Brenda Keen
Divorce Law - Houston, TX

From our first conversation, most of all, I listen. I want to know what you are thinking about, what your concerns and expectations are. People often ask, "What's going to happen to me?" I listen carefully. That way, from the very start, I can help educate them about the process, and clarify certain assumptions, things they have heard that are inaccurate. Sometimes understanding the process better will create a comfort level, and ease the uncertainty of the future.

Often, people will come to see me with a set agenda, with certain expectations of an outcome. Having a "set agenda" can pose a problem if it conflicts with one's own resources, or with the law.

I believe that any process that alleviates the tension, stress and hostilities of divorce is constructive -- that's why I take great pride in the fact that the vast majority of my cases were resolved out of court for many years before the collaborative process was available. Once upon a time, a lot of intensely contested divorce cases would head to trial -- and be settled at the last minute on the courthouse steps. The collaborative process has changed that. I can say from experience that certain aspects of litigation had grown horribly destructive. The formal discovery process has degenerated to an elaborate game of "Gotcha." And there is a fair amount of "make-work" to that process -- none of which is very productive or useful, but is always very expensive to the client.

Put in a situation where I am working with another lawyer -- rather than against another lawyer -- I think we achieve positive results in a less costly and less harmful way. That does require a different skill set, in negotiation and case management. But I welcome all of that.

That's because every case remains complex and challenging. We must have experience and understanding in a wide range of areas: tax law, business valuation, pensions and employee benefits. Simply because we have agreed to resolve a matter without litigation doesn't mean it is somehow simpler or easier. The legal issues are still there.

I have a lot of respect for my peers in Family Law. They are a high-caliber group of professionals -- they are supportive, and the best ones share their expertise on a regular basis. They give a lot of themselves. I'm proud of our profession. I'm grateful to be a part of it. And I love Houston. Ours really is a can-do city, and that spirit is hard to find anyplace else. Challenges are just opportunities in work clothes. Houstonians like to say, "If you don't think we can do it, just watch us." That's a great quality.

I've seen a lot of changes in our work, but I think most of it has been positive. Collaborative law is a common-sense response to the excesses of traditional adversarial litigation. We are making the process work, and responding to people's needs when they need help the most. I'm pleased about that, and I know my clients appreciate it.

Brenda Keen
"Collaborative law is a common-sense response to the excesses of traditional adversarial litigation."
Phone: (713) 972-1320
Fax: (713) 972-1064
 
 
Education
University of Houston, B.A., 1972
University of Houston, Bates College of Law, J.D., 1975, Magna Cum Laude
 
2016-03-15 15:15:53