There is nothing magical about what we do. We know the law as it pertains to our cases and we prepare every case thoroughly. We strive to be a resource for all of our clients, to present them with the best range of outcomes based on the law and the facts at hand. Experience, judgment and discretion then come into play to achieve that outcome. Good strategies count, and in that respect, a talented lawyer can have a real impact on the outcome of a divorce case, especially in cases involving complex and delicate issues.

Bob Shoun gave me the opportunity to handle complicated cases early on in my career as a divorce lawyer. I was therefore able to quickly accumulate more litigation experience and expertise in the varied areas of this practice than most lawyers do in their entire careers. I've been extremely fortunate to have such a mentor.

Divorce law is well suited to my skills. Unlike other areas of law practice, matrimonial law is a mix of transactional work and civil trial litigation. I feel at home in the courtroom. In a family law practice, you do have to be something of a jack-of-all-trades: You need experience in real estate issues, knowledge of tax and business law, and much more. You must be focused on outcomes: A contested case including preparation, negotiations and trial can last a year, even two years. So you need stamina and strength of will.

Clients are better informed these days, particularly because of the Internet. But a big problem with the Internet is that the information people find there is not always regionally relevant or timely. A client, current or potential, may find 20 articles on Virginia divorce law, but only a half-dozen of those may be accurate, up-to-date or even relevant. So a client may entertain multiple misconceptions when a case gets under way.

Our firm, I feel, is different from other matrimonial firms. For one thing, we are extremely selective about who we hire, on all levels, whether attorneys, front-office personnel, paralegals or legal secretaries. Our best hires, attorneys and staff alike, stay and tend to contribute to a firm culture committed to the highest-quality representation in the field. We have exceptional lawyers and staff. That makes a big difference. We're proud of that.