The first question I always ask a prospective new client is pretty simple: How are you doing today? I want to find out what brought them to the chair in my office. By letting people tell their story, I get a valuable perspective on their life. Even if issues are similar, since everyone's personal situation varies, the approach on every case is different.

I'd say that a certain percentage of people come in just plain fearful. They are getting mixed signals from their spouse, and even more mixed signals and advice from their various friends and support systems.

Naturally anger becomes a factor. There are those who come in with one objective: to make their spouse miserable. While you must recognize that emotions are part of the process, I usually try to redirect the anger by asking, 'what do you expect to gain from that?' By the end of the case, I'll ask my client, did that objective help or satisfy you in any way? The answer is invariably no.

Practicing matrimonial law has come fairly naturally to me. For one thing, I understand what my clients are going through, and I empathize with them. I work with them to transcend the emotional issues, and have a fair amount of financial expertise - which has helped me take on some very complex cases. My undergraduate degree in psychology has really helped me as well. I listen.

You build your reputation and credibility in our field one person at a time - one client, one judge, even one legal assistant, at a time. I've worked hard at it. I've built my practice being straight with people - but I'm not a pushover, I have tried my fair share of matters to conclusion.

The main objective is to work for a settlement. However, the best settlements come when you are prepared. Preparation provides you with both knowledge and ammunition: the knowledge about the intricacies of the client's position; and the ammunition to prove that such position is just, fair and equitable.

I've been fortunate to have great mentors, the most important being my grandfather, John Saccacio. "Johnnie" as he was affectionately know, always stood for doing what was right, no matter the consequence. I have tried to instill this view in my associates. I often tell them to trust their instincts - - If you think it's the right thing there is either a case on point, or time to make a case that is on point.

I am grateful for having had the opportunity to take on substantial and complex cases early in my career. I've also had the foresight to take what I've learned and apply it to build our practice today. It's been very rewarding.