There are many different traits you should look for when you hire an attorney for your divorce. Your lawyer must be tough enough to fight all the way for you, yet also caring and sensitive enough to understand your pain. In order to inspire your confidence, your lawyer must have a lot of experience and a broad range of legal knowledge. If you're lucky enough to hire one with all of these strengths, you know you've done well.

"My background in so many different areas of the law allows me to bring to my clients virtually everything they need to get through the entire process," says NYC attorney Susan Kunstler, who specializes primarily in matrimonial law, but also practices in tax, real estate, landlord-tenant, estate planning, and contract law. Since divorce can involve any or all of these areas, Kunstler is prepared for anything that may come up in a case. "I make certain that the focus is on both the immediate goals and the ultimate goals."

Kunstler grew up among excellent role models. Her uncle, Bill Kunstler, was a highly reputed civil rights and civil liberties attorney, and represented such clients as Martin Luther King, Jr., the Chicago 7, and Malcolm X. Her father, Michael, who was also a lawyer and her uncle's partner, was a great influence on her. "In my father, I saw someone who cared about people, who helped people immensely," she says.

Susan Kunstler's ultimate goal is to help clients move on with their lives with equanimity and continued love for -- and connection with -- their children. Achieving this goal requires a balance of compassion for clients with a never-say-die attitude in fighting for the best settlement possible. It also requires the ability to compromise at the right times. "I have the ability to bring both a professional and sympathetic ear," she explains, "to be understanding and still maintain enough distance to do the job for the client."

She has worked in matrimonial law since 1977; she also lectures on all aspects of family law, and serves as the co-chair of the New York County Lawyers' Association Matrimonial Law Section. Her work as an organizer and campaigner for New York State electoral races has given her important political contacts. She is also a member of Divorce Magazine's New York Advisory Board.

By devoting herself fully to negotiating the best possible settlements, Kunstler does what she can to keep the legal fees down. But if the other party in a divorce makes such a negotiation impossible, Kunstler fights to get a resolution in her client's favor. She has a reputation for being a "bulldog" until she gets a fair, equitable result for her client. "The biggest challenge is when the opposing attorney or party takes completely unrealistic and unreasonable positions," she says. Kunstler is always up to that challenge.

In Kunstler's view, compassion, "coupled with the ability to step back sufficiently, to be the professional that my client so desperately needs," is the most important trait for a divorce lawyer to have. She is warm, understanding, and empathetic with her clients, and has a great sense of humor. "I can get my clients to laugh at a time when they couldn't have imagined laughing.

"I care for my clients so very, very much," she adds. "I want to be able to help them get to the next part of their lives, which is sometimes the best part."

For more information, please contact:

Law Offices of Susan Y. Kunstler
Attorneys at Law
26 Broadway, 18th Floor
New York, New York 10004
Phone: (212) 797-7555
Fax: (212) 344-0991
e-mail: susan@kunstlerlawfirm.com

Susan Kunstler has written the following articles that can be read on DivorceMagazine.com:

FAQs:

• "If I file for divorce, how can I protect certain assets from my ex?"
• "Can I make modifications to my Divorce Decree?"