Collaborative Law
McCarthy Fingar’s Leadership in the Community
Part of the reason for the success of the collaborative format is that, once the participation agreement has been signed by the parties and their attorneys, the attorneys cannot represent their clients if the process fails to reach an agreement and/or someone wants to go to court. For instance, if one of the lawyers in our Collaborative Law group represents a client in a collaborative law engagement and a settlement is not reached, our Matrimonial & Family Law group cannot be engaged to represent the client on the continuing dispute.
Because lawyers retained to assist in the collaborative law process cannot represent those clients in a contested matter in court, the attorneys, like the clients, are motivated to “stay the course” and devote as much time as is necessary to the desired out-of-court settlement. As a result, a large proportion of McCarthy Fingar’s collaborative efforts to resolve divorce and family law issues are successful.
Contact Us
McCarthy Fingar’s Collaborative Law lawyers are dedicated to our clients’ success. If you think you may require our assistance or have any questions, please contact Kristen Mackay Pennessi by email (kpennessi@mccarthyfingar.com) or by phone (914-385-1033).
Donelli Rejoins the Firm as Counsel in our Matrimonial and Family Law Group
We are pleased to announce that Kathleen Donelli, who was a partner of the firm for many years, has rejoined the firm as counsel. Kathleen is one of Westchester’s best known and most respected lawyers in Matrimonial and Family Law, and is a member of our Matrimonial & Family Law, Collaborative Law, Mediation & Arbitration Practice and Appellate Practice groups. Kathleen continues to be an active member of the legal community, which includes her work as an adjunct professor of Law at Elizabeth Haub School of Law of Pace University and her participation in various committees of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association and the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York.
McCarthy Fingar’s Super Lawyers®
Six of McCarthy Fingar’s lawyers have been selected Super Lawyers in the New York Metropolitan area. Susan Taxin Baer has again been selected in the fields of Estate Planning & Probate. Gail M. Boggio has again been selected in the fields of Estate & Trust Litigation, Estate Planning & Probate and Elder Law. Michael S. Kutzin has again been selected in the fields of Estate Planning & Probate, Estate & Trust Litigation and Elder Law. Kristen Mackay Pennessi has again been selected in the field of Family Law. Irma K. Nimetz has been selected in the fields of Estate & Trust Litigation, Estate Planning & Probate, and General Litigation. Frank W. Streng has again been selected in the fields of Estate & Trust Litigation and Estate Planning & Probate. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have been recognized by their colleagues as having the highest degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
McCarthy Fingar’s “Super Lawyers”
Six of our lawyers have been selected Super Lawyers in the New York Metropolitan area. Gail M. Boggio has again been selected in the fields of Estate & Trust Litigation/Estate Planning & Probate/Elder Law. Kathleen Donelli has again been selected in the field of Family Law. Dolores Gebhardt has again been selected in the field of Family Law. James K. Landau has again been selected in the fields of Commercial Litigation and Appellate, and has again been selected for the Top 25 in Westchester County for Super Lawyers. Frank W. Streng has again been selected in the fields of Estate & Trust Litigation and Estate Planning & Probate. Douglas S. Trokie has again been selected in the fields of Business/Corporate, Closely Held Business, Real Estate, Business and Civil Litigation. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have been recognized by their colleagues as having the highest degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Boggio, Bramson, Brophy, Donelli, Gebhardt, Miller & Streng Selected as Super Lawyers
Seven of our lawyers have been selected Super Lawyers in the New York Metropolitan area. Gail M. Boggio has again been selected in the fields of Estate & Trust Litigation/Estate Planning & Probate/Elder Law. Howell Bramson has again been selected in the fields of Estate Planning/Tax and Corporate Business. Joseph Brophy has again been selected in the fields of Personal Injury/Medical Malpractice, General, Estate & Trust Litigation. Kathleen Donelli has again been selected in the fields of Family Law/Collaborative Law/Appellate. Dolores Gebhardt has again been selected in the fields of Family Law/Collaborative Law/Appellate. Judge Sondra Miller has again been selected in the fields of Appellate/Family Law. Frank W. Streng has been selected in the fields of Estate & Trust Litigation and Estate Planning & Probate. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have been recognized by their colleagues as having the highest degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Boggio, Bramson, Brophy, Donelli, Gebhardt & Miller Selected as Super Lawyers
Six of our lawyers have been selected Super Lawyers in the New York Metropolitan area. Gail M. Boggio has been selected in the fields of Estate & Trust Litigation/Estate Planning & Probate/Elder Law. Howell Bramson has again been selected in the fields of Estate Planning/Tax and Corporate Business. Joseph Brophy has again been selected in the fields of Personal Injury/Medical Malpractice, General, Estate & Trust Litigation. Kathleen Donelli has again been selected in the fields of Family Law/Collaborative Law/Appellate. Dolores Gebhardt has again been selected in the fields of Family Law/Collaborative Law/Appellate. Judge Sondra Miller has again been selected in the fields of Appellate/Family Law. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have been recognized by their colleagues as having the highest degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Bramson, Brophy, Donelli, Gebhardt & Miller Selected as Super Lawyers
Five of our lawyers have been selected Super Lawyers in the New York Metropolitan area. Howell Bramson has been selected in the fields of Estate Planning/Tax and Corporate Business. Joseph Brophy has again been selected in the fields of Personal Injury/Medical Malpractice, General, Estate & Trust Litigation. Kathleen Donelli has again been selected in the fields of Family Law/Collaborative Law/Appellate. Dolores Gebhardt has been selected in the fields of Family Law/Collaborative Law/Appellate. Judge Sondra Miller has been selected in the fields of Appellate/Family Law. Joe Brophy has also been selected as one of Westchester’s top 25 lawyers. Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have been recognized by their colleagues as having the highest degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Boggio, Donelli & Gebhardt Elected Directors of Women’s Bar Association of State of New York
Gail M. Boggio, Kathleen Donelli and Dolores Gebhardt were elected and then sworn in as directors of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York.
Bramson and Donelli Lecture on Tax Issues Related to Divorce
Howell Bramson and Kathleen Donelli lectured on “Tax Issues Related to Divorce” on May 9, 2006 at The Bank of New York in White Plains. For lecture materials, click on Seminar Outline.
The Constitionality of New York’s Grandparent Visitation Statute in Light of Troxel v. Granville (27 Westchester Bar Journal 19, May 06, 2000)
by Kathleen Donelli on 05/06/2020
[Read in full]
Mandatory Parent Education in Custody Cases: The Pilot Program
by on 02/27/2020Family Law Section of the Westchester County Bar Association
[Read in full]Landmark Decision Removes Burden from Parent Needing to Relocate (Legal Notes, Fall 1996)
by Kathleen Donelli on 10/06/1996
[Read in full]
The Drafting of Relocation Clauses and the Challenge It Presents (The Matrimonial Strategist, Vol. XIV, Number 4, May 1996)
by Kathleen Donelli on 05/01/1996
[Read in full]
Dirks v. SEC: New Guidelines for Tippee Liability under Rule 10b-5, 4 Pace Law Review 631 (1984)
by Kathleen Donelli on 05/01/1984
[Read in full]
Tropea v. Tropea, 87 N.Y.2d 727, 665 N.E.2d 145, 642 N.Y.S.2d 575 (1996)
Matrimonial & Family Law – Appellate Practice – Child Relocation
Custody of minor children is sometimes an issue that continues after the parents obtain their divorce and have reached agreement on visitation issues. Sometimes, the custodial parent seeks to change his or her location, and the noncustodial parent cries foul and seeks to prevent or oppose that relocation. In Tropea, Kathleen Donelli prevailed in a child relocation case in New York’s highest court, the New York State Court of Appeals. Tropea established the prevailing law in New York on relocation.
[Read in full]| Presenter | Description | Organization | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Post Judgment Relief and Uncontested Divorces |
01/08/2016 | |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Hot Topics in Equitable Distribution |
03/25/2015 | |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Applications for Temporary and Final Relief in Matrimonial Actions: Maintenance, Equitable Distribution, Child Support and Counsel Fees |
01/07/2015 | |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Anatomy of a Disciplinary Hearing |
Committee on Attorney Professionalism of the New York State Bar Association. |
12/05/2014 |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Money Matters: How the Psychology of Money Impacts our Practice of Law |
01/08/2014 | |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Motion Practice in Matrimonial Actions |
04/08/2013 | |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Ethics and Professionalism |
03/16/2013 | |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
No Fault Divorce and Maintenance Issues |
03/13/2013 | |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Ethics & Professionalism Update 2012 |
02/05/2012 | |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Impact of Current Economy on Matrimonial Cases: House Sales, Foreclosures & Bankruptcies |
01/10/2012 | |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Avoiding Ethical Dilemmas in Day-to-Day Practice |
Committee on Attorney Professionalism of the New York State Bar Association |
11/30/2011 |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
New Matrimonial Laws: No Fault Divorce, Temporary & Post Divorce Maintenance Guidelines, Counsel & Expert Fees, Modification of Child Support & Orders of Protection |
05/22/2011 | |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
New Matrimonial Legislation |
New York State Judicial Institute at Pace |
03/23/2011 |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
New Divorce Legislation – No Fault Divorce, Maintenance Guidelines, Counsel & Expert Fees, Modification of Child Support |
Westchester Women’s Bar Association |
10/14/2010 |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Protecting Assets Before a Divorce |
UJA Federation of NY |
01/03/2008 |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Collaborative Law and the Role of Law Guardians |
Pace University School of Law |
10/21/2006 |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Equitable Distribution in Matrimonial Actions |
Westchester Women’s Bar Association; Northern Westchester Shelter |
10/03/2006 |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Family and Matrimonial Law Series |
Northern Westchester Shelter |
10/03/2006 |
|
Howell Bramson Kathleen Donelli |
“Tax Issues Related to Divorce” |
The Bank of New York, White Plains, New York |
05/09/2006 |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Initial Contact with Matrimonial Clients |
Pace University School of Law |
02/08/2006 |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Letters of Engagement |
Pace University School of Law |
02/04/2006 |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Divorce Law in New York State |
Pace University School of Law’s Women’s Justice Center |
07/27/2004 |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Equitable Distribution |
Westchester Women’s Bar Association; Northern Westchester Shelter; Victims Assistance Services |
03/18/2004 |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Letters of Engagement and Fee Dispute Arbitration |
Pace University School of Law |
02/07/2004 |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Pendente Lite Motions: Temporary Support and Relief Pending a Divorce Judgment |
Pace University School of Law’s Women’s Justice Center |
06/12/2003 |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Children’s Records Law in New York: Access to Mental Health Records |
Lorman Education Services |
06/05/2002 |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Child Support and Maintenance |
Pace University School of Law’s Women’s Justice Center |
05/28/2002 |
|
Kathleen Donelli |
Taking and Defending Depositions |
Westchester Women’s Bar Association |
04/24/2002 |