With deep roots to his community and a steady, progressive approach that's attracted a broad range of clients, David Ladov has been one of Greater Philadelphia's leading matrimonial attorneys for more than two decades. Moreover, the 51-year-old Ladov, today a partner of the large and prestigious firm Cozen O'Connor, is in the prime of his career - having built a professional reputation as a resourceful independent practitioner before joining Cozen in mid 2003. Well regarded by his peers but never shy to try a case, Ladov is in many respects the classic divorce lawyer - outgoing, scrappy and pugnatious - yet realistic and adaptable: Beyond the standard-issue support-and-custody cases he handles, Ladov has taken on those unprecedented cases involving surrogacy, same-sex unions and modern custody fights, all reflecting the changing social landscape. The Norristown native had little idea divorce law would be his calling early on (I pictured myself becoming a "Y" director -- I liked camping") but through Penn State he pursued an original discipline of "Individual and Family Studies" in its College of Human Development; unaware it was grooming him for divorce law. In law school at Emory in Atlanta ("It gave me a chance to see a different part of the country - I knew I'd be returning home") his Family Law professor recognized his remarkable aptitude for the field - she told him, "This is what you are going to do." Returning to Norristown Ladov joined a small firm, Fox & Fox, where he "did a little bit of everything," but mostly honed his courtroom skills and learned from "some of the best lawyers in the area." For three years he practiced with Lynne Gold-Bikin, and helped build her substantial practice; In 1983, barely 30, Ladov went out on his own. "Growing up here, I knew many people. I knew clients would come through the door, eventually." It didn't take long for Ladov to need a larger door: Within a few years He purchased a building in Plymouth Meeting, adding associates and staff. "It was a classic boutique practice." Over the years Ladov grew more selective, but his hallmark has always been capably handling a large and varied caseload.