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.

To e-mail Walter A. Lesnevich, please click here.

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.

To e-mail Madeline M. Marzano-Lesnevich, please click here.

Amanda S. Trigg, Partner

Amanda Trigg is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the national premier organization devoted to the practice matrimonial law. Amanda also holds the only specialty certification as a Matrimonial Law Attorney in New Jersey, which is conferred by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Amanda achieved these distinctions by dedicating her practice solely to family law, contributing to the legal education community, receiving recommendations from judges and fellow attorneys, and by passing a rigorous examination for each honor. 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. 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 licensed to practice in New Jersey, New York and Georgia.

At Brandeis University, Amanda was a Justice Louis D. Brandeis Scholar, and attained her B.A. degree cum laude in 1991. In 1994, Amanda graduated from Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia, and was honored with membership in its Order of Barristers. 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 is an officer of the New Jersey State Bar Association Family Law Section, having originally been appointed as a member of its Executive Committee in 2004. Amanda also serves on the editorial board of the New Jersey Family Lawyer and she extends her dedication to family law through publications such as an op-ed piece on changes to the palimony laws, published in The Bergen Record, as well as other articles in the area of family law: "Legal Custody in the 21st Century: Parents' Rights to Make Decisions About Children's Presence and Participation in the Internet" in the New Jersey Family Lawyer; "Comparing Custody and Parenting Time: U.S. Supreme Court Offers Guidance," in the New Jersey Law Journal. She also frequently lectures to attorneys at seminars on trends and developments in family law.

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.

To e-mail Amanda S. Trigg, please click here.

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.

To e-mail Michael R. Mildner, please click here.

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.

To e-mail Francesca M. O'Cathain, please click here.

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.

To e-mail Matthew N. Tsocanos, please click here.

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.

To e-mail Seth Parker, please click here.

Domhnall O'Cathain, Associate

Domhnall is from Co. Cork, Ireland. He practices personal injury law in New York and New Jersey.

His clients are victims of construction hazards, medical malpractice, automobile wrecks, elevator collapse, workplace negligence, gunshot wounds, pedestrian knockdowns, and other tragic situations that cause traumatic injuries.

If you, a friend, a family member, or any loved one, is a victim of any injury that was caused or partly caused by some other person or business, you can contact Domhnall for a free consultation: click here. Domhnall will help you find the answers to what went wrong and discuss whether you should bring a lawsuit.

Domhnall started his legal career working for three years at the top medical malpractice defense firm in New York City where he focused on preparing doctors and hospitals for trial in multimillion dollar cases. Through meticulous preparation, the team within the firm had a 100% success rate at trial during those three years. He now uses that expertise in representing patients who were injured by the carelessness of doctors and hospitals.

Domhnall’s career before the law also benefits his practice as a personal injury lawyer. He first started working in construction at age sixteen and continued working in construction through to 2004. That experience in construction gives him the knowledge to fight the many defenses of the construction companies to get the best results for victims.

A large part of Domhnall’s practice is representing tourists who are injured while visiting the U.S.A. Attorneys throughout the world refer personal injury cases to him. Because of the many pitfalls he has seen for injured tourists bringing lawsuits in the U.S.A., he co-authored, with solicitor Conway O’Hara, “Bad-Apple”, an article advising lawyers on how to handle cases where tourists are injured in accidents in New York. Law Society Gazette

Domhnall is the first attorney to hold senior positions in all three of the leading Irish-American bar organizations in the New York metropolitan area. Currently the President of the Irish American Bar Association of New York, he is also a founding member and Advisor to the Irish American Bar Association of New Jersey and Secretary of the Brehon Law Society of New York. Irish American Bar Association of New York and Irish American Bar Association of New Jersey.

Domhnall is a contributor to the Irish and Irish-American media. He has been interviewed on national radio and television in Ireland, and been published in the Irish Echo. In 2009, he was honored by the Irish Echo as an attorney. In May 2010, he briefed Congress on the status of the legal rights of Irish Gaelic speakers in Northern Ireland.

Domhnall graduated with a Bachelor of Civil Law degree from University College Cork, Ireland in 2000; with a LLM from Fordham University School of Law in 2005; and with a Juris Doctorate from the Foreign Lawyers Program at Rutgers University School of Law, Newark in 2010.

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

To e-mail Domhnall O'Cathain, please click here.

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.

Corrie S. Sirkin, Esq. Associate

Corrie Sirkin is an associate in the Family Law Department of Lesnevich & Marzano-Lesnevich, LLC. She received her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in Charlottesville, VA. She previously practiced family law at Central Jersey Legal Services through the University of Virginia Law School Post-Graduate Fellowship and was trained in mediation through the UVA Law Family Alternative Dispute Resolution Clinic. Corrie authored the article "Don't Believe Your Eyes: Spoofing" for the Electronically in Touch Newsletter of the Young Lawyers Section of the New York State Bar Association.

Corrie received Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Virginia. She is admitted to practice in New Jersey, New York and Virginia. Corrie is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association Family Law Section, New Jersey Young Lawyers Division, New York State Bar Association, Virginia State Bar and Young Lawyers Conference of the Virginia State Bar. She practices exclusively in the field of Family Law.

Joseph DiPiazza

Joe practices exclusively in the area of Matrimonial Law and his practice includes all aspects of family law.

Prior to becoming associated with the firm, Joe clerked for the Honorable Bonnie J. Mizdol, Presiding Family Court Judge of Bergen County in the Superior Court of New Jersey.

Joe graduated from Rutgers University and received his Juris Doctorate in law from Quinnipiac University School of Law. While attending law school, Joe served on the editorial board of Dictum, a publication of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Young Lawyer Division.

To e-mail Joseph DiPiazza, please click here.