What do I tell my clients when I first meet them? I tell them the truth, for starters. And I explain the law. I tell them too that the courts are not very well suited to review and rule on the intricacies of a complex case - and every sophisticated person's life has a way of becoming complex.

It's important for lawyers not to make things worse, to manage a case and keep it on track, for our clients or their families. Sometimes in a divorce case common sense can evaporate. It's our job to make sure it doesn't. Otherwise, cases spin out of control.

A lot of our success comes from simply setting reasonable goals, and keeping clients informed. There should not be any surprises. I like winning, and we win more than we lose. But the fact is, the courts are barely delivering cost-effective adjudication. People are having to come up with hundreds of thousands of dollars to pursue justice. As a result imperfect settlements are common.

Art is a personal asset class that exists largely under the radar. It's a great source of wealth, and it's a form of property that helps people feel that they've 'made it'." Art works certainly play a central role in many of the cases I handle.

Davidoff, Malito & Hutcher is a very influential firm in political circles, and it's been a great fit for all of us since I brought my practice here last year. The partners here are truly practical problem solvers who know how to get things done, quietly and efficiently. That's the way I've always practiced. I don't think it's overstating it to say the Davidoff firm carries a lot of clout in the City of New York and in Albany.

I've been handling the divorces of powerful and influential people for three decades now, and most days I get a lot of satisfaction from it. Why stop? I've always enjoyed coming to work every day.