Sari Martin Friedman

Sari and her firm zealously advocated for me. On the occasion I felt the need to email or call her into the night or after my work day, she would always promptly respond. I never had reason to think about questioning her support or reliability at any time. I have worked with numerous attorneys, but n...ever during such a physically and emotionally taxing process. When my emotions would get the best of me, Sari reliably provided sound judgment and brought me back to reason. With Sari, you know what you are getting when you first meet her - zealous, tireless, and unrelenting. I have learned she is an attorney whose reputation in family law clearly proceeds her.

Sari heads a firm that focuses on empowering its clients without wasting time or mincing words with both her clients and opposing counsel. She is a no-nonsense, composed, astute and forward-thinking advocate for her clients, especially for fathers whose parenting rights have been violated by their ch...ildren's mothers. I switched to Sari from other representation when my case was being dragged along and my parenting time severely limited for five months due to false allegations. In custody cases for many dads, this is the equivalent of being guilty until proven innocent or, at best, what I call "parental purgatory." Hardly a month after retaining Sari, however, and at our first court appearance together, my joint custody of my daughter was restored. Sari worked with the opposing attorney -- someone doing her best to perpetuate and prolong our custody proceedings -- to help us reach an agreement out of court. Her firm is expensive but does not nickel-and-dime you -- you'll get more than what you are paying for. Her staff is respondent and allowed me to work hands-on with paralegals in drafting petitions. Her associate Latonia Early also jumped in to quickly get up to speed on our case when my daughter's mom and her attorney continued to hinder reaching any finality to our holiday and vacation schedule. At this point Sari had the foresight to file a petition to move our case from county court to Supreme Court to have a better chance at getting a more fair hearing, and was she granted her request despite opposition from opposing counsel. Sari also will not stoop to the level of other dirty-tactic attorneys in going head-to-head with them, helping to establish and maintain credibility and respect amongst others important to this process such as law guardians and parent coordinators. She works with integrity and backs her reputation as an advocate for Father's Rights with well-attended pro-bono monthly meetings often led by her capable partner and daughter Andrea. For all those fathers out there seeking representation in their uphill battles against and usually unfavorable court system, I would not retain an attorney until first consulting with Sari.

I came to my divorce in a state of shock and disbelief and was very nervous. Sari told me from the first consult to "meet this situation head-on". I wish I had taken her advice, because it would have saved me time and money. While not accepting what was being demanded from my now ex-wife, I wasted a ...lot of time wishing things were different. Sari and her team have lots of experience and good advise to give for any situation that presents itself when it comes to a divorce. They always made me feel like I was in good hands.

I hired Sari after my first lawyer messed up and she really helped. I had an unusual situation because I make a lot more money than my ex-husband and before I had Sari, the court had ordered that I had to pay all his attorney's fees. So he had no incentive to compromise and dragged everything out, ...knowing I was going to have to pay for both sides. Sari was very sensitive to this and was able to get a settlement done quickly, which saved me a bundle, and she did it without compromising my most important positions. I got sole custody of our three children (ages 8,6 and 3) as well as getting to stay in our house, so our older children didn't have to change schools. She was able to get some credit in the maintenance award for the attorney's fees I paid for my-ex and was able to concede just enough on things that didn't matter much to me but were important to my ex so that the whole breakup became more amicable. All in all, she really turned a difficult situation into a reasonable one and let me get on with my life.