Future-Focused Dispute Resolution
I am a Massachusetts divorce and family law attorney and mediator, and the owner of Next Phase Legal & Dispute Resolution LLC of Norfolk, MA.
Although I believe many families are best served by considering mediation or the collaborative divorce process, it is not an option for everyone. In those instances, we provided trusted court representation in the Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts, primarily in Norfolk, Middlesex, Bristol, Plymouth, and Worcester Counties.
I am experienced in guiding my clients through complex, high-net worth Massachusetts divorces. I have focused on divorce and family law throughout my legal career, both here in MA and previously in Charlotte, NC. One of the most important things to me is also providing prompt service and communications to our clients.
At Next Phase Legal, we provide the option of a fixed fee for many of our clients, including our divorce mediation and collaborative cases.
Besides divorce, we work with clients needing help with modifications, parenting issues, child support, alimony, prenuptial agreements, and other family law matters.
I serve on the Bench-Bar Committee for the Norfolk County Bar Association, and am a member of several other professional organizations, including the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation and the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council. I am also a volunteer conciliator, and available for private conciliations also.
Please visit our informative website and blog.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Practice areas
Divorce and family law is my primary focus area. Modifications, and contempt actions, for issues such as alimony, child support, custody and other matters. I am also an experienced divorce mediator and collaborative lawyer. Fixed fees are available for many cases, including mediation and collaborative cases.
17 years
A large portion of our divorce and family law matters are resolved through mediation. As practice areas have to do with areas of law, and mediation is a process, it is difficult to convey this information with the pie chart.
14 years
17 years
We have a track record of success in obtaining results for our clients that are owed child support, or looking to appropriately reduce child support.
17 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
MA | Active | 2005 | 12/02/2020 |
NC | Inactive | 2004 | 01/23/2021 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
10 Best | American Institute of Family Law Attorneys | 2016 |
Volunteer Recognition Certificate | Norfolk Probate and Family Court and Norfolk County Bar Association - Massachusetts | 2015 |
Certified Mediator | Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation | 2015 |
Honorable Mention - Best Oral Advocate | Suffolk University Law School, Legal Practice Skills | 2001 |
Distinguished Brief | Suffolk University Law School - Legal Practical Skills Class | 2001 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Owner, Attorney/Mediator | Next Phase Legal LLC | 2014 - Present |
Owner - Principal Attorney & Mediator | The Divorce Collaborative LLC | 2009 - 2013 |
Managing Partner | Wagner McDonough LLP | 2007 - 2009 |
Attorney | Rosen Law Firm | 2005 - 2006 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Association of Professional Family Mediators | Member | 2016 - Present |
Town of Norfolk, Massachusetts | Advisory Board | 2015 - Present |
Bar association of Norfolk County, MA | Committee on Bench-Bar Relations | 2014 - Present |
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts | Member | 2009 - Present |
Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation | Member | 2006 - Present |
Massachusetts Bar Association | Member | 2006 - Present |
---|---|---|
Norfolk County Bar Association | Member | 2006 - Present |
Norfolk, MA Lions Club | Member | 2006 - Present |
International Association of Collaborative Professionals | Member | 2005 - Present |
American Bar Association, Law Practice Management Section | Member | 2005 - Present |
MEMO - Medfield Employer's and Merchant's Organization | Director | 2015 - 2016 |
Bar Association of Norfolk County | Volunteer Conciliator - Probate Court | 2014 - 2017 |
Association for Conflict Resolution | Member | 2010 - 2015 |
Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council | Board of Directors | 2009 - 2010 |
Western Norfolk County Bar Association | Member | 2009 - 2012 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
The Divorce Center | The Importance of Parenting Flexibility | 2017 |
Avvo Stories | The Advantage of Filing First for Divorce | 2016 |
New England Woman Magazine | Returning to Work During and After Divorce: | 2015 |
The Norfolk Boomerang | Collaborative Law - The New Kid on the Block | 2008 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Suffolk University Law School | JD - Juris Doctor | 2004 |
Westfield State College (Westfield) | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1998 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Massachusetts Bar Association 2017 ADR Symposium | Online Dispute Resolution | 2017 |
Luncheon Seminar | Divorce Financial Issues & Mediation | 2017 |
Luncheon | Leveraging Technology in the Small Law Office | 2012 |
Divorce Basics for Attorneys | The New Alimony Statute in MA | 2012 |
Prudential Page Real Estate Agent's Conference | Working With Divorcing Families | 2011 |
Norfolk, MA Lions Club Members Meeting | Collaborative Law - A Better Way to Resolve Conflict | 2011 |
---|---|---|
Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council Members Meeting | Making the Collaborative Process More Affordable | 2011 |
Television Show, Sharon, MA Cable Access | Divorce Mediation and Collaborative Divorce | 2010 |
Montachusett Estate & Retirement Planning Council | Divorce & College Financial Planning | 2010 |
Membership Meeting | Fixed Fees in Mediation | 2010 |
Attorney/Bar Organization | Use of Fixed Fees in Domestic Relations Cases | 2010 |
Alternative to Divorce Litigation | Divorce & Family Law | 2010 |
The New Massachusetts Child Suport Guidelines | Major revisions to Massachusetts Child Support Guidelines | 2009 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Collaborative Divorce | Settlement on all issues |
Posted by Deborah A. Mason, Esquire
Mon Sep 12 2016
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David Hoffman, Divorce and separation Attorney on Mar 30, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Steve is an excellent lawyer - I was involved in a case with him a few years ago and was impressed by his legal expertise and his collaborative, problem-solving approach. I would welcome the chance to do more cases with him.
Jeffery Alford, Divorce and separation Attorney on Apr 3, 2014
Relationship: Friend
Steve and I have known each other for a few years after first meeting at a conference. It became obvious from our first meeting that Steve is committed to remaining on the cutting edge of his practice both technologically and from a client services perspective. Steve has a passion for service to his clients. A family law case is one of the most stressful and difficult things a person can go through and Steve is committed to making it as easy on his clients as possible. I wholeheartedly endorse him not only for his legal skill but also his compassion.
Jac Knust, Divorce and separation Attorney on Nov 19, 2012
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer. Steve is knowledgable and easy to work with.
Carolan Hardy, Divorce and separation Attorney on Feb 19, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Stephen is a dedicated and caring attorney who is also involved in assisting families in medication and collaborative.
Leila Wons, Family Attorney on Dec 13, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Steve is dedicated to helping his clients resolve their family law matters as quickly and smoothly as possible. He is always up-to-date on the latest news and technology, which he generously forwards to his clients and the legal community. I endorse this attorney.
Scott Allen, Family Attorney on Nov 20, 2011
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer. I worked with Stephen for several years in the same firm. I know him to be compassionate, diligent, and ethical. I would not hesitate to recommend Stephen to a friend for the handling of any kind of family law case.
Steven Ballard, Mediation Attorney on Aug 7, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I highly endorse this lawyer. I have been very impressed with his legal blog, and know he has an excellent reputation as a lawyer, mediator, and collaborative lawyer.
David Hoffman, Divorce and separation Attorney on Mar 30, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Steve is an excellent lawyer - I was involved in a case with him a few years ago and was impressed by his legal expertise and his collaborative, problem-solving approach. I would welcome the chance to do more cases with him.
Justin Kelsey, Family Attorney on Jan 18, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I've met with Stephen McDonough to discuss how he and I both practice family law, divorce and mediation cases. Stephen has a great grasp on the emotional complications of divorce cases and the right way to minimize the trauma of clients going through a divorce. From my interaction with Stephen I believe he understands the challenges of divorce law and the necessity of balancing good representation and service with the value to families of settlement and moving on with their lives. Although our practice areas overlap, I intend to recommend Stephen to potential clients in his area when I have the opportunity to do so.
Donna Valanzola, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jan 16, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I would highly endorse Attorney Stephen McDonough. He is a very intelligent, caring and committed professional. Stephen is down to earth and he has a great sense of humor which makes him a pleasure to be around. Stephen is also a remarkable businessman. I am so impressed with his business and technical skills and also his incredible generosity in sharing his expertise with his colleagues. Although I have not yet had the pleasure of working directly with him on a case, I would wholeheartedly recommend him, and I very much look forward to working with him.
Christopher McHallam, Family Attorney on Mar 10, 2010
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have worked with Steve and have referred matters to him with the utmost confidence. Steve is dedicated, pragmatic, and focused on obtaining great results for his clients in a manner that is both effective and rational. Steve is an excellent resource both as an attorney and mediator.
Glenn Murphy, Divorce and separation Attorney on Mar 4, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work. I carefully consider the impact of referrals to other attorneys on my own law practice. I can honestly say that a referral to Steve is given in full confidence. He cares deeply about his clients and his practice. It shows in his ability to combine his skills and knowledge as an attorney/mediator with a sense of humor, enthusiasm and genuine good nature. Steve also serves his clients well by assimiliating the latest technologies into his practice. Glenn J. Murphy, Esquire
Timothy Borchers, Divorce and separation Attorney on Mar 4, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I want only the best results and best relationships for my clients in their family law and divorce cases. I am therefore very pleased to recommend fellow lawyer Steve McDonough. Steve is not only well versed in domestic relations law, but he also cares deeply about his clients. I know this because I share an office building with him. Steve is highly organized, discreet, smart, quick, funny, and good company. After 25 years in the practice of law, I know that clients will need to rely on all of these attributes through their divorce. Steve has the street smarts that are useful in understanding human nature, the investigative nose that comes from years in law enforcement, and the guts to work hard for the client. He also loves families and wants the best for all concerned. From what I can see, Steve has always been a top performer. His leadership shows especially in his promoting of the collaborative approach to divorce, which really impresses me. I recommend Steve highly.
Joshua Blumen, Family Attorney on Mar 16, 2009
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I enjoy working with Steve on matters and find him to be very thorough, creative, efficient and personable. He brings a unique perspective to his clients and continues to be a valuable resource to me and my clients who need his firm's services.
Leanna Hamill, Family Attorney on Feb 26, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Stephen was a classmate of mine in law school. He is bright and compassionate. I have referred clients to him with complete confidence.
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