Karolina Dehnhard, who handles divorce, custody and other family law matters, recently made partner at Budd Larner in Short Hills after seven years at the firm. One colleague said Dehnhard “goes beyond most family law practitioners who advocate and educate their clients” because she “also carries the message to a broader audience,” as an article writer and as radio host of ”The Law Matters” on WMTR and “There's Always a Way Out” on Radio RAMPA, a Polish-language program. In her career prior to law, she was assistant executive director at Community Access Unlimited, which provides support services to those with disabilities.

What's your single best piece of advice for handling a crisis?

Stay calm and know the FACTS before responding. I pride myself on having a very carefully vetted list of professionals available to my clients to help in any crisis—professionals that will take the call and respond day or night.

Name a mentor or someone you admire, and why.

One of the key mentors in my legal career was [Morris County Superior Court] Judge [Rosemary E.] Ramsay. I had the immense pleasure of clerking for her when I graduated law school. Her legal acumen and ability to see issues and resolutions 10 steps ahead, no matter how complex the facts, taught me tremendous analytical skills and the ability to develop well-thought road maps for my clients.

Best advice you ever got…

NEVER SETTLE. 

What has the #MeToo movement meant to the legal profession?

No matter the situation, it is critical to be honest, transparent, and to share the facts as they unfold in a timely manner. At the end of the day, I see lawyers as professionals, not male or female lawyers. We sell, for lack of a better term, service. There should not be a focus on gender, but our legal minds and zealous advocacy.

In 50 words or less, what does the legal profession need to do to improve opportunities for women lawyers?

I think women in general in the legal profession need to be better “friends” to each other. They need to build each other up, open doors, share opportunities and be supportive of each other's successes. As a partner at Budd Larner, I can only hope that I can do for the younger associates when senior partners did for me when I joined the profession as a new lawyer. One of my greatest achievements, I believe, is the rolodex I have developed over the years, and the greatest gift I can offer is sharing that rolodex with other professionals in my circle. Competition is healthy, but it cannot be at the cost of trying to keep someone else down.