A trial involving Brinkley's divorce from her fourth husband, architect Peter Cook, opens Wednesday and will be open to the public.
Public divorce trials are rare, but Brinkley, who is 54, opposed a move by a legal guardian for her children that would have closed the proceedings to the public. She's apparently comfortable with the prospect that Cook's alleged affair with an 18-year-old employee and other intimate details of their 10-year marriage will be ripe for public consumption.
"So much has already been in the press about what happened," said Brinkley's attorney, Robert Stephan Cohen. "We believe the only way to get at the truth is through an open courtroom. Mr. Cook shouldn't be embarrassed. If he is, it's his own fault."
Brinkley filed for divorce from Cook in 2006 after reports surfaced that he had an affair with the teenager, Diana Bianchi, who claims Cook seduced her shortly after hiring her to work at his architectural firm.
Bianchi is expected to be among the first witnesses at the trial. The couple had a prenuptial agreement, so money will not be the main focus of the trial. Attorneys are arguing over custody issues related to the couple's two children and how to divide up some of their belongings, including three boats and some real estate.
Brinkley's ownership of her $US30 million ($NZ40 million) home in Bridgehampton, N.Y., is not being contested.
The blonde covergirl had a 9-year-old daughter, Sailor, with Cook. Her 12-year-old son Jack, from her marriage to Richard Taubman, was adopted by Cook.
Brinkley also has a 22-year-old daughter, Alexa Ray Joel, from her marriage to Billy Joel. Her first husband was artist Jean-Francois Allaux.
"He wants custody," said Cook's attorney, Norman Sheresky. "He thinks he's the better parent. Her rage has taken over; she's really mad at him."
Acting State Supreme Court Justice Mark D. Cohen wrote there was no proof of imminent harm to the children by opening the trial to the public. Court officials, anticipating a swarm of press converging on the courthouse, have already moved the trial to a larger courtroom.
