Professional Credentials

Background and Philosophy

Arnold D. Cribari has been a practicing family lawyer for more than 40 years and has a track record for negotiating solutions to divorce and custody issues, avoiding litigation whenever possible. He has experienced the gross inadequacy of the adversarial system for dealing with family issues, particularly when children are involved. With the advent of Collaborative Law, Arnold has found a viable alternative to both the adversarial system, and to mediation, which has a different set of drawbacks, particularly in cases where there is an imbalance of power.

Married for 40 years with two adult children and two grandchildren, Arnold and his wife Shawn also raised his now 35-year-old niece who was orphaned at age 11. Arnold understands from personal experience how important consistent, stable relationships are for a child’s ability to thrive. Arnold’s life is centered on his family, and he brings that sensibility to his conflict resolution skills. With a skilled mediator/attorney’s guidance, conflict can be open and honest without being hostile.

Professional Credentials:

• BA Degree from Columbia College of Columbia University in New York City
• JD Degree from Albany Law School
• Admitted to New York State Bar in 1977
• Served on the Board of Directors of the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals
• Member of
  • New York State Bar Association (Family Law Section)
  • Westchester County Bar Association (Family Law Section)
  • New York Association of Collaborative Professionals

Specialized Training in Collaborative Practice and Mediation:

• IACP Pre-Forum and Forum: Four-day seminars of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals in 2011, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
• Advanced Collaborative Seminar, Self-Reflection in Action for Conflict Professionals: Bringing the Depth of Who We Are to Our Work, (four-day seminar), Center for Mediation in Law, 2008
• Advanced Collaborative Law Seminar/Working with Dynamics of Conflict, New York Association of Collaborative Professionals, February, 2007 and continuing.
• Intensive Mediation Training, Center for Mediation in Law, 2005
• Advanced Collaborative Law Training, Interdisciplinary Model, New York Collaborative Law Group, 2005
• Basic Collaborative Law, New York Collaborative Law Group, 2004

Published Articles

His article: “Collaborative Divorce and Passive Resistance“, published in the January 2021 issue of Westchester Lawyer Magazine, published by the Westchester County Bar Association, explains how the collaborative process can successfully resolve divorces involving a spouse who is persistently unreasonable.

His article: “Collaborative Law: Divorce Lawyer as Peacemaker,” published in the spring/summer 2006 edition of the Westchester Bar Journal, gives an in depth explanation of collaborative law and the benefits that divorce clients and their attorneys may obtain from it.

An article Arnold co-authored with a colleague, Melissa Goodstein, Esq., entitled: “Divorce: To Mediate, Collaborate or Litigate, That is the Question,” published in the Spring 2009 Newsletter of The Financial Planning Association of The Greater Hudson Valley, explains the important differences between the primary ways for obtaining a legal separation or divorce.

His article: “The Struggle to Preserve Collaborative Law Benefits when Litigating a Divorce“ published in the Spring/Summer, 2007 edition of the Westchester Bar, describes how clients (who go to court as a last resort) can benefit from the services of lawyers trained in collaborative law.

His article, “Restraining the Custodial Parent from Relocating the Child to a Distant Domicile …, “ published in the May, 1988 edition of The Domestic Law Review, reflects his interest in issues affecting the well-being of children caught up in a divorce dispute.

Presentations

Lecturer, Matrimonial and Family Law Topics for Local Bar Associations, Civic Associations and Other Groups, including the following:

• Collaborative Divorce Lawyer Goes to Trial, February 24, 2021, Intellectual Capital Exchange, business networking group.
• Collaborative Law, February 10, 2009, Continuing Legal Education presentation in New York City sponsored by the Hudson Valley Bank, Faculty included Barry Berkman, Esq., Arnold D. Cribari, Esq., Elana Katz, LCSW, LMFT, and Mary Prior, MS, EA, CFP, CDFA.
• Collaborative Divorce, Continuing Legal Education Program, Ossining Bar Association, May 15, 2008.
• Collaborative Divorce, Scarsdale and Edgemont Family Counseling Center, April 22, 2008
• Making Valid Marital Settlement Agreements and Attacking the Bad Ones Continuing Legal Education Program, Yorktown Bar Association, March 26, 2008