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Law Office of
Cathy J. Pollak 461 From Road Mack Cali Centre VI Suite 103 Paramus,
Phone: (201) 576-0277
Fax: (201) 576-0377
EDUCATION
Cedar Crest College , B.A., magna cum laude, 1973 Rutgers University Law School, Newark, J.D., 1976 UPDATED JUNE 2007 2009-07-15 07:07:49 |
Observations and Perspectives I was fortunate -- I began my career in family law with Richard Feinberg, former chairman of the New Jersey Family Law Committee who helped enact the equitable distribution statute in the 1970s. He truly saw family law as an instrument to resolve family conflict -- but only by maintaining the highest of ethical standards. More than 30 years later, I still strive to handle my cases in the same manner.
Every case is unique with its own set of issues. Depending on the complexity of the case, forensic accountants, forensic psychologists, and employability experts may be retained. Family lawyers must be familiar with multi-disciplinary fields in order to provide their clients with the highest level of representation. To stay abreast of the changing law, I attend continuing legal education courses even though it is not required in New Jersey. It is unfortunate that it is not.
Cases involving custody and relocation are extremely difficult. Children should never become pawns when the family unit is dissolved. I encourage my clients to work with family therapists to assist the children during this stressful time.
Alternate dispute resolution has finally been recognized by the court system as a viable alternative to resolve family conflict. In my mediation practice, it may be necessary to employ various experts in the mediation setting to reach an agreement between the parties. Mediation removes the family conflict from the litigation setting. As a result the parties often will cooperate in the best interests of the children during the post-divorce period.
Collaborative Law is in its infancy in New Jersey. It has proven to be quite successful throughout the country particularly in New York and Massachusetts. |
"I want to make a positive difference in my clients’ lives. I fully understand that divorce is a traumatic life changing experience. I work to assist them in making that transition by being a strong advocate and giving them the personal attention and direction that they need."
The parties and their attorneys, who take formal training in collaborative law, agree to resolve their differences without resorting to litigation. The threat of litigation is removed from the "picture" to enable the parties and their attorneys to truly focus on a global solution of the case.
When alternative dispute resolution is not an option, I am fully prepared to serve as an articulate and strong advocate for the client. However, the client must be educated to have realistic expectations of the outcome of a trial. As the law continues to evolve to the point where marital fault has minimal, if any effect, on the issues of support and division of property, I strive to be a positive force in focusing my client on the constructive resolution of the case.
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