NYC family law attorney Bernard Clair shares the story of a memorable prenuptial agreement case He points out that he can only discuss cases that have already been publicly associated with his name due to media coverage, as confidentiality is no longer required in those matters. He represented Jocelyn Wildenstein, famously known as the “Bride of Wildenstein,” recognized for her high-profile plastic surgery and divorce. The case ultimately settled. He recalls that she had interviewed every prominent divorce lawyer in the city but selected him for a unique reason. During a tour of her 64th Street townhouse, which featured a basement with a built-in pool and a surrounding aquarium, exotic animals, and distinctive architectural elements, he politely interrupted the tour after about fifteen minutes and asked when they would discuss her case. She later revealed that his directness and focus on the case, rather than being dazzled by her home’s opulence, was why she chose him. Colleagues told him he had just secured a career-defining case, though at the time he did not fully grasp the significance.

More recently, he represented Judith Giuliani, the former mayor’s wife, in a high-profile divorce that settled just before the COVID-19 pandemic in December, with guidance from the presiding judge. He recounts deposing Rudy Giuliani for five sessions in his office before the pandemic, noting that the in-person sessions were intense. At one point, Giuliani leapt from his chair, expecting him to back down, but he maintained his stance. That moment, he says, was pivotal; when their eyes met, he knew he had gained the upper hand in the proceedings.