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's most recent representation in a Federal reported case is United States vs. Brahm; 520 Federal Supplement 2nd 619 (D.N.J. 2007). The case dealt with a constitutional challenge to the Patriot Act.

Madeline M. Marzano-Lesnevich, Partner

Madeline specializes in complicated matrimonial law, custody, grandparents' rights, domestic violence, child support and parenting time cases. She has achieved the extraordinary distinction of being 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 currently is Chair, NJSBA Family Law Section. Lesnevich & Marzano-Lesnevich, LLC has the experience, credentials and compassion to effectively handle your difficult legal challenges.

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.

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, Associate

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.

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, Associate

Francesca received her Bachelor's degree from Claremont McKenna College in California and her J.D. from the University Of Connecticut School Of Law. She practices in the area of Family Law and Juvenile Criminal and Family Law issues. She is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association Family Law Section.

Francesca is a member of the Irish-American Bar Association of New York, and travels extensively throughout Ireland. She has received the Award of Merit from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for her work assisting children.

Francesca M. O'Cathain has completed The Institute for Family Law Associates training course in Chicago, Illinois, offered by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

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. Judge Pincus sat in the Family Law Division.

Jeffrey graduated from Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts and received his Jurist Doctorate Degree from Rutgers University School of Law, Camden, New Jersey in 2006.

Seth Parker, Associate

Seth has recently joined the Family Law Department of Lesnevich & Marzano-Lesnevich, LLC, after completing a one year judicial clerkship assisting The Honorable Maureen B. Mantineo, Presiding Family Court Judge of Hudson County, Superior Court of New Jersey. As a Law Clerk, Seth was responsible for preparing and drafting orders, analyzing motions, mediating cases, and researching for Judge Mantineo on all issues pertaining to Family Law.

Seth graduated from Brandeis University in May 2003 and received his Juris Doctorate in law from Suffolk Law School, Boston, Massachusetts, in 2006.

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.

Domhnall is the Treasurer and a Director of the Irish American Bar Association of New York.

After graduating from college, Domhnall spent several years working in the construction industry on multimillion dollar projects. Domhnall's primary languages are English and Irish Gaelic. He is also proficient in French.