Essex Family Lawyers

Former prosecutor, who spent the last 27 years specializing in matrimonial and family law. An experienced mediator, Certified Divorce Specialist and collaborative divorce practitioner as well as a recognized expert in working with victims of domestic violence. I believe that legal battles are more harmful to families than helpful, and am passionate about helping people find ways to make their own decisions for their families, rather than leaving their outcomes in the hands of a stranger in a black robe. When court is unavoidable, I aim to educate and support people to make the legal process less costly, scary, uncertain,...

I am a native of Rutland, Vermont, and attended Duke University and graduated from what is now Castleton University before obtaining my JD degree from Washington & Lee University in 1974. I became admitted in 1974 in Vermont and practiced in Rutland until 1999, although I continue to have an active license in Vermont. I became admitted in 1999 in New York State, and have been practicing in Lake Placid since that time. I am a former member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the American Bar Association, the Commercial Law League, Vermont Trial Lawyers Association, and...

You deserve family law representation that is committed to you and which has the skills and experience to deliver the best possible results.

Facing a divorce or other type of family law matter on your own can be stressful and can create serious anxiety. We know what our clients are going through as they work through the family law matters they are confronting. This is why we focus on providing the most effective representation and the highest levels of personal service for our clients.

We know that ultimately people come to us for results. Our decades of combined experience negotiating and trying...

Mary T. Colwell (nee Pasqualino) graduated from Albany Law School of University in Albany, New York in 2001 with a concentration in Criminal Law. While at Albany Law School, Mary was a member of the Moot Court Board, the Women’s Law Caucus and Vice-President of the Italian-American Law Students Association. Ms. Colwell was admitted to the New Jersey State bar in December of 2001 and the New York State bar in January of 2002. She is also admitted in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and the United States District Court for the Northern District...

Teresa G. Donnellan is the managing partner of DONNELLAN & KNUSSMAN, PLLC. Attorney Donnellan is a graduate of Albany Law School and has more than 25 years experience in matrimonial and family law, both in litigated court proceedings and collaborative law matters. Teresa has been a member of the Saratoga County and Warren County Attorney for Children panels throughout her career in the Capital District and served as the Saratoga County Attorney for the Child Liaison. Teresa is an active member of multiple area organizations such as: the American Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, the Saratoga County Bar...

Kaitlin Foley is the managing attorney at The Colwell Law Group, having joined the firm in August of 2016. Kaitlin graduated cum laude from Albany Law School of Union University, located in Albany, New York, in May 2016. During her time at Albany Law School, Ms. Foley served as the Executive Editor of Research and Writing for Albany Law Review, was the Family Law Associate on the Moot Court Board, and acted as a Teaching Assistant in Criminal Law under the supervision of Professor Vincent Bonventre. Ms. Foley is currently admitted to the New York State Bar and is...

Kimberly B. Allen opened her divorce and family law practice in 1995 in Garden City, Long Island. After ten successful years, she chose to relocate her home and her law office to enjoy the quality of life that the Capital Region offers.

Although she has extensive litigation experience in both Federal Courts and State Courts located on Long Island, the five boroughs of New York City, and Westchester, her practice concentrates in the Capital Region ranging from Colombia, Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratpga Counties through Fulton, Essex and Montgomery Counties up through Warren and Washington Counties.

She is recognized...

A 2007 graduate of Western New England University School of Law, Ms. Gilmartin spent nearly 30 years in Technical and Operational roles for a variety of manufacturers before her career in the law. Her most recent non-legal role was as Vice President of Global Quality and Regulatory Affairs for a mid-sized adhesive film manufacturer based in the UK. Ms. Gilmartin knows firsthand as a business executive what is required of a legal counsel in a business environment and the breadth of experience to understand the subtle ramifications of the decisions concerning the businesses of her clients. As the former North...

I am a graduate of Wesleyan University and the Boston University School of Law. During my career as an attorney, prior to my current solo practive, I have worked as a government regulatory trial attorney for the State Public Service Commission, an in house counsel for a Fortune 100 corporation, and as a partner or counsel for a several Albany and Syracuse based medium sized law firms. I am committed to helping people and small businesses with their legal problems at a reasonable, fixed "no surprises" rate not based on the common "hourly billing" model. I am...

Amy J. Knussman is a partner with DONNELLAN & KNUSSMAN, PLLC. Attorney Knussman is a graduate of Albany Law School and has been admitted to the New York State Bar since 2003. Ms. Knussman’s career began at The Donnellan Law Firm in 2001, while she was still attending Albany Law. After many years of hard work and dedication, Amy became a partner at DONNELLAN & KNUSSMAN, PLLC in January 2008. Amy focuses her practice in the areas of Matrimonial and Family Law and has been a member of the Saratoga County and Warren County Attorney for Children Panels...

Kelly M. Curro has been a practicing Attorney for 23 years. She has varied experience in the general practice of law including civil litigation, criminal defense, real estate and business matters. Her active practice in the area of Matrimonial and Family Law benefits from her varied legal background to best serve the diverse needs of her clients. Ms. Curro represents clients in divorce, separation, custody, paternity, child and spousal support, property distribution, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, and post-divorce issues such as enforcement and modification. Her goal is to assist clients to achieve clear and practical resolutions during...

Ellen S. Ross was admitted to the practice of law before the courts of the State of New York in January 1983. In 1986 she established her own law office, initially in Schenectady, New York and later in Albany, New York. In 1989 she moved to her current location in Johnstown, New York. Attorney Ross practices primarily in the areas of family and matrimonial law.

For years, Michael has been relentlessly fighting for the rights of Capital Region spouses, parents and grandparents in virtually every aspect of family and matrimonial law. As a Senior Counsel at Tully Rinckey PLLC, Michael provides representation in matters relating to divorce, parental alienation, separation agreements, annulments, child custody, child support, modifications to child support and child custody, enforcement of divorce decrees, spousal maintenance, pre- and post-nuptial agreements, orders of protection and family offenses.

Michael came to Tully Rinckey PLLC after operating a successful solo law practice in Clifton Park for nearly two decades. There, he primarily practiced family and matrimonial...

Tammy J. Arquette, Esq. has been practicing law in the Capital District and..beyond, including Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Fulton and Montgomery Counties for over 20 years. Tammy J. Arquette is an experienced trial attorney, practicing primarily in the areas of divorce law, matrimonial law, family law, child custody, child support, paternity, separation agreements, and adoptions. Tammy J Arquette is also experienced in the areas of consumer bankruptcy law, vehicle and traffic law, DWI law, Real Estate including the purchase and sale of residential real estate, and criminal law.

Theodore Alatsas, Esq. was born the child of Greek immigrants in the early 1970s. Growing up in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, Theodore learned the importance of hard work and dedication to his community at an early age. As an exemplary student and community activist, Theodore often volunteered his time to help those who needed it. Theodore attended Brooklyn Technical High School, New York University and St. John’ s University School of Law. During his early 20s, Theodore worked his way through college and law school, while at the same time actively participating and leading various civic organizations.


Among these organizations are the...

John A. Pappalardo is a Partner in the law firm of Farber, Pappalardo & Carbonari. He has been an active matrimonial practitioner for 32 years handling moderate to very complex litigation involving matrimonial and family law cases. He oversees a very experienced matrimonial department. He also has a private matrimonial mediation practice, is certified in matrimonial collaborative law, sits as a matrimonial arbitrator, and is New York State Certified as an attorney representing children. He has served as Guardian Ad Litem in matrimonial proceedings and is admitted to the State and Federal Bar in New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts....

Derrick Storms, Esq., of Queens Divorce Lawyers & Family Lawyer, leaves no stone uncovered in his pursuit for justice. He provides a level of one-on-one attention that few firms can match. He tirelessly finds witnesses, documents, and other evidence to give clients the most favorable outcome possible. In addition, Mr. Storms is an appellate practitioner and skilled brief writer. He has won appeals against large corporations, such as State Farm, and Judges know he will appeal if they deviate from the law. He carefully weighs evidence and presents it in a highly persuasive fashion in...

Kevin Mahoney received his B.A., Ed.M and J.D. all from the State University of New York at Buffalo. As a member of Tiveron Law's Family and Criminal Law Departments, Mr. Mahoney regularly assists individuals who are in a very difficult time of their lives. He believes it is his task to calmly offer skilled advice and perspective during what is often a difficult or emotionally charged situation. In the area of family law, Mr. Mahoney and his colleagues assist individuals with family court proceedings which most commonly involve custody/visitation and/or paternity and support proceedings. They also assist individuals in all aspects...

During this difficult time, the law office of George E. Patsis is offering free video chat consultations. Additionally, the office is available to provide remote estate planning and notarization. With remote estate planning and notarization, clients are able to execute wills, powers of attorney, trusts, living wills, and health care proxies from the comfort of their homes. After two decades of practicing law, George E. Patsis has served each and everyone of his clients with the utmost dedication, honorability, experience and success. Mr. Patsis is more than just an Attorney, he is someone you can count on....

David Badanes Esq. - Distinguished Long Island divorce lawyer and family law attorney serving Nassau and Suffolk counties. Concentrating in divorce, contested divorce, uncontested divorce, divorce mediation, matrimonial & family law and criminal defense. The Badanes Law Office is committed to providing optimal representation, while exceeding his clients’ expectations. He represents clients in Suffolk County, Nassau County and the New York City area with offices in Northport, Suffolk County and Uniondale, Nassau County.

Free consultations available.

Associations: Suffolk County Bar Association, Nassau County Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, Suffolk County Matrimonial Committee, Nassau County Matrimonial Committee, Suffolk County Criminal...

I was admitted to practice law in 1994, and since then the bulk of my practice has been focused on matrimonial and divorce law, appeals and closely related areas such as foreclosure defense.

My approach in representing clients is straightforward. Good people sometimes find themselves in bad situations, and people come to lawyers for solutions. That means whenever possible, negotiating a fair agreement is often the best route. Nevertheless, agreements, negotiations, litigation and appeals are only the tools used to obtain these answers. By taking a broader holistic approach, it allows me to see solutions that others may miss.

Reaching a fair...

I started my legal career interning for Legal Aid, where I helped provide legal service to the marginalized. I became a licensed attorney in 2012. I earned a Bachelors in Science in Brain Behavior and Cognitive Sciences from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Campus in 2007. In 2011 I earned my Law Degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. I am licensed to practice in the States of Michigan and New York. I understand that dealing with family related legal issues can be overwhelming. My goal is to help my clients navigate the legal maze and reach your desired...

Thank you for considering my firm for your divorce or family law matter. I know the system and how to save you both time and money on your divorce.

Please contact me by phone or by email to schedule a free consultation.

I enjoy helping people transition in a difficult part of their lives. On average, I help about 100 people (per year) get divorced.

The fastest divorce I have done was about 30 days but (on average), a divorce takes between 60-90 days.

I have a proven track record of success, sound judgment and discretion.

As for our firm, we are conveniently...

40 years experience, the last 25 of which have been devoted exclusively to matrimonial and family law, including appeals, division of retirement plans, and high net worth matrimonial matters. I have been a frequent speaker at continuing legal education programs for local and NYS Bar Association programs as well as for judges.

Greg T. Rinckey, Esq. serves as the Managing Partner of Tully Rinckey PLLC. Mr. Rinckey concentrates his practice on military law, federal employment and discrimination litigation, and national security clearance mitigation. During his previous tenure as an attorney with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Mr. Rinckey prosecuted and defended military personnel in over one hundred felony cases with charges ranging from drug possession to murder. He has represented federal and private sector employees in investigations and cases in front of the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Office of Special Counsel. Since...

Robert B. Pollack is the founder of The Pollack Law Firm, P.C. , which since 1997, focuses entirely on divorce, whether contested or uncontested, separation, prenuptial agreements, modifications, enforcement and all other matrimonial and family law. Robert has come to be considered one of the top divorce lawyers in Nassau and Suffolk. He is a "Preeminent AV Rated" attorney by Martindale-Hubbell and has received many other awards and honors throughout his career. In 2015 Robert was honored by his appointment to the Matrimonial Special Masters Panel in Nassau County. In his role as Special Master,...

Julie Rendelman began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Kings County, Brooklyn, where she investigated and prosecuted hundreds of criminal cases and quickly earned a reputation as a tough and tenacious trial attorney. While in the office, Julie was lead counsel in over 60 felony jury trials that involved a wide variety of crimes, from drug offenses to sex crimes to homicides. Julie quickly rose to the level of Senior Trial Attorney and was eventually promoted to the elite Homicide Bureau where she became the Deputy Bureau Chief.

Additionally, while working as a prosecutor, Julie also...

Rachel J. B. Weisman


Rachel Weisman, a strong, cunning, and dedicated divorce lawyer on Long Island, is considered one of the most captivating divorce litigators in the Greater New York City Area. She provides her clients with very specific, personal attention to their divorce and family law cases and gives special care when dealing with domestic violence cases.

If you're looking to get a divorce, or looking for a trusted, unbiased divorce mediator to handle the finalization of your marriage, look no further. Rachel Weisman is a certified divorce mediator and has participated in many previous divorce mediations, several of which actually...

If you are facing a divorce and/or issues of child custody, you need to be certain that you are being represented by a family and divorce attorney who has solid experience and knows exactly how to secure your best interest. With more than 2 decades of experience and thousands of successful representation of clients going through divorce and family issues, Yuliya Vangorodska is one of New York's most experienced divorce and family attorneys.

Her specific areas of specialty include divorce and separation, marital property, child custody, support and maintenance, domestic violence and uncontested divorce. Very few divorce attorneys in New...

Brooke Barron is an Associate Attorney in the firm’s Matrimonial & Family Law and Estate Planning & Administration Practice Groups.

Ms. Barron obtained her B.S. in Business Administration from SUNY Geneseo, and received her Juris Doctor in 2018 from American University- Washington College of Law.

While in law school, Ms. Barron was an Alternative Dispute Resolution Competition winner. Additionally, Ms. Barron was a law clerk for Commissioner Feldblum at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in Washington, D.C. and a student attorney for American University- Washington College of Law’s Civil Advocacy Clinic. Ms. Barron had also previously been employed at HoganWillig as...