I believe that my multi-faceted background has greatly contributed to my current standing in the legal field. I have been a bricklayer, concrete finisher, bartender, and general laborer. I have dug ditches in stifling heat and operated a jack hammer in the bitter cold. I have traded punches in the boxing ring with tough guys from Philadelphia and New York. Now I argue large-asset cases in court against some of the best and brightest attorneys in the state. I have gone the full spectrum and the entire experience has made me a more complete person and allows me to relate to people from all facets of life.

I first joined the Goldenberg, Mackler law firm as a summer intern after my first year of law school and have been there ever since. There are few lawyers today that have remained with one firm their entire career, but I have, as have some of the other partners at Goldenberg, Mackler. That speaks volumes about the law firm. My law firm is like my family. Harry Goldenberg was like a father to me - we lost him after his courageous bout with cancer. When I have a difficult issue, I still find myself asking "what would Harry have done in this situation?"

One of the keys to this practice is to keep a client's expectations reasonable. I have lost prospective clients because I have been honest with them and told them about the downside of their case. If a prospective client has alimony exposure, I tell them right up front. Some don't want to hear it and go elsewhere. I suppose they eventually find an attorney who tells them what they want to hear and when the case is over they are angry with that attorney. I want to be able to look a client in the eye at the end of their case and remind them of my projections at the outset of the case. Usually, my projection is very close to the final outcome.

Family law can certainly be stressful. People are putting their lives in your hands. But it is not without its rewards. Often, I can make a real difference in someone's life and I suppose I am regarded as successful. But I never forget my roots. I came from a family of six with a single mother. She worked incredibly hard, but we had few material possessions. I think my proudest moment in my career was March 23rd, 2004, when I was presented with the Legal Services of New Jersey Equal Justice Medal. I received that recognition for setting up Family Law clinics with South Jersey Legal Services to help financially disadvantaged people. I continue to run those clinics today. It allows me to give back and keeps me in touch with my roots. I believe that success is a direction, not a destination.