Ira H. Friedman

Ira M. Friedman runs a family law practice with his son, David H. Friedman, but the firm was a family business long before that.

“Actually, my first partner was my wife,” the elder Friedman said. “We were partners for 23 years until she decided to retire, although she is still my wife of almost 56 years. My son has been practicing 24 years.”

Friedman and his son are both Certified Family Law Specialists who, over the years, have developed a sub-specialty within family law in enforcing court orders and judgments. Clients are usually referred to them by other lawyers.

“The conversation goes something like this: ‘We got a great result for our client, but the other party is not paying,’” Friedman said.

He and his son have been successful in collecting large sums for support from defined contribution pension plans and music royalties, allowing their clients to get what they deserve by way of a court order or judgment.

“I did not go to law school right after finishing my undergraduate degree but rather worked for a division of General Motors where I was credit manager,” Friedman said. “I learned about collecting while at General Motors, so it was easy to adapt to collecting when I became a lawyer.”

But even with that experience, Friedman said he has learned through trial and error and has refined his strategies over the years. He has his own sources of information that help him find assets or income to satisfy a judgment.

Looking ahead, Friedman said he hopes for more civility among his colleagues.