Category Archives: Meet Blank Rome

In the News

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Below is a roundup of the recent awards, recognitions, media, and other accomplishments of our attorneys from around the country.

April 19, 2023
Brett S. Ward was interviewed in this Variety article discussing the difficulties with public litigation cases of celebrity divorces.

April 19, 2023
Marilyn B. Chinitz, Kristina Royce and Brett S. Ward have been recognized in Variety’s Legal Impact Report 2023.

April 17, 2023
In this LinkedIn article, Stacy D. Phillips answers questions and discusses the Netflix reality show “Love is Blind.”
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In the News

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Below is a roundup of the recent awards, recognitions, media, and other accomplishments of our attorneys from around the country.


January 17, 2023
Stacy D. Phillips has been named one of the Top Ten Super Lawyers of Southern California.

January 11, 2023
Stacy D. Phillips answers questions from her readers and podcast listeners, and shares her “hot takes” and insights on the issues.

January 10, 2023
Alan R. Feigenbaum authored this article published in the New York Law Journal discussing Gary G. v. Elena A.G.

January 4, 2023 
Morgan Fraser Mouchette was interviewed by Stacy Francis for the Financially Ever After podcast, which provides tips and advice on how an individual can secure their financial future before, during, and after divorce.

December 21, 2022
Morgan Fraser Mouchette and Kristina Royce authored this Forbes article discussing how one can tackle their divorce like Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen did in 2022.
December 20, 2022
Ashley M. Silberfeld and David A. Thomas have been named 2022 Leaders of Influence: Thriving in Their 40s by the Los Angeles Business Journal.

December 19, 2022
Authority Magazine interviewed Morgan Fraser Mouchette in November, where she discusses how social media comes into play when couples are going through a divorce.

December 14, 2022
Stacy D. Phillips authored this LinkedIn article discussing ways to keep family traditions going after separation.

December 9, 2022 
Alan R. Feigenbaum authored this article published in the New York Law Journal discussing the profuse backlog in the New York judicial system that has built up since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

December 6, 2022
Marilyn B. Chinitz authored this article published in Fatherly, in which she discusses your chances of a satisfying holiday for all parties when separated or divorced
December 2, 2022
Brett S. Ward served as a panelist at the New York State Bar Association International Section’s 2022 London Global Conference.

November 29, 2022
Marilyn B. Chinitz was named one of Hollywood’s Troubleshooters: Top 35 Lawyers for Death, Divorce and Other Disasters by The Hollywood Reporter.

November 21, 2022
Alan R. Feigenbaum and Sean R. Weissbart authored this New York Law Journal article discussing whether children of divorcing parents are recognized as third-party beneficiaries of their parents’ separation agreements, divorce decrees, etc.

November 15, 2022
Authority Magazine interviewed Stacy D. Phillips in November, where she discusses how social media comes into play when couples are going through a divorce.  
November 2, 2022
Stacy D. Phillips authored this article giving advice for those who are in a relationship where one party suffers from addiction and/or alcoholism, the last of a three-part series.

November 1, 2022
Sophie Jacobi-Parisi authored this Authority Magazine article discussing New York’s law that extends child support until the age of 26 for kids who are the product of a divorce and have been diagnosed as having developmental special needs.

October 28, 2022
Sean R. Weissbart and Alan R. Feigenbaum and associate Kyle G. Durante presented “Cohabitation Agreements, Property Rights, Property Division, Custody, and Economic Rights of Unmarried Cohabitants Act,” a myLawCLE program in October.  
October 28, 2022
Michelle M. Gervais was named to The Florida 500 for the fourth year in a row, honoring her as one of the 44 attorneys recognized in this year’s “Law” category.

October 27, 2022
Sophie Jacobi-Parisi was interviewed by Ilyssa Panitz for The Divorce Hour podcast, which addresses issues that individuals may face when going through a divorce.  
October 26, 2022
Stacy D. Phillips authored this article giving advice for those who are in a relationship where one party suffers from addiction and/or alcoholism, the second of a three-part series.  

October 24, 2022
Shondaland featured Morgan Fraser Mouchette in this article about having difficult financial discussions in a relationship. 

October 19, 2022
Stacy D. Phillips authored this article giving advice for those who are in a relationship where one party suffers from addiction and/or alcoholism, the first of a three-part series.

October 19, 2022
Stacy D. Phillips was featured on JAM.AI, a new mini-podcast platform, where she shares her perspective on relationships, family law, and divorce in her series “Exes and Ohs with Stacy D. Phillips, Esq.”    

Attorney Spotlight: Los Angeles

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Stacy D. Phillips ●

This edition of Attorney Spotlight highlights one of my Los Angeles colleagues in Blank Rome’s Matrimonial & Family Law Group—Erica Swensson.

Erica Swensson
Of Counsel

Recently promoted to of counsel at the firm, Erica and I first met in 2007 when we found ourselves on opposing sides of a number of cases.

She impressed me so much that she later became my first hire at Blank Rome. It has been a delightful experience seeing my relationship with Erica transform from a worthy adversary to an amazing coworker and friend. Please enjoy learning more about her.

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Blank Rome Matrimonial Recognitions Roundup

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Below is a roundup of the recent awards, recognitions, and other important accomplishments of Blank Rome’s Matrimonial & Family Law attorneys from around the country.

Stacy D. Phillips Served as Moderator, Presenter at the Los Angeles Business Journal Women’s Leadership Symposium & Awards 2022

June 2022 – Stacy D. Phillips moderated the panel, “Invention and Reinvention of Yourself,” and presented an award at the Los Angeles Business Journal Women’s Leadership Symposium & Awards 2022, held June 29, 2022, at the JW Marriott L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles. Blank Rome is proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of the event.

Marilyn B. Chinitz Interviewed by the New York Post on Estate Planning

June 2022 – Marilyn B. Chinitz was interviewed for the article, “Where There’s a Will,” which was published by the New Yok Post on June 17, 2022. Marilyn stressed that people should consider a medical directive. “That sets out the extent of the care for the parent or loved one, should they become ill or incapacitated,” she said. She also recommended getting a power of attorney for health care. Then, “fast and effective decisions can be made on behalf of the patient,” she said.

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Attorney Spotlight: Los Angeles

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Stacy D. Phillips ●

This edition of Attorney Spotlight highlights one of my Los Angeles colleagues—Pauline Martin. Pauline has more than two decades of litigation experience, handling all areas of family law, as well as a range of clients’ other legal needs. Her commercial litigation experience, especially in partnership dissolution and employment-related matters, adds a unique perspective to her family law practice. Please enjoy learning more about her.

Pauline M. Martin
Of Counsel

Pauline M. Martin is a relentless litigator who focuses on passionate advocacy for the families she represents so they can move their lives forward with dignity, security, and grace. Pauline took a circuitous route to the practice of family law, beginning her legal career as a commercial litigator with time at national law firms as well as aggressive boutique litigation firms before taking some time away from law firm life as a new mom. She also helped develop a groundbreaking insurance program, which covers the risk of paying an adversary’s attorneys’ fees in a contract dispute. The product was hailed by the legal community as a “game changer” in contract litigation and was eventually sold to a publicly traded insurance carrier.

After her then-three-year-old son suggested she go back to work so he could stay for afternoon pre-school with his friends, Pauline found a new professional home practicing family law with Stacy Phillips. Pauline has developed a passion for resolving the intimate issues of custody cases, where her background as a general litigator has been an asset as she crafts specialized and sophisticated solutions to each client’s unique issues and family needs. Pauline acts practically to find common ground with the opposing party without resorting to the kind of knee-jerk scorched earth litigation tactics that she believes many times do more harm than good. She also uses her skill and tenacity to fight in court when necessary to advance the goals of her clients when it is clear amicable resolution is no longer an option.

Blank Rome Matrimonial Recognitions Roundup

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Below is a roundup of the recent awards, recognitions, and other important accomplishments of Blank Rome’s Matrimonial & Family Law attorneys from around the country.

Stacy D. Phillips and Kristina Royce Named 2022 Top Family Lawyers by Daily Journal

March 2022 –Stacy D. Phillips and Kristina Royce, who also serves as co-chair of the firm’s Matrimonial and Family Law practice group, were named 2022 Top Family Lawyers by the Daily Journal. In this inaugural listing by the Daily Journal, Stacy and Kristina were two of 20 family law attorneys based in California recognized as leading attorneys on matrimonial and family law matters, including marriage, adoption, divorce proceedings, child custody arrangements, and family court proceedings and related negotiations.

Morgan Fraser Mouchette Interviewed by Shondaland on Discussing Privacy with Your Partner

March 2022 –Morgan Fraser Mouchette was interviewed for the article, “How to Have the Privacy Talk with Your Partner,” which was published in Shondaland on March 23, 2022. “People have different definitions of privacy and different expectations,” she said, “and making sure that you’re on the same page about what you expect from your partner in terms of how you’ll be treated and what you consider to be private is a conversation people usually don’t have until sometimes too late.”

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Partner Spotlight: New York

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Stacy D. Phillips

This edition of Partner Spotlight highlights one of my New York colleagues and co-chair of Blank Rome’s Matrimonial & Family Law group—Brett Ward. Brett concentrates his practice in all areas of matrimonial and family law, including divorce, paternity, custody, and child protective matters. He has extensive experience in negotiating prenuptial, separation, and settlement agreements. Brett has significant litigation and trial experience in New York’s Family and Supreme Courts and has also successfully appeared before the appellate courts. He also has experience with international custody and child support matters. Please enjoy learning more about him.

Brett S. Ward
New York

Brett Ward is a visionary leader who is motivated to help people navigate their way through the stormiest emotional and financial situations of their lives. He has spent his entire legal career in family law, where early on he was fascinated by how it takes not only legal analysis, but also support, sympathy, and empathy, to help clients solve difficult issues. Brett is adept at assessing a client’s situation and tailoring his approach to what they need—whether it be strength, compassion, or a calming force. He delivers results for clients by combating unreasonable positions from the opposing party through his willingness to take the case to trial where the evidence, and not rhetoric, controls the day. As co-chair of the firm’s Matrimonial & Family Law Practice group, the bedrock of Brett’s leadership philosophy is a willingness to listen and build consensus for the good of the entire group. He focuses on expanding the practice of the current partners as well as building a path for the next generation of attorney talent to ensure they have the support, opportunities, and skills to build their own successful practices for the department’s long-term success.

Partner Spotlights: Giving Back to Our Communities

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This edition of Partner Spotlights highlights the importance of making a difference in our communities. Personally, I have enjoyed serving as the Founder and Chair of the Blank Rome Adopt-A-Center Program (which was formerly the Phillips Lerner Adopt-A-Center Program) for more than two decades. I also have the pleasure of serving on the Board of Directors, as Board Secretary, and Executive Committee of Public Counsel, the nation’s largest provider of pro bono legal services, utilizing an innovative legal model to promote justice, hope, and opportunity in lower-income and communities of color in Los Angeles and across the nation. If you would like to make a donation to Public Counsel, that would be greatly appreciated: justgiving.com/fundraising/stacy-d-phillips.

I also encourage each of you to find ways in 2022 to help those in need in your communities, whether it be through donating to a worthy cause, volunteering your time, raising awareness of a local need, or even making a simple gesture of kindness for a neighbor. Please enjoy learning about how my colleagues Ashley Silberfeld and Morgan Fraser Mouchette have worked this past year to make an impact in their communities.

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Blank Rome Matrimonial Recognitions Roundup

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Stacy D. Phillips

An ongoing 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.

Michelle M. Gervais Named to Tampa Style’s 2021 Attorneys of the Year

September 2021 – Michelle M. Gervais was named to Tampa Style’s 2021 Attorneys of the Year list. According to the magazine, the Attorneys of the Year, who were nominated by Tampa Style’s readers, “exemplify a standard of excellence in their profession and have garnered the respect and esteem of their colleagues.” This year’s honorees were profiled in Tampa Style’s September 2021 special issue. Michelle’s Attorney of the Year profile designated her as “The Fixer.”

Marilyn B. Chinitz Interviewed by The New York Times on the Recent Rise in Divorce Filings

September 2021 – Marilyn B. Chinitz was interviewed by The New York Times on how the return to normalcy, or at least semi-normalcy, could mean that couples are finally completing divorces they were forced to delay. Defending a divorced client now “is a lot more complicated and detailed than it used to be,” Chinitz explained. “I’ve had to work through the kind of custody issues that did not exist before COVID-19 struck,” she said. “I mean, who could have ever thought back then that we would be hearing plaintiffs and defendants arguing over whether or not the nanny should be vaccinated, or a request that only people wearing masks could play with their children. And then there’s ‘I do not want my child to be educated remotely — I want him or her in school.’”

Jacqueline Combs Speaks on UCLA Extension Course Panel

August 2021 – Jacqueline Combs served as a panelist for the University of California, Los Angeles (“UCLA”) UCLA Extension course “Women, Wealth and Wisdom: Legal Updates,” which was held on August 25, 2021. Jacqueline and her fellow panelists shared their experiences with and knowledge of important legal topics such as family law, including planning for marriage, divorce, minor children, and pets.

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