New York—November 18, 2019—Leaders of two of New York’s foremost matrimonial law practices have reunited to create a boutique law firm advising clients, including celebrities and high-net-worth individuals, on all aspects of family law. The firm’s four founding partners all previously worked together at Blank Rome, which operates one of the largest family law groups in the country. Caroline Krauss co-chaired that group for the last seven years, working alongside partner Heidi Tallentire. In their new venture, they join Valentina Shaknes, most recently the co-chair of the matrimonial practice at McLaughlin & Stern LLP, and her partner, Jordan Messeri.

The new law firm is Krauss Shaknes Tallentire & Messeri LLP (KSTM).

“Helping spouses and families through legal crossroads is intimate work that demands genuine care for clients,” said Krauss. “Valentina, Heidi, Jordan, and I all share the same values and are all drawn to this work by our desire to help people through major family challenges on a very personal level. Having a tangible impact on our clients’ lives is extremely rewarding, and it is the reason we are so excited to create this firm.”

Krauss and Shaknes have been named to The National Law Journal’s exclusive list of Trailblazers in Divorce, Trusts & Estates. While many of their high-profile engagements remain discreet, all four founding partners have been involved in influential litigation. For example, Krauss secured a landmark decision in New York’s highest state court that redefined “parent” under New York law to overturn longstanding prejudicial rules toward same-sex parents in custody matters. Shaknes and Messeri achieved a groundbreaking victory in New York federal court under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction in favor of a mother who refused to return her child to an abusive father outside the country.

KSTM will provide a full range of matrimonial and family law services, including divorces, paternity matters, custody, access, and support issues, as well as negotiation of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. The firm will also represent clients in international custody disputes, including proceedings under the Hague Convention. “Our clients know that we will stand by them through whatever junctions they come to in their family life,” said Shaknes. “We will be their counselors, confidants, and strongest advocates every step of the way, whether we are called on before, during, or after a marriage, and whether the engagement calls for negotiation, mediation, or trial.”

The new firm will operate from offices in New York City’s iconic Empire State Building and in Greenwich, Connecticut.