About Cynthia Runge
I have practiced law for over 30 years and am the founder and owner of Peridot Family Law LLC in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition to divorce and family law, collaborative law and mediation my background includes experience in real estate and intellectual property matters (focus on artists, museums and non-profits). In 2001, I was formally trained as a mediator. Since that time, I have continued my training by taking and presenting advanced courses in divorce law, mediation, marital mediation and collaborative law.
From 2007 through 2010, I was the Coordinator of Court and Divorce Mediation Services at a community mediation program in Cambridge. I am the former Vice President of the Massachusetts Council for Family Mediation and I am a former Co-Chair of the Charles River Collaborative Law Practice Group. I am a member of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law Council, the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation, the Massachusetts Association of Trial Attorneys, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the Family Law Section of the Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA). Prior to my involvement in the Family Law Section, I served as a member of the Dispute Resolution Section of the MBA.
I graduated from Whittier College School of Law (J.D.) and Boston University (B.S.). I also received a Certificate in Museum Studies from Tufts University.
I help my clients to transition through divorce with confidence.
BAR ADMISSIONS
Massachusetts
New York
ZOOM PRESENTATIONS
QUARTERLY ZOOM PRESENTATION
Finding Gratitude When Experiencing Divorce-related Losses During the Holiday Season
During the holidays, many people may struggle with feelings of loss associated with divorce. On Thursday, December 12, 2024, Cindy Runge, Magdalena Ellis, Esq., ACC, MSMHC and Kimberly Hutchins, LMHC explored the challenges and benefits of developing gratitude during times of loss and sadness. How does cultivating gratitude help? What does it involve and how do you start?
Read full description.
QUARTERLY ZOOM PRESENTATION
Helping Kids Through Play and Self-Expression
In our summer Zoom presentation on Thursday, July 11, 2024, Cindy interviewed Kelly Walsh, Executive Director of the New England School of Performing Arts and Monica Wisco, LICSW, both of whom work with children and adolescents. Monica and Kelly will talk about ways parents can provide support for kids therapeutically as well as through self-expression in the arts.
Read full description.
QUARTERLY ZOOM PRESENTATION
You're Getting Divorced: What About the House?
Our quarterly Zoom presentation on Thursday, April 25 featured Certified Divorce Lending Professional (CDLP®) John Marroni speaking about the necessary real estate considerations and decisions which parties encounter during divorce.
Read full description.
QUARTERLY ZOOM PRESENTATION
Insure Your Tomorrow: Navigating Health and Life Insurance Challenges After Divorce
This Zoom presentation on Thursday, January 25 featured Jeff Weiner, CEO of HKM Associates, who presented on everything you need to know about health and life insurance when you are going through a divorce. Jeff provided valuable insights on these types of insurance, specifically addressing their implications in both general scenarios and the unique considerations that arise during instances of divorce.
Read full description.
QUARTERLY ZOOM PRESENTATION
Hot Topics in Immigration
On Thursday, October 5 Cynthia Runge welcomed Attorney Shiva Karimi and Attorney Danielle Huntley Webb who discussed hot topics in immigration law. They also highlighted specific circumstances which could trigger the need to engage knowledgeable immigration counsel to advise in your family law matter.
Read full description.
QUARTERLY ZOOM PRESENTATION
No Money, No Honey, No Job — What’s Next?
On June 8, 2023 Maureen Weisner, M.ED, PCC, CPCC, co-founder and Managing Partner of boutique career-consulting firm KICKSTART Your Transition shared information about how a career coach can help you during and after a divorce. Maureen specializes in working with individuals in or approaching transition, typically involving career change, divorce, education, and other work/life events. She helps her clients in transition develop, execute and launch a career blueprint for action through a customized process developed to meet their goals.
Read full description.
QUARTERLY ZOOM PRESENTATION
Cynthia Runge interviews Lovern Gordon, Founder of Love Life Now Foundation, Inc., about Domestic Violence.
On April 6, 2023 Cindy interviewed Lovern Gordon, a two-time sur-THRIVER of domestic violence (a child witness until she was 15 years old in Trinidad, as well as a 2-year, young adult relationship in the United States). Ten years after escaping the adult relationship, she became the Founder of Love Life Now Foundation, Inc. (LLN), where she used 2 back-to-back pageant wins to increase awareness around issue in 2010 and the following year, LLN was formed. Topics discussed included:
• What is domestic violence (DV)?
• Recognizing the signs/red flags of someone dealing with DV.
• Becoming acquainted with the concepts of DV (why victims stay).
• How to support someone experiencing abuse.
• What resources are available.
Read full description.
QUARTERLY ZOOM PRESENTATION
Finding your way to a healthier you in 2023
On Thursday, December 8, 2022 Cindy interviewed Hannah Holman, PhD, the Healthy Living Director at the Burbank YMCA in Massachusetts. Hannah shared her tips on how to better incorporate health and fitness into your life through better sleep habits, improving your diet, and incorporating exercise into your routine to make 2023 your best year yet!
Read full description.
QUARTERLY ZOOM PRESENTATION
You are getting divorced: should you mediate, collaborate, or litigate?
On August 17, 2022 Cindy and Attorney Shannon Barnes, who is Of Counsel to Peridot Family Law, co-hosted a Zoom seminar. This program helped attendees explore the differences between mediation, collaborative, and litigation processes so they can determine their best path forward.
Read full description.
WEBINAR
Change vs. Transition
On April 13, 2022, Peridot Family Law and Irene Tomkinson, MSW hosted a Lunch and Learn on the difference between change and transition.
Read full description.
PODCASTS/VIDEOS
WEB SHOW: Episode 185: Five Minutes with Fried with Cynthia Runge — Michael Fried interviews Cindy on this show spotlighting business professionals who help people achieve their goals. Watch the video:
PODCAST: Revamping a Small Law Firm Tech Stack — Jared Correia talked with Cindy, her Paralegal Peter Fitzgerald and Law Clerk Sarah Zweerink about how they have been pushing the envelope on law firm tech. Click a link to hear the podcast:
PODCAST: Boston Podcast interviewed Cindy about Mindfulness and Divorce! To hear this informative interview, please click this link:
https://podcasts.adorilabs.com/e/mindfulness-and-divorce?eid=I5AqBo4504cPcqde
VIDEOS: Visit the Peridot Family Law Youtube Channel for an archive of videos featuring Cindy discussing legal options during the COVID-19 pandemic and other wellness and family law topics.
RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
MASSACHUSETTS COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND HEALTH SCIENCES
On November 13, 2024 Cynthia Runge was a speaker at “Strategies & Supports for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren”, held both online on Zoom and in person at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Worcester, MA. This continuing education program provided professionals from many fields with a framework for understanding the complex needs of grandparents and their grandchildren who have become a family system.
MBA FAMILY LAW SECTION CLE PROGRAM
On Tuesday, February 27, 2024 Cynthia Runge Co-chaired a Zoom presentation for Massachusetts family law attorneys on the topic “Protecting Families Created Through Assisted Reproduction”. The three panelists together with the Co-chairs addressed issues of family building through assisted reproduction, the legal considerations and needs of these individuals and resulting children, the current state of Massachusetts law, and legislative efforts to update Massachusetts law to reflect best practices.
MCLE SJC PRACTICING WITH PROFESSIONALISM
On Feburary 12, 2024 Cynthia Runge participated in the “Connecting with the Legal Community: Building your Skills, Reputation, and Network through Pro Bono Work, Continuing Legal Education, and Engagement with Bar Associations” segment of the MCLE’s “SJC Practicing with Professionalism Program” as a speaker on the “Supporting Access to Justice and Pro Bono Service” panel.
MBA FAMILY LAW SECTION CLE PROGRAM
On June 6, 2023 Cynthia Runge chaired the panel “Managing the Madness: How to Effectively Deal with the Stress of Family Law Practice”. The panel of experienced family law practitioners, as well as Dr. Tracey Meyers, a licensed clinical psychologist in Massachusetts, provided a framework for understanding and handling the stress inherent in family law practice. The panelists spoke about effective ways to manage the stress of highly charged and emotional family law matters and provided tips and helpful tools for maintaining wellness.
MCLE FAMILY LAW CONFERENCE
On May 19, 2023 Cindy Co-Chaired a panel with Attorney Barbara Richmond to enhance attorney wellness. The panel presented on time management, tips about how to stay on-top of your litigation practice and pointers about how to deal with procrastination. Speakers included Jared Correia, Esq., Andrew Kang, Esq, and Eric Parker, Esq., for the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) New England.
THE MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL ON FAMILY MEDIATION ANNUAL MEETING
On Wednesday, May 10, 2:00 to 4:15pm Cindy moderated a Professional Development Workshop panel presentation, “The Crossroads of the Divorcing Homeowner”, at the Wellesley Free Library in Wellesley, MA. The six panelists from the real estate, legal, and financial fields addressed topics affecting divorcing homeowners at the intersection of divorce, real estate and mortgage planning including options for selling the home, mediation and divorce real estate planning and divorce mortgage planning. Visit our Real Estate page to learn about the real estate services offered by Peridot Family Law.
MCLE LIMITED ASSISTANCE REPRESENTATION
On March 31, 2023 Cindy Co-Chaired a panel with Attorney Shannon Barnes, also of Peridot Family Law, addressing the benefit of using Limited Assistance Representation (LAR) in family law matters. Peridot Family Law is a huge proponent of using LAR to help clients. If you have questions about how you might be able to use LAR, check out our website or give us a call.
MBA MOCK TRIAL
On February 1, 2023 Cindy participated as a Judge in the MassBar Association’s (MBA) 2023 High School Mock Trial Competition. This event was hosted by Malden Catholic High School which competed against Revere High School. Cindy was thoroughly impressed by the performances of all the students and aspiring young lawyers who were involved.
Read about previous speaking engagements.
