Mellenville Family Lawyers

STARTING CSG LAW WAS AN EASY CHOICE FOR CLARISA S. GENTILE. SHE STRIVED TO BE AN ATTORNEY AT A YOUNG AGE AND COMPLETED AS MANY LEGAL CERTIFICATIONS AND CLASSES AS SHE COULD BEFORE LAW SCHOOL. SHE COMPLETED A PARALEGAL PROGRAM AT BRYANT AND STRATTON COLLEGE IN LATHAM NEW YORK AND MOVED ON TO COMPLETE HER BACHELOR DEGREE IN LAW AND SOCIETY AT THE SAGE COLLEGE OF ALBANY MAJORING IN LAW AND SOCIETY. Clarisa earned her Juris Doctorate from Albany Law School in May 2019. Before law school, Clarisa interned for the Honorable Phillip V. Cortese in Montgomery County Family Court....

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.

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...

After joining my firm in 1989, I became chairman of the department in 1992 and shortly thereafter a member of the law firm. I have administered the litigation department and handled the majority of the litigation files from inception to completion, including all the major litigation files in the office. The practice has involved representation for institutional and private clients in a number of areas of law. I have handled cases in both Federal and State Courts. Among the areas of law covered by the firm's litigation practice are the following: personal...

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...

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....

Stephen Bilkis graduated from Touro Law School in 1997. Soon after he passed the bar exam of New York and established the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates. In over 20 years of practice, Mr. Bilkis has successfully represented scores of clients throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester County, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Long Island, and Staten Island in matters related to personal injury, probate law, criminal law, and family law.

Mr. Bilkis strongly believes that each client is unique and each case is different. His solutions are never “one size fits all.” He prides himself...

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...

I am a divorce mediator and attorney who works with clients as a neutral third party to assist them in achieving a mutually agreed upon settlement of divorce. My goal as a mediator is to provide my clients with information and a supportive environment that fosters mutual respect and that ends with the best results for both of the parties and their children. Having been through divorce mediation personally, I embrace the mediation process not only as a practitioner advocate, but also as a former client of mediation. This experience has given me the unique ability to understand...

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,...

Attorney David Bliven graduated with honors from Syracuse University in 1993 with a B.A. in Sociology. He went on to serve as a judicial intern and statistician with the NYS Commission on City Court Judicial Reallocation with the Office of the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge.

David Bliven then attended law school at New York Law School, where he graduated with honors and ranked within the top 15% of his class.

He then worked in private practice for a year, doing mostly matrimonial work, before serving as a prosecutor for nearly 3 years with the NYC Administration for Children's Services. There he prosecuted...

Shari R. Gordon, Esq.
www.sharigordonlaw.com - Experienced Divorce and Family Attorney.
Since 1986, Shari R. Gordon has been practicing law. Her offices are located in Yorktown Heights and White Plains, New York. The law firm concentrates in matrimonial litigation and divorce mediation and criminal defense. Shari is also admitted to the Eastern and Southern District Courts as well as the United States Supreme Court. In addition to her divorce and family law practice, Shari has an extensive background in criminal defense as a former Senior Staff Trial Counsel with the Criminal Defense Division, Bronx County. She...

Prior to opening up his own firm, Sam represented the NYC Administration for Children’s Services in all family court child protective proceedings, including conducting hundreds of trials and contested hearings; drafting motions, pleadings, and other legal documents; and negotiating settlements for his clients. Sam is also working as an Associate Attorney at Ezdrin & Woods, P.C. in Syosset, NY. Sam received his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and is admitted to practice law in both New York and New Jersey, including the United States District Courts for both the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. During law school, Sam worked...

I am a Bronx, New York attorney with over 37 years of experience practicing law. I handle family law, contested and uncontested divorces, bankruptcy, accidents, medical malpractice and personal injury cases. I offer free in-person initial consultations. I enjoy explaining the law and helping each client understand his or her rights in each personal situation before starting the case. While I emphasize cooperation, I am a tough negotiator in court. Over the years, I have represented many satisfied clients and have helped recover millions for victims of accidents. One of my staff members has been with me for over...

Peter Tilem’s legal career started in September of 1991 as an Assistant District Attorney in the New York County District Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, where he was assigned to the prosecution and investigation of hundreds, if not thousands, of criminal cases—including violent crimes, white collar crimes and homicides.

Since founding Tilem & Associates, PC, Mr. Tilem has continued to litigate in both state and federal courts and has continued his representation of clients involved in high-profile cases. Mr. Tilem appears regularly in the newspaper and on television concerning his representation in such cases and as a legal commentator. He is...

I am a General Practice Attorney with over 30 years of experience, representing clients in Real Estate Closings, Real Estate Matters, Estate Proceedings (probate, administration, voluntary administration), Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning, Family Court representation (custody, visitation, child support, adoption), Divorce matters (including divorce mediation), Contracts, BusinessFormation, Accident and Personal Injury. I have successfully represented clients in Livingston, Ontario, Monroe, Steuben, Genesee, Allegany and all surrounding counties. I am a life-long resident of Livingston County and have extensive experience in all of the Courts. Having represented thousands of clients in real estate closings, especially in...

I pride myself on being goal and solution oriented and bring that approach to the firm. Every matter presents its own challenges and I'm committed to overcoming them. My commitment is present from a client’s first contact with the firm to the conclusion of their respective matter. Whether it’s a contract review or a TN Visa, I'm thorough every step of the way. The firm currently handles contracts, business law, immigration and family. Currently, I am licensed in Ontario, Canada and New York State. In addition, I am a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family Mediator and a Notary Public in...

Sean Imran is an accomplished criminal defense attorney with invaluable trial experience representing high-stakes clients facing criminal charges and media attention. Sean possesses profound insights into the intricacies of criminal cases, and his ability to navigate the complexities of criminal cases involving media attention is honed with finesse and poise. Furthermore, Sean Imran has an exceptional track record of success in defending clients across a range of criminal matters. Having served as a former public defender at the Legal Aid Society, he possesses a deep understanding of the challenges faced by clients in criminal proceedings. This experience has enabled him...

Cindy N. Brown practices in the areas of criminal defense, civil litigation, family law, and landlord/tenant, defending the interests of the everyday man. While she feels strongly about the work that she does for all her clients, she is especially passionate about fathers, and their ability to maintain meaningful relationships with their children after divorce or failed relationships. All too often, the end of romantic relationships result in diminished contact with children through no fault of the fathers, and once the matter has made its way into the Family Court system, many fathers feel as though the odds are stacked...

Ephraim Jacob (‘E.J.”) Fink has been litigating in the Connecticut and New York Courts since 2000. After representing hundreds of carriers and their policy holders as well as corporations, product manufacturers and healthcare facilities from negligence and contract claims, EJ practiced at a boutique in the areas of personal injury, family law/divorce, estate and trust litigation. EJ graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications with a degree in journalism and thereafter obtained his JD at New England Law-Boston where his dean’s list grade average earned him an associate editor position on the New England Journal on Criminal...

Mary F. Kelly, a founding member of Kelly & Knaplund, has practiced family law in Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Dutchess, and New York counties since 1978. Her achievements in the legal community include service as a charter member of the New York State Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children, which has advocated for court reform in the family law arena since 1988, and she has been a member of the Ninth Judicial District Gender Fairness Committee since 1994. A leader throughout her career, Ms. Kelly has served as President of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New...

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...

Joshua is a native of Herkimer County. After college, he served our country as a Marine Officer, achieved the rank of Captain, and served on three deployments to the Middle East. Following service in the Marines, Joshua attended the Thomas M. Cooley Law School where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2015. Joshua gives 100% to everything he does. Following a recent jury trial in the Village of Herkimer [Docket No. 17050159], Joshua's client was found not guilty on all counts which was the first misdemeanor acquittal in Herkimer County in...

I advocate for clients who want to take charge of their lives and resolve conflict using a common sense approach. During my more than 20 years of practice, I have handled hundreds of matrimonial and family law matters. While I have extensive litigation experience, I now focus my practice on mediation and collaborative law because most of my clients fell strongly that they want to stay out of court. I want to make a positive difference in the lives of clients going through stressful family transitions. I help mothers and fathers in developing parenting plans that are practical and that...

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...