I really do view myself as an honorable contributor - a knight assuming responsibility for a client's situation, and helping them achieve an objective. That responsibility is on my shoulders - for my clients. The stakes are high. Their financial security, their relationship with their children, just for starters. That's why I think what we do is honorable.

There are small, daily duties we perform. I keep my word. I return phone calls. I do what I say I'll do. And I know the legal landscape. I know the judges and courts across many jurisdictions. Civil litigation is the best training ground for a matrimonial attorney, and I'm no exception. I've been an advocate for my clients in courtrooms from Manhattan to Montauk - that experience has only made me a better attorney.

The rate of attorney turnover on cases is a little troubling. That's partly a function of clients having unrealistic expectations to begin with - and then having those expectations inflated more by less-than-candid counsel. We see it all the time. We just don't tell people what they want to hear. Unrealistic expectations are a serious problem. What so-and-so told you really may not apply to your case. As long as we are honest and upfront, the process can, and should, move along fairly smoothly. Everyone involved in a case recognizes that. It's true that some of my best referrals have come from the other side of the table.

I worked with Steve Eisman for almost 20 years, and we made a great team. He saw the big picture so well, and that's had a big impact on me and my career so far.

One of the extracurricular activities that's proven valuable - and which I really enjoy -- is teaching. A night or two a week, for the past few years I've taught matrimonial law classes in area law schools - including Hofstra - and it's been very rewarding.

Larger, multi-discipline firms such as ours aren't always known for having top-flight matrimonial departments - but we're an excellent team, and I think we offer a natural advantage to our clients. There's a lot of legal expertise - in real estate, tax law, even estate planning -- right down the hall. It's a formidable arsenal for our clients.