Howes Cave Family Lawyers

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.

I've been representing clients in the criminal and family courts of New York State since 1999, and I believe that being an attorney isn't a business, it's a craft that requires a sense of personal honor. I've tried cases from open-container violations to murders and, whatever the matter, I'll never leave you in the dark about your case, I'll give your case care and attention, and I'll never sell you out or do anything without your knowledge and consent.

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...

Terence E. Shanley attended Loyola University in Rome, Italy and graduated from the College of the Holy Cross. He received his law degree from Columbia University Law School. He is admitted to practice in all of the federal and state trial and appellate courts in New York State. He was a member of the Committee on Character and Fitness, New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department. Mr. Shanley is a member of the Rensselaer County, Albany County, and New York State Bar Associations. In addition he has been member of the Collaborative...

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.

Will is a Partner managing our Bankruptcy and Matrimonial & Family practices. He is a founding board member of Albany Barn, an organization dedicated to developing a permanent, sustainable creative arts incubator and community arts center in Albany. He is a member of the American, New York State, and Albany County Bar Associations; the Family Law section of the New York State Bar Association; and the Capital Region Bankruptcy Bar Association. Will sits on the Board of Directors of the the Capital Region Bankruptcy Bar Association and the Capital District Business Leaders. A recipient of the New York State Bar Association’s...

For over two decades, I’ve been part of The Underwood Law Firm, where we’ve dedicated ourselves to helping individuals in Syracuse and Central New York face the challenges of divorce and family law. I take pride in our balanced approach—firm yet compassionate—when handling a wide range of family matters. Whether it’s navigating complex divorces involving substantial assets or businesses, addressing critical child custody disputes, or resolving financial issues like spousal and child support, I always focus on finding practical solutions that work for you. While I’m prepared to advocate for you in court when necessary, I believe in pursuing litigation...

Paul J. Tortora Jr. is an accomplished attorney with extensive experience in family and matrimonial law. As a Partner at Rupp Pfalzgraf LLC, Paul leads the Syracuse office’s legal team, ensuring efficient case management, high-quality representation, and client satisfaction. He plays a key role in firm leadership, overseeing associate attorneys and support staff while providing expert counsel in a broad range of family law matters, including divorce, custody disputes, child support, and domestic violence cases. With a legal career spanning over a decade, Paul has held prominent positions at a number of respected law firms. His impressive track record includes managing...

Dennis R. Vetrano, Jr., a divorce and criminal defense lawyer in Duchess County, is the founder of the Law Office of Dennis R. Vetrano, Jr., LLC. At the firm, Attorney Vetrano offers those with family law concerns thorough and understanding legal representation. With 17 years of legal experience, he carries an ability to make a competent judgment of whether a client’s case should be negotiated or tried in the court of law. As a skilled negotiator and courtroom litigator, he can advocate for client interests’ in both contexts. Attorney Vetrano knows every divorce is unique, and his firm works...

Since his time at Syracuse University College of Law, David has had a passion for Criminal Defense and made his career about representing clients in need.

David prides himself on client-centered representation. He believes in the diligent and aggressive defense of the client’s rights and a maintains a strong commitment to the field of Criminal Defense.

Early in his career, David learned that often with criminal matters, clients also need assistance with Family Law matters.

As a result, David turned his focus not only on Criminal Matters but also on being able to provide premium Family Law services.

Jonna Spilbor is the founding attorney at Jonna Spilbor Law. An experienced trial lawyer, she has served as a contributing attorney and legal analyst for the Fox News Channel and has lent her voice to various publications, such as Variety Magazine, The New York Times, CNN, and others. Jonna also hosts and co-hosts several radio shows in the Poughkeepsie area. She is one of only a few members of the elite National College for DUI Defense and has handled hundreds of DUI and criminal cases. Her firm assists clients with criminal defense, family law, estate planning, personal injury, and more.

Christopher served in the Marine Corps, graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. In Applied Economics and Business Management, attended Northeastern University's High-Tech MBA Program and received a M.S. In Computer Information Systems. He received is Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law

Debra Cohn is the Managing Partner of Tully Rinckey PLLC’s Binghamton office. She focuses her practice on Family and Matrimonial Law, including Divorce, Child Support, Child Custody, Child Visitation, Spousal Support and Paternity. Debra has over 10 years of experience and skill representing clients in a vast array of topics relating to family and matrimonial law. She is dedicated to providing exceptional representation and the best possible outcomes for her clients.

Debra is a member of the New York State Bar Association and Broome County Bar Association. She has an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating. Debra received...

When looking for an attorney to help with your divorce or family law case, you want an attorney that you can relate to, one with the right level of compassion and commitment to ensure your goals are met, and one that knows the law. That attorney is Lisa DiPoala Haber, Esq. Lisa takes the time to get to know her clients on a personal level and understand their goals. With her assistance, you can efficiently and effectively resolve your divorce or family matter. Attorney Lisa DiPoala Haber is dedicated to providing her clients with attentive, personal service. Rather...

Maria is a Partner with Youngman & Morse, PLLC, focusing her practice on Family and Matrimonial Law, as well as Education/School Law. Prior to co-founding her own firm, Maria was an attorney with Nave Law Firm, PLLC, where she continues to practice as an Of Counsel Attorney. Maria has years of experience representing parents and grandparents in Family Court cases in New York State regarding custody, visitation, and child support matters, adoptions, juvenile delinquency, family offense and domestic violence, as well as child abuse and neglect proceedings. Similarly, Maria also represents parents and educators involved in Office of Children and Family...

The Law Offices of Andrew T. Coyle provides zealous legal advocacy throughout New York State and New Jersey with a focus on matrimonial, family law, and commercial litigation matters. Andrew T. Coyle, Esq. began his legal career with the express purpose of helping others. He is passionate about achieving his client's goals and navigating them through any complex legal issue. He strives to maintain open, honest, and prompt communications so that clients know what is going on in their cases. He is a highly experienced and competent attorney with judicial clerkship experience in both federal and state court. The Law Offices...

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...

Most people never imagine that they will be arrested and charged with a crime and assume that anyone who is arrested must be a criminal. The truth is that anyone can be arrested. A mistaken identification, a misunderstanding or dispute with the police or another party, even simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time can lead to being taken into custody by the police and charged with an offense. Being arrested can be one of the scariest moments in anyone's life. Suddenly your liberty is taken away and you may face the prospect...

JULIE V. MERSEREAU, ESQ. focuses her practice on Collaborative Family Law and Divorce Mediation. MEDIATION provides assistance to couples as they negotiate towards the resolution of divorce, separation, reconciliation, parenting and other family issues. Mediation is a cooperative settlement process entered into voluntarily. The mediator acts as a neutral professional who helps the participants make practical, informed decisions to resolve their differences. This process encourages the participants to reach a voluntary agreement that is mutually satisfactory. The goal is to accomplish a “win – win” outcome wherein both parties have their needs and goals addressed and are “okay”...

Mediator and attorney with extensive experience in prenuptial, separation, divorce, custody, visitation, alimony, elder, business, estate and other family law and adult family issues. Serving mediation clients in Westchester, Putnam & Dutchess Counties in New York and Fairfield, New Haven & Litchfield Counties in Connecticut. Disputes are stressful, and it’s important to make sure you’re comfortable with whatever resolution process you choose. During our 30 minute free consultation, I can answer any questions you might have and let you get a sense of what it would be like to work together.

Heather's practice focuses on family and matrimonial law. She has extensive experience litigating family court and matrimonial matters, including complex matters of custody and equitable distribution. Heather’s other professional experience includes working as a journalist, editor, and marketing manager. She is a member of the Attorney for the Child panel in Onondaga County, the Onondaga County Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and the Northern District of New York Bar Association. Heather graduated cum laude from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law, where she served as editor of the Buffalo Intellectual Property Law Journal and...