At this stage in my career, I can say I've seen nearly everything. I've seen almost every form of hurt and anger and disappointment. I remember the time an irate wife put a rooster inside her husband's brand-new Mercedes-Benz - making an unimaginable mess. Sure, in some respects people are better educated and more sophisticated today - but human emotion really hasn't changed since the time of the Romans. Technology has changed, but there's the same anger and hurt and disappointment. In that respect, I approach the law the same way I did 40 years ago - with as much sensitivity as I can provide.

In our work you have to be a counselor and part-time psychologist. I try to be a paternal figure - and encourage people to do the right thing. I'm not one to put a label on myself - but I would probably consider myself a chameleon, able to change with the character of each case. I think you need to be strong in our business, but you also need to be strong enough to be soft. That doesn't mean I believe litigation - trying a divorce case in court - is not a good idea. I think it's a mistake to let the judge decide your fate: Then you are no longer master of your destiny. A trial should be seen only as a last resort.

Sometimes my clients don't get everything they want. But if we do our job properly, we meet their expectations. Meeting expectations is a big part of our work. I often tell my clients that divorce is like going through a tunnel. As they enter the process it gets darker and darker - then, as you emerge from it, there's lots of sunlight. And a better life later on. I take great satisfaction helping people at this challenging time in their lives.