Why “Get Me a Shark” Backfires
When people hear “divorce attorney,” they picture someone cold, combative, and eager to bill by the hour. That’s not me.
I’m Morghan Richardson, a Manhattan divorce lawyer who believes the work is as human as it is legal. I’ll protect your rights with every tool in the toolbox—but I’ll also translate strategy into plain English, keep you grounded when the room is spinning, and help you make moves you’ll be proud of five years from now.
A lot of folks start the attorney search with the same request: “I want a shark.” It feels logical when you’re scared or furious. But here’s the problem with sharks:
- They have tiny brains.
- If there’s blood in the water, they eat their own.
- They’re reactive, not strategic.
An overly aggressive, scorched-earth lawyer can torch your finances, drag out litigation, poison co-parenting, and leave you with a “win” that costs more than it’s worth. When your life is already on fire, you don’t need gasoline.
Most Lawyers Won’t Tell You This, But…
- Sometimes the smartest move is walking away from the couch and the argument about the couch.
- Court victories don’t always translate to life victories.
- The goal isn’t to “win” a day—it’s to stabilize a future.
What a Strategist Actually Does
A strategist doesn’t just swing. A strategist aims. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- De-escalates first, pressures second. We lower the temperature so your choices aren’t driven by adrenaline—and we use leverage when it creates real movement.
- Maps the tradeoffs. Money, taxes, timing, kids’ schedules, mental bandwidth—everything gets modeled so you can see the hidden costs.
- Protects your long game. We plan for the next school year, the refi down the road, and the career pivot—not just the next court date.
- Speaks human. No jargon. No performative aggression. Just clear options and the “if/then” paths of each.
- Fights where it counts. When the other side stonewalls, abuses process, or endangers your rights, we litigate decisively.
“So… Do You Ever Go to War?”
Absolutely—when it’s necessary and useful. If the other party is playing games with disclosure, weaponizing delays, or using the legal system like a leash, we respond with precision: targeted motions, tight records, and a clear theory of the case. Teeth are part of the toolkit. They’re just not the whole plan.
Clients Don’t Need a Mascot. They Need a Map.
In my practice, we build a roadmap you can actually follow:
- Clarity: What matters most (kids, cash flow, time, safety)?
- Numbers: Best-case, worst-case, and the real cost of “quick fixes.”
- Strategy: Settlement first where possible; litigation where productive.
- Communication: You’ll know why we’re doing what we’re doing—every step.
The Result
Less chaos. Fewer performative battles. Better outcomes you can live with—and build on.
So skip the shark. Hire the lawyer who knows when to fight, when to pivot, and how to keep you steady while we do both.
If that’s what you’re looking for, you’re in the right place.
The Divorce Artist™️ 