Divorce Radio hits Internet

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- It is a not a radio station and the man sitting in the small audio booth is not a Disc Jockey. But he is still gaining popularity and his show originates from a place you’d never expect.

"It’s time for NC Divorce Talk Radio," said Attorney Lee Rosen. On the day of our visit, Rosen was joined by fellow attorney Lisa Angel to begin the firm’s weekly 30 minute show.

"What it really is something that makes lawyers feel good about their jobs. And lawyers who do divorce work all day don’t have a lot to feel good about. It’s an ugly job. It’s a tough business,” he said.

Rosen has offices in Raleigh, Durham and Charlotte. For years, the staff attorneys answered questions on the Rosen Web site. In fact, Lee Rosen said, "Our site gets a few thousand visitors a day." Playing off that demand for free legal advice is what pushed them to a web based radio show like this.

"It’s just amazing that the technology enables us to reach out into a little remote community and help somebody in a way we never could before," Rosen said proudly. Right now, the radio show is only accessible on the web. Listeners can also download past episodes from sites like iTunes.

"Charlotte has been probably the largets area from where we get calls," Rosen noted. And those calls cover a wide range of issues, from custody to child support to alimony.

One recent caller is dealing with a nasty divorce.

"My wife and I recently separated and I recently found out that the child I thought was mine isn’t. And that’s been confirmed through a paternity test," the caller said while Rosen and Angel listened. Angel reacted, "Alimony will not be an issue in your circumstance, but the issue related to child support is a lot more complicated." For the next few minutes, the attorneys explained what the caller will face as he battles through a divorce.

"I never could have imagined that we could reach this many people," said Rosen. With hopes now of expanding to a daily internet talk show, Lee Rosen the lawyer is becoming more confident as Lee Rosen, the host. And his Web site, Rosen.com is what started it all.

Rosen admits NC Divorce Talk Radio has resulted in some new clients, but not nearly as many as you may think. One reason: There is a bulk of listeners in areas where the firm doesn’t have offices a lot of people realize they don’t need an attorney after all. He says he’s even gotten emails from military personnel seeking advice overseas.

Every show ends with an invitation to return next week. Two attorneys sign off, still surprised by their newest project’s success.

"E-mail address is radio@rosen.com. We’ll be back next week. Thanks so much for being with us," said Rosen.