When a family starts to change, people often feel like they are stepping into the unknown. They want to know what their options look like, who will stand with them, and how the process may affect their lives and finances. Our Overview of Services video grew out of those questions. It gives a clear, human introduction to how we at Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein approach family law, and how litigation, collaborative divorce, and mediation each play a role.
Rather than describe our work only in writing, we wanted you to hear from the attorneys who do this every day. In the video below, they talk about how we think about strategy, communication, and conflict in real cases.
What you will hear in the video
In the Overview of Services video, members of our team walk through the main paths a divorce or family matter can take. You will hear us explain how court litigation, collaborative divorce, and mediation differ, and how each process can serve different families.
One of the core ideas we share on camera is that no single path fits every case. Some situations call for firm litigation in court. Others benefit from a collaborative setting, where both sides commit to solving problems outside the courtroom. Many families want a private, guided discussion through mediation, with a neutral professional helping them talk through parenting, support, and property division.
Throughout the video, we return to a simple theme: we help clients understand their choices and build a strategy that fits their goals, their family, and their finances.
Moments that stand out
Several parts of the video tend to stay with viewers because they mirror what many people face when they first call our offices in Manhattan, Long Island, Westchester, or New Jersey.
- We talk about how a case can start in one process and sometimes move to another, and how our firm’s structure supports that shift when it happens.
- We describe how we handle matters that involve business interests, investments, or other complex financial holdings, and why careful planning matters in those cases.
- We share how we communicate with clients, from answering questions promptly to explaining the meaning behind court dates, legal documents, and settlement options.
- We reflect on the emotional weight of family law and how we work to lower conflict when possible, especially when children are involved.
These highlights give a candid look at what it feels like to work with our team day to day.
How the video reflects who we are
Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein has focused on family law since 1994. Over the years, we have grown into one of the larger family law firms in New York, with offices that serve clients across the region and a team that handles only family law and related issues. The Overview of Services video shows how that focus plays out in practice.
In the video, you will hear about our work with high-income families and cases that involve complex financial questions. That includes matters touching on business ownership, deferred compensation, or property in several locations. We approach these cases with careful financial analysis and attention to long-term consequences, always tied back to each client’s goals.
You will also see how we think about our role in the broader legal community. Our attorneys write, speak, and host podcasts on family law topics, and our firm includes a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). The same people who appear in the video take part in conversations about where family law is heading and how new developments affect families in New York and New Jersey.
Why process choice matters now
Modern families often live with layered financial and personal responsibilities. One household may depend on stock grants, business income, and retirement accounts. Another may live in different states or countries or share time across several homes. These realities make the choice between litigation, collaborative divorce, and mediation more important than ever.
In the video, we talk about how each process can shape the pace, tone, and privacy of a case. Court litigation gives a judge the final word when people cannot agree. Collaborative divorce brings both sides and their attorneys together in a structured series of meetings focused on resolution. Mediation uses a neutral professional to guide discussions and help couples reach their own agreements.
By hearing our attorneys describe these options in their own words, viewers gain a clearer picture of what each path feels like and which one might align better with their circumstances.
What you can take away after watching
Our goal with the Overview of Services video is to leave you with a few concrete takeaways:
- A clearer understanding of the main ways to resolve a divorce or family dispute.
- A sense of how our team at Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein approaches strategy, communication, and planning.
- Insight into how we handle high-income and financially complex matters.
- An introduction to the people behind the firm name and the values that guide their work.
When you watch the video, you can listen for the themes that matter most to you: minimizing conflict, managing a complicated financial picture, planning for children’s needs, or simply finding a path forward that feels manageable.
How this connects to your next step
Every family law matter is personal. No two cases look the same. The Overview of Services video cannot answer every question, but it can give you a grounded starting point. You hear how we think, how we talk to clients, and how we structure options.
If what you hear in the video resonates with you and you want to talk about your own situation, you can reach Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein at (212) 466-6015. We welcome conversations with people at all stages of the process, whether you are only starting to consider your options or already facing active court dates.
For now, we invite you to take a few minutes with the video above. Listen to how our attorneys describe the paths available, and consider which approach might best support your goals, your family, and your future.