Law And Mediation Office Of Helene Bernstein, PLLC

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Helene Bernstein

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917-920-9627

Practice Areas:

  • Divorce
  • Mediation
  • Collaborative Divorce
  • Child Custody
  • Child Support
  • Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
  • Separation Agreements
  • Family Court
  • Order of Protection
  • Parenting Access
  • Domestic Violence
  • Child Abuse and Neglect
  • Negotiated Settlement
  • Consultation and Review Attorney
  • Modification and Enforcement of Custody and Child Support Agreements
  • Appeals

Articles About Helene:

An Experienced Advocate For All Family Law Issues

The Law and Mediation Office of Helene Bernstein, PLLC has been offering legal and mediation services in Brooklyn, New York in the areas of divorce, separation, custody, child support, domestic violence, child abuse, appeals, and pre and post nuptial agreements since 1995. In 2024, she received the Super Lawyers accommodation for her work in the Family Law field. The office offers consultations in person or over video chat services based upon the client’s needs and availability. Her offices are conveniently located near the Barclays Center and Prospect Park in the brownstone community of Prospect Heights.

Ms. Bernstein is skilled as both a mediator, collaborative attorney, litigator and consulting and review attorney, which provides her clients various legal options on how to proceed with their particular goals. Ms. Bernstein is committed to the process of resolving her client’s issues without the need for court intervention if possible through mediated or negotiated settlements while keeping the best interests of the child of paramount importance. In the event there is the need for court intervention, in either the Supreme Court, Family Court or the Appellate Division, Ms. Bernstein is a highly skilled litigator who started her career as a prosecutor for the Administration of Children’s Services and later representing children in highly contested custody cases and adults in high conflict matrimonial and family court proceedings. She is also on the court approved presumptive divorce mediation panels for Kings, New York, Richmond and Bronx Counties.

Ms. Bernstein is committed to the practice of excellence of divorce and family law and is the Current President of the Family Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York, a consulting mediator and former board member of Familykind, Ltd., the New York Council on Divorce Mediation, New York Association of Collaborative Professionals, the Woman’s Bar of the State of New York, the New York State and Brooklyn Bar Associations, the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, and the Interdisciplinary Forum of Mental Health and the Law. She formerly sat on the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee for the NYC Bar Association. Ms. Bernstein regularly moderates and lectures continuing education programs for the Family Divorce Mediation Council for the City of New York, the New York Council on Divorce mediation, and the Brooklyn Bar Association and she appears as the attorney of record on appeals decided in the First and Second Departments.

Ms. Bernstein will be offering Parent Coordination services in the Fall of 2024.

Ms. Bernstein regularly blogs and offers videos on family law topics of interest to her clients and the family law community which can be found on this website, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

Education

  • Brooklyn Law School, Brooklyn, New York
    • J.D. - 1987
  • SUNY-Binghamton, Binghamton, New York
    • B.A., With Distinction - 1984
    • Major: Political Science

Bar Admission

  • New York, 1988
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 1991
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York, 1991

Representative Cases

  • In re Winston Lloyd D., 7 A.D.3d 706, 777 N.Y.S.2d 175 (Second Dept. 2004) (2004 WL 1109526) (2004 N.Y. Slip Op. 04016)
  • In re Draven B., 52 A.D.3d 704, 858 N.Y.S.2d 915 (Second Dept. 2008)(2008 WL 2456108)(2008 N.Y. Slip Op. 05691)
  • In re Arthur C., 66 A.D.3d 1009, 887 N.Y.S.2d 679 (Second Dept. 2009)(2009 WL 3488431)(2009 N.Y. Slip Op. 07835)
  • In re Brookes MC., 68 A.D.3d 1117, 891 N.Y.S.2d 480 (Second Dept. 2009)(2009 WL 4985029)(2009 N.Y. Slip Op. 09662)
  • In re Daniel Marcus Y., 77 A.D.3d 843, 909 N.Y.S.2d 378 (Second Dept. 2010)(2010 WL 4118118)(2010 N.Y. Slip Op. 07554)
  • In re Darrell W., 110 A.D.3d 1088, 974 N.Y.S.2d 85 (Second Dept. 2013)(2013 WL 5813548)(2013 N.Y. Slip Op. 07051)
  • In re Michael O. F., 119 A.D.3d 785, 989 N.Y.S.2d 343 (Second Dept. 2014)(2014 WL 3446538)
  • In re Christina L.N., 113 A.D.3d 777, 979 N.Y.S.2d 350 (Second Dept. 2014)(2014 WL 223800)(2014 N.Y. Slip Op. 00361)
  • In re Madison B., 123 A.D.3d 1027, 999 N.Y.S.2d 496 (Second Dept. 2014)(2014 WL 7332545)
  • In re Liam Q., 123 A.D.3d 722, 998 N.Y.S.2d 418 (Second Dept. 2014)(2014 WL 6779003)(2014 N.Y. Slip Op. 08440)
  • In re Derrick D.A., 134 A.D.3d 928, 22 N.Y.S.3d 472 (Second Dept. 2015)(2015 WL 8821560)
  • In re Annata M., 140 A.D.3d 959, 35 N.Y.S.3d 148 (Second Dept. 2016)(2016 WL 3265518)
  • In re Deatrus Amir D., 136 A.D.3d 900, 26 N.Y.S.3d 143 (Second Dept. 2016)(2016 WL 619025)
  • In re Joshua V., 137 A.D.3d 1153, 28 N.Y.S.3d 97 (Second Dept. 2016)(2016 WL 1125848)
  • In re Destiny A. K., 147 A.D.3d 758, 46 N.Y.S.3d 179 (Second Dept. 2017)(2017 WL 424601)
  • In re Kolsuma B., 154 A.D.3d 842, 62 N.Y.S.3d 179 (Second Dept. 2017)(2017 WL 4657552)
  • Cristal O.C. v. Chris C., 161 A.D.3d 726, 72 N.Y.S.3d 837 (Second Dept. 2018)(2018 WL 2031557)
  • Matter of Taylor P., 163 A.D.3d 678, 76 N.Y.S.3d 838 (Second Dept. 2018)(2018 WL 3371517)
  • In re Destiny M., 166 A.D.3d 533, 89 N.Y.S.3d 49 (First Dept. 2018)(2018 WL 6174874)
  • In re Tiara Dora S., 170 A.D.3d 458, 96 N.Y.S.3d 21 (First Dept. 2019)(2019 WL 1064045)
  • In re Evanna S., 170 A.D.3d 496, 93 N.Y.S.3d 855 (First Dept. 2019)(2019 WL 1178841)
  • Gillespy v. Ceus, 200 A.D.3d 1033, 155 N.Y.S.3d 812 (Second Dept. 2021)(2021 WL 6130317)
  • Matter of Kishanda S., 190 A.D.3d 747, 138 N.Y.S.3d 204 (Second Dept. 2021)(2021 WL 115776)
  • Matter of Grace G., 194 A.D.3d 712, 147 N.Y.S.3d 125 (Second Dept. 2021)(2021 WL 1774163)
  • Marthina S. J. Z. H.-B. R. Mercyfirst v. Calvin R., 198 A.D.3d 655, 156 N.Y.S.3d 50 (Second Dept. 2021)(2021 WL 4561332)
  • Matter of Ariah L., 198 A.D.3d 647, 152 N.Y.S.3d 344 (Second Dept. 2021)(2021 WL 4558411)
  • Gulyamova v. Abdullaev, 53 A.D.3d 489, 859 N.Y.S.2d 573 (Second Dept. 2008)(2008 WL 2609341)(2008 N.Y. Slip Op. 06153)
  • Game v. Game, 52 A.D.3d 777, 859 N.Y.S.2d 384 (Second Dept. 2008)(2008 WL 2522335)(2008 N.Y. Slip Op. 05884)
  • Paul v. Sawyer, 78 A.D.3d 710, 911 N.Y.S.2d 383 (Second Dept. 2010)(2010 WL 4366903)
  • Anwar v. Sani, 78 A.D.3d 827, 910 N.Y.S.2d 656 (Second Dept. 2010)(2010 WL 4540482)
  • Swanton v. Swanton, 70 A.D.3d 927, 893 N.Y.S.2d 876 (Second Dept. 2010)(2010 WL 550762)
  • Howard A.W. v. Nyah Vernell J., 88 A.D.3d 733, 930 N.Y.S.2d 483 (Second Dept. 2011)(2011 WL 4600458)(2011 N.Y. Slip Op. 07066)
  • Flores v. Flores, 91 A.D.3d 869, 936 N.Y.S.2d 676 (Second Dept. 2012)(2012 WL 234049)
  • Tobar v. Velez-Molina, 95 A.D.3d 1224, 945 N.Y.S.2d 341 (Second Dept. 2012)(2012 WL 1859949)
  • Diaz v. Diaz, 97 A.D.3d 747, 948 N.Y.S.2d 413 (Second Dept. 2012)(2012 WL 2913494)(2012 N.Y. Slip Op. 05635)
  • Singh v. Singh, et al., 112 A.D.3d 949, 976 N.Y.S.2d 893 (Second Dept. 2013)(2013 WL 6801049) (2013 N.Y. Slip Op. 08643)
  • Cruz v. Figueroa, 132 A.D.3d 669, 17 N.Y.S.3d 503 (Second Dept. 2015)(2015 WL 5827254)(2015 N.Y. Slip Op. 07266)
  • Giasemis v. Giasemis, 139 A.D.3d 794, 32 N.Y.S.3d 254 (Second Dept. 2016)(2016 WL 2726562)
  • Teel v. Minus, 152 A.D.3d 705, 59 N.Y.S.3d 99 (Second Dept. 2017)(2017 WL 3044690)
  • Craig S. v. Emily S., 149 A.D.3d 751, 51 N.Y.S.3d 152 (Second Dept. 2017)(2017 WL 1239731)
  • Pena v. Tiburcio, 162 A.D.3d 670, 78 N.Y.S.3d 233 (Second Dept. 2018)(2018 WL 2709824)
  • Dianna P. v. Damon B.-D., 165 A.D.3d 470, 85 N.Y.S.3d 62 (First Dept. 2018)(2018 WL 4923831)
  • Evelyn B. v. Vishnu P.A., 170 A.D.3d 625, 95 N.Y.S.3d 515 (First Dept. 2019)(2019 WL 1387121)
  • Cuccia–Terranova v. Terranova, 174 A.D.3d 528, 107 N.Y.S.3d 28 (Second Dept. 2019)(2019 WL 2843762)
  • Dawn S. v. Michael L. Y., 184 A.D.3d 462, 123 N.Y.S.3d 827 (First Dept. 2020)(2020 WL 3086480)
  • Clovis R.W. v. Sandra D., 195 A.D.3d 481, 150 N.Y.S.3d 71 (First Dept. 2021)(2021 WL 2323778)
  • Edem v. Wondemagegehu, 199 A.D.3d 795, 158 N.Y.S.3d 140 (Second Dept. 2021)(2021 WL 5226124)
  • Seleznov v. Pankratova, 57 A.D.3d 679, 871 N.Y.S.2d 189 (Second Dept. 2008)(2008 WL 5173467)(2008 N.Y. Slip Op. 09803)
  • McMinn v. Taylor, 118 A.D.3d 887, 988 N.Y.S.2d 247 (Second Dept. 2014)(2014 WL 2744533)(2014 N.Y. Slip Op. 04494)
  • Khost v. Ciampi, 189 A.D.3d 1409, 134 N.Y.S.3d 735 (Second Dept. 2020)(2020 WL 7636371)
  • Kaur v. Singh, 101 A.D.3d 877, 955 N.Y.S.2d 633 (Second Dept. 2012)(2012 WL 6177082)(2012 N.Y. Slip Op. 08526)
  • In re Linda F., 119 A.D.3d 944, 989 N.Y.S.2d 864 (Second Dept. 2014)(2014 WL 3732663)(2014 N.Y. Slip Op. 05542)
  • Tornheim v. Tornheim, 28 A.D.3d 535, 816 N.Y.S.2d 88 (Second Dept. 2006)(2006 WL 946150)(2006 N.Y. Slip Op. 02738)
  • Kaminash v. Levi, 102 A.D.3d 837, 958 N.Y.S.2d 725 (Second Dept. 2013)(2013 WL 238773)(2013 N.Y. Slip Op. 00308)
  • Hogan v. Hogan, 159 A.D.3d 679, 71 N.Y.S.3d 601 (Second Dept. 2018)(2018 WL 1178385)
  • Giasemis v. Giasemis, 187 A.D.3d 718, 130 N.Y.S.3d 386 (Second Dept. 2020)(2020 WL 5931043)
  • Wondemagegehu v. Edem, 199 A.D.3d 871, 154 N.Y.S.3d 276 (Second Dept. 2021)(2021 WL 5226212)
  • Matter of Chloe. P.-M., 220 A.D.3d 783 (2d Dept. 2023)
  • Matter of Donald M.P., 223 A.D.3d 671 (2d Dept. 2024)
  • In the Matter of Joe T., v. Danesha T., 226 AD3d 450 (1st Dept. 2024)

Honors

  • 2024 Super Lawyers Recognition in the field of Family Law

Classes & Seminars

  • Mediating with Attorneys in the Room: Brooklyn Bar Association (2024), Family Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York, Interdisciplinary Forum on Mental health and the Law
  • Update on the Law (2024): New York State Divorce Mediation Council
  • Beyond the Bar Podcast with Denisa Tova-Liebman (2024)
  • Will Work for Food Podcast: Mediating in the Shadow of the Law (2024)
  • Marketing for Mediators (2023): Family Divorce Mediation Council
  • Keeping the Children in Mind with Rachel Green (2023)
  • Use of Neutral Financial Consultants in Mediation (2022): Family Divorce Mediation Council
  • Maintenance and Spousal Support Considerations (2019): Family Divorce Mediation Council
  • Mediation and Domestic Violence (2019): Family Divorce Mediation Council
  • Family Court Appeals (2019): Brooklyn Bar Association
  • Mediation v. Litigation (2013): Familykind, Ltd.
  • University speaking engagements on Family Law Litigation and Mediation: Borough of Manhattan Community College (2024), Binghamton University (2021), Seton Hall Law School Family Law Mediation Clinic (2011-2012).