About Jo
As an experienced lawyer and mediator, Jo understands the emotional, legal and financial components to a separation and divorce, as well as the decision to get married. Jo is a family mediator and collaborative attorney who dedicates her entire practice to helping families in New York find out of court solutions.
Prior to opening up her own practice, Jo was a commercial litigator at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, LLP and Friedman, Wang & Bleiberg, LLP (now Foley & Lardner, LLP). Seeing first-hand the emotional and financial toll of litigation, and appreciating that it often is ill-suited for family disputes, Jo shifted gears, and has spent the last decade plus successfully mediating amicable, creative, and sustainable settlements.
Jo has trained extensively and across many modalities of mediation. She primarily is an interest-based mediator – moving clients from positions to underlying interests. She respects her clients as unique individuals who are the ultimate authorities on what is in the best interest for themselves and their families. Jo takes pride in her personalized and attentive service, and former clients have praised her calm, kind and steady demeanor.
As a mediator, legal consultant and collaborative attorney, Jo guides and supports each client with compassion and understanding. She helps separating and divorcing couples navigate co-parenting, support, and asset distribution, and handles all stages of the process – mediation, drafting of agreements, and uncontested court filings. Jo also works with couples who are just entering marriage or hopeful to stay married and in need of prenuptial or postnuptial agreements.
Education
- New York University School of Law, J.D. 1994
- University of Michigan, B.A. History, 1991
Bar & Court Admissions
- New York, New Jersey, and Florida
- United States District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
Professional Affiliations
- Secretary, New York State Council on Divorce Mediation (NYSCDM)
- Former Vice President and Secretary, Family & Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York (FDMC)
- New York Association of Collaborative Professionals (NYACP)
- Dispute Resolution and Family Law Sections, New York State Bar Association (NYSBA)
- National Association of Divorce Professionals (NADP)
- Westchester Women’s Bar Association (WWMA)
Court Appointments
- Matrimonial Mediation Roster for Supreme Court, New York and Westchester Counties.
Selected Mediation and Collaborative Trainings, Certificates & Pro Bono:
- The Center for Understanding in Conflict
- The Ackerman Institute for the Family
- Westchester and Rockland Mediation Centers of CLUSTER, Inc., a New York State Uniform Court System accredited mediation center.
- New York Association of Collaborative Professionals
Jo is grateful to do the work she does, and believes in giving back to the community. She mediates divorces and serves as pro bono/low bono consulting attorney for low income divorcing clients as part of the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) Mediation Project, CLUSTER, and FamilyKind.
Jo lives in Larchmont, New York with her husband, 3 children, and rambunctious Bernadoodle Edna, and has a daily meditation practice which keeps her grounded and grateful.
What Clients Say About Jo
“It takes a special kind of person to do what you do, Jo. Thank you for taking such good care of R and me from beginning to end. We can’t thank you enough.” J.D., New York, NY
“I was so afraid and anxious about our separation and divorce. I was worried about the children and about money. It was a very painful time for D and me. I’m just writing Jo to tell you that it was a pleasure to work with you and that you helped us find our best selves, and come out safely and securely (and for the better) on the other side. You were professional, efficient and caring. Thank you for everything” L.M., Westchester, NY
“I was not looking forward to negotiating a prenup with M before our wedding, but she felt it was important. Thankfully a friend referred us to you. In the midst of wedding and honeymoon planning, the last thing I wanted to do was think about death and divorce. Thank you for your kindness and clarity and for pushing us to understand our priorities. We both were comfortable having intimate conversations with you, and having signed our prenup, we go into our marriage with eyes wide open. Thank you again.” A.S., New York, NY
In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple.
In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control.
In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.
Lao Tzu