We were lucky to catch up with Yonatan Levoritz recently and have shared our conversation below.

Yonatan , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

For child custody litigation, marijuana has become more tolerable to judges. Especially since Vice President Harris made it one of her campaign promises to legalize marijuana federally, and a judge recently overturned a New York State decision to close down cannabis shops, due to its unconstitutionality. So, we’re seeing marijuana be treated more like alcohol and cigarettes in family law, as opposed to it being treated like a Class A narcotic, which is what it’s considered under federal law at this point.

I once represented a mother who was a nurse, which didn’t allow her the capacity to be home as much as she liked. Despite the father having a known marijuana habit, the judge ignored this and granted 50/50 custody because the mother could not always be physically present. This would not have been the outcome if the case occurred 5-10 years ago.

Outside of the courtroom, marijuana has also posed challenges for co-parenting. In one case I dealt with, one parent thought they should expose their kids to marijuana by trying it with them, while the other parent was under the opinion that it was a gateway drug.

Yonatan , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Despite growing up in Nassau County, Long Island, and now living in Long Beach, Long Island, I consider myself a true New Yorker. When I began my journey of becoming a lawyer, I was going through divorce myself. After graduating and working with lawyers to establish my own firm, I realized there was a better approach to starting your own business and practicing law. This realization led me to my niche, and I’ve now been practicing family law for nearly 20 years.

Since most people never anticipate going through divorce or custody arrangements, my job is not only to guide my clients through the process but also to remind them that it can be an opportunity for new beginnings. Divorce or child custody proceedings offer a unique opportunity for self-discovery, such as learning how to be a better partner or parent. Reassuring my clients that this experience can help them emerge as a better version of themselves is a key aspect of my work—and what sets matrimonial attorneys apart from other areas of law.

I’m most proud of my work representing clients who’ve faced substance abuse and mental health obstacles. I have a very high success rate in terms of being able to get those clients a decent amount of time with their children, despite the obstacles they’ve faced in the past. We also have the ability to work with doctors and other medical professionals to help them get better. It’s always beautiful to see deserving individuals be given a second chance.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Word of mouth is what has kept Levoritz Law Firm alive for 19 years. The clients that are happy with their results tend to speak highly of the firm to friends and family, who could potentially be future clients. Growing your clientele is a matter of the multiplier effect – more happy clients mean more business brought in.

In my line of work, repeat clients are also possible. I had one client who hired me a total of four separate times as his divorce attorney.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

My clients all have my personal cell phone number, so they know I’m truly just one call, text or email away. Even after a case has been settled or decided, I keep in touch with them. When things happen in their lives, I’m always asking how they’re doing and what’s new. I try my best to be compassionate about things, as most clients who hire me are going through one of the most vulnerable times in their lives.

I often say that while I’m an attorney, part of me is also a psychologist. I get to know my clients on a deeper, more personal level because each client has unique wants and needs. This is what fosters brand loyalty.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://levoritzlaw.com/