Our staff of Family Court attorneys represent individuals in a myriad of matters including:

• The parent, foster parent or other person having legal custody of a child in a Neglect/Abuse proceeding or Termination of Parental Rights case; (FCA Article 10)

• Family Offense cases / Orders of Protection cases (FCA Article 8)

• The parent of any child seeking custody or contesting a substantial infringement or deprivation of his/her right to custody in any proceeding.  However, if there is a pending matrimonial action, the custody/visitation matter must be scheduled in the Supreme Court (FCA Article 6)

• Any person who is charged with contempt of a court order or willful violation of a previous court order;

• A Respondent in any custody/visitation case

(FCA Article 6 (3))

• A parent who opposes the adoption of his/her child

• A Respondent in a paternity proceeding (Article 5)

Our Family Court staff attorneys are employed on a full-time basis and practice law exclusively in Nassau County Family Court.  All of our attorneys are experienced in helping their clients navigate the complicated and emotional challenges of Family Court, and strive to provide all clients with caring and quality representation. Clients will have the opportunity to develop an attorney-client relationship with an attorney who will represent them at every stage of the Family Court proceeding from the initial interview to case conclusion. Lauren Broderick is the Chief of the Family Court Bureau and Jamie Birk is the Deputy Bureau Chief.

How are Legal Aid Attorneys in Family Court Assigned to Your Case?

On the first court appearance, litigants will be advised of their rights to counsel and should inform the court if they are financially unable to retain an attorney. The court will assign the Legal Aid Society to represent an individual if he/she qualifies financially for assigned counsel in accordance with Family Court Act § 262.

 Individuals in certain types of cases may be assigned legal representation by Family Court judges, Court Attorney Referees or Support Magistrates if the individual is financially unable to retain his/her own attorney. Please note that Family Court Act § 262 does not allow for the assignment of counsel for individuals seeking child support, to enforce a child support order or any matters related to a Supreme Court matrimonial matter. Legal Aid Society of Nassau County does not handle divorce actions.  If you require representation in such support matters, or a case related to a divorce (including the commencement/defense of a matrimonial action) please contact the Nassau County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service at (516) 747-4832 or by email at lawyerreferral@nassaubar.org for assistance. In your email, include your name and a contact phone number.