By: Sofia Marretta
After decades of guiding clients through some of life’s most consequential moments, family law attorney Martha Cohen Stine saw an opportunity to practice differently. Together with Harriet Newman Cohen and Ankit Kapoor, she co-founded Cohen Stine Kapoor LLP with a simple goal: to create a boutique matrimonial practice where every client receives senior-level attention from beginning to end.
The firm took shape during the pandemic when Stine recognized a gap in the legal market. Large firms fell short of the personal attention many clients sought, while smaller firms often lacked the depth of experience and resources needed to handle complex, high-net-worth matrimonial matters. Determined to bridge that gap, she joined forces with her partners to build the kind of firm she believes clients deserve.
Today, the firm thrives from its Manhattan offices, where attorneys meet with clients both in person and virtually. Each lawyer brings a distinct set of strengths and significant experience, collaborating closely to develop strategies tailored to every client’s unique circumstances. “Preparation creates confidence. Confidence inspires credibility,” Stine says. “Those qualities are essential.”
That personalized approach reflects Stine’s own philosophy of practicing law. She combines compassion with candid, strategic advice. “I will never just tell clients what they want to hear,” she explains. “Instead, I explain what New York law provides and how I believe a judge would likely decide the case if we were in court.” That objectivity shapes the targeted strategies she develops for each case. At the same time, she never loses sight of the importance of being prepared to litigate when necessary. “One of the best ways to achieve a settlement is to be fully prepared for and not afraid of trial,” she says. “Opposing counsel recognizes when a lawyer is willing and able to litigate a case through trial.”
Family law presents unique challenges. Divorce often involves anger, heartbreak, uncertainty, and financial anxiety. Custody disputes can be emotionally exhausting for parents and children alike. Stine believes that successful representation requires not only legal knowledge but also sound judgment, creativity, and practical solutions that allow clients to move forward with confidence.
One of the most significant developments she has witnessed is the growing acceptance of prenuptial agreements. “They have become completely socially acceptable, particularly among younger professionals,” she says. Rather than viewing them as unromantic, many couples now see them as thoughtful planning tools that reduce uncertainty and protect both parties. Every agreement, she emphasizes, should be carefully tailored to the couple’s individual circumstances.
Stine’s professional accomplishments have earned her widespread recognition. She holds Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent® 5.0 rating and has been repeatedly recognized by Super Lawyers New York Metro as one of the Top 50 Women and one of the Top 100 Attorneys. She serves on the Board of Directors of the New York County Lawyers Association, where she previously chaired the Matrimonial Law Section, and is a member of the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association’s Family Law Section.
Despite these accomplishments, Stine did not begin her career as a family law attorney. She spent the first decade of her practice as a commercial litigator at the prestigious Manhattan firm Shea & Gould, where she trained under New York’s best trial attorneys. Her perspective changed after working on a family law case involving an elderly heiress suffering from dementia whose relatives sought to isolate her and influence her estate planning. “I discovered that I liked working with clients on personal family matters and that I was good at thinking outside the box and finding solutions,” she recalls.
Just as clients inspired the founding of the firm, they remain at the heart of Stine’s practice today. “Knowing that I have helped someone protect their children, preserve what they have built, and begin the next chapter of their lives continues to make this work both challenging and deeply rewarding,” she says.
Outside the courtroom, music provides another creative outlet. A trained singer, Stine performs with the acclaimed Blue Hill Troupe, a Gilbert and Sullivan and musical theater troupe that donates the proceeds of all ticket sales to charity. She also produces, directs, and performs in original musical comedies featuring talented lawyers and judges at bar associations across New York, including the New York City Bar Association’s celebrated Twelfth Night shows.
More than any professional honor, however, Stine measures success by the people closest to her. “When I come home to a husband who is the love of my life, and when my adult children are happy, productive, and want to spend the weekend with me, that may be the greatest success of all,” she says.
Today, Cohen Stine Kapoor LLP reflects the values that have defined Stine’s career for more than three decades: exceptional legal advocacy, thoughtful strategy, personal attention, and an unwavering commitment to every client. As she continues to shape the future of family law, her greatest measure of success remains the people she serves and the futures she helps create.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational and editorial purposes only. It does not provide legal advice, family law guidance, matrimonial strategy, or professional service recommendations, and it should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice from a qualified attorney. Divorce, custody, prenuptial agreements, asset division, litigation outcomes, and related family law matters can vary based on jurisdiction, facts, court procedure, and individual circumstances. Readers should consult a licensed family law attorney before making decisions related to any legal matter.
