Barbara Phillips-Bute,
J.D., Ph.D.
Collaborative Family Law Attorney
Profile
Barbara Phillips-Bute, J.D., Ph.D.
Attorney and Mediator
Barbara came to Collaborative Law through her combined interests in psychology and law. She has over 25 years of experience in interactive counseling, training, teaching, and conflict resolution.
Barbara graduated summa cum laude from evening program at the North Carolina Central University School of Law, where she was valedictorian of her class and the recipient of the Daniel G. Sampson Scholarship Award. She also earned the Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from the NCCU Dispute Resolution Institute.
Her background includes a Ph.D. in Psychology from Duke University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Psychology from Guilford College.
As a Collaborative Attorney, Barbara provides the legal protection and guidance that her clients need to navigate the many decisions that must be made during times of transition. She has helped many clients negotiate solid agreements with honesty, respect, and good faith.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Barbara was on the faculty at Duke University Medical Center where she held joint appointments in the Departments of Psychiatry and Anesthesiology. She has collaborated with investigators from multiple disciplines, writing and publishing over 100 articles on quality of life and health.
Barbara is married and has two grown fun, creative, and well-adjusted children. Her hobbies include playing saxophone in a community jazz band, scuba diving, underwater photography, and bridge.
Serving clients from the Triangle area
Licensed by NC State Bar #46325
WHAT COLLABORATIVE DIVORCE CLIENTS HAVE SAID:
"Your guidance and obvious care were instrumental to help us avoid a schism that would have been devastating to our well-being and respect for ourselves and our partner and friend of 25 years. That we were able to separate with peace of mind and, surprisingly, with some humor, is a testimony to your ability and the validity of this collaborative process. We will be forever grateful that you helped us maintain our mutual friendship and affection."
"Excellent, and would recommend her to anyone seeking a collaborative and respectful way to move through the marital separation experience. Barbara was consistently responsive to questions, provided readily understandable answers, and conducted herself and our process in a professional, respectful manner"
"Thank you for all of your help and patience and for listening. It is such a relief to have reached this point. Collaborative Law is the way to go when at all possible".