New York City Family Law Attorneys On Your Side
NYC
370 Lexington Avenue
Suite 505
New York NY 10017
(212) 697-7383
(212) 681-6157
Mon - Fri: 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Ellen Mandel
Yes
The Mandel Law Firm boasts a perfect record in winning New York City child custody cases because we keep the focus on the child in custody and visitation cases
Like many of the best and most talented litigators, Steve Mandel has a colorful, varied and exciting background. Born and raised on the tough, gritty streets of Brooklyn, Steve worked his way through college and law school as a professional musician and comedian. On stage performance was training that would later serve him well in representing clients. "Nothing fazes me in court," Steve says with a smile. "After doing standup comedy before 3000 people at a hotel, working in front of a judge, or six people in a jury box, is nothing."
Steve feels it
Bar Number: New York Bar
New York, 1980
Bar Number: U.S. District Court
New York, 1981
Bar Number: U.S. District Court
Pennsylvania, 1999
Bar Number: U.S. Supreme Court
, 1985
Yeshiva University Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
J.D., 1979
Adelphi University
Bachelor of Arts (Magna Cum Laude), 1976
One thing stands out about Jim Nemia, even more than his formidable legal skills. That's his ability to see opportunity for achieving successful outcomes, where others find nothing but roadblocks. It's a gift only the most talented trial attorneys and negotiators possess, and is something of a rarity among New York divorce lawyers.
Whether it's a matrimonial, family law, domestic violence, or even a business or estates case, Jim is committed to getting a superior result for every client. "The best deals are those where clients get everything they can within the scope of the law, and if possible, avoid the cost, burden and expense of litigation. A lot of times, you can do better at the negotiating table than in court. And when a case is settled, it should be finished and free of future problems," he says.
Never satisfied with less than an excellent conclusion, Nemia believes in carefully refining an approach that's tailored to the unique needs of each client's case. Especially with complicated fact situations, this resourceful edge often rescues the day.
As the divorce lawyer representing a renowned surgeon, Jim recently negotiated a $1,000,000 settlement on his behalf. When domestic violence and other charges were filed against his client, Jim sprung into action, and immediately got the criminal case against him dismissed. In addition to winning a major monetary concession to compensate his client for professional losses that resulted from these false allegations, he also got his child support commitment reduced by half.
Guarding the rights of clients in divorce and family law cases involving domestic violence, spousal abuse and child abuse is high priority for Jim. In representing the wife of a savage alcoholic, he argued for the court to impose special visitation restrictions to protect her child. The father had been in rehab four times, lied to his wife and demonstrated a continual pattern of instability.
Nemia convinced the judge to order supervised visitation, requiring a social worker to be present any time the father spent time with the child. "Sometimes in these cases, the most important work in safeguarding clients and their children starts after the restraining order has been issued," he says.
Jim has also been highly successful in restoring custody of children to parents where children have been removed by child services agencies. These cases require a unique skill-set in communicating effectively with the court and numerous attorneys involved, and often with forensic experts whose opinions may be crucial to a favorable disposition.
While Jim always looks to conserve client resources by negotiating advantageous settlements, he brings the fire of a warrior's heart to the courtroom. With an extraordinary command of all the variables that can be marshaled to prove a case, he uses each as a sharp, swift arrow aimed at a favorable decision. He hits the bull's-eye consistently, as evidenced by his impressive track record of success at trial.
Jim's familiarity with winning is something commercial clients particularly appreciate. Acting as corporate counsel to several thriving enterprises, his focus is always on providing legal protection in a way that facilitates expansion plans, and integrates well with business goals. His experience in representing businesses has also been a major benefit to those who retain the firm on divorce matters, when various types of companies included in marital property need to be equitably divided.
Generous by nature, Jim devotes much of his free time to charitable causes. He and his family have graciously attended to the needs of nursing home residents and soup kitchen guests for many years.
Jim graduated from the University of South Florida, achieving the prestigious Dean's and President's List awards. He received his law degree from Syracuse University College of Law in New York.
He's a guitar enthusiast and a lifelong athlete, and loves jamming with musician friends, along with hiking, skiing, tennis and swimming. A devoted family man, he and his wife have six children.
Bar Number: New York
New York, 1989
Bar Number: U.S. District Court
New York, 1995
Bar Number: U.S. District Court
New York, 1998
Syracuse University College of Law
J.D., 1987
University of South Florida
Bachelor of Arts, 1983
What does it take to win when the stakes are high? Skill. Strength. Confianza.
What does it take to win when the stakes are high?
Skill. Strength. Confianza.
Complex cases sometimes seem to have insurmountable odds. Attorney Rafael Gonzalez grew up knowing what it means fight and win, in what many would find to be hopeless circumstances. Raised on the Lower East Side of New York, as a child and young man he felt the sting of poverty, prejudice and injustice. He vowed then to devote his life to combating the conditions that choke off equality and opportunity for others. It's why he became a lawyer.
Whereas devastating early life trauma destroys many people, Rafael turned adversity into advantage. The strength, courage and perseverance it took to survive are the same attributes he brings to practicing law. It's also what has enabled him to transform the most challenging cases into astounding courtroom victories. His tireless efforts on behalf of clients have consistently won major, life-changing decisions in their favor.
Rafael handles matrimonial, divorce, family law, criminal, and immigration matters. His approach combines the fervor of a seasoned courtroom litigator with a sage's discipline for thorough preparation. He is a master at weaving together facts and timelines, turning the chronology of a case into a convincing presentation that wins over judges and juries. It's a talent that has served clients well. He has continually prevailed for those who would otherwise be facing serious consequences.
Family law matters are close to Raphael's heart. "Especially in the circumstances in which I grew up, I know how important family is to survival. A New York family lawyer and matrimonial practitioner has a tremendous responsibility to his clients, because it's not easy to survive here. He's got to win if there's a court battle, and keep things as stable and negotiable as he can between the parties, particularly for the children's sake." Almost any experienced family law attorney in New York City would agree.
Recently, in representing two clients involved in a love triangle that turned into a criminal case, Rafael won their freedom after they'd been arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. The client couple had reconciled their marriage. However, the husband's former lover made a false allegation to the police, saying they'd come to her home and slashed her with a knife as she answered the door. This resulted in their incarceration.
Gonzalez was able to prove that both the husband and his wife were in different locations on the day of the incident, and that the woman's wound was self-inflicted. The case was dismissed, and the former lover was arrested for lying to the police. "It was one of those unusual cases in which being both a family lawyer and a criminal attorney was critical to getting the clients out of trouble. So often it is today that more than one area of the law comes into play when you're solving a problem," he says.
Born into poverty in rural Puerto Rico before moving to New York when he was seven, Raphael knows what it's like to span the bridge between two cultures. It's an attribute the firm's multi-cultural clients are grateful for, as they face the often intimidating court system. They feel he is their advocate, guide and friend. Gonzalez, who is fluent in Spanish, calls it "confianza," or confidence. It refers to a special kind of rapport, where clients feel comfortable entrusting him with critical life issues and more importantly, their futures.
Raphael feels the master key to representing clients effectively is listening. "I listen carefully to what they want, and where they're coming from. Then, together we talk about how to get it, and what it's possible to achieve," he says.
Clients whose fates are hanging by the thread of a court decision are thankful for his efforts in restoring their lives, peace of mind and optimism. In having achieved the American dream of success himself, Rafael guards their rights to do the same, safely leading them through the complex maze of the law.
Raphael's winning methods are discussed in a Special Report just published by The Law Firm of Steven J. Mandel. The firm's attorneys have a track record of success because they rely on proven strategies to achieve results. Divorce Secrets for Tough Times outlines many of the practical approaches Gonzalez and the firm's other lawyers use to help clients. He recommends that every one of his matrimonial and family law clients read it.
Rafael graduated from Hunter College in New York City, and achieved his law degree on full scholarship from Boston University Law School, one of the country's top ten law programs. He is a highly regarded martial arts practitioner of the ancient Fu Jow Pai "Tiger Claw" style of Kung Fu, having won the Eastern Regional Lightweight Championship. He also enjoys competing in chess tournaments and loves novels by famous Spanish authors. He lives with his wife Farida and his teenage daughter.
Bar Number: New York Bar
New York, 1988
Bar Number: U.S. District Court
New York, 1988
Bar Number: U.S. District Court
New York, 0
Boston College Law School
J.D., 1988
City University of New York, Hunter College
Bachelor of Arts, 1981
When the foundation is solid, so is the case.
When the foundation is solid, so is the case.
When the chips are down and the wolves are closing in, there's no one better to have in your corner than Don Ridley. A brilliant strategist and celebrated appellate lawyer, Don has had extensive experience in successfully arguing many intricate cases at both the state and federal levels.
Don handles divorce, child custody, and family law, as well as legal representation for the firm's business and personal injury clients.
At The Mandel Firm, thorough preparation fuels every case initiative. Methodical and meticulous, Don is the master of the mountain when it comes to building the foundation of each triumphant plan-of-action. He helps develop the potent arguments, integrated with carefully researched legal precedent, that create a fortress of protection around every client. Don's case-winning foresight has shined the light of success on many challenging court battles the firm's attorneys have fought.
Here's a good example. As child custody lawyer in an unusual case, Don won sole custody for a father of his young daughter. The client's estranged wife was a police officer. Upon learning that the father was involved in a new relationship, the wife went to his apartment and threatened him with her service revolver.
A fight ensued with the wife in which he wrestled the weapon away from her, yet when the police arrived, they were reluctant to incriminate a colleague.
Even in confronting the "blue line" of silence, and although in most cases in New York, child custody is awarded to mothers, Don's careful presentation succeeded in convincing the court. In addition, he also attained an award of child support from the wife.
"You've got to be closely attuned to the needs of the client and the children in matters involving child custody. Attorneys have to be more thorough in these cases than almost any other area of the law, because the well-being of a child is at stake," he says.
Don is deeply devoted to helping all his clients, taking a personal interest in each case. "People in serious legal trouble need the assistance of an attorney who cares about what happens to them," he says. "I like to see clients move past their difficulties, and get on with their lives. It makes me feel good when I can lift the burden off their shoulders." And he does.
Where did Don acquire his skills? In addition to graduating law school with honors, Don was chosen for a prestigious two-year law clerkship with the famous federal trial judge and legal author, the Honorable Judge Edward J. Devitt. Only the top law school graduates are selected for these positions in the Federal Court system. It was in this capacity that he honed the exceptional research and writing skills that empower his clients today.
Don Ridley has been a leading advocate in cases involving patient's rights, having successfully argued at the state appellate level many times. He has won decisions that have significantly advanced protection of the right to refuse unwanted treatment.
Graduating from the University of Minnesota, Don worked his way through law school. He achieved his law degree from the William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, alma mater of former United States Chief Justice Warren Burger.
Don and his wife Dawn give graciously of themselves for charitable causes in their community. All those Don has helped are deeply grateful for his support. In guiding them through the most overwhelming times of their lives, he has given them a basis for hope.
Bar Number: New York Bar
New York, 1985
Bar Number: Minnesota Bar
Minnesota, 1982
Bar Number: U.S. District Court
New York, 0
Bar Number: U.S. Court of Appeal
, 0
Bar Number: U.S. Supreme Court
, 0
William Mitchell College of Law
J.D., 1982
University of Minnesota
Bachelor of Arts, 1979
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