Kristina Royce

Kristina Royce is the co-chair of the matrimonial and family law practice at Blank Rome LLP and leads a bi-coastal group of 35 attorneys while representing a roster of A-list celebrities, professional athletes, C-suite executives and high-profile clients in complex financial and custody matters.

In 2019, she brought several colleagues from her former firm, Buter, Buzard, Fishbein & Royce LLP, to Blank Rome.

As a trusted advisor to some of the biggest names in entertainment, business and technology, she is often called upon to settle acrimonious marriage dissolutions.

In one recent case, she was retained by the former governor of California and acting legend, Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his divorce case against Maria Shriver. Despite the case being at a standstill for nearly 10 years, Royce was able to settle the case amicably and favorably for her client in a matter of weeks at the end of 2021.

One of the biggest challenges of this case was Arnold’s significant collection of fine art, Royce said.

“I worked with Arnold’s wealth manager, estate planning attorneys, and business managers to work out a sophisticated settlement that included the equalization of the art,” she said. “I also wrapped up complex financials, created foundations for memorabilia, and handled tax issues and other related matters. In the end, the matter was not contentious.”

Royce said she believes that family law attorneys have a duty to their clients to embrace mediations and help clients avoid court appearances, protracted litigation and exorbitant legal fees.

“Now more than ever, modern-day spouses are seeking to avoid the ‘scorched earth’ approach that in the past was synonymous with high-profile, high-net-worth divorces,” she said.

She is also seeing a trend of people entering prenups without understanding the long-term ramifications.

“I believe a marriage is a lot like a business and you wouldn’t enter into a business deal without understanding your rights and obligations to one another,” Royce said. “You need to approach marriage with the same level of transparency, authenticity, and communication as you would in business.”