Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

How Many Clients Does It Take to Make a Divorce?

By Lynne Z. Gold-Bikin
March 18, 2004

No, this is not a “change the light bulb” joke. It's an attempt to look at the role of the lawyer in a divorce case — and it's about time we looked at our role.

In general, the respect for lawyers in America floats somewhere in rank between tax collector and garbage collector. The rank of the divorce lawyer is somewhat lower than that. Why is that?

The image of lawyers — especially divorce lawyers — has no relationship to what we actually do. When you think about our real role in providing classes of services to our clients, it is truly extraordinary. We are litigators, mediators, arbitrators, negotiators, advisors, hand-holders, contract drafters and closers. We are shoulders to lean on; people to complain to and people to confide in. We can read tax returns; cross examine psychologists; understand business appraisals; and are experts in the rules of evidence. In short, we are full-fledged members of the legal profession. So why, then, don't we get any respect?

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Major Differences In UK, U.S. Copyright Laws Image

This article highlights how copyright law in the United Kingdom differs from U.S. copyright law, and points out differences that may be crucial to entertainment and media businesses familiar with U.S law that are interested in operating in the United Kingdom or under UK law. The article also briefly addresses contrasts in UK and U.S. trademark law.

The Article 8 Opt In Image

The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.

Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin Image

With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.

Legal Possession: What Does It Mean? Image

Possession of real property is a matter of physical fact. Having the right or legal entitlement to possession is not "possession," possession is "the fact of having or holding property in one's power." That power means having physical dominion and control over the property.

Removing Restrictive Covenants In New York Image

In Rockwell v. Despart, the New York Supreme Court, Third Department, recently revisited a recurring question: When may a landowner seek judicial removal of a covenant restricting use of her land?