I've always had a practical approach to family law. I encourage mediation, and I always want my clients to engage in a "cost-benefit analysis" of any course they are determined to take. The fact is, I don't want my clients going into their kids' 529 accounts to cover the cost of their divorce.

I recommend mediation because it enables a reasonable climate for resolving a case. It's also a more creative forum than the courtroom. The parties and attorneys can work together to create agreements that really meet the parties' needs within the constraints of the assets and income available to the family. Often, the Court cannot consider the parties needs when only following the law to formulate orders.

It really stems from this: Family law seeks a degree of equity in outcomes, something that other areas of the law do not. The word "justice" is really not even appropriate in family law.

What's more, no outcome is guaranteed. One spouse's story can often be at odds with another's. The picture I have when I first meet with clients very often ends up differently as the case proceeds.

My practice has certainly evolved. In the beginning my father focused on more of the complex cases - today I am handling a much broader range of cases. Each one is unique, and each requires a different set of legal and personal skills. I'm proud of that.

There are certainly many pre-existing notions and ideas that clients bring with them, from friends and, increasingly, from the internet. And the poor economy has spurred some pretty crummy behavior, online and elsewhere. Nowadays, all behavior is documented or recorded, and not all clients seem to realize that.

I have a strong background in psychology - some from my academic experience, but much I learned from both of my parents. And from growing up here. I know it has made me a more effective family lawyer.

One of my goals in life is to strike that balance between work and home life and my family's health. Outside of the office I'm very active - of course our children are still very young, so that goes without saying. It's hard for many lawyers to maintain that balance; I know all of that makes me better at what I do. Let me put it this way: I would not be more effective for my clients if I stayed in the office 80 hours a week.

It takes a long time to establish a respected practice, and so far I feel I'm doing that. My father is a great lawyer, one of the best. He's certainly been a huge influence. So in that respect, there are three family law practices in our office: His, mine and ours. I know our clients benefit from that.