Stephens & Stevens Marital & Family Law

At the conclusion of every contested hearing, I offer my opponent a handshake.

Win, lose, or draw, it’s a gesture of professionalism and sportsmanship I was taught early on.

Family law is, by its nature, high-conflict and adversarial. On occasion, that courtesy is declined—sometimes in full view of the judge.

In a courtroom where professionalism is not optional, those moments often say everything that needs to be said.