I never represent just one person. I believe in families, and in most instances I am representing families. I’ve been through a divorce myself. I know the experience made me more sensitive to what I do, and made me a better lawyer.

Divorce is the most stressful experience in one’s life, save perhaps for the death of a child. The mental strain is overwhelming. I tell my clients I’m not a mental health professional, but I often tell clients who need the help to apply the cost of professional counseling against my fee. And they do it. That makes for someone who is more in touch, and a better client.

I really commit myself to two jobs: Educate the clients, and then advise them. My advocacy comes after all of that. Managing expectations – understanding and anticipating realistic outcomes -- are a part of the process as well. There is a profound sense of entitlement prevalent in many of our communities; we have to address that all the time.

There is, of course, the obvious trend toward sharing access to the children, and both parents participating in the activities of the children. More and more mothers have careers. More and more fathers want to stay home and be a part of their children’s lives. The outcomes of cases increasingly reflect all of that.

I’ve come to feel that I didn’t choose my profession. It chose me. Some people in my life have said that I have a rescue complex -- and they’re right.

People ask me how I do it, how I keep up this level of energy and commitment to my work. I just love what I do. I am defined by what I do.