Laura Dern’s Oscar award-winning portrayal of a high-powered California attorney in the emotional drama Marriage Story struck a nerve. Many of the film’s viewers can’t remember the lawyer’s name – but they won’t soon forget her character. Strategic and aggressive attorney Nora is reportedly based on celebrity attorney Laura Wasser, whose client list includes Dern and other celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Garner and Kim Kardashian West and Jennifer Jason Leigh, who divorced the film’s writer and director, Noah Baumbach.
Not as memorable is her legal opposite, the attorney hired by the husband and portrayed by Alan Alda, who is kind, gentle and logical – and no match for the legal tactics of the wife’s attorney. Once divorce negotiations turn nasty and Nora brings up marital issues that the couple had agreed would not be part of their divorce, the husband feels he has no choice but to change attorneys and find someone who’s a legal match for Dern’s character, depicted by Ray Liotta.
Dern’s portrayal of a win-at-all-costs attorney felt personal to many viewers. The movie starts out with the couple agreeing that an amicable, friendly and low-cost divorce was in the best interests of their child, but as the situation evolves, tensions escalate as time goes on – and more people become involved in their divorce.
In one scene, tensions become so heated that the husband screams to his wife that he wishes she would die – as long as their son wasn’t hurt. Their joint commitment to a mediated divorce dissolves as they use infidelity, alcohol abuse and their finances to hurt the other spouse and strengthen their own case.
What Kind of Attorney Do You Need for Divorce?
The reason Laura Dern’s character seems real is that it is – but so are the types for lawyers depicted by Alda and Liotta. Different divorces require different types of legal support and different strategies and tactics. Divorce can bring out the worst in people – or the best.
Your divorce is unique and personal. At Zeigler Law Group, LLC, we personalize our services and provide you the customized support to meet the exact needs of your situation – not your friend’s divorce, and not a movie character’s divorce. And if things change midway through your divorce – an amicable, collaborative divorce turns hostile and nasty – our team has the experience and skills to protect you, and the resources needed to represent you in litigation when it’s needed.
Zeigler Law Will Work For You
- Comprehensive Guidance Both During & After Your Divorce
- Resolving Family Law Disputes Involving High-Net-Worth Divorce Cases
- Respectful, Attentive & Individualized Representation
- Securing Fair Solutions Through Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Over 65 Years of Combined Legal Experience in Both Divorce Litigation And Family Law Mediation
Our attorneys strive to make the legal process as accommodating as possible and will only use as much force as is necessary to obtain a judgment in your family’s best interests.
Contact Our South Jersey Family Law Firm
At Zeigler Law Group, LLC, we have experienced how divorce can bring out the worst in people. Our South Jersey family law advocates have seen a wide range of divorce situations, fluctuating from the most amicable of couples to those who simply will not be in the same room together. No matter how complex or difficult your unique situation is, our team is prepared to help you through every step of the legal process from mediation to post-divorce modifications.
You are not alone while in your divorce. We take the time to understand the unique details of your circumstances before proceeding with a solution that’s right for you – whether that is negotiation, collaborative law, mediation, or litigation. Regardless of which divorce option you choose, our goal is to help you find the most effective solution so you can start moving forward with your life.
To schedule an initial consultation with a member of our divorce and family law team, don’t hesitate to contact us by calling 732-361-4827.