Top Best Family Lawyers | 17895 Available

Practicing law since 2005. General practice with emphasis on family law, workers' compensation, and criminal law.

I'm a passionate South Jersey attorney with a committment to justice. I come from a tough, working-class family in Queens, NYC and have seen how hard it can be for ordinary people to get the justice they deserve in our legal system. I am committed to providing affordable legal representation to working folks throughout the South Jersey region.. I take each case personally and do everything that I can to ensure that you are treated fairly and justly by the courts, even if that means going the distance and taking your case to trial.

Before I begin to tell you about my academic awards and achievements, I want to take a moment to tell you that I've stood in your shoes.  I truly appreciate how intimidating the legal process can be to clients who are fighting to protect their interests, and those of their children.  As a witness to domestic violence and the child of a broken home, I know all too well the emotional and physical journey to create a new vision for your life.. I was drawn into Family law because of my own personal circumstances. My three month old nephew was placed up for adoption without my brother's consent.  He was placed with a family in Canada before we even knew he was missing.  My entire family was devastated and didn't have a clue about what to do next.  As the only attorney in the family, everyone looked to me for answers.  I had never touched a family law case before except for a clinic in law school.  This time, there was so much at stake.  Needless to say, I was scared to lose him and knew I had to do whatever I could.  I started in Family Court in NY and worked my way to Canada to pick him up almost three months later!  Although, it was probably the scariest thing I have every done, it was by far the most rewarding.  This helped me realize that my potential is so much greater than my fears.  Every time I look at my nephew, I am reminded at how blessed I am to have been able to earn a law degree to help others.. This personal story of triumph is what fuels my passion to be a compassionate legal advocate. One who strives for a holistic solution to the situation, rather than just a legal one.. Before starting my own firm in 2009, I served as a prosecutor in Pennsylvania and a law guardian (children’s attorney) in New Jersey. I am admitted to practice law in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The first in my family to complete college, I am a proud graduate of Columbia University and Temple Law School.. As the founder of a thriving law practice, a wife, and a mother of two wonderful children, I know the importance my own wellbeing plays in having a healthy family and successful business.  I am certified in Reiki and practice Bikram (Hot) Yoga.

Annmarie Jensen is a New Jersey and New York licensed trial attorney with more than 20 years experience, who concentrates her practice in the areas of Family Law, Mediation, Appellate Law and Personal Injury Law. She has earned such distinctions as Awesome Attorney – Personal Injury, South Jersey Magazine (2017) and Mediation, South Jersey Magazine (2018).Annmarie has earned two distinguished qualifications as a Mediator. In 2014, pursuant to NJ Sup. Ct. Rule 1:40, she earned the designation of Qualified Family Mediator. Preceding that, in 2011, Annmarie earned the designation of Qualified Civil Mediator pursuant to NJ Sup. Ct. Rule 1:40. Annmarie’s cooperative, dignified approach to family matters finds its origin in her completion of an around-the-world travel-study research grant that she was selected for as an undergraduate student. With a generous grant from the Circumnavigator’s Club Foundation, Annmarie traveled for two and a half months to six different countries to compare and contrast peaceful conflict resolution policies and approaches.. Annmarie earned her Juris Doctor from Rutgers School of Law-Newark in 1996, where she was elevated to the level of Technical Editor for the Women’s Rights Litigation Reporter law journal. Annmarie also served as a research and writing assistant to the director of a litigation clinic at Rutgers and traveled to New Orleans and New York representing the school in Appellate Moot Court competitions. Annmarie previously earned her B.B.A. cum laude with a double major in Political Science and Legal Studies from the University of Miami Honors Program.. Annmarie is admitted to practice in the State of New Jersey, the State of New York and before the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and the Supreme Court of the United States. She is a member of the New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators.. Annmarie joined Malamut & Associates, LLC in November of 2018.

Actively serving families in the Greater Philadelphi, South and Central New Jersey areas.

I consider myself a people person.  I like to know the client and have them know me.  The Attorney-Client privilege is extremely important as we work together as a team.  YOUR interests are my Number One concern.  My job is to represent them to the best of my talent and ability.  In 36 years, I have done this very successfully for thousands of people.  In some instances, I have represented several generations from the same family.  I will always be straightforward and honest with you and only do what makes sense for you under the circumstances.  I work for you.  You do not work for me.  I explain options and make recommendations.  You make decisions.  I guide you every step of the way to do what is best for you.  That said, once we create a game plan, I am your warrior if we have to go to battle.  I practice law with a good heart, a strong mind and a stronger will. That said, my reputation is as a pitbull or bulldog for my client's interests. It is rare I do not achieve results that are acceptable to my clients.  I went to law school to be able to help people.  I am proud to have made a successful career out of doing what I love.   I am very often a clearing house of services.  If I cannot solve your problems, I usually have a colleague who can assist us get you where you need to go.  I make and receive referrals from colleagues all around the country.   I look forward to helping you through any issues you may have.  Feel free to contact me as your needs require.

Building great relationships with clients is the cornerstone to Melinda Previtera’s successful practice as a divorce attorney. Her passion and experience allow her to tackle the most complicated cases with the confidence and knowledge needed to obtain the best outcomes for her clients. A partner of Petrelli Previtera, Melinda acts as a mentor for the firm’s associates.. In addition to divorce, Melinda represents clients in all areas of family law, including child support, custody, legal separation, and domestic violence law.. To Melinda, offering top-notch experience, education and above-and-beyond legal work is just the beginning. “We know the right people; we know the key players, the judges, adversaries, opposing counsel,” she explains in this video. “We know how to speak the language and get you the best results.”. While earning her law degree from Rutgers School of Law, Melinda received a certification in mediation. She also conducted research in child advocacy rights and completed a domestic violence clinic. She earned dual bachelor’s degrees, cum laude, from Dickinson College.. Melinda is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Prior to moving to private practice, she served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable James P. Savio in the family division. After working at Petrelli Law as an associate, Melinda joined the firm as a partner in 2017.

Charles C. Rifici, Esq. is a partner with Kearns Rotolo Law concentrating his practice on Family Law.. Charles joined the Firm in 2014 after completing a family clerkship with the Honorable Anthony F. Picheca, Jr., J.S.C. in Somerset County. Charles received his J.D. from Rutgers School of Law – Camden in 2013. In law school, he was selected to be a Marshall Brennan Fellow, a program that teaches the Constitution to high school students in Camden. He was also the Managing Research Editor for the Rutgers Journal of Law and Public Policy, and a Student Bar Association representative. Charles is a member of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Bars as well as the Hunterdon County Bar Association and the New Jersey State Bar Association.. In 2025 Charles was selected to the list of New Jersey Rising Stars. The is his ninth year of selection to the Rising Stars list which is generated by the Thomson Reuters organization according to the methodology and set of standards set forth in “Super Lawyers Selection Methodology.”. Charles was included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch© for his work in Family Law. He has been included on this list since 2022. Inclusion on this list is based on peer review to capture a consensus opinion of leading lawyers regarding the professional abilities of their colleagues. Further details on the selection methodology can be found on the Best Lawyers website.. Charles graduated from Rutgers University – New Brunswick in 2009 with a B.A. in English, Psychology, and Criminal Justice. At Rutgers, Charles played for the club soccer team and was a four-year participant in the Rutgers University Dance Marathon, which raises money each year to support children with cancer and their families.

I am very blessed to be a lawyer. Every day I know I make a difference in the lives of those people who trust their matters to me and my firm. I take that duty very, very seriously, and I get enormous personal satisfaction from helping our clients reach their objectives.. I am certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Civil Trial Attorney, and also a member of the Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Established in 1993, membership in the Million and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements.. I am proud to have again been selected to the list of New Jersey Super Lawyers and to have been selected every year since 2006 marking 2025 my 20th consecutive year of selection. I earned and have maintained the highest rating of AV Preeminent from Martindale-Hubbell and have also earned a Client Gold rating from Martindale-Hubbell.. I am admitted to practice in all New Jersey Courts, U.S. District Courts, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Tax Court. I'm a member of the Hunterdon County Bar Association and chair of its Bench/Bar Liaison and Unauthorized Practice of Law Committees. I also serve on the Civil Practice committee and as a commentator at the Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE). Previously, I taught trial practice to lawyers as an Adjunct Faculty Member of Hofstra University School of Law’s Trial Advocacy Program with The National Institute for Trial Advocacy Program. I am an Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association with the New Jersey Courts. Additionally, I have been appointed by the Court as a Discovery Master in complex contentious litigation.

Amber graduated from Rider University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and then attended Pace University obtaining a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling. She then attended Delaware Law earning her Juris Doctor while working full time as a paralegal.. Prior to being admitted as an Attorney, Amber worked in the mental health field for the State of New Jersey and then as a Paralegal for 7 years. She attended law school part time in the evening while working full time as a Paralegal.. She knew she wanted to be a lawyer at the age of 8 and specifically knew she wanted to concentrate her focus in the area of family law as it is her passion.. Prior to joining our Firm, she was the lead Attorney responsible for her own cases as well as the cases for the Attorneys working under her supervision. Some of her various responsibilities included managing administrative operations, identifying and implementing opportunities for growth and improvement, running her department and litigating for her clients’ best interests.. As an Attorney, Amber believes she and her peers should be amicable and approachable but aggressive when appropriate. Her favorite part about being an Attorney is her role in helping justice be served.. Amber is a member of the Ocean County Bar Association and a women's attorney group out of Monmouth County.. When she is not advocating for her clients, she enjoys being a mom and being on the water.

I am a sole practioner who will zealously advocate for you, while at the same time, approach your uniquue situation with compassion.  I have been practicing primarily family law since my career in private practice began, and would like to help you navigate through the process of dissolving your marriage, defending you against claims of acts of domestic violence, protecting your rights as a victim of domestic violence, and, modifiying support applications.

Eric B. Hannum, Esquire began his legal career as a student at the James E. Beasly School of Law at Temple University in Philadelphia.  While there, he was not only the President of the school’s Federalist Society, he also participated in the school’s Family Law Mediation Center wherein he mediated a variety of family law cases for the Philadelphia Family Court located in Center City Philadelphia.. Subsequent to being conferred with his Juris Doctorate from Temple University in 2003, Mr. Hannum worked as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Laura M. LeWinn, the Presiding Family Part Judge in Mercer County New Jersey for the 2004-2005 court term.  During his tenure as a law clerk and in addition to preparing tentative decisions and orders, Mr. Hannum also mediated cases deemed conducive to the mediation process.. After his clerkship, attorney Hannum worked at the Princeton based law firm of Pellettieri, Rabstein & Altman as an associate attorney.  While there, he additionally served as an attorney coach for The Lawrenceville School’s Mock Trial Team taking the school’s team to second place in Mercer County at the Vincent J. Apruzzese Mock Trial Competition which was the school’s best placement since it began competing in this nationally recognized competition ten years earlier.. Mr. Hannum eventually decided to open his own practice partnering with Judy M. Lansing, Esquire in 2007 establishing his office in Jackson, New Jersey.  Mr. Hannum is a member of the Ocean County Bar Association and is also a member of the Monmouth-Ocean County Family Law Inns of Court and the American Bar Association.  Mr. Hannum is also a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association and serves as a member to its Privacy Law Committee.  Further, Mr. Hannum is an active member of the Ocean County Chamber of Commerce and the Jersey Shore Business Network.

Dean Horneck is an associate attorney at Tonacchio, Spina, & Compitello. His practice focuses on divorce, child custody, alimony and child support, and family law litigation.A magna cum laude graduate of Seton Hall University; Dean graduated Penn State Law where he interned for the Attorney General’s Office of New Jersey and the Monmouth County Superior Court.. Prior to joining the firm, Dean served as the law clerk to The Honorable Patricia E. Carney, J.S.C., (ret.) at the Ocean County Superior Court.. Dean is licensed to practice in the State of New Jersey.

Prior to and while attending law school, Jennifer operated two successfull businesses and held a real estate license. Since concluding a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Siobhan A. Teare, J.S.C, in the Essex County Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part, she has devoted her private practice to matrimonial and civil matters. She has successfully advocated for her clients in all stages of divorce litigation, mediation, and arbitration. She litigates at the state and appellate level in matters concerning custody and parenting time, alimony and child support, prenuptial and marital settlement agreements, relocation, cohabitation, and domestic violence.