For more than two decades, James J. Sexton has represented New Yorkers through the most consequential moments of their lives — in the courtroom and at the negotiating table. Strategic, relentless, and uncompromising on the details.
The sociopath you want on your side.
— How former clients describe James SextonFamily law is rarely about the law alone. It's about the people, the leverage, and the moves that come next. Mr. Sexton approaches every matter as an ongoing chess match — disciplined, several steps ahead, and tailored to the result the client actually needs.
The firm represents a deliberately selective roster: from Fortune 500 executives, surgeons, and entertainment figures to police officers, teachers, and stay-at-home parents. Whoever the client, every case receives the responsiveness, technological precision, and personal attention it deserves.
From a single contested hearing to the division of a complex estate, the firm handles the full range of divorce and family law matters across New York.
Contested and uncontested divorce — from straightforward separations to hard-fought litigation that shapes the outcome for years to come.
Protecting your relationship with your children through custody, parenting time, and relocation disputes, with the child's best interests at the center.
Establishing, defending, or modifying support obligations — built on accurate financials and a clear-eyed view of what's fair and sustainable.
Equitable distribution of businesses, real estate, retirement accounts, and high-value or hard-to-value assets, with the right experts at the table.
Clear, enforceable agreements that protect what you've built and remove uncertainty — drafted carefully, reviewed honestly.
When circumstances change or a result is wrong, the firm pursues modifications and appeals with the same intensity as the original case.
Managing Partner
Admitted to the New York bar in 2001, James Sexton has built his entire career around divorce and family law. After earning his Juris Doctor from Fordham Law School and a master's degree from New York University — where he studied persuasive speech and propaganda — he spent nearly two decades refining his craft in the courtrooms of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Rockland, Westchester, and Orange Counties.
That work earned him a place among the top 1% of family law attorneys in New York. In 2018, the release of his first book added #1 bestselling author, television personality, and sought-after public speaker to his record.
Known for his intensity, focus, and discipline, Sexton starts most days at 4:00 a.m. — meditation, training, and the next moves in what he calls the never-ending chess match of family law. A self-described computer geek since the 1980s, he keeps the practice on the cutting edge of technology, pairing lightning-fast responsiveness with an exacting attention to detail.
Drawing on more than a thousand clients, Sexton's bestselling book distills what he's learned about why relationships unravel — and what couples can do to keep them intact. The aim is simple: keep you out of his office.
Who would have guessed that the person who gives the best advice about marriage was the guy responsible for getting you out of yours?
— Judith Newman, The New York Times Book ReviewMost marriages don't end over a single dramatic event. They erode through dishonest — or nonexistent — communication. Reverse-engineering a relationship, Sexton argues, is how you find and fix what isn't working before it's too late.
View on Amazon →The results speak for themselves — but so do the clients. Hear directly from people the firm has represented through some of the hardest moments of their lives.
data-yt to feature your first client video.data-yt to feature your second client video.From network television to the biggest podcasts in the world, James Sexton is an in-demand voice on divorce, relationships, and conflict — with appearances reaching tens of millions.
Plus features in The New York Times, Time, Newsweek, NPR, Good Morning America, CNN, and more. Explore the full catalog at SextonShow.com.
The firm serves all five boroughs of New York City and Rockland, Orange, and Westchester Counties. Consultations are held in person or by video — Zoom, FaceTime, or Microsoft Teams.
Every consultation is confidential and by appointment. Share a few details and a member of the firm will follow up to schedule a time that works for you.
James J. Sexton works and consults with clients by appointment only — in office or by video conference.
Thank you for reaching out. A member of the firm will follow up within one business day to schedule your consultation.