Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Gretchen Beall Schumann, Schumann LLC

Date: 29 Jun 2022

Citywealth

Gretchen Beall Schumann, Schumann LLC

Tell Citywealth’s readers about your role.

I am the founding partner of a boutique family law firm, Schumann LLC, in New York City.

Talk us through one of your most recent client cases.

One of my recent and most rewarding successes arose in a case where I represented a parent whose children were abducted to a jurisdiction that is not a treaty partner under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Working in New York on my end, and collaboratively with co-counsel in the other jurisdiction, the client secured a ground-breaking ruling directing the return of the children to the State of New York. It was a moving experience when the children arrived home. 

How is the Family Law industry evolving in New York? Any trends?

From my perspective, the Family Law industry has had to adapt to working virtually, which can be highly efficient and cost-effective for clients. While we are gradually returning to in-person activities, which has its own benefits, being able to conduct remote court appearances, depositions and meetings has had an especially positive impact on cross-border practice. I think that many of the virtual adaptations are here to stay.

Are your clients behaving differently in the present era?

I think that private alternative dispute resolution measures may become more prevalent, as will building contingency plans for unexpected life events into our divorce and custody agreements.

What are the most important skills and personal qualities for a lawyer who takes care of child-related matters?

While there are many qualities I could list, the ability to empathize is critical, as is the ability to think creatively, “outside the box”.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you have been given?

While not exactly advice, I have always been partial to the saying that when a door closes, a window opens. I like to remind clients that a divorce leads you to the next chapter, it may be one door closed, so to speak, but there are options leading to new opportunities, even if it may not seem that way at the time.

More on Gretchen Beall Schumann

Gretchen Beall Schumann, a founding partner of the firm and a leading name in New York family law, has extensive experience in matters involving complex domestic and international aspects of family law in trial and appellate courts, with an excellent record of success in her litigated cases. She is adept at handling sophisticated financial and child-related matters and has argued landmark appellate cases with lasting impact. 

In addition to serving as a Neutral Evaluator for the New York Supreme Court Matrimonial Neutral Evaluation Program and as an expert on New York law for foreign courts, Ms. Schumann is a frequent presenter here and abroad, including on aspects of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, electronic privacy and family law, cross-border enforcement of marital agreements, trust assets and divorce, interstate and international jurisdictional disputes, equitable distribution, business valuations in divorce, and trial advocacy. 

She has served as a commentator for print and other media and regularly authors chapters on all aspects of New York family law practice for several international publications.

Ms. Schumann is admitted in New York and New Jersey. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and four children, where she also volunteers on a historic preservation commission.