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Laraine Schwartz
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Laraine Schwartz
Lynne M. Winograd and Laraine E. Schwartz, Attorneys at Law, LLP
440 60th St.
Suite 206
West New York, NJ 07093
Phone: (201) 770-9990 | Fax: (201) 770-9992
http://www.winogradandschwartz.com
Mediation Is The Way To Go!
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
We seek clients who work with us to achieve their goals.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Name Changes
- Restraining Orders
- Enforcement Actions
- Domestic Violence
- Elder Abuse
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Children's Rights
- Custody
- Foster Care
- Paternity
- State Child Protection
- Visitation
- Civil Unions
- Common Law Marriage
- Domestic Partnerships
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender Rights
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Power of Attorney
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
- Colleges & Universities
- Individualized Education Plans
- Private Schools
- Public Schools
- Student Rights
- Teacher Abuse
- Title IX
- Trade & Technical Schools
- Special Education
- Age Discrimination
- Competency Hearings
- Guardianships & Conservatorships
- Long-Term Care
- Nursing Homes
- Powers of Attorney
- Medicaid & Medicare Planning
- Advanced Health Care Directive
- Healthcare Proxy
- Tax Planning
- Nursing Home Negligence
- Grandparent Rights
- Termination of Parental Rights
Legal Topic
Immigration
Preferred New Clients
We seek clients who work with us to achieve their goals.
Sub-Categories
Immigration
- Citizenship or Naturalization
- Removal or Deportation
- Employer Work Visas
- Permanent Resident (Green Card)
- Political Asylum & Refugees
- Undocumented Workers
- Visas
- Passports
- Family Petitions
- Employer Petitions
- Customs
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights
Bar Admissions
ME,
NY, Mar 1981
NJ, Dec 1983
Other Court Admissions
United States District Court.
Association Memberships
American Immigration Lawyers Association, New Jersey Bar Association, and Gotham Networking.
Continuing Education
I regularly attend legal educational seminars in Family Law and Immigration. I am a member of American Immigration Lawyers Association and attend meetings/seminars regularly.
Example Cases
Family Law: A recent divorce case involved a couple that viewed everything in the opposite way. If the wife saw the color red, the husband saw blue. It was impossible to reconcile the truth to any story, and they had many stories to tell about each other. To make it more difficult, my adversary was an emotionally charged, hot headed young lawyer who was over involved in the emotional baggage of his client. We appeared at court ordered mediation. After the fifth hour of meeting with the mediator, the parties and the other lawyer threatened leaving. I was able to show each party that we were too close to a conclusion to quit, and I helped each one focus on the issues and not on the personalities involved or the emotions that were brewing. We walked out of the mediation one hour later with an agreement and the divorce was finalized the following week.
Education
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
School:
SUNY Binghamton, Harpur College
City:
Binghamton
State:
NY
Year:
1974
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Hastings College of the Law
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1979
Focus and Accomplishments:
Moot Court.
Number of Attorneys
2
State Licensed In
New Jersey, New York and Maine
Firm Focus and History
We are a general practice law firm that caters to our clients' specific needs. As trained mediators, we encourage our clients to seek formal mediation to resolve their issues. Where this is not possible, we use our trained negotiation techniques to help our clients obtain the goals they set and the needs they require. In addition, as an immigration law firm with an extensive family immigration practice, we help families unite and serve our clients to achieve their immigration goals.
Lynne Winograd began the firm in 1976 and I joined her as a partner in 1983. We specialize in helping people achieve their goals and work with clients from all over the world. Matrimonial and family law, immigration law, and international adoptions have been our specialty. We also serve our clients in their real estate needs, buying and selling both residential and commercial properties as well as their wills and estate planning. We are our clients' family lawyer and help them in all of their legal needs.
Previous Employment Summary
When I first began as a lawyer I worked for the New York City Workers Union in a pre-paid legal service plan, representing the family law unit, traveling to Queens and the Bronx on a daily basis, helping people with support, custody, adoption, visitation and abuse issues. I went into private practice and in addition to matrimonial, immigration and real estate law, we had an extensive personal injury law firm in Jersey City.
Activities and Awards
Group Coordinator for Gotham Networking Group, GLBT, in New York.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I strongly encourage clients to understand the legal issues and to be in control of their case. I have used Nolo books for years and share them with my clients as well as guide them in internet research. I believe that the law should be understood by my clients so they can better help themselves and thus help me be a better advocate for them.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I prefer to prepare documents for my clients. I understand clients' need to represent themselves, however, I have seen too many situations where reviewing documentation works as a disadvantage to my clients and it is better if our firm generates the paperwork filed on their behalf.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
When clients are in a position where they cannot afford representation, I will guide them in the system and process that they must follow. I also provide lists of legal services and referral agencies for those in need.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I enjoy working with people and have always wanted to be an advocate for those in need. As a youngster I always said, "I want to help people," and being a lawyer has enabled me to help others in many ways, especially to resolve the issues that are effecting their lives.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
My enthusiasm and positive attitude in life have helped me to be a better lawyer. Naturally, when clients come to see me they are under a great deal of stress and my optimism and encouragement help them see that together we can get through the ordeal, one step at a time.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I am engaged in law to help people reach their goals and find a new life, whether it means getting out of a relationship that no longer is working, buying a new house, obtaining legal immigration status for themselves or a loved one, or adopting a child who they can, in turn, help reach their goals.
What do you like best about your career?
Every day I meet new people, from all over the world, from all walks of life, and from such diverse cultures. I often feel as if I am travelling the world, just sitting at my desk. I enjoy the exchange with all my clients and the relationships we develop, that last over time.
Tell us about your law firm:
We are two lawyers and presently one assistant, Jackie Holder. Jackie is bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish. She understands the workings of the immigration field. She is attentive to all of our clients and helps with their many questions and concerns. Her integrity and caring about people has made Jackie a great fit for our firm.
What are your strengths and style?
I am an extraordinarily responsible and hard working individual that cares about the people I am serving. I understand people on a deep level and I honor the trust that is placed in my hands and take it very seriously. My clients know that I will fight for them to the end and perform to the best of my ability. My honesty with everyone is a virtue that comes naturally to me. My comfort with myself and the people I interact with enables my clients to feel confident in my practice of law on their behalf.
Personal Interests:
I love to paint, photograph, write poetry and stories and play music. I play the bass guitar. I have a home in Maine near Acadia National Park and I love to hike and swim and golf and bike and garden.
Office Manager/Assistant
Jackie Holder.
Fax
(201) 770-9992
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays and evenings by appointment.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Spanish.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Immigration, real estate, adoptions, and wills are generally fixed fees. I will gladly give a discount for Nolo referred clients.
Hourly Rates
$250.
Free Initial Consultation?
Initial telephone consultations are free of charge for a ten minute call. In office consultation fees are $100 to $150 (first 10 minutes are free). If the client retains the firm, the consultation fee is waived.
Typical Retainer
$2,500 to $5,000.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
