East Durham Family Lawyers

Anthony Buono is among the leading domestic relations attorneys in the Capital District. Since 1996 he has represented clients in the Family Courts and Supreme Courts of the Capital District. His practice is concentrated in domestic relations matters, including divorce and other family law matters.

In January 2015, Anthony Buono was admitted to the prestigious National Advocates as one of the Top 100 matrimonial Attorneys in New York State. He also is one of the few attorneys in the Capital District rated as Superb 10.0 by the online legal services website Avvo.

Anthony Buono is a cum laude graduate of both Albany...

Former Assistant District Attorney with 33 years of trial experience in the fields of Criminal Defense, Matrimonial, Family Law, Personal Injury and Civil Litigation. Our firm also handles Real Estate Contracts and Closings, Traffic Ticket Defense, Wills and Social Security Disability Law.

Max Smelyansky, who grew up in Bethlehem, graduated from Manhattan College earning a Bachelor of Science with a major in economics. He then graduated from the University of Baltimore School of Law, in Maryland. After graduating from law school, Max Smelyansky developed his law practice in Albany, specializing in Traffic Defense Law, Personal Injury Law, Landlord / Tenant Law, Family Law and Estate Planning Law.

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...

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.

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

Licensed in New York and New Jersey, Kevin Abessi is a heavily credentialed attorney with a background that is tailored to handle the challenges of family and business. As a client-facing professional with deep academic and professional exposures to finance and investment, Kevin and Abessi Law are well-equipped to handle the sort of financial and business matters that are often at play with matters pertaining to divorce, spousal/child support, contract negotiation, estate planning, and so much more. Abessi Law understands that facilitating legal services is about more than just lawyering, which is why it endeavors to be just as well...

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...

Mr. MacKay graduated from Albany Law School and was admitted to the New York State and Connecticut Bars in 1993. He began his career as Prosecutor for the Dutchess County District Attorney. Kevin is an experienced litigation attorney having handled hundreds of Jury and Bench Trials and concentrates in the areas of Matrimonial, Family Law, Criminal Defense and Civil Litigation.

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...