Another new feature here is a roundup of the recent awards, recognitions, and other important accomplishments of Blank Rome’s Matrimonial & Family Law attorneys from around the country.
Lois Liberman on New York State Bar Association Panel
March 2021 – Lois J. Liberman spoke at the New York State Bar Association (“NYSBA”) webinar A Day in the Life: Personal Perspectives from General Counsels and Partners, held Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Lois and her co-panelists provided their personal perspectives on what it takes to excel in the GC and Partner roles, the paths one can follow, and the challenges that may come along.
Stacy Phillips Panel Moderator for Margaret J. Weber Distinguished Lecture Series
March 2021 – Stacy D. Phillips was selected to serve as panel moderator for Women in Leadership: Navigating through Power Structures, Personal Challenges, and a Pandemic, part of the Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology Margaret J. Weber Distinguished Lecture Series. The program was held online via Zoom on Thursday, March 11, 2021.
March 2021 – Morgan F. Mouchette served as a panelist for the New York City Bar Association New Lawyer Institute program, The Art of Schmoozing. She joined the other panelists in discussing how to develop schmoozing skills, providing tips on how to effectively and professionally speak to new contacts, colleagues, and even potential mentors in the virtual landscape as well as in person.
February 2021 – Stacy D. Phillips served as a guest speaker on America Connects, a podcast hosted by radio host and public relations professional Rob Dalton. In the episode, Stacy discusses the legal issues and difficulties with navigating through a divorce during the pandemic.
Ernestine Mings Selected as 2021 Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Pathfinder
February 2021 – Ernestine J. Mings, an associate in New York, has been selected to join the 2021 Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (“LCLD”) Pathfinder Program. This hallmark program is designed to provide diverse, high-potential, early-career attorneys with practical tools for developing and leveraging professional networks through relationship-building skills, foundational leadership skills, and an understanding of career development strategies applicable to both in-house and law firm practice.
Alan Feigenbaum Featured as Speaker for Celesq® AttorneysEd Center Live Webinar
February 2021 – Alan R. Feigenbaum, of counsel in New York, was a featured speaker for the Celesq® AttorneysEd Center live webinar, “Parenting Amidst Divorce in New York—Will Parenting Ever Be ‘Routine’ after 2020?” which was held on February 26, 2021. The hour-long CLE program explored the complexities of contested custody proceedings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Will the Law Firm Diversity Push Falter as Protests Fade?
February 2021 – Morgan F. Mouchette was interviewed by Bloomberg Law on whether law firms will follow through on pledges to improve diversity and inclusion, months after the mass protests over racial justice and equity. “What has helped me to stay in this industry and at my firm has been strong relationships with advocates. They consistently look out for me and ensure that I have the things I need to succeed in this corporate environment,” Mouchette said.
Michelle Gervais Named Among America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators
January 2021 – Michelle M. Gervais has been named to America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators, an annual directory that recognizes the nation’s most exceptional attorneys in high value, high stakes litigation matters. To be considered for selection to America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators®, an attorney must have litigated (for either plaintiff or defendant) a matter with the fate of a business worth at least two million dollars at stake.
Article: A Decade Later: Are We Far Afield From ‘Fields v. Fields’?
January 2021 – Alan R. Feigenbaum authored a New York Law Journal article looking back over the ten years since the Fields v. Fields decision: “It has been just over a decade since the Court of Appeals issued its decision in Fields v. Fields, 15 N.Y.3d 158 (2010). Fields ignited a discussion about how courts would, going forward, assess separate property claims. More specifically, the decision in Fields indicated at least to some degree that perhaps some assets (namely, a marital home) are so fundamental to the concept of marriage as an economic partnership that a spouse’s separate property claim to an asset of that sort—no matter how strong—would have its limits.”
Ory Apelboim Among 13 Attorneys Elected Partner at Blank Rome
January 2021 – Ory Apelboim, an attorney in New York, has been elected partner at Blank Rome LLP effective January 1, 2021. He concentrates his practice on complex matrimonial and family law matters for high-net-worth individuals, including divorce, property distribution, child custody, spousal and child support, and marital agreements.
Podcast: Maintaining Wealth in Divorce with Michelle Gervais, Partner at Blank Rome
December 2020 – Michelle M. Gervais served as a guest speaker on In House Warrior, a daily podcast presented by the Corporate Counsel Business Journal. In the episode, Michelle discusses the complex nature of maintaining wealth in divorce and other setbacks with host Richard Levick of LEVICK. She also shares her wisdom to our inclination to engage the triumph of hope over experience.
Blank Rome Named a “Most Admired Law Firm” by Los Angeles Business Journal
December 2020 – Blank Rome LLP has been named a “2020 Most Admired Law Firm” by the Los Angeles Business Journal as part of a special supplement recognizing the “top law firms to work for in Los Angeles.” The annual list honors regional law firms that excel in key workplace factors, including company culture, employee compensation, benefits, programs, diversity and women’s initiatives, and work-life balance. The Firm’s Los Angeles office has grown significantly over the years and boasts a robust team of 10 Matrimonial & Family Law attorneys, including four partners.
Michelle Gervais Featured as Speaker on Hot Topics on Prenups and Postnups December 2020 – Michelle M. Gervais served as speaker for the session, “Hot Topics on Prenups and Postnups,” at the 28th Annual Nuts & Bolts of Family Law Seminar, presented by the Dade County Bar Association’s Family Courts Committee and the Dade Legal Aid / Put Something Back Program, held Friday, December 4, 2020.
On behalf of Blank Rome, I continue to wish you good health and safe surroundings. As always, my colleagues and I stand ready to assist you with all of your legal concerns.