Sarah Chen has emerged as one of Long Island’s most influential family law attorneys, recently ranking #1 in LI Law Mag’s Top Family Law Attorneys for January 2025. As founder of Chen Family Law, she has pioneered a holistic approach to family law that integrates legal expertise with comprehensive family support services. Her innovative “Family First” program and commitment to client care have set new standards for family law practice in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
A graduate of Columbia Law School and former clerk for the New York State Supreme Court, Chen has dedicated her 15-year career to transforming how legal professionals approach family matters. Her firm maintains a remarkable 98% client satisfaction rate while providing over 175 pro bono hours annually to families in need.
The Interview
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in family law specifically?
A: My path to family law was deeply personal. Growing up, I witnessed close friends navigate challenging divorces, and I saw how the right legal guidance could make a tremendous difference in families’ lives. During my second year at Columbia Law, I interned with a family court judge who showed me how family law could be practiced with both compassion and precision. That experience convinced me this was my calling.
Q: How has your approach to family law evolved over your 15 years of practice?
A: Initially, I focused primarily on the legal aspects – the statutes, the procedures, the negotiations. But I quickly realized that family law demands a more comprehensive approach. Today, our practice integrates legal services with family therapy, financial planning, and child development expertise. We’ve built a network of professional partners who help us address the whole family’s needs, not just their legal challenges.
Q: Can you tell us more about your “Family First” program?
A: The “Family First” program grew from our observation that traditional legal services often didn’t address the full scope of family needs during legal transitions. The program pairs each client with a team that includes their attorney, a family therapist, and when needed, a financial advisor or child specialist. We’ve found this collaborative approach leads to better outcomes and helps families maintain healthier relationships post-resolution.
Q: What’s the most challenging aspect of family law practice?
A: Balancing emotional support with objective legal counsel is consistently challenging. Families come to us during some of their most vulnerable moments, and while we need to be compassionate, we also need to provide clear, sometimes difficult advice. Building trust while maintaining professional boundaries requires constant attention and care.
Q: What recent changes in family law do you find most significant?
A: The rise of non-traditional family structures and the increasing complexity of digital assets have dramatically impacted our practice. We’re seeing more cases involving complex custody arrangements for blended families and challenges around cryptocurrency in divorce settlements. These changes require continuous learning and adaptation in our approach.
Q: How has technology influenced your practice?
A: Technology has transformed how we serve clients. We’ve developed our own secure client portal for document sharing and case updates, and we use advanced scheduling software to ensure responsive communication. During the pandemic, we quickly adapted to virtual consultations, which we still offer for client convenience.
Q: Digital marketing has clearly been crucial to your firm’s growth. How have you approached this aspect of practice development?
A: Digital marketing has been transformative for our practice. We recognized early on that modern clients seek legal representation differently than they did a decade ago. We’ve invested significantly in creating educational content, maintaining an informative blog, and engaging on social media platforms where our clients spend time. Our website isn’t just a digital business card – it’s a resource hub for families navigating legal challenges. We’re particularly proud of our monthly family law podcast and video series that breaks down complex legal concepts for our community. That said, implementing an effective digital strategy was challenging until we found the right partners who understood both legal marketing and the unique sensitivities of family law practice.
Q: What advice would you give to new family law attorneys?
A: Develop your emotional intelligence alongside your legal expertise. Understanding statutes is crucial, but your ability to read people, manage emotions, and facilitate constructive dialogue will set you apart. Also, build a strong network of professional resources – therapists, financial advisors, mediators. Family law is inherently collaborative.
Q: How do you maintain work-life balance in such an emotionally demanding field?
A: Setting boundaries is essential. I schedule regular time for family, exercise, and meditation. We’ve also structured our firm to ensure our attorneys have manageable caseloads and support staff. Happy, well-rested attorneys provide better client service.
Q: What’s your vision for the future of family law practice?
A: I see family law becoming increasingly holistic and preventive. We’re already working on initiatives like pre-divorce counseling and family communication workshops. I believe the future of family law lies in helping families navigate transitions successfully rather than just managing crises.
Q: How has your heritage influenced your practice?
A: Growing up in a Chinese-American family taught me the importance of respect, harmony, and the extended family unit. These values influence how I approach conflict resolution and family dynamics in my practice. They’ve also helped me better serve Long Island’s diverse communities.
Q: What’s the most rewarding aspect of your work?
A: Seeing families successfully navigate difficult transitions and emerge stronger is incredibly rewarding. When former clients refer their friends or update us about positive developments in their lives, it reinforces why we chose this challenging but fulfilling field.
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Last modified: June 20, 2025
