I began my career as a commercial litigator, but family law is nearly my entire focus these days. There's no question that my background in complex litigation has been a great benefit to my clients today going through a divorce - there isn't any case I handle that doesn't include unique valuation or equitable distribution issues. Every family is different. When a client comes to me, they have specific concerns they want to address. Having a diverse litigation background benefits my clients. I bring a different perspective than the typical divorce lawyer.

I am first and foremost a litigator, and some issues in divorce are worth going to court for - but I always counsel my clients to do the math, to do the cost-benefit analysis, when pursuing litigation. The fact is that no one can predict how a judge will rule - the judge is working from a snapshot of information, in a limited amount of time, with a heavy docket. So I do encourage alternatives - mediation, arbitration, even collaborative-law approaches.

The truth is that family law is very different from other areas of the law. There are many issues that come up in matrimonial law that are unique, and personalities can play a larger role in how cases are resolved. What I discovered going through my own divorce is that the process can be convoluted, and even nonsensical at times. Having been through the process myself allows me to connect with my clients in a meaningful way. When I say, "I understand," I really do understand because I have been in their shoes.

I work very hard to manage expectations of my clients, from the first conversation. After the first question - What date were you married? - the conversation seems to take off from there. A lot of information is shared. I listen, and I listen well.

Many people think, especially after talking to friends and family and reading posts on the internet, their case will be straightforward. But the answer is, not necessarily. There is no such thing as a "cookie-cutter" divorce. For one thing, the law has its guidelines - from custody to alimony to equitable distribution - and the law is constantly evolving. What one person sees as the value of their closely held business, well, another person is likely to have a different view. That process of valuation takes time, and it's always in our client's interests that we do the valuation work properly and thoroughly. Similarly, my clients come to me with unique custody and parenting time issues. What may work for one family may not work for another. Being a divorced parent can bring its own challenges, and I work with my clients to design a parenting plan that works for their family.

After that first conversation the focus is on how to best move forward, and I make every effort to walk them through the process. It goes back to giving my clients a good, clear idea of what to expect.

One of the reasons I practice matrimonial law today is that I went through my own divorce. I remember how uncomfortable the whole process made me, and I remember some of the unnecessary theatrics. I feel a special responsibility to my clients to maintain a dedication and professionalism that's focused on a constructive resolution, to let my clients move on with their lives. Today I have no difficulty understanding what my clients are going through. I've been there.

I've been very fortunate to build my practice here at the Bressler firm - we have some of the most knowledgeable and competent lawyers in their specialties, anywhere. My colleagues are all great examples to me - and they are important resources to my clients.

I made a clear choice to do what I am doing today - based in part on personal experience. My clients certainly recognize that, and they appreciate my role as their counsel. To me that's very gratifying.