Barry Abbott
Personal Statement
The COVID crisis revealed the frailties of NY’s court system and forced the courts to adapt. Despite the sincere efforts of court administrators and judges to adapt and modernize, the processing of cases slowed significantly, adding to the high financial and emotional costs of divorce. It was in the midst of that crisis that I decided to resign my law firm partnership and start my own family law practice, determined to provide high quality, creative and result-oriented representation. Over time, and with the growing acceptance of video-conferencing, I freed myself from a deadening commute, embraced the benefits of a virtual law practice, and moved away from dependence on an adversarial court system in favor of alternative means of resolving family law disputes: mediation, arbitration and negotiation.
Although I spent decades trying cases, I no longer take on clients who need to litigate or are in litigation, although I do consult with clients and their lawyers on trial tactics and trial strategy. If you are a potential client, it is my hope that you will choose a more humane method of resolving your dispute and that you will trust me to assist you. And if you are already involved in litigation or veering toward that path, I will be glad to provide you with an alternative path to resolution or a second opinion.
I have 40 years of experience trying cases and arguing appeals, mostly in divorce and family law matters in New York City. Over that time I’ve represented hundreds of clients in complex, high income and asset divorce cases, and in international and domestic child custody cases. Through applying my analytical and critical thinking skills I can sense when there is a financial discrepancy, such as when a client is being defrauded by her/his spouse. Although people lie, numbers don’t.
For example, in one case, the assets were a lot less than they should have been and in combination with other unusual facts I sensed that my client’s husband was supporting another family. Through analysis by a financial expert we proved that was exactly what had happened. In another case my client was taxed on income that didn’t appear in her accounts. By using a forensic accountant we proved that my client’s husband was falsifying business records and diverting my client’s income to his own accounts.
Before I concentrated on divorce and family law litigation, I worked as a generalist including real estate transactions and closings, estate matters, personal injury litigation and criminal defense cases. Knowing the ins and outs of those areas comes in very handy since divorce cases frequently require a working knowledge of those practice areas.
Although I no longer take on litigation, my experience serves me well in representing clients in divorce settlement negotiations and mediation, preparing or reviewing prenuptial agreements, and consulting with clients and their lawyers on trial preparation and trial strategy.
I guide my clients by giving them the best advice I can give and by providing them with hope for the future. I treat each client the way I would want to be treated - with honesty, empathy, warmth, maturity, and a sense of humor.
MISSION STATEMENT
When not working, I indulge my passion for music, which I fell in love with when I was in grade school. I started playing guitar as soon as I persuaded my parents that classical piano was not for me – my first successful appeal. While in college I performed as a singer-guitarist-song writer, and I continue to play for friends, my wonderful wife and our family, and for my own enjoyment.
A devoted father, I coached my sons in soccer and baseball, imparting in them my love for athletics, competition and teamwork. Now that they are far from the nest, I enjoy indulging my golden retriever, whose admirable ability to fetch is only surpassed by her inability to “drop it.”