Category Archives: Meet Blank Rome

In the News

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Below is a roundup of Blank Rome Matrimonial and Family Law partners’ recent awards, recognitions, media, and other accomplishments from around the country.

The Sky is the Limit. Top LA Attorney Stacy D. Phillips Gets Up Close and Personal on Her Lifestyle Podcast “Stacy Phillips & Friends”
February 6, 2025 – Blank Rome partner Stacy D. Phillips was featured in this Beverly Hills Times Magazine article discussing her newly launched podcast, “Stacy Phillips & Friends.”

Kristina Royce Joins The Wall Street Skinny Podcast
February 3, 2025 – Blank Rome partner Kristina Royce joined hosts Kristen Kelly and Jen Saarbach on The Wall Street Skinny podcast to discuss why individuals need to be well-informed about their legal rights and obligations, particularly concerning marriage and financial matters.

Child Custody: The Dangers of ‘Rules of Thumb’
January 30, 2025 – Blank Rome partner Dylan S. Mitchell authored this New York Law Journal article discussing the common principle regarding on acting on what is in the best interests of children.

5 Challenges with Changing Your Name That No One Tells You
January 28, 2025 – Blank Rome partner Ernestine J. Mings was featured in this The Knot article discussing the potential challenges when one has to change their legal name.

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Attorney Spotlight: Jacqueline Combs—Los Angeles

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Stacy D. Phillips ●

For this edition of Attorney Spotlight, I am proud to feature one of my esteemed Los Angeles colleagues in Blank Rome’s Matrimonial & Family Law group: Jacqueline Combs.

Jacqueline Combs
Partner

A graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Chapman University School of Law, Jackie has proven to be an indispensable member of our firm’s Matrimonial & Family Law practice group. Formerly an associate at the firm, Jackie was recently elevated to partner at Blank Rome. I am thrilled that she has achieved this very distinctive honor. 

Having been practicing law for more than 12 years, Jackie began her legal career as a corporate counsel for private and publicly traded companies and worked with clients on high-stakes business and legal issues. Over time, she found she wanted more direct ways to help people through her practice, which led Jackie to pursue family law. Jackie has integrated her experience as corporate counsel into her family law practice. A successful lawyer must excel in negotiation, especially in family law cases. Jackie exemplifies this by consistently bringing her exceptional negotiation skills to every client and case she handles.

Read more on our website.

In the News

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

Reconciling the Law of ‘Cohabitation’ with Social Realities
October 10, 2024 – Blank Rome partner Alan R. Feigenbaum authored this New York Law Journal article about alimony payments and when they should be terminated. 

Marilyn B. Chinitz Joins the Women Winning Divorce Podcast
October 7, 2024 – Blank Rome partner Marilyn B. Chinitz joins the Women Winning Divorce podcast to discuss how to handle and divide complex assets, tips for receiving alimony, and strategies to safeguard assets during divorce. 

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Attorney Spotlight: Pauline M. Martin—Los Angeles

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Stacy D. Phillips ●

For this edition of Attorney Spotlight, I am proud to highlight one of my esteemed Los Angeles colleagues in Blank Rome’s Matrimonial & Family Law group: Pauline M. Martin.

Pauline M. Martin
Of Counsel

A graduate of the University of California, Irvine, and the UCLA School of Law, Pauline has been practicing law for more than 20 years. She is an indispensable member of our firm’s Matrimonial & Family Law practice group. 

Pauline’s journey as a lawyer is remarkable in many ways, and it is notable that she did not begin her career working in family law. Initially, out of law school, Pauline began her practice in a large civil litigation firm. Within 10 years of working in this field, Pauline recognized that she wanted to get more of a “hands-on” legal experience that she felt she had not experienced quite yet as a lawyer. In 2008, Pauline became a mother and realized a new focus in life: family. Pauline spent a few years caring for her son and helping her husband with entrepreneurial ventures. She decided that in becoming a parent, she understood what was important in life and thus began her career path in family law.

Read more on our website.

In the News

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

You Don’t Need a French Vineyard to Have a Prolonged Divorce Proceeding
July 25, 2024 – Blank Rome Partner Alan R. Feigenbaum authored this New York Times article discussing the occasionally absurd length of divorce proceedings amidst disputes over finances.

 
Chambers High Net Worth 2024 Highly Ranks Blank Rome Matrimonial & Family Law Group and Attorneys
July 24, 2024 – Blank Rome is pleased to announce that Chambers High Net Worth 2024 has highly ranked our firm’s Matrimonial & Family Law practice group in California and New York, as well as co-chairs Kristina Royce and Brett S. Ward and partners Marilyn B. Chinitz, Norman S. Heller, Lois J. Liberman, Morgan Fraser Mouchette, Sophie Jacobi-Parisi, Stacy D. Phillips, and Mary T. Vidas.


Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie’s Divorce Battle Nears 8 Years as His Romance with Girlfriend Heats Up
July 24, 2024 – Blank Rome Partner Sophie Jacobi-Parisi speaks to Fox News Digital about some of the financial hesitation that may come with the divorce between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. 


Shannen Doherty Died amid a Contentious Court Fight with Her Ex. How She Was Able to Divorce Him After Her Death
July 20, 2024 – Blank Rome Partner Ashley Silberfeld talks through some of nuances of divorce cases, when one of the parties has died.


How to Have an Actually Productive Argument, According to Lawyers
July 19, 2024 – In this HuffPost Life article, Blank Rome Partner Marilyn Chinitz discusses arguments as an art and social practice, and speaks to the best practices when it comes to arguing.


Breaking Up? Here’s What to Do About Joint Bank Accounts
July 13, 2024 – Blank Rome Partner Lois Liberman shares advice with The Penny Hoarder on how to begin navigating the process of dealing with joint bank accounts in a divorce.


Alan R. Feigenbaum Joins the To Dine for Podcast
July 1, 2024 – Blank Rome Partner Alan R. Feigenbaum joins the To Dine For Podcast and discusses the “Non-Linear Love” project, a collection of unique relationship stories that reframe the way we think about dating, romance, break-ups, divorce, and love.


Email Exchanges in Divorce Litigation Carry Immense Risk
June 28, 2024 – Blank Rome Partner Alan R. Feigenbaum authored this New York Law Journal article discussing the risks and stress associated with email exchanges as a divorce lawyer.


Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Went from ‘Domestic Bliss’ to Divorce: Inside Their Ongoing Multi-Year Legal Feud
June 20, 2024 – Blank Rome Partner Sophie Jacobi-Parisi shares commentary with CNN on the bifurcated divorce process and its potential for detrimental effects on proceedings.


Blank Rome’s Linda Kornfeld and Stacy D. Phillips Named 2024 Top Women Lawyers by Daily Journal
June 20, 2024 – Blank Rome Insurance Recovery practice group partner and co-chair Linda Kornfeld and Matrimonial & Family Law partner Stacy D. Phillips have been named 2024 Top Women Lawyers by the Daily Journal.


The Long and Winding Road to Gender Parity in the Legal Profession
June 20, 2024 – Blank Rome Insurance Recovery practice group partner and co-chair Linda Kornfeld and Matrimonial & Family Law partner Stacy D. Phillips have been named 2024 Top Women Lawyers by the Daily Journal.


Mary Craig Calkins, Robert L. Kahan, and Kristina Royce Named Entertainment Business Visionaries
June 18, 2024 – Blank Rome is pleased to announce that partners Mary Craig Calkins, Robert L. Kahan, and Kristina Royce, who serves as co-chair of our firm’s Matrimonial & Family Law group, have been named Entertainment Business Visionaries by the Los Angeles Times B2B Publishing.


Alan R. Feigenbaum Joins the Dating Daze Podcast
June 17, 2024 – Partner Alan R. Feigenbaum takes on the “Non-Linear Love” project, which aims to view love through a non-linear perspective rather than judging relationships based on their path and relativity to marriage.


Marilyn B. Chinitz and Lois J. Liberman Recognized in Spear’s Legal Indices 2024
June 13, 2024 – Blank Rome is pleased to announce that Spear’s Legal Indices recognized partners Marilyn B. Chinitz and Lois J. Liberman in its 2024 Family Law Index for a second consecutive year.


‘I’m Divorcing after a Lot of Heartache:’ Should I Suggest My Husband Keep His $200,000 401(K), So I Can Take Our $360,000 House?
June 6, 2024 – Blank Rome Partner Brett S. Ward provides perspective on the difficult distribution of assets in a divorce.


Navigating the Nuances of LGBTQ+ Divorce in California
June 5, 2024—In this Love Bytes blog, Stacy D. Phillips unpacks some of the unique challenges LGBTQ+ couples face when it comes to divorce.


When There Are No Custody Heartstrings to Pull
June 4, 2024 – Blank Rome Partner Alan R. Feigenbaum authored this New York Law Journal article discussing how important it is to critically analyze a parent’s claims regarding custody.


Conservatives Are Coming After This Type of Divorce- Here’s Why
May 31, 2024 – Blank Rome partner Marilyn Chinitz shares her thoughts with HuffPost on the benefits and efficiency of no-fault divorce.
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Attorney Spotlight: Alan R. Feigenbaum—New York

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Stacy D. Phillips ●

This edition of Attorney Spotlight highlights one of my esteemed New York colleagues in Blank Rome’s Matrimonial & Family Law Group—Alan R. Feigenbaum.

Alan R. Feigenbaum
Partner

A graduate of Tulane University and the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Alan has been practicing law for more than 20 years and is an invaluable member of our firm’s Matrimonial & Family Law practice group.

Alan has been interested in reading, writing, and communication as far back as he can remember, and a career in law turned out to be an excellent avenue for his passions. Following law school, Alan practiced commercial litigation at a large firm for several years, where he found that the training and initial experience overall was essential to a young lawyer. However, Alan was eager to build even deeper attorney-client relationships and the best path forward was to transition into family law. Alan always strives to add value to the lives of others, and working so directly in his clients’ lives is what he has found truly rewarding.

Read more on our website.

In the News

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

Girlfriends, Boyfriends, Dating, and Divorce: Oh My!
May 29, 2024 – Blank Rome partner Alan R. Feigenbaum will join Judge Matthew F. Cooper (New York State Supreme Court, Retired) to present “Girlfriends, Boyfriends, Dating, and Divorce: Oh My!” a Federal Bar Association myLawCLE program being held Wednesday, May 29, 2024, from 1:00 to 2:40 p.m. EDT, as a live online webinar.

Marilyn B. Chinitz, Kristina Royce, and Brett S. Ward Recognized in Variety’s Legal Impact Report 2024
April 17, 2024 – Blank Rome is pleased to share that Matrimonial & Family Law partner Marilyn B. Chinitz and practice co-chairs and partners Kristina Royce and Brett S. Ward have been recognized in Variety’s 2024 Legal Impact Report.

Following in the Footsteps of Trailblazers and Serving as Role Models Today for the Next Generation of Women
April 17, 2024 – In this Love Bytes blog post, Stacy D. Phillips shares her feelings on women as trailblazers and how they can influence the generations to come.

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Attorney Spotlight: Philadelphia—Mary T. Vidas

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Stacy D. Phillips ●

This edition of Attorney Spotlight highlights one of my revered Philadelphia colleagues in Blank Rome’s Matrimonial & Family Law group—Mary T. Vidas.

Mary T. Vidas
Partner

A graduate of Georgetown University and the Temple University Beasley School of Law, Mary has been practicing law for 40 years and is a preeminent member of our firm’s Matrimonial & Family Law practice group. Mary began her career at Blank Rome as a Litigation Law Clerk working in matrimonial as well as asbestos litigation and personal injury law. After a time of splitting her work across these different practices, Mary eventually transitioned completely to matrimonial and family law, having taken to it well, and has enjoyed working with her clients throughout her storied career as a lawyer. During her career, Mary has served inter alia, as Chair of the American Bar Association’s Section of Family Law as well as presently serving as Chair of the ABA Family Law Section’s Strategic Planning Committee. She is currently the Family Law Section Delegate to the ABA House of Delegates. She has also been a frequent lecturer for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, the Academy of Matrimonial Law, the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association, and the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs. Mary has also worked with the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Judicial Commission leading investigations into judicial candidates and was recently honored as the Bar Association’s “Bar Star” for her work in this regard. Mary truly is a “Bar Star.”

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Following in the Footsteps of Trailblazers and Serving as Role Models Today for the Next Generation of Women

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Stacy D. Phillips ●

When I was growing up, there were only a few visible career choices for women and even fewer high-profile role models. The traditional roles for women outside of being a homemaker and mother (which are truly admirable and hard-working jobs) often included being a teacher, a highly visible profession for women. Being a teacher is a commendable and (sadly) generally unappreciated profession, but it simply was not for me. Women had other professional options, like being in the medical profession as a nurse or doctor, but unfortunately, I hated needles, so I ruled them out quickly.

My mother was a travel agent, and after watching her suffer through that challenging profession, I quickly crossed that one off the list. Before I was born and through my early years, my mother was also a clothing buyer for a department store, which appealed to me more, particularly given my life-long love for clothes and fashion. However, in the end, I would have needed to be sufficiently passionate about retail sales to take the plunge, and I was not.

Following in the Family Business

My father, grandfather, and several relatives were highly accomplished lawyers, making going into the law field a no-brainer. Beyond the considerable influence of my dad, the thing that inspired me to pursue the law was seeing the success of two women who were his law partners. These two high-powered, well-known female attorneys made a lasting impression on me. One played a pivotal role in drafting the equitable distribution statute for the State of New York, which governs the division of assets in the event of a divorce. These trailblazers showed that women could make a difference in this profession and succeed. Their accomplishments resonated with my desire to make a difference, open doors for women, and bring the highest ethical standards to my work.

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In the News

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


The Unhappiest (or Happiest, for Some) Month of the Year – January is National Divorce Month (Or Is It?)
January 25, 2024 – In this LinkedIn Article, Stacy D. Phillips shares her thoughts on what has become to be known as National Divorce Month.

 
My In-Laws Asked Me to Relinquish Any Claim to $100,000 They Gave Us as a Down Payment for Our House — On the Day We Closed. Is That Legal?
January 25, 2024 – Ory Apelboim was interviewed by MarketWatch discussing marital property rights within postnuptial agreements.
 
Stacy D. Phillips named one of the 2024 Top 10 Super Lawyers of Southern California
January 18, 2024 – Stacy D. Phillips has been named one of the 2024 Top 10 Super Lawyers of Southern California, an honor she has achieved every year since 2013.
 
Stacy D. Phillips named one of the 2024 Top 50 Women Super Lawyers of Southern California
January 18, 2024 – Stacy D. Phillips has been named one of the 2024 Top 50 Women Super Lawyers of Southern California, an honor she has achieved every year since 2005.
 
Stacy D. Phillips named one of the 2024 Top 100 Super Lawyers of Southern California
January 18, 2024 – Stacy D. Phillips has been named one of the 2024 Top 100 Super Lawyers of Southern California, an honor she has achieved every year since 2006.
 
Disarming the Narcissist: with guest expert Wendy Behary
January 11, 2024 – Lois J. Liberman hosted this webinar with Wendy Behary, an author and expert on the subject of narcissism and the approach one should take when dealing with narcissists.
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