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December 13, 1999 Issue
"Being the best divorce lawyer in New York is like being the best devil in Hell."
-- Judith Regan, "Buck Rakers"
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| FEATURES Buck Rakers BY MICHAEL GROSS Divorce lawyers have always borne witness to our most heinous indiscretions (cf. LeRoy v. LeRoy). But recent changes in the law have allowed them to convert this seedy currency into ever-greater profits. The city's top divorce lawyers explain why splitting up is a $200 million growth industry -- and how you can avoid becoming its latest victim. Plus: a guide to the matrimonial bar's elite ranks. Marketing 212 How did a blue-collar chick from Edgewater make it to the top of the New York real-estate market? Not by selling apartments. Barbara Corcoran built her powerhouse firm with sheer promotional moxie and a brilliance at sound bites (and never underestimate those twelve red suits). Murphy's Law The four police officers who killed Amadou Diallo last February have been all but convicted by the public and the pols, demanding payback for those shocking 41 bullets. Yet few New Yorkers even know their names. Meet Richard Murphy, speaking here for the first time. Facing life in prison, his real trial begins January 3. Anywhere but Here A funny thing happened on the way to the millennium: While no one was looking, the party of the century turned into a Blockbuster night. The boldfaced names that make Manhattan whir are getting out of town, promoters are dumping their big-ticket bashes, and top chefs are taking the evening off. What's off and what's on -- and what you'll have to do to enjoy the festivities of your choice. GOTHAM
| DEPARTMENTS The City Politic BY MICHAEL TOMASKY Maybe Rudy doesn't actually want the Conservative Party's blessing The Bottom Line Bliss spa makes its debut in the new LVMH building on 57th Street, the first American jewel in the luxury conglomerate's crown MARKETPLACE Joys of Christmas past; pony-skin slides; the smallest reading glasses Sales & Bargains Designer looks that won't be too twentieth-century come spring THE CRITICS Woody Allen's latest take on the brilliant, self-absorbed artist | Theater BY JOHN SIMON Marie Christine transports Medea to New Orleans -- and cooks up quite a gumbo Art Jenny Saville fleshes out the art world's expectations Classical Music The Met's Tristan may not be a total triumph, but it's still worth the weight, er, wait Television HBO's Witness Protection shows it's not easy being a snitch The Insatiable Critic The fare at Jack's Fifth takes the familiar to heights of simplicity CUE Intelligencer Classifieds |