FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2004
WWW.MARRIAGERECOVERY.COM
(703) 847-8264 FAX (703) 637-1308

ON THE BAR COMPLAINTS FILED AGAINST SENIOR ATTORNEY AND MEDIATOR, MARY S. MEADE, ESQ.
WASHINGTON, D.C. METROPOLITAN AREA -- Mrs. Meade wishes to thank all of you have offered so much support during the resolution of the complaints filed. Your expressions of support and prayer have been overwhelming and are received with more gratitude than can be expressed. For those who are not aware of what transpired, this notice is issued:

Although in some two decades of practice, Mrs. Meade has never had a complaint filed by any client, Mrs. Meade has faced two complaints from opposing counsel and a complaint from a court reporter. Those latter complaints led to her suspension which she wants to make known to the public:

In 1999, a court reporter denied receiving payment sent by one of the firm’s secretaries, despite the production of a delivery receipt. Much was made of the delivery receipt and the court reporter denied it was her signature. In that hearing, another reporter testified that a client had not paid her bill. Mrs. Meade was required to pay the bills and was suspended from the practice of law for 13 months. Mrs. Meade was required to notify the courts and her clients of this suspension. She promptly did so in a formal notice, but was then reprimanded for signing the notification as an attorney.

The attorney in the same court reporter’s case, years after its conclusion, and only after learning of the court reporter’s success in denying a delivery receipt, then filed a claim against Mrs. Meade saying that she had not received something for which there was again an administrative delivery receipt. The attorney also pointed to the fact that a draft letter (instead of the final edited copy) to the court attached as an exhibit. The secretary who had sent the exhibit no longer worked for the firm and Mrs. Meade was held responsible. An attorney in another case also alleged that a motion was never sent to court for which there was again a signed delivery receipt this time by a clerk of court. The Clerk testified under oath that it was her signature on the delivery receipt, but could not explain why the motion was not in the court’s file. Mrs. Meade was held responsible for the missing deliveries and for relying on the clerk’s signed delivery receipt when she represented to Court that it was filed. Mrs. Meade was again suspended for four months.

In each of the cases, Mrs. Meade had taken a strong pro-family stance and had very differing opinions with opposing counsel.

Mrs. Meade’s counsel before the Bar pointed out that other attorneys fare far better before the Bar Association. For example, he pointed to the case of an attorney who had put down false and misleading information in actual pleadings. Such false and misleading information stated that physicians would be expert witnesses on behalf of a defendant, when in fact such a representation was found to be completely untruthful and something that would impact the very outcome of the case. This was not the case of an attorney taking responsibility for administrative matters; this was a case that went to the heart of a legal action. Yet that attorney was given only a four month suspension.

If anyone would like further information about the complaints against Mrs. Meade, the orders as entered by the Bar Association can be found by clicking here. The transcripts can also be made available to our clients.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2002
WWW.MARRIAGERECOVERY.COM
(703) 847-8264 FAX (703) 637-1308

PRIVATE GRANTS AWARDED FOR TEACHERS AT PRIVATE RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS and FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION WITHIN A DIOCESE WASHINGTON, D.C. METROPOLITAN AREA - A private and anonymous donor has awarded The Marriage and Family Recovery Programs with two yearly $5,000.00 grants.

1. Family Recovery Mediation
   The first $5,000.00 grant is to be given to one or more teachers at a private religious school. This grant is to be used towards the costs of the Marriage and Family Recovery Program for any family that seeks reconciliation, conflict resolution and healing. The donor has directed that the funds be used for a teacher of any denomination and faith. This grant is made "in recognition of the hard work and dedication of teachers in small private religious schools, and with the specific intent of helping couples to rebuild the family unit when there has been trouble in the marriage or family." The only two criteria for the grant are that: (1) one of the spouses be a teacher in a private religious school, and (2) the couple must agree to complete the entire program recovery program together or refund the grant.
2. Diocesan Recovery Mediation
   The second $5,000.00 grant is to be used for one or more Diocesan employees, staffers, or volunteers who seek to find healing and conflict resolution through the Diocesan Recovery Program. This program is has multiple dimensions ranging from the personal recovery of individuals caught up in alcoholism or illicit sexual relations, to group education of religious or staffers who need to utilize faith-based mediation skills in employment, counseling or guidance settings, or where some dispute has escalated to the point of turmoil that affects many within the particular Diocese. Each recovery program conveys the relationship of mediation principles and natural law precepts with Church teaching.

The Marriage and Family Recovery Programs provide a healing approach to conflict resolution and personal growth, and are dedicated to preserving families and avoiding divorce, as well as to ending workplace disputes without litigation or group embarrassment. For further information about these grants, please contact us at pressinfo@marriagerecovery.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2002
WWW.MARRIAGERECOVERY.COM
(703) 847-8264 FAX (703) 637-1308

OPENING OF NEW OFFICES
WASHINGTON, D.C. METROPOLITAN AREA -- The Marriage and Family Recovery Program will move its main offices in Falls Church on December 20, 2002, to a new address in McLean, Virginia. The new offices in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area are equipped with state of the art video-conferencing geared to facilitate the increase in long-distance mediation programs and in keeping with the demand for long-distance training and seminars.

These offices are strategically located at the crossroads of the Capital Beltway (I-495) and Leesburg Pike (Rt. 7), in the heart of the Tysons Corner business corridor. This location is just five minutes from the METRO Orange Line and only minutes from downtown Washington, D.C., offering clients accessibility to the city and its suburbs.

The new address of the headquarters is:

• Marriage and Family Recovery Programs
  2010 Corporate Ridge, 7th Floor
  McLean, Virginia 22102

A map and directions to are available at our web site at: www.marriagerecovery.com.

If you need detailed directions from a particular area, please send us an email at pressinfo@marriagerecovery.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY, JANUARY 1, 2002
WWW.MARRIAGERECOVERY.COM
(703) 847-8264 FAX (703) 637-1308

THE MARRIAGE RECOVERY PROGRAM'S POSITION ON ALCOHOLISM, DRUG ABUSE, PORNOGRAPHY, GAMBLING, SEXUAL AND OTHER ADDICTIONS
WASHINGTON, D.C. METROPOLITAN AREA -- A frequently asked question by clients or the media pertains to how we view the addictive process. Do we view addiction as a biological disease, a moral choice, a sin, or in some other category? The answer is simple. We do not take a position on the cause of any person’s addiction nor do we find it fruitful to enter into the medical debate as to the nature of the addictive process. We leave that to the medical and mental health experts and to the client’s conscience.

We do know, however, that our programs have successfully helped many people who were addicted to certain sexual behavior as well as to substances. We believe that our three-tiered team approach that addresses mental health, spiritual health, and communication patterns is the most successful. Having said that, we give recognition to certain related facts.

First, we recognize that there is a solid body of scientific literature to support the premise that all addiction stems from disease, just as we recognize that there is also a solid body of scientific literature to support the premise that an addict makes and addict of himself by each progressive choice to refrain from or partake in some substance abuse or some other unhealthy act.

Second, we strongly support the healing approach taken by Al-Anon and the various other 12 Step programs which begin with the premise that the addict must first admit to the addiction and then must surrender all control to God. Our support for this approach is so strong that all addicted clients are usually required to go through 90 such meetings in 90 days, with weekly follow-up thereafter.

Third, our programs are founded on an absolute belief in God and His loving providence. Accordingly, we fear no truth; moreover, the fearless pursuit of truth forms an essential part of our approach to every recovery. Thus we encourage our clients not to worry whether an addiction is a disease or a choice, but instead to examine his or her life courageously to ascertain if an addiction is robbing that person of serenity and strength in life. Any addiction will eventually kill the family’s interpersonal relationships.

In encouraging our clients to seek truth with fortitude, we therefore stress that for purposes of this program (unlike for purposes of medical science), it does not matter if addictions are diseases or not. What matters is the recognition that addictions make us less than fully human. Addictions lead individuals to do things that are alienating, immoral and inhuman. Addictive behavior can, however, be transformed into healthy choices with help from others and God’s grace.

Finally, we stress that God’s gift of free will to each person is the only gift given to us that is totally our own. We believe that there can be no morality without freedom. Thus, for example, a recovering alcoholic who has alcohol poured down his throat is not responsible for the intake and does not make an immoral choice. However, once the addiction is recognized by an individual, we do assert that a moral choice then comes into play. By that choice, each addicted person can and must take an active role to do everything in his or her power to end that cycle of destruction. Yet we also stress that at every moment of life, each person can seek the grace a new beginning from the all-loving and all-powerful God who seeks our happiness and who yearns to have a close relationship with each of His creatures.

If you are a client who is fighting some addiction or compulsion, there is help if you want it. We urge you not to be among the many statistics who wait too long to get help and who then lose their spouse, their children, their family life, and much in financial resources. All you have to do is admit that you have a problem and then seek help. Even if you have sexually molested your own children or done something that you think is unforgivable, you can recover. You cannot do this alone. You need professional help, and you need to turn to God to ask for help in ending your own living hell, and the hell your loved ones live in as they wait for your personal transformation. You can do it.