For many years, I have worked with families seeking out-of-court resolution of divorce, marital property, and/or parenting issues to preserve family relationships, emotional health, and children’s well-being. Through collaborative practice and mediation, spouses and parents can find the support and guidance to control their legal outcomes in the manner that is best for their family and circumstances. My confidence in the power of collaborative practice is based upon my personal experience over the years in achieving many successful outcomes for families; and I invite you to learn more about my practice:
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE:
Elaine Buck is certified by the Ohio State Bar Association as a family relations law specialist. She is highly trained in various forms of alternative dispute resolution including collaborative practice, mediation and co-resolution. Elaine also provides representation in adoption/surrogacy and probate.
Elaine served on the Ohio Supreme Court's Sub-committee on Collaborative Law that drafted the Ohio Collaborative Family Law Act. She qualifies as a collaborative practice trainer pursuant to the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals.
Elaine is co-founder and annual co-trainer since 2015 for the Central Ohio Academy of Collaborative Divorce Professionals' basic training for attorneys, financial experts and mental health professionals in Collaborative Practice. She has presented on Collaborative Practice to such groups and organizations as: the Ohio House Judiciary Committee, the Ohio Supreme Court conference, Ohio State Bar Association, Columbus Bar Association, Capital University Law School, and Ohio Council of School Board Attorneys.
AREAS OF PRACTICE:
Family law:
- Dissolution of marriage
- Divorce (uncontested or contested, including amicable divorce, collaborative law, alternative dispute resolution, litigation and mediation)
- Shared parenting plans
- Separation agreements
- Prenuptial agreements
- Child custody/child support
- Grandparents' rights
- Mediation
- Collaborative law
- Co-resolution
- Post-decree issues that arise after divorce
Adoption:
- Adoptive parents
- Birth parents
- Single parent
- Stepparent
- Guardianship
- Agency adoption
- Private/targeted adoption
- Adult
- Interstate
- Foreign/Ohio proceedings for foreign adoptions
Probate/Wills:
- Wills and trusts
- General powers of attorney
- Living wills
- Health-care specific powers of attorney
- Financial powers of attorney
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES:
- OSBA Certified Family Law Specialist
Certified Mediator, General & Divorce, and Co-resolution
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION:
- Ohio State University College of Law, J.D.
UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION:
- Brown University, B.A. in Honors Semiotics, Department of English, 1978
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:
- Jan. 23 & 24, 2019; COACDP Introductory Interdisciplinary Training
- Nov. 1, 2018; “Ethics Matters in Collaborative Law Training” (OSBA)
- Mar. 13, 2018; “Collaborative Law: Resolving the Most Difficult Cases the Collaborative Way” (Ohio Supreme Court)
- Jan. 25 & 26, 2018; COACDP Introductory Interdisciplinary Training
- Apr. 27, 2017; “Resolving Tough Cases Through Collaborative Practice” (CBA)
- Jan. 26 & 27, 2017; COACDP Introductory Interdisciplinary Training
- Jan. 28 & 29, 2016; COACDP Introductory Interdisciplinary Training
- Nov. 5-7, 2015; “Does Collaborative Practice Effectively Address Family Conflict?” (AFCC)
- Oct. 14, 2015; “Collaborative Family Law: The Power of the Model” (OSBA)
- Jan. 29 & 30, 2015; COACDP Introductory Interdisciplinary Training
- Sept. 10, 2014; “Understanding Collaborative Family Law” (OSBA)
- Oct. 23, 2013; “Child Custody and Support” (OSBA)
- Sept. 12 & 13, 2013: “Understanding the Ohio Collaborative Family Law Act” (OSBA)
- Nov. 27, 2012: Senate Judiciary Committee, H.B. 461 — Proponent Testimony
- May 8, 2012: House Judiciary and Ethics Committee, H.B. 461 — Proponent Testimony
- Oct. 21, 2010: "Introduction to Domestic Relations Practice" (Ohio State Bar Association)
- July 21, 2010: "Building A Successful Law Practice" (Ohio State Bar Association)
- Feb. 2, 2009: "Introduction to Collaborative Law" (Capital University Law School)
- May 16, 2006: "Post-Secondary Education in the Context of Divorce" (Columbus Bar Association)
- Sept. 24, 2003: "Alternative Dispute Resolution of Family Law Issues; Selecting the ADR Program According to the Conflict Level and Issues of the Case" (Ohio State Bar Association)
- June 2, 2002: "Overview of Collaborative Family Law in Ohio" (Ohio State Bar Association)
COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE TRAININGS THROUGH:
- Central Ohio Academy of Collaborative Divorce Professionals
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
- Ohio Bar Association, Columbus Bar Association and Numerous Others
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS AND LEADERSHIP.
- Ohio Super Lawyer
- Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.
- Center for New Directions Service Award Recipient
- President, Collaborative Family Law Council of Central Ohio
- Member, International Association of Collaborative Professionals
- Board Chairman, Northwest Counseling Services
- Ohio State Bar Foundation Fellow, Class of 2000
- Ohio State Bar Association, 1981 to present
- Columbus Bar Association — Family and Probate Law Committees
- Presenter — Family Law Issues, Ohio Council of School Board Attorneys
- Facilitator, Center for New Directions, Divorce and Dissolution Sessions
- Lecturer, Capital University Law School, General Law Class
CIVIC EXPERIENCE:
- Upper Arlington Community Foundation Board of Trustees
- Northwest Counseling Chair of Board of Trustees
- Area Chairman, Brown Alumni Schools Committees
- Upper Arlington Education Fund, Founding Board of Trustees
- Brown University Alumni Schools Committee, Area Chair
