When the rich and famous in Manhattan realize their "happily ever after" has hit a brick wall, there is usually one name that comes up before the movers even arrive. Raoul Felder and Partners. You've likely seen the name in a New York Post headline or heard it whispered in the green rooms of midtown TV studios. Raoul Felder isn't just a lawyer. He’s a fixture of New York's social and legal architecture.
Honestly, the firm is a bit of a throwback to an era of "scorched earth" litigation that most modern, touchy-feely mediation firms try to avoid. But that’s exactly why people hire them.
The Man Behind the Machine
Raoul Felder didn't start out wanting to untangle the messy lives of the 1%. He actually studied medicine at the University of Bern in Switzerland. Can you imagine? One of the most aggressive trial lawyers in history almost spent his life in a white lab coat.
Luckily for his clients (and unluckily for their ex-spouses), he realized medicine wasn't for him. He pivoted to NYU Law and eventually landed a gig as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. That’s where he sharpened his teeth. Dealing with organized crime and federal appeals gives you a certain kind of grit. When he finally transitioned into matrimonial law, he didn't just practice it—he revolutionized how aggressive it could be.
His brother was the legendary songwriter Doc Pomus. You know, the guy who wrote "Save the Last Dance for Me." It’s sort of poetic. One brother wrote about the heights of love, and the other made a fortune dealing with the wreckage when it all falls down.
What Raoul Felder and Partners Actually Does
The firm, located in the heart of Manhattan, specializes in high-stakes matrimonial matters. We aren't talking about simple "who gets the Honda Civic" disputes. We’re talking about:
- Complex Asset Division: Think art collections, hedge fund carry, and intellectual property.
- High-Conflict Custody: When both parents are public figures, the stakes are astronomical.
- Prenuptial Agreements: The kind that are basically ironclad armor.
- Paternity Suits: They’ve handled cases for everyone from Mick Jagger to Mike Tyson.
The reputation of Raoul Felder and Partners is built on a specific philosophy: "Bare-Knuckle Negotiation." It’s actually the title of one of Felder's books. They don't walk into a room looking to play nice. They walk in to win.
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The "Strumpet Chair" and Other Legends
There’s this famous story about the chair in Raoul’s office. He calls it the "strumpet chair." In his memoir, Reflections in a Mirror, he describes it as a seat that has welcomed everyone from the "scared who had good reason to be scared" to the "grifters and the greedy."
It’s that kind of theatricality that makes the firm stand out. Most lawyers want to be seen as boring, beige technicians. Felder is colorful. He’s a character. He’s been an honorary Police Commissioner and a regular on 60 Minutes and 20/20. When you hire this firm, you’re hiring a certain level of New York "clout" that a suburban divorce lawyer just can't replicate.
Why Do the Elite Choose Them?
It's a valid question. Why go to a firm that has such a polarizing reputation?
Basically, because they know where the bodies are buried. The list of former clients is like a "Who's Who" of the last fifty years. Rudy Giuliani. Robin Givens. The former Mrs. Tom Clancy. The former Mrs. Martin Scorsese. Even the wife of the Aga Khan.
When you have a client list like that, you develop a sixth sense for how the wealthy try to hide money. You learn the tricks. You learn how to use the media as a tool—or how to shut the media out entirely.
The firm understands that a divorce for a celebrity isn't just a legal case; it’s a PR crisis. They manage both.
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The Myth of the "Men's Only" Lawyer
There is a common misconception that Felder only represents husbands. Not true. Not even close.
In fact, he has famously stated that he represents more wives than husbands. Why? Because women married to incredibly wealthy men often don't have the same professional network as their spouses. They need someone who can't be intimidated by their husband's high-powered corporate attorneys. They need a "hired gun" who has seen every trick in the book.
The Strategy: Moving Fast
One thing you’ll notice if you ever look into their case history is a lack of stalling. Felder has been vocal about the fact that "there has never been a happy person in the midst of a divorce case."
The goal of Raoul Felder and Partners is usually to get the client through the "gauntlet" as fast as possible. Stalling usually only benefits the person with the money who wants to wear the other side down. Felder's approach is to strike hard, strike fast, and get a settlement before the legal fees eat up the estate—though, let's be real, his fees aren't exactly budget-friendly.
Is the Firm Still Relevant Today?
In a world of "collaborative divorce" and AI-driven legal apps, is there still room for a firm like this?
Absolutely.
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Human nature doesn't change. Greed doesn't change. The desire for revenge doesn't change. As long as people have massive amounts of money and even bigger egos, they will need lawyers who know how to fight in the trenches.
The firm continues to operate out of New York, maintaining a presence that feels both old-school and essential. They’ve adapted to the new laws, like the changes in New York's "No-Fault" divorce statutes, but the core DNA remains the same: protection and aggression.
Actionable Advice if You're Facing a High-Stakes Split
If you find yourself in a position where you're considering a firm of this caliber, keep these things in mind:
- Audit Your Assets Early: Before you even make the call, have a clear picture of what's on the table. High-net-worth divorces often get bogged down in "discovery" because one party isn't organized.
- Don't Use Your Lawyer as a Therapist: Raoul Felder is many things, but a cheap shoulder to cry on isn't one of them. Every minute you spend venting is a minute you're billed at a premium rate. Use a real therapist for the emotions; use the lawyer for the math and the law.
- Silence is Golden: One of the reasons people hire Felder is his ability to handle the press. If you’re in a high-profile situation, stop posting on social media immediately. Your Instagram story is your ex's best evidence.
- Check the Ego: A good firm will tell you when you’re being unreasonable. If a lawyer at a firm like this tells you to take a deal, you should probably listen. They've seen how judges react to "petty" disputes over things like the vacation home's linens.
Raoul Felder and Partners represents a specific slice of New York history. They are the "In Case of Emergency, Break Glass" firm for the city's elite. Whether you love the style or hate it, their impact on matrimonial law is undeniable. They turned the "private" matter of divorce into a high-stakes public art form, and they aren't done yet.
Next Steps for Protecting Your Interests:
- Locate your prenuptial or postnuptial agreement and have a qualified attorney review its validity under current New York state law.
- Secure your digital footprint by changing passwords on all private accounts and avoiding any public commentary regarding your domestic situation.
- Gather three years of tax returns and bank statements to ensure that your legal counsel has a clear baseline for financial negotiations.