There are a few things that clients learn about me right away: First, I'm very candid with them from the first day. Behind closed doors, I will be totally honest, to the point of being blunt. Because the quality of the information we share will really be the basis for your case. And once we come out from behind those doors - wherever we go, to court, to the negotiating table - I will be their advocate. I will take their case very seriously. That's the way I've handled every case from the start.

People know me for my high level of energy. There's no secret: I work harder than anyone I know. I'm very disciplined. Some lawyers may be a little smarter, or be a little more experienced. But no one works harder than me. And my firm brings that energy to all of our clients' cases. I like to call us "The Sexton Rapid Response Team." We prepare for the possibility of a trial -- right away. And we do it right from the start.

In fact, I have always been ready to try a case. To me, there are five magic words: "Please Call Your First Witness." I've seen lawyers fold up when they hear that phrase. But I've always welcomed it: I'm probably more comfortable in the courtroom than in my living room.

I've run into plenty of lawyers who clog up fax machines with all their pronouncements of motions they plan to file. Well, why not just file the motion? I'm not impressed by "Litigation by Fax."

I have a lot of respect from the best lawyers in our region, and I feel I have learned from them. I always look closely at the work of my peers, trying to learn something new, to adapt new techniques and approaches. In that respect, I think the best lawyers are an amalgam of all good lawyers. And I have made it a point to get to know the judges we appear before. Those are the details of our profession that can and often do make a big difference.

Divorce is one of those transformative experiences of a person's life. There is Everything Before, and Everything After. The emotions can be overwhelming. So we, as the advocates of anyone in that situation, must be dispassionate. We must be able to maintain a clarity and objectivity - that's in our clients' best interests.

I was taught by my family that your work - and your passion for your work - was a true expression of who you are. I love what I do, and I think most people, once they work with me, can see that. I want only to build a practice that's synonymous with effective and strong representation here in Rockland County.