From our first meeting, I try to strike a balance with three important themes: First, I make a great effort to give my clients a chance to tell their story, to describe what they've been going through. In that respect it's my role to engage with every person I speak with.

Second, I give my clients a general understanding of the law, and how, with that knowledge of the law, we are going to move forward with an intelligent plan for them.

Finally, I work to set reasonable expectations. In every case, people feel vulnerable, and they have every reason to feel that way. You should not take anyone down a primrose path and promise them unrealistic results. Of course, you don't hit people over the head with all the worst possibilities, especially ones that aren't likely. That's not constructive either. The fact is, you want to set goals, establish a plan, and systematically work towards positive achievable results.

I often tell my clients that they shouldn't be looking for a lawyer to simply agree with them. The best service any lawyer can provide is honest advice. And the fact is, reputation is everything for a lawyer. That's why heading to the courtroom should always have a cost-benefit analysis attached to it. Will it benefit your clients' long-term interests to litigate? The fact is the litigation cycle of divorce can be never-ending. In court there's a winner and loser -- and many people don't get over it, which just perpetuates more animosity and time in court. Sometimes litigation is necessary because it is the best option for advancing your clients position. Whatever direction a case takes, settlement or litigation, there are always consequences and it is important that the client understands and appreciates the long range effects. We want the divorce process to be a chapter in a client's life - not a permanent condition.

I definitely bring my background in psychology to my work - a large part of what we do involves understanding the underlying personal and emotional issues of the people involved. This is often a key component in shaping my approach and directing a case towards a successful resolution.

We always joked that Betty Thompson didn't know how to fail. She certainly didn't know how to do anything halfway - it was 110% or nothing. She raised us as lawyers to think that way as well, and that's how we operate our practice.

For a long time most lawyers believed there was nothing high-brow about family law. After all, most every lawyer dabbled in the field, as though there was little to it. Today that's all changed. We are doing complicated cases with complex legal and financial issues. There is a whole body of appellate law now dedicated to family law. Betty was responsible for a lot of those early cases that created what we now know as modern divorce law.

I'm proud - and my partners are proud - of our legacy as the lawyers of Betty A. Thompson Ltd. And we're proud of being a part of the evolution of family law today.