I meet with many people each day - some of whom are considering divorce, some are ready to take that step. Being caught in a bad marriage, some simply want to review their options. It's part of our job to listen. They want to know what's going to happen if and when they get divorced. I talk to them about the consequences, tell them what to expect.

I have tried many, many cases over the years, and I have a good sense of how a case should be settled. It's that kind of good judgment that people come to me for.

I feel very fortunate, because in this type of practice I can work with real people with real problems. I had one client whose divorce I worked on 17 years ago. She called me the other day, and told me how much of a difference I'd made in her life. That was very gratifying.

Divorce cases are certainly growing more complex, and we are bringing in more experts, such as forensic accountants, to review assets and undertake valuations. That is a necessary part of the process today.

But by and large, I think the changes we have seen in the law are mostly positive - the support guidelines, for starters, provide a level of reassurance that support will be fair and binding. And new federal statutes provide enforcement for collection of support.

Custody matters are a major part of our practice. The courts ask, what is in the best interest of the children? The process is difficult, sometimes painful. We serve as our client's advocates, but we're not going to sugarcoat that process.

I think one of the real shortcomings of the law right now is how it treats parental kidnapping - and I think that needs to be addressed. Today authorities will say, "The kid is with one of the parents," and leave it at that. It simply is not taken seriously, certainly not like a kidnapping by a third party.

Most days I love what I do. After 23 years I can say that it has become a lot easier. I've gotten good at what I do. So I enjoy it.

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