Fathers and Family Court
Happy New Year everyone…
I post this video for my family court clients with somewhat mixed feelings. It’s a TedTalk given by a Nevada family law attorney named Marilyn York. She runs a practice that focuses on representing men in divorce and family court matters. I have to admit that I am always somewhat skeptical of lawyers who market themselves as specific to representing only mothers or only fathers. Doesn’t mean they are not skilled practitioners or that they are somehow of questionable ethics, it’s just that for me I believe that I as a family court attorney should be capable and welcoming of representing clients from varied perspectives as it makes me a better and more well-rounded advocate. Additionally, I believe that parents of any sort need to show to the courts that they appear in front of that they are serious about playing a significant role in children’s lives. Too many times I have seen parties who for one reason or another say or argue one thing in a courtroom (or, more particularly, on Microsoft Teams at the moment) then do the complete opposite out in the real world.
Anyhow, Ms. York’s talk struck me as interesting and worthy of sharing because; 1) she herself has been a party (more than once it seems) in family court and/or divorce cases, 2) her summary of the importance of fathers in the successful upbringing of children is spot on, and 3) her recap of how far fathers have come (and how far they still have to go) in achieving a level playing field remains relevant.
Please do enjoy the talk and perhaps consider how her perspective might be applicable to family court in general or your situation in particular:
The COVID Blues
I noticed today that the last blog entry on this site was from February, 2020. That might as well have been from another lifetime ago!
I thought I might post a short note to update folks on where things stand with my practice and how court proceedings are…proceeding (or not). Sitting here on December 2nd, in person appearances have more or less come to a halt in both the criminal and family court realms. The Hall of Justice, here in Rochester, used to be a bustling and noisy place most mornings of the week. No more. Some days the deputy sheriffs on duty seem to outnumber the people who have business in the various courts. An eerie quiet permeates most floors. Besides arraignments on criminal matters, and certain other emergency proceedings, everything has now transitioned to “virtual appearances” – meaning conference calls over programs like Microsoft Teams or Skype for Business. Many of my clients are calling in by phone to these appearances. All jury trials in criminal matters are on hold. Fact-finding hearings in Family Court are being conducted virtually…yes, full on trials over a video conference. I used to spend my days in courthouses. I now spend them in front of a small camera attached to my computer. No one could have ever imagined this.
Some adjectives that come to mind to describe the present situation for my clients are: frustrating, slow, confusing, impersonal, and uncertain. In times like these, clients have to depend on me to explain to them what is happening and why because the picture folks have in mind of standing up in a courtroom in front of a judge is not particularly close to reality, and who knows when it will return to normal. Not any time soon, unfortunately.
Having counsel who can guide you on this uncharted path is more critical than ever. Give me a call if you are in need of that type of assistance. After all, I’ve been working daily in this Twilight Zone since the world stopped turning in March.
Stay safe, stay positive, and be smart about the risks that COVID poses to you and everyone else.
Looking for a job…
…and the job I’m looking for is to be your attorney. It’s only fair in that case that you, prospective client, would get to see my résumé. I’m proud of it because it’s taken many years of hard work and experience to build it. That experience is here, ready to be put to work for you.
Attorney advertising. Past results are no guarantee of future outcomes.
Federal Admission – W.D.N.Y.
I was very proud to be admitted to practice today in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. It was a particular honor to be sworn in by U.S. District Court Judge Charles Siragusa. I would like to thank my good friend Joe Waldorf, Esq., for sponsoring my admission.
The office now stands ready to assist clients with matters pending in Federal Court in Rochester and Buffalo.
On the move!
With the new year fast approaching, the Law Offices of Matthew J. Rich, P.C., is excited to announce that the office has moved!
After eight very successful years at the Times Square Building, the office has recently completed its move a short distance away to the 12th floor of First Federal Plaza. Our new address is 28 East Main Street, Suite 1200, Rochester NY 14614.
We believe our new location provides an exceptional setting in which to serve our clients and we are excited for you to see it.
Our phone number – 585.730.6280 – and our fax number – 585.730.6280 – remain the same.
(Some clients and contacts have also used 585.270.4262 in the past – that is no longer a working number.)
Thank you for your trust in our representation. Wishing you and your family a healthy and prosperous 2020.