Francis Donahue has been an attorney for 50 years. He is this year’s recipient of the Saul Tischler Award from the NJSBA Family Law Section. He handles complex matrimonial cases statewide, is a trained arbitrator and also has an active appellate practice. Donahue is a founder of Donahue Hagan Klein & Weisberg, LLC. He is a frequent lecturer for the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education, the American Trial Lawyers Association, and Court TV.
He answered a few questions about his career. Check out what he had to say:
What do you love about being a family lawyer?
The most attractive feature of family practice is the camaraderie of the Family Bar. The family bar is the largest and most active. The vast majority of family lawyers are helpful and protective of each other and enjoy sharing their knowledge and experience with one another. My social relationships with family lawyers are long-standing and have been beneficial not only to me, but to my clients.
What does winning this award mean to you?
The Tischler Award means to me recognition by my peers of my commitment to the practice of Family Law. The award allows me to share the recognition given to many of the most respected judges and lawyers that I have admired. I am honored to have achieved that stature.
What piece of advice do you wish someone had told you when you were starting out?
My wish is that someone had told me that family law is the most difficult specialty practice in law. It requires long hours, patience dealing with difficult issues and representation of clients who are often in emotional and financial distress.
What are some of the issues people need to consider when handling a case involving celebrities?
When representing celebrities, you will have the opportunity for publicity. Be very careful in giving interviews to the press and the media. Try to make certain that you will not be misquoted. Also be prepared to explain to celebrities who enjoy the limelight that if “celebrity good will” is an issue, we will try to prove a lower value than the celebrity may believe is his/her worth.
Register for the May 2, 2019 Tischler Award ceremony here.