I'm not sure any good lawyer does all his work at a desk any more. Like a lot of things, technology has changed the practice - my Blackberry is never off, it seems, for better or worse. There's no excuse for not responding to a client's call. So even when I am out of my office, I'm always accessible. A lot of lawyers can disappear on you.

I practice out of the office of Meister, Seelig & Fein, a tremendous firm of litigators and transactional attorneys, in Two Grand Central Tower. We have an excellent relationship, with a lot of cross referrals. But even though I've received many offers, I'm happy as an independent practitioner. For one thing, I like being accountable to my clients, and no one else. And I'm not the type to sit through a partners meeting discussing how many telephone lines the office should have. So in that way I'm a little like George Clooney's character in Michael Clayton.

I think a good divorce lawyer plays a lot of important roles for a client. He is one-third lawyer, one-third confidante, and one-third psychologist. I'm pretty practical - I am always asking my clients to review the cost of pursuing a hard-ball strategy. Does it make economic sense? Sure, I'll take your money, but think about it first.

In that respect, I am always guided by what judges would do, how judges would respond, to any type of litigation. I'm in court a lot, and I have a good sense of what works, how things will play out. It helps to know the courts.

Generally though I'm focused on settling - it usually doesn't make sense not to. I consider myself in the top 5% in being able to settle a case. A lot of that is practical - I'm very sensitive to my clients' resources. No one has an unlimited budget.

I feel as though I am very blessed. I have more friends than I can count. I love my family, and I'm very active in my children's lives. Most people drive themselves through life with so little awareness of what's going on - I think life is its own vacation. A lot of people don't seem to believe that.

I have an entrepreneurial streak - I'm interested in seeing businesses grow, and helping them along. I've been involved in many Manhattan businesses over the years; the owners are my friends. And often they are my clients. I like it that way.