In this episode of the Trustcast Show, host Zane Myers talks with Carolyn Daly - partner and chair of the Family Law Group at Cohen Seglias who trademarked "Divorce Without Drama" after nearly 30 years in New Jersey family law. She ran her own firm (Daly & Associates) for 13 years before merging to build something bigger, handles everything from high conflict custody battles to dividing cryptocurrency and art collections in divorce, and holds Supreme Court certification that only 2% of New Jersey attorneys carry. After thinking she'd be a prosecutor, a judge moved her to family court one month before her clerkship started and she never left. Now she's transitioning from trial lawyer to ADR specialist (mediation and arbitration), arguing that fighting in court for years costs more money, more time, and produces worse outcomes than settling outside the courtroom where parties control the process and the outcome. What You'll Learn: Thought she'd be prosecutor - judge moved her to family court month before clerkship started "Family law picked me, I didn't pick it" First job: did family, civil litigation, criminal, all types of litigation Thought family seemed hard, high conflict - maybe should do something else Approached to become partner at family-only firm - decided this is where I should be Trademarked "Divorce Without Drama" - not just marketing slogan 10 years into practicing: realized people spend too much time in high conflict Emotion translates into drama, lengthy process, less money, children in middle "We have to do this differently" Colleagues view her as litigator - transitioning to ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) Mediation and arbitration: can have better divorce if handled outside courtroom Mediation: you control the outcome | Arbitration: you control the process (pick your judge) In New Jersey: takes years (not a year, years) to get divorced in court Just finished a trial - still does some courtroom work If you're broke: very difficult - end up pro se, waiting in line for judge New Jersey has Early Settlement Panel (ESP): meet with 2 lawyers for settlement thoughts Not binding, voluntary process by lawyers - she does that work Can hire mediator: 3-4-5 sessions, get divorced Ran Daly & Associates for 13 years Looking in mirror one day: exhausted, working nights and weekends all the time When you run your own: don't have sense of when you need more help "Go west young man" - needed to make change Had hired associate (now partner with her at Cohen Seglias) At some point: can't work every minute of day Not just practice of law - running a practice Loves business of law - did it well, put her where she is personally and professionally Needed bigger platform, team supporting her in building it Went from herself + associate to herself + partner + 2 associates (still hiring) Mid-size firm now, shares responsibility of business side Lawyers and doctors often not best business people When so busy practicing, not paying attention to business - not as successful as can be Most draining non-legal part: tech (cloud vs. server, someone can't get into computer) Infrastructure: billing programs, collections, follow up - tedious Merger with Cohen Seglias: headhunters reach out at certain level in profession Had conversations over years - wasn't ready until "looked in mirror and said go West" Reached out to headhunter friend, another headhunter beginning her career "Are you looking for associate?" "No, I'm looking for you to find me a home" People floored - didn't think she'd do what she did Introduced to couple firms by headhunters Picked Cohen Seglias: most business oriented, growth minded Didn't have family law department - "You come in and build it" Don't lose autonomy - if join firm with existing department, become somebody on team If build department from scratch: get to be autonomous "They don't know what a family law department is, never had one" Loves good challenge - interesting puzzle How do you build department? Staffing, right technology More support on back end - doing less business part, more putting together, solving actual problems Not sending out bills, doing marketing, hiring people, paying people anymore Space to think: how do I want to build this department? What type? Strategic, not acquiring bodies Right department for family law within larger firm - interesting, good work for clients Most people think divorce = court = fight Wanted to focus more on ADR when built department Been doing it for years but also trying cases, arguing motions, going to court all time Built team around her: people who go to court, trial lawyers with that skill set
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