I'd say we take a true nuts-and-bolts approach to the law. We address every case differently, and we try to ascertain as much about what will be involved in a case from the initial consultation with the client. Is it a high-conflict situation? Does it have the ingredients for a relatively speedy settlement with minor discovery? From the first meeting we'll try to acquire as many essential facts as possible, what I like to call the client's x-ray. The facts will determine how we approach each case, even down to the size of the retainer agreement. In fact, we like the so-called in-and-out cases - those that can be and are resolved fairly quickly. Clients are generally happier following such cases, and they tend to refer other cases to us as a result.

Divorce is clearly one of the most difficult periods in a client's life. We want every client to feel they got a fair shake during that difficult process. That their attorney was responsive to their needs. That their attorney was honest in their assessment of the case from the outset. That their attorney answered their calls and questions. That's the kind of client we want. Clients who simply want to fight, well, they might want to shop around a little more. There are some attorneys who make promises they can't deliver, such as 'I can get you alimony.' Or 'I'll get you the house.' Frankly, that's just not the way we would approach a case, any case. We'll try and make a realistic assessment of what the issues are, along with a reasonable resolution to those issues.

Back to the x-ray. I think every case is 'settle-able.' Trials are almost a thing of the past given the scarcity of judicial resources. Some non-financial cases with high degrees of conflict - custody and relocation cases, for instance - may go to trial, but very few others will if the attorneys involved do their job capably and professionally. Most professionals I know strive to avoid trials because that is the most expensive outcome which is generally least beneficial to the clients and the outcome that creates the highest level of client dissatisfaction with the divorce process.

The New Jersey Family Court System is one of the leading courts of its kind in the nation. Its judges are among the most respected, progressive and forward-thinking anywhere - and that's why I think the attorneys stay abreast of the law here in a way they don't always in other places.

There are times Charles DeFuccio and I will team up on a case, but I also handle a high volume of cases on my own. I think that's one of my strengths - managing the case forward to its proper conclusion. Our firm has several very talented attorneys. And when you retain one of us, by extension you retain virtually all of us. Here's a unique thing about our office: Someone is almost always here on Sunday - it's our quiet time in the office. But we'll make the quiet time available to a client if a need to address an important issue arises.