About Me

When I started my law practice in 1996, I had no intention of handling divorce matters let alone making them the primary focus ofmy practice. My parents divorced while I was in law school. When I was admitted to the Bar I wanted nothing to do with divorce. However, life often does not go according to plan. Once I had my own law practice I started handling the occasional divorce. To my surprise, I found that I had a knack for handling them. I think this was because I saw my clients differently. Like my parents during their divorce, my clients were good people who did not expect to get divorced and who were going through what probably was the worst experience of their lives. I have kept this perspective.

Even the simplest divorce is a complicated process. Every divorce is different. If there are children involved, things can, and often do, get even more complicated. People who are getting divorced need guidance to navigate the legal, economic and practical challenges presented by the end of their marriage. They needed someone to help them solve problems or at least to find manageable solutions. They need objective and practical legal advice.

From my three decades of practicing matrimonial law, I understand that for clients one of the most difficult parts of the legal process of divorce is the fear of the unknown. As a divorce attorney I believe that a significant part of my job is to demystify and explain this process to my clients. This means regular communication. This often means in person meetings rather than unhelpful exchanges of emails.

I appreciate that attention to detail is important. A negotiated matrimonial agreement is not just a contract between spouses. It is a set of instructions on how to disengage economically. It often includes obligations that will continue for years after the termination of the marriage, such as a plan for co-parenting the parties’ children. A matrimonial agreement must be comprehensive and clear. Omissions and vague terms can be points of future friction that can and should be avoided. If a matter is to be litigated and ultimately resolved by a trial, attention to detail is equally important.

In both scenarios, and in most in between, this attention to detail is a process that starts at the initial consultation where clients are asked to bring in various financial documents.
These include tax returns, pay stubs and account statements. I need to review these so l can get an accurate impression of their unique circumstances. This allows me to provide client’s meaningful advice from the start.

From my experiences in and out of the courtroom, I have written two books. These are New York Custody Law -A Plain-English Guide for Parents [add Amazon Hyperlink] and New York Divorce 101.

In three decades of practicing matrimonial law, I have represented hundreds of clients. For most, we have been able to negotiate a resolution. For some, we have had to go to trial.

For many of the ones that were settled through negotiation, we were able to negotiate a satisfactory resolution because we were prepared for trial. For clients who want a “shark” or someone who is bombastic or aggressive, I am not the right attorney. I prefer to follow the philosophy of “speak softly and carry a big stick.” So, for clients who want the best outcome from a bad situation and are willing to negotiate, but are prepared to litigate, if necessary, I welcome the opportunity to represent you.

More About Me…

I work to live. I do not live to work. Therefore, over the course of my career I have been active in my community and the legal community. I was the President of the Columbia County Bar Association in 2016 and 2017. Before that, I served as the Secretary from 1999 to 2011. I served five years as a member of the Committee on Character and Fitness for the Appellate Division Third Judicial Department. Between 2015 and 2020, I was the Coordinator of the Columbia and Greene Counties section of the New York State Bar Association High School Mock Trial Tournament. This was a genuine full circle experience for me since I participated in this program in 1987 while I was a student at Arlington High School in LaGrange.

I have many interests outside the law. I was a volunteer firefighter with the Valatie Fire Department for 20 years. I have a passion for history and antique fire engines. I am a member of SPAAMFAA (the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America). serve as the legal advisor to the SPAAMFAA Board of Trustees. I recently was appointed as the Chairman of the SPAAMFAA Archives Committee. In my spare time I write about antique fire apparatus and the history of the fire service. I have had more than two dozen articles published in a variety of periodicals. I also own an antique fire engine.

Besides my books on divorce and custody law, I have written eight books on much happier subjects. These include Unusual Fire Apparatus. Made in New York, Firefighting Postcards. On the Ramp. Buckboard Fire Apparatus, Iconic Fire Apparatus, One Last Run, and 175 Years of Service: The History of the Valatie Fire Department.

Despite all this. I have been married to the same woman for 31 years. We have three adult children. None are attorneys.