Founded in 1997, Fink & Katz PLLC has built a steady reputation as a trusted New York City law firm focused on Family Law and Criminal Law.
The firm was established by partners Philip Katz and Jonathan Fink, who shared a clear belief that strong legal work should be practical, prepared, and centred on real people.
From the start of their careers together, Katz and Fink focused on cases that carry lasting impact. These include child custody and visitation disputes, orders of protection, juvenile delinquency matters, and criminal defence cases such as DWI and white collar crime. Over time, their experience grew alongside the complexity of the cases they handled.
Rather than chasing visibility, the firm built leadership through consistency. Each case demanded careful planning, clear communication, and respect for the people involved. The attorneys at Fink & Katz learned early that legal outcomes shape families, careers, and futures long after a case ends.
Their approach reflects decades spent inside New York courts. They understand how pressure affects decision-making and how small missteps can create long-term problems. This awareness has shaped how the firm advises clients and prepares matters.
Guided by the values of family, justice, and hard work, Fink & Katz PLLC remains focused on clarity and responsibility. Their career as a firm reflects steady growth built on trust, experience, and a clear understanding of the legal system. Today, they are recognised as leaders who bring structure and calm to some of the most difficult legal moments people face.
Interview: Inside the Career and Approach of Fink & Katz PLLC
Q: What led to the founding of Fink & Katz PLLC in 1997?
Fink & Katz: We both saw how overwhelming the legal system could feel for everyday people. In the late 1990s, many clients came to court confused and unprepared. We believed there was room for a firm that focused on preparation and plain communication, not just procedure.
Q: What were the early years of the firm like?
Fink & Katz: The early years were hands-on. Every case mattered because each one shaped how we worked. We handled family disputes and criminal matters where the stakes were personal. Those cases taught us how quickly stress can affect judgement.
Q: How did your practice areas take shape over time?
Fink & Katz: Family law and criminal defence naturally became the core. Custody issues, visitation rights, juvenile matters, and criminal allegations often overlap in real life. We wanted to understand those connections rather than treat cases in isolation.
Q: What lessons did you learn from handling sensitive cases?
Fink & Katz: One key lesson was that people remember how they were treated. Legal outcomes matter, but so does clarity. When clients understand what is happening, they make better decisions.
Q: How do you define leadership in your field?
Fink & Katz: Leadership is consistency. It is showing up prepared every time. It is not about attention. It is about reliability. Other professionals and clients notice when a firm handles pressure calmly.
Q: How has the legal landscape changed since you began?
Fink & Katz: Courts move faster. Information spreads quickly. But fear and uncertainty remain the same. Technology has changed process, not emotion. That has kept our approach grounded.
Q: Why are values like family and justice central to your work?
Fink & Katz: These cases affect families and futures. That reality never leaves the room. Justice is not abstract when someone’s life is being shaped by a decision.
Q: How do you approach preparation today?
Fink & Katz: Preparation starts early. We focus on facts, timelines, and realistic expectations. That discipline comes from years of seeing what happens when preparation is missing.
Q: What role does communication play in your career?
Fink & Katz: Clear communication reduces mistakes. Many legal problems worsen because people act without understanding consequences. We try to remove that gap.
Q: Looking back, what defines your career as a firm?
Fink & Katz: Longevity. We stayed focused on the work. That allowed us to build trust over decades, one case at a time.
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Fink & Katz PLLC on Leadership in Family and Criminal Law
