Collaboration:

Collaboration is the practice by which both parties to the dispute hire a lawyers who facilitate the negotations between them to reach a decision that is mutually satisfactorialy.  It is a negotiation process in which both parties to the dispute take the lead.  Other entities such as accountants, consultants, etc. can be brought into the negotiations to provide expert advice.

In this process both parties to the dispute maintain control over the outcome.  The outcome is likely to better for both parties than acourt imposed solution.  This method is much cheaper than going to court.  Collaboration records are confidential.

Agreements resultin from the collaboration process are submitted to the court for approval and becomes legally binding on the parties involved.

If an agreement can't be reach through collaboration the lawyers withdraw and each party can hire new lawyers and pursue the matter in court.

You can find Collaborative Practice Lawyers here.