in order to allow both attorneys and non-attorneys to associate in a professional association. Suzanne researched and fashioned the inquiry to the Ethics Committee and then communicated with the Ethics Committee responding to their questions in a timely and thoughtful manner during the process that took a year. In December 2005 the Ethics Committee issued Opinion 699 that for the first time permitted attorneys and non-attorneys to form an association and further approved the concept of collaborative divorce in New Jersey. Suzanne’s gentle persuasive demeanor was an invaluable asset in having the concept of collaborative law introduced into the fabric of the divorce process in New Jersey. Due to Suzanne’s efforts we were able to begin publicizing collaborative practice and begin our public education movement. Suzanne has conducted herself in every situation with grace and diplomacy particularly when certain factions of the Mediation and Litigation Bar were less than enchanted by the notion of “competition” in the area of divorce. Suzanne has served as our second president in the Jersey Shore Collaborative Law Group. For all intents and purposes, Suzanne remains an “unsung hero” because she will rarely note her invaluable part in bringing this movement to New Jersey. She has frequently coauthored articles for other members of the group being satisfied with a byline. Her efforts may have gone unnoticed by many of the present members since we have grown to 102 since our original 12. Many do not even know who Suzanne is. For those who began the group Suzanne was the key player in allowing us to begin the group we are today. For this we are extremely grateful and proud to nominate Suzanne Jorgensen as our “Unsung Hero”.
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