Attorneys

Walter A. Lesnevich, Partner

During more than 30 years as a personal injury and criminal defense attorney, Mr. Lesnevich has amassed considerable skill and experience and has tried many cases in these areas: professional malpractice, wrongful death, automobile accidents and injuries, medical malpractice, drug and medical device litigation, products liability, homicide and criminal defense. He has defended persons in State and Federal Courts accused of murder, financial crimes, rape, sexual assault, computer crimes and child pornography. He is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial and Criminal Trial Attorney, something only the most skilled lawyers achieve and maintain. He has extensive awards and publications and he has contributed his time to a number of professional organizations, most notably as Chair, Supreme Court Board on Attorney Certification. While he is very accomplished professionally, what truly sets him apart is his personal approach to every client. Walt believes in a hands on, full blast, effort on behalf of people who need a trial lawyer.

Walt recently represented Edward Ates in the widely publicized case of State of New Jersey v. Edward Ates, a first degree murder case. The two and a half month trial generated a great deal of publicity with the case being reported in over 500 newspapers worldwide and carried on over 50 television stations. Walt appeared on Good Morning America and CNN, as well as numerous other broadcasts. For more information on that trial go to the page devoted to it.

Walt recently concluded representing a motorcycle rider who was severely injured in an accident in Westchester County, New York. The case settled for $1.6 million dollars after being fully prepared for trial. This is considered a large amount for a motorcycle injury case.

Walt represented in a Federal reported case the United States vs. Brahm; 520 Federal Supplement 2nd 619 (D.N.J. 2007). The case dealt with a constitutional challenge to the Patriot Act.

Walt was recently elected Vice Chairman of the Primerus Personal Injury and Consumer Law Group.

Madeline M. Marzano-Lesnevich, Partner

Madeline specializes in complicated matrimonial law, custody, grandparents' rights, domestic violence, child support and parenting time cases. She has been named a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and has been Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Attorney. As a mother of five, her compassion and personal insight into family dynamics enhances her ability to handle difficult cases for clients in turmoil. She has numerous professional publications, has lectured to lawyers and judges on family law issues, has actively participated in professional organizations, and formerly served as Chair of the NJSBA Family Law Section. Lesnevich & Marzano-Lesnevich, LLC has the experience, credentials and compassion to effectively handle your difficult legal challenges.

Her articles have appeared in national and statewide publications.

Amanda S. Trigg, Partner

Amanda Trigg is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. The Academy is the outstanding organization devoted to the practice matrimonial law. Very few attorneys throughout the United States are admitted to fellowship status. It is a national honor. Amanda has also been certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Certified Matrimonial Attorney. This is the only specialty certification awarding organization in New Jersey. The Supreme Court has certified Amanda as one of the approximately 125 Certified Matrimonial Attorneys in the entire state. In order to achieve both of these rankings Amanda had to be recognized by the Academy and by the Supreme Court as extremely proficient in matrimonial law; she had to receive recommendations from judges and fellow attorneys, and pass a rigorous examination for each honor. It is a tribute to Amanda's scholarship and experience in matrimonial law that she has achieved these rankings.

After attending Brandeis University at a Justice Louis D. Branders Scholar, and attaining her B.A. degree cum laude, in 1991, Amanda attended Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia and received her Juris Doctorate in 1994.

Amanda's practice is limited to family law; matrimonial law; divorce; child custody; child support; visitation rights; restraining orders; and the field of adoption law. She is licensed to practice in New Jersey, New York and Georgia.

Amanda is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association Family Law Section and has been very active in the section. She currently serves as Co- Chair of the Legislative Committee of the Family Law Executive Committee. She was first appointed to a member of the Executive Committee of the Section in 2004. Also in 2004, Amanda obtained specialized matrimonial litigation training at the Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute, of the American Bar Association's Section of Family Law.

Amanda has published several articles in the area of Family Law; "The New Case Information Statement, "New Jersey Law Journal, Supplement, August 16, 2004; "Make the Most of Spousal Support," New Jersey Law Journal, May 12, 2003; "Climbing the Corporate Ladder: Obtaining Proper Post-Divorce Compensation to the Dependent Spouse Who Supports the Ascension," New Jersey Family Lawyer, September, 2002; "Increased Need for Identification Agreements," New Jersey Family Lawyer, March 2006.

Amanda S. Trigg has lectured to lawyers in the area of Family Law including, Taxation for Family Lawyers, 2004; Beyond the Family Part: What Matrimonial Attorneys Need to Know about Bankruptcy, Immigration, Personal Injury, Taxation, Estate Planning and Disability Issues, 2004, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education; Custody Basics, 2006; Family Law for Paralegals, 2005. Panelist, Evidence for Family Lawyers, New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 2005.

She was also an Adjunct Professor, Family Law, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, New York, 2003-2006. In 2009, the New Jersey Law Journal recognized Amanda as one of "40 under 40" attorneys, statewide in all areas of law, highlighting her accomplishments in the field of family law. She is the author of an op-ed piece on palimony, published in The Bergen Record.

Amanda's experience and devotion to the subject of Family Law allows her to bring exceptional knowledge to the problems and issues confronting her clients.

Michael R. Mildner, Partner

Michael Mildner practices in the area of Criminal Defense and Personal Injury Law. He has been deeply involved in criminal defense cases ranging from complicated Federal and State charges to Municipal Court charges. His work in personal injury has involved automobile accidents, product liability, medical malpractice and other areas of negligence law.

Mike is admitted in the Courts of the State of New Jersey and the United States District Court for the District for the District of New Jersey. He is also admitted in the Courts of the State of New York and the United States District for the Southern District of New York.

Michael R. Mildner graduated from William Paterson College of New Jersey with a B.A. degree in 1996 and received his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers University Law School, Newark in 2000.

Mike has completed the Justice Morris Pashman Inns of Court Trial Lawyer Program. He is a member of the New Jersey Trial Lawyers Association and the American Justice Association. He has completed numerous A.A.J. and Primerus trial advocacy programs.

Sarah J. Jacobs, Associate

Sarah is admitted to practice law in the States of New Jersey and New York, and in the Federal Court for the District of New Jersey. She practices exclusively in the area of Matrimonial Law and her practice includes all aspects of family law.

Sarah attended the University of Maryland at College Park where in 1999 she received her B.A. from the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences with a concentration in Government and Politics. Sarah was also a member of the University Honors Program and received a Certificate from the program, as well as a Certificate Degree in Women's Studies. Sarah then went to Hofstra University School of Law in Long Island, New York, where in 2002 she received her Juris Doctorate.

While at Hofstra, Sarah was a member of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy's Mock Trial Team two years in a row, and she was awarded The Judge Edward Hart Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Trial Advocacy. Sarah was also a member of Hofstra University's Child Advocacy Clinic, where she acted as a Law Guardian for abused and neglected children in the Queens and Nassau County Family Courts. For her work associated with the Clinic, Sarah was awarded The Stephanie E. Kupferman Juvenile Justice Endowed Scholarship.

Sarah has completed The Institute for Family Law Associates training course in Chicago, Illinois offered by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and is currently a member of the Young Lawyers Committee of the Family Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association.

Sarah has written extensively on the subject of Family Law and is the co-author of "To Decide or Not to Decide: The Practical Approach to Implementation of the Parent Coordination Process," New Jersey Family Lawyer, October 2006; "Domestic Partnership/Pre-Partnership Agreements: The Dos and Don'ts of Drafting," New Jersey Family Lawyer, November 2004; "The New Domestic Partnership Act," Institution of Continuing Legal Education, Twelfth Annual American Academy of Family Lawyer's Family Law Forum, 2004 Seminar Materials; "Preparing Your Client for the Psychological Examination," Institution of Continuing Legal Education, Hot Tips in Family Law, 40 Tips from 40 Experts in 4 Hours!, 2005 Seminar Materials; and is the author of "Spouses No Longer, Parents Forever: Family Lawyers and the Quest to Understand Our Duties Towards the Children of Our Clients", New Jersey Law Journal, Family Law Supplement, August 4, 2003, and "How Do You Handle Custody and Visitation When Domestic Partners Separate?" New Jersey Law Journal, March 3, 2003.

Francesca M. O'Cathain, Esq.

Francesca received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Claremont McKenna College in California, where she majored in Government and Psychology. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Connecticut School of Law. She is admitted to practice in New Jersey and New York. She successfully completed both the Beginners and the Advanced Sessions of The Institute for Training Family Law Associates offered by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML).

Francesca practices in all areas of Family Law and Juvenile Criminal Law. Francesca is a member of the Family Law and Young Lawyers Sections of the New Jersey State Bar Association. She serves as the Co-Chair of the Charity Committee of the New Jersey State Bar Association Family Law Section.

Francesca is Treasurer and a founding member of the Irish American Bar Association of New Jersey, a member of the Irish-American Bar Association of New York, and a member of the Brehon Law Society. Francesca has extensive contacts in Ireland and represents numerous Irish citizens in matrimonial actions in the USA.

She has received the Award of Merit from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for her work assisting children in Hague Convention matters. Also, Francesca has lectured to the AAML-NJ chapter on Discovery in the Federal Courts in Hague Convention Cases.

Matthew N. Tsocanos, Associate

After attending Rutgers University and attaining his B.A. in history as a member of the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honors Society, Matt received his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in 2002. He is licensed to practice in New Jersey, New York and the Federal District of New Jersey.

Matt served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Daniel M. Waldman, J.S.C. in the Chancery Division, Family Part, Monmouth County, New Jersey, prior to entering private practice. Since then he has practiced exclusively in the area of Family Law focusing on Divorce, Child Custody and Visitation, Domestic Violence, Grandparent Visitation Rights, Post Judgment Modifications, Palimony, Child Support for high wage earners and complicated jurisdictional issues.

Matt is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association Family Law Section. Matt was a member of the Seton Hall Inn of Court and participates in the Northern New Jersey Family Law Inns of Court.

Jeffrey B. Hodge, Associate

Jeff joined the Family Law Department of Lesnevich & Marzano-Lesnevich, LLC after completing a one year judicial clerkship with the Honorable Diane Pincus, Judge of the Superior Court, Middlesex County, New Jersey, in the Family Law Division.

After graduating from Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, Jeff received his Jurist Doctorate Degree from Rutgers University School of Law, Camden, New Jersey.

Jeff practices exclusively in the area of family law, in both trial court and appellate matters. He is a member of the American Bar Association as well as the New Jersey State Bar Association (Family Law Section, Young Lawyers Division), and successfully completed the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Summer Institute for Associates.

Jeff co-authored the article "The New Bankruptcy Act and Its Impact of Family Law: An Update" for the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and co-authored the article "An Open Question: Assembly Bill 2557 and Adoption in New Jersey" for the New Jersey Family Lawyer.

Seth Parker, Associate

Seth is admitted to practice law in the States of New Jersey and Massachusetts, and in the Federal Court for the District of New Jersey. He practices exclusively in the area of Matrimonial Law and his practice includes all aspects of family law.

Seth graduated from Brandeis University and received his Juris Doctorate in law from Suffolk Law School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Prior to becoming associated with the firm, Seth clerked for the Honorable Maureen B. Mantineo, Presiding Family Court Judge of Hudson County, Superior Court of New Jersey.

Seth also successfully argued in front of the New Jersey Appellate Division in a matter pertaining to the return of children from Pakistan vis-à-vis the six-month home state provision of the UCCJEA.

Seth successfully completed the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Summer Institute for Associates. He is also a member of the American Bar Association, and the New Jersey State Bar Association (Family Law Section, Young Lawyers Division).

He has co-authored two articles; "The New Bankruptcy Act and Its Impact on Family Law: An Update" which was published and used by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and "Interspousal Gifts As Marital Property" which was published and used by Hot Tips in Family Law. Seth also assisted in the articles, "Use of Subpoenas in a Family Part Action" and "Preparing for Your Attorney's Domestic Violence Hearing" for the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education.

Domhnall O'Cathain, Associate

Domhnall is from Co. Cork, Ireland. He received his Bachelor's degree in Civil Law from University College Cork, Ireland in 2000 and his LLM degree in International Business and Trade Law from Fordham University School of Law, New York City, New York in 2005. He practices in the areas of Personal Injury, Criminal Defense and International Law.

A large part of his practice involves representing tourists that are injured while visiting the United States of America, and he authored the article "Crunched in the Big Apple" specifically dealing with the pitfalls of visitors in New York City for Primerus Monthly Magazine. Domhnall co-authored, with solicitor Conway O'Hara, "Bad-Apple," an article that advises lawyers on how to handle cases where tourists are injured in accidents in New York. The article was published in the prestigious Law Society Gazette in Ireland. Attorneys throughout the world refer personal injury cases to him.

After graduating from college, Domhnall spent several years working in the construction industry on multimillion dollar projects. He brings this experience to the representation of persons injured in construction site accidents.

Domhnall is Director and President-elect of the Irish American Bar Association of New York. He is Publicity Director and Secretary of the Brehon Law Society. He is on the Board of Advisors of the Irish American Bar Association of New Jersey.

In 2009, he was honored by the Irish Echo.

Domhnall is a contributor to Irish media, and has been published in the Irish Echo.

Domhnall's primary languages are English and Irish Gaelic. He is also proficient in French.

Molly S. Turpin, Associate

Molly Turpin is an associate in the Family Law Department of Lesnevich & Marzano-Lesnevich, LLC. She received her J.D. from New England School of Law in Boston, MA. She was also a member of a pro-bono committee focusing on family law cases and received training from The Family Law Project and Volunteer Lawyers Project of Boston.

Molly received her Bachelor's degree from Endicott College in Beverly, MA, with a concentration in Criminal Justice and Psychology. While attending Endicott College, she participated in a four-year internship program where she completed internships with law firms in and around Boston, MA. She received an award for her excellence in performance.

Molly is admitted to practice law in the state of New Jersey, and practices exclusively in the field of Family Law.

Ben Levine, Of Counsel

Ben Levine, a former Naval Officer and a former Deputy Attorney General of New Jersey, has been a trial attorney for more than 30 years. He is admitted to practice in New Jersey and New York, as well as before the United States Supreme Court and the International Criminal Court in The Hague, The Netherlands. He has been certified as a trial attorney by the New Jersey Supreme Court, and he has been recognized as a Diplomate of the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Ben has achieved awards of $1 million or more in numerous cases and has represented clients not only in New Jersey and New York, but also throughout the United States. In addition, he serves as liaison counsel to out-of-state law firms that wish to bring cases in New Jersey. Among the cases in which Ben has achieved outstanding results are representation of more than 60 firemen who suffered injuries such as cancer and emphysema due to the explosion of an illegal chemical dump; representation of several hemophilia patients who became infected with HIV/AIDS from contaminated blood supplies; and representation of the families of victims of the notorious 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy. One of his WTC cases was designated as a test case in order to determine the minimum amount for which those cases would be settled pursuant to the bill passed by the U.S. Congress. He has also successfully represented clients in numerous product liability and medical malpractice cases, and in civil rights cases for such claims as police brutality, racial profiling by state authorities, and deprivation of prisoner's rights. In addition, he has represented clients in business tort cases such as unfair competition and contract violations, Ben has been chosen by the Council of Chiefs of the Ewe Tribe of West Africa as its business representative in the United States. He has authored and coauthored numerous books and articles. and is listed in Who's Who In America, Who's Who in the Law, and other publications.