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Trouble is Their Middle Name
New Haven's best divorce lawyers
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Business New Haven
3/1/2004
By: Lisa MiCali
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Name: Debra Marino
Born: Brooklyn, N.Y.; January 14, 1970
Current residence: Orange
Legal specialty: Matrimonial Litigation
Firm: Noyes & Marino PC, New Haven
Personal: Married to attorney Vincent Marino. Loves to spend time with her 20-month-old, Lauren Olivia, and is expecting their second child in June. Loves traveling (so far, favorite place they've been to: Hawaii) and skiing. Former professor at the Connecticut Institute for Paralegal Studies in Stamford. Landmark grandparents visitation case in Connecticut: Roth v. Weston in 2000, most important and rewarding accomplishment to date.
Education: B.A. in history with a minor in French from Boston University in 1992; J.D., Quinnipiac College School of Law, Hamden in 1995.
First job: Law clerk for William B. Lewis at Stamford Superior Court. Later she was an associate with a firm in Westport, where she became involved with family law and became focused on matrimonial litigation.
Why chose specialty: "I love being in court. There are so many different issues that come up on a day-to-day basis. Each family that you deal with is unique. The different issues that arrive legally vary from case to case. I also like being a member of the Family Bar Association; it's a small, close-knit group. You get a personal relationship with a lot of different attorneys, and the judges get to know you. If you enjoy being a trial attorney, it's really the best field to be in; you're in court constantly. I find it very rewarding. But you either love it or you don't. Some practitioners hate it. For me, it's very enjoyable."
Most memorable case: Roth v. Weston in 2000, the landmark grandparents litigation. "This was a case that I tried when I was a young practitioner. It was a long trial with a lot of legal issues involved. I knew that we were dealing with a case that was going to go up to the Supreme Court because there were so many different issues about the statutes. I litigated the case against a well-established litigation attorney. For me, it was a golden opportunity to jump into trial work. I didn't handle the appeal, but ultimately it went up to the Supreme Court, where the case made law. The court invalided [sic] the statute. I knew getting into this case it was going to change the law of the state. Accomplishing that is my biggest achievement so far."
What would do instead of practicing law: Broadcast journalism.
Personal motto: "Love what you do. If you don't love what you do, it's not worth doing it. Family comes first, no matter what."
Name: Gerald H. Kahn
Born: Buffalo, N.Y.; August 11, 1944
Current residence: New Haven
Specialty: Family & Divorce Law
Firm: Kahn & Stark, LLC, New Haven
Personal: Married to family law attorney Barbara Kahn Stark (author of The Friendly Divorce Guidebook for Connecticut). Loves to read (American history), eat (favorite cuisine: Italian food) and travel (favorite destination: Arowhon Pines Rustic Lodge, Algonquin Park, in the heart of the forests north of Toronto in Ontario where he can pursue all three of his favorite activities in the summer.)
Education: B.A. in American studies, Yale University in 1966 (he was a classmate of John Kerry, who he hopes will be elected President); J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1969.
First job: "I was as a VISTA [Volunteer in Service to America] lawyer in Kansas City, Mo., what was then called the 'domestic Peace Corps.' I was 25 years old. It was 1969. I was draft-eligible until I was 26 years old. I didn't believe in the war. [VISTA] was no pay - not quite volunteer work but the next thing to it. I did poverty law work or legal aid. It was a wonderful year that broadened my horizons geographically and in every other way."
Why chose specialty: "When I first when into private practice in 1973, the lawyer with whom I worked was, and is, one of the preeminent divorce lawyers in the state, Jim Greenfield. I got the cases he was too busy to handle. I found that I liked what I did, that I did it well, and I began to build a following."
Most memorable case: The first case Kahn had that was a major trial - it lasted four days - was when he was ten or 15 years into the practice. "I wasn't a rookie anymore but I was still a little green. I represented a doctor, who was the wife of a doctor. Both were eccentric, difficult people. I started the testimony with the opposing client, thinking both of these people were unlikable. And I thought if I put on the opposing client first, the judge would dislike him first and that might immunize me against any reaction to my client. When I finished my direct examination and the judge took a recess, the court reporter and the marshal in the courtroom patted me on the back and congratulated me. Not only did I get a good result in the case, it was a great confidence-builder. I had reached a level of professional skill that was kind of a self-recognition for me. The kicker afterwards was that I had to fight with my client to get paid. That was also a learning experience for me. Probably a long-delayed one."
What would do if no longer practicing law: "If I had to make a living, I'd be damned if I know what I'd do. If I could be turned loose to my own aptitude and preference, I'd run a bookstore, preferably travel."
Personal motto: "Aspire to honor and integrity in whatever you do."
Name: James R. Greenfield
Born: Philadelphia, Pa., March 31, 1926
Current residence: Hamden
Legal specialty: Family law
Firm: Of Counsel, Tyler Cooper & Alcorn, LLP,
New Haven
Personal: Married to Joyce M. Greenfield, an artist (watercolor and oils) who teaches at the Creative Arts Workshop in New Haven. In his spare time he likes to write and read poetry and likes to read biographies and political books. Greenfield is a fellow of the Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers; past president of the New Haven County Bar Association and a recipient of its lifetime achievement award; former president of the Connecticut Bar Association and a recipient of its distinguished professional service award; chairman of the ethics committee of Connecticut Bar Association for many years; served on the board of governors of the American Bar Association; director of the National Judicial College and the American Judicature Society; Listed in Best Lawyers of America since it was started in 1983; listed in Who's Who in America since 1981; former adjunct instructor who taught course "The Law as a Profession" at UConn Law School.
Education: B.S. in biology, minor in history, 1947 from Bates College, Lewiston, Me.; L.L.B. from Yale University Law School in 1950.
First job: Started out as general practitioner when he formed a partnership with Arnold Markle, who later became New Haven's state's attorney.
Why chose specialty: "I didn't choose it; it chose me. I began to develop a following after working with John Q. Tilson of a rather large law firm, Wiggin & Dana of New Haven, in a rather complex case. He started referring the clients of his firm when there was a conflict of interest or there was some other reason why the firm could not handle the matter. Gradually, the workload began to grow in this field and squeeze out other work."
Most memorable case(s): "I've had some very high-profile cases. I represented Gov. [John G.] Rowland's first wife, [U.S.] Senator [Lowell P. Weicker's second wife, [U.S.] Senator [Joseph I.] Lieberman's first wife. I also represented [pop singer] Michael Bolton in his divorce."
What would do if no longer practicing law: "I don't know. That's why I am still practicing law. I really enjoy it. I am very fortunate in that I have had the good fortune of having civilized clients. I have found that in most cases I am able to negotiate a satisfactory settlement because nobody ever wins in a divorce. It's trying to reach a resolution that is in the best interests for both parties. Early in my career, a very wise old judge said to me: 'No divorce settlement is any good unless both sides are unhappy as a result - which means that each side has to make a concession.'"
Personal motto: "To thy own self be true."
Name: Jean L. Welty
Born: Boulder, Colo.; November 21, 1949
Current residence: New Haven
Specialty: Matrimonial Law
Firm: Law Offices of Jean L. Welty
Personal: Married to Jim Cole, tennis professional, they have a son, Matthew Walsh, a sophomore at Notre Dame. Welty's favorite pastimes are golf, tennis, fly fishing, and spending time with her yellow Lab, Brandy. She is active in her church, where she has served on numerous boards and committees and sings in the choir. As a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, Welty was assistant secretary-treasurer, 1983-1984; chairman, Young Lawyers section, 1982-83; Family Law Section; Judicial Appointments Recommendation Committee, 1978-80; Member, Judiciary Committee, 1985-86; Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association member and Board of Governors, 1978-86; American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, past president, 1992-93, Connecticut Chapter; Listed among The Best Lawyers in America; listed in Martindale-Hubbell's Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers; frequent lecturer on trial practice and family law issues.
Education: B.A., cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Political Science, Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Ia., 1971; Yale University Law School, J.D., 1975.
First job: "I began clerking for Jacobs, Jacobs & Grudberg [now Jacobs, Grudberg, Belt & Dow], a local law firm, while a student at Yale Law School. When they offered me a permanent job, I accepted and eventually became a partner. In 1985 I left to establish my own office. Initially, my practice was very diverse, including criminal defense, plaintiff's personal injury, family law, general civil litigation, real estate, wills and estates and small corporate matters. Gradually, though, matrimonial and family law began to predominate, and for the past 15 years I have limited my practice to those cases."
Why chose specialty: "I'm not sure I really 'chose' matrimonial law. My practice just generally evolved in that direction. It's a sub-specialty of trial law, but has many elements not found in other litigation. I enjoy solving problems and counseling clients. It is very satisfying to obtain a beneficial resolution for a client going through the already difficult process of separation and divorce. Today, the majority of my cases involve high-income individuals, closely held businesses and/or professional practices, which present interesting financial and tax issues."
Most memorable case: "I represented a couple who had contracted with a woman to be a surrogate mother. After the child was born, the surrogate mother sued for custody and refused to go through with the adoption. It was a challenging and heart-wrenching case which broke new legal ground in Connecticut."
What would do if no longer practicing law: "I would teach. I really enjoyed working with the students when I taught trial practice at the Yale Law School."
Personal motto: "I don't have one."
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