Family Lawyer Magazine recognizes Moura Robertson for Excellence in the Field of Family Law

Read the transcript below:

Dan Couvrette: I’m Dan Couvrette, the publisher of Family Lawyer Magazine and Divorce Magazine, and today I have the pleasure of speaking with Moura Robertson. Moura is a top Family lawyer and a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the most highly rated family lawyers in America. We’re going to just talk today a little bit about her background in family law and why she chose to be a family lawyer, how she helps her clients, and just generally find out a little bit more about her and her practice. It’s a pleasure to speak with you today Moura.

Moura Robertson: Thank you, Dan.

Dan: So tell me a little bit about how you came about choosing to work in the area of family law.

Moura: Family law is the one area where you deal very closely with people and that’s what I enjoy most, unlike other areas where you might represent a company or litigation where you’re pursuing a money objective. Here I’m helping people with something that’s very important to them in their lives.

Dan: Right, and what sort of feedback do you get from clients when the divorce is finished?

Moura: That’s the most rewarding part of my job, when at the end of the day when the case is closed and I have a client leaving my office for the last time and they thank me for helping them through the process, helping them stay on track and remember what’s most important to them.

Dan: And I get a sense because I’ve known you for a while that you’re a compassionate person, and I also know you’re a very passionate person. I also feel that you would be a great person if I need my back covered. So when you’re dealing with a client and it has to go to litigation, what kind of an approach do you take if you do have to go that route?

Moura: It’s always best if you can negotiate a settlement. That’s always best for families. The last thing you want to do is drag everything through court but sometimes if the objective is very important to a client and you’re unable to negotiate the outcome they want, then you have to take a position that might not be as tasteful to them. Being more aggressive or pursuing something in a way that they didn’t originally think they might have to do.

Dan: Right, and sometimes the client doesn’t know, for instance, in a divorce case that the other side is telling the truth so you may have to dig a little deeper and work with financial professionals and that sort of thing. I’m sure you’ve employed business valuators and forensic accountants, is that part of that digging deeper to get to the truth of the matter?

Moura: It is, and when you have to do that. That does delay the process. It can also make it more costly, however, you have to do your due diligence, and in a divorce situation you cannot necessarily count on the other side for doing what’s right or being transparent, or being forthcoming and have to hire the necessary professionals to pursue the objectives.

Dan: Right and it must be critical that you at least all along the way keep your clients informed as to what your strategy is and what the potential outcome might be so that they’re not disappointed at the end and they also understand why you’re taking the approach you’re taking.

Moura: Right, so I always educate my clients as to what the different courses of action are and what the potential outcomes are, and I leave it up to them. It’s their life, it’s their case, it’s their financial future, their children, and I give them options and I advise them as to what I think might be the best option for pursuing an objective but then it’s up to them to really make the final decision.

Dan: And what’s your typical client, or the range of clients that you deal with? Business owners? Are they just regular people, middle-income people. Who is your typical client? Or is there a Range?

Moura: There really is a range. I represent people who are small business owners, professionals and executives. I also represent people who are W2 employees and work for other people or housewives who have been stay-at-home mothers for most of their lives.

Dan: Right, and is there anything particularly different about these different types of people from different walks of life? Do you see that in dealing with them as they’re going through a divorce?

Moura: They might have different objectives ultimately but in the end, there’s a common thread and that is, they want to make it through the process as efficiently, as cost-effectively, and as carefully as possible so it doesn’t disturb their children – if there’s children involved.

Dan: If the client has to go to court how do you prepare them to go to court? Because I know it’s uncomfortable. I remember the first time I went into a courtroom and it just felt unsettling to me.

Moura: Well we practice. I actually have the capability to videotape the client when I’m asking them questions and we pretend and they get an idea of what they look like and what it feels like. I also have them watch videos and give them handouts of what to expect. Sometimes if they’re very nervous I’ll take them down to the courthouse and go sit in the courtroom with them for a little bit so they can really see the live-action and then they’re more comfortable and know what to expect.

Dan: Right. What do you think you bring from your personal life that makes a difference for your clients? Is there anything about your background or aside from your work that you bring that you
think makes it better for your clients?

Moura: I think that the fact that I’ve been through a divorce myself gives me a little broader perspective than someone who hasn’t. I’m also a parent so I know what it’s like to raise children. I know what it’s like to deal with children at different developmental ages and I think that that experience helps give me perspective when it comes to representing my clients.

Dan: Thank you for taking the time today to talk with me about your practice. It’s a pleasure and I know that you’re a highly respected family lawyer. I mentioned that you’re a member of the American Academy. You’re also a Super Lawyer – you’re recognized as a Super Lawyer in your state and that is a recognition of your peers, and it takes a lot of experience and a lot of hard work to gain a strong reputation with your peers so I want to acknowledge you for having achieved the great success that you’ve had in your family law practice.

Moura: Thank you, Dan, I appreciate that.