I’m involved in my community, in my children’s school. And in public places – the library, the town pool – it’s not uncommon for someone to come up to me and say, “Oh, I have a friend who is thinking about getting a divorce.” That’s how many of my cases start.

Usually, though, I will simply make myself available – just for a constructive conversation. The fact is most people have very little familiarity with the process, with what is involved.

So I am there to listen, and to explain, as best I can, what that process might look like, how the legal system works. A lot of our work involves communication – so that our clients understand where they are, where they stand.

Every case is emotionally charged, and it’s our job to separate the facts and issues of your case from all those intense emotions, which so many feel. It can be the toughest time in a person’s life. At this point in my career, I have become comfortable facing and dealing with all of those issues. For the most part I don’t take anything that happens in our work personally.

Litigation is a high-stress practice – briefs must be thorough and clear, and motions must be filed quickly. But it’s all part of steering our clients in the right direction, helping them achieve lasting results.

I’ve worked with Frank LaRocca for many years. He’s very loyal to the people around him, and he’s a big reason why I’m here. I know we’re an effective team – we’ve worked together for 12 years now. He sees the big picture very well. I focus on the details of a case, and write many of the briefs and motions that are central to a case. All of that helps put the entire picture together for our clients.

It is always challenging – but I know we are helping good people get through what is usually the toughest experience of their lives. And, for me, that is very satisfying.