South Merrick native Eric Dubinsky has in less than a decade established himself as one of Long Island's leading young matrimonial attorneys, thanks in part to a firm grasp and appreciation of the law and a practical approach that attracts a steady stream of clients. His success also stems from a willingness to establish his own practice early in his career; at age 42, he's already been on his own for 11 years. (His wife, Donna Dubinsky, Esq., is also a skilled matrimonial attorney and divorce mediator; she practices from the same modern offices at 1400 Old Country Road in Westbury, overlooking the Wantagh Parkway and next door to the Nassau County Family Court). Dubinsky says he was 'thrown into the fire' of litigation and trial work upon his admission to the Bar in 1988. "I handled a complex deposition at one of Manhattan's largest firms that day," he recalls, yet he proved his mettle. His former employers - first Leeds & Morelli and later the firm of Labert Lang & Willen (including one-time Judge Morton I. Willen) relied on his handling of cases from commencement through either settlement or trial. That gave Dubinsky the experience and skills that most attorneys spend many years striving for. By 1993 Dubinsky had already established himself as a skillful litigator and decided to go out on his own, focusing almost exclusively on divorce and family law. Over the years Dubinsky has earned the respect of both colleagues and judges as a tough but practical advocate in the matrimonial community. Today, most clients find Dubinsky by word of mouth -- through former clients and even former adversaries, which Dubinsky says is most gratifying.