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State research · New York

Child-centered divorce and custody lawyers in New York.

Three lawyers whose public records show meaningful child-focused work, substantial family-law depth, professional stature, and a useful first-party online presence.

Research reviewedAugust 17, 2026
01Editorial score91/100

New York City · New York

Paul E. Rudder

Law Offices of Paul E. Rudder, Esq.

Rudder leads New York because his public record ties long divorce experience to two concrete child-related capacities: certification as a Law Guardian for Children and training as a parenting coordinator. His parenting-coordination material specifically addresses co-parent conflict and children's interests, while more than thirty years in family law suggests that the lower-conflict orientation is backed by substantial legal experience. The personal site is focused, accessible, and provides enough information for an initial fit assessment. The principal concern is verification: the most important credentials are self-reported, and the New York attorney search did not yield a stable individual record for citation. KIDD1Divorce should confirm current registration, discipline, qualifications, availability, and the terminology and status of any child-representative role before publication.

Why the children-first signal is real

Rudder's biography identifies him as a certified Law Guardian for Children, and his parenting-coordinator page describes training directed toward reducing co-parent conflict and protecting children's interests in high-conflict matters.

Divorce and custody depth

His site reports more than thirty years in New York divorce and family law and provides dedicated custody and parenting-coordination information for contested and negotiated matters.

Professional stature

The biography reports decades of practice, an AV Preeminent peer-review rating held for approximately twenty years, child-representative qualification, and parenting-coordinator training.

Children 30/30Case depth 24/25Stature 18/20Online presence 0/15License confidence 0/10
Verification note and limitations

Status note: A stable individual New York official attorney-status record was not captured. Confirm current registration and public discipline through the Unified Court System attorney search before publication.

New York now commonly uses the term Attorney for the Child; confirm the current nature and recency of the reported Law Guardian qualification.Current registration and public discipline require official confirmation.

02Editorial score89/100

Rochester · New York

Kelly M. Ciccone

Bridgeview Law Group

Ciccone's reported representation of hundreds of children in divorce and custody matters is unusually direct evidence for this project's purpose. Her biography couples that work with representation of hundreds of divorcing clients, a problem-solving and peacemaking approach, family-law section leadership, and service in collaborative-law and AFCC organizations. That combination suggests experience seeing disputes from both the parent's and child's legal perspectives. She ranks second because her site and professional-stature record are less extensive than some downstate firms, and the claims have not been independently matched to a stable official record. The first-party presence is nevertheless clear, useful, and contactable. Publication should remain contingent on confirming current registration, discipline, present child-representation qualifications, geographic service area, and capacity for contested litigation when resolution efforts fail.

Why the children-first signal is real

Ciccone's first-party biography reports representation of hundreds of children in divorce and custody cases and describes a peacemaking, problem-solving approach. Her professional service includes collaborative-law and AFCC involvement.

Divorce and custody depth

Her profile reports New York practice since 2000 and representation of hundreds of divorce clients as well as children, with collaborative and negotiated family-law services described on the practice page.

Professional stature

The biography reports former chair service in the Monroe County Bar family-law section and board involvement with collaborative-law and New York AFCC organizations.

Children 30/30Case depth 23/25Stature 17/20Online presence 0/15License confidence 0/10
Verification note and limitations

Status note: A stable individual New York official attorney-status record was not captured. Confirm current registration and public discipline through the Unified Court System search before publication.

The volume and recency of child representations are self-reported.Current registration, public discipline, and litigation availability require confirmation.

03Editorial score87/100

New York City · New York

Jacqueline Newman

Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein LLP

Newman provides the strongest large-firm online presence in the New York group, backed by decades at a family-law firm and substantial litigation, mediation, collaborative, and high-net-worth divorce experience. Her collaborative materials describe a respectful interdisciplinary process, and her public discussion of divorce coaches shows practical familiarity with professionals who can help families manage emotional and parenting dynamics. She ranks third because the child-centered evidence is process based; the reviewed sources do not document service as an Attorney for the Child, guardian ad litem, or parenting coordinator. Her stature and first-party resources are excellent, but peer awards should not be treated as proof of fit. Current registration, discipline, collaborative credentials, child-related case experience, and willingness to litigate a particular matter all require direct confirmation.

Why the children-first signal is real

Newman's firm presents collaborative divorce as a respectful interdisciplinary process, and her published professional interview explains use of divorce coaches within mediation and collaborative cases. This is concrete process evidence, though not direct child representation.

Divorce and custody depth

Her biography reports practice at the firm since 1998 and leadership of a family-law practice spanning litigation, mediation, collaborative law, and high-net-worth divorce.

Professional stature

The biography identifies Newman as managing partner and reports sustained Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers recognition; her books, interviews, and public education add visible professional stature.

Children 22/30Case depth 25/25Stature 20/20Online presence 0/15License confidence 0/10
Verification note and limitations

Status note: A stable individual New York official attorney-status record was not captured. Confirm current registration and public discipline through the Unified Court System search before publication.

No direct child-representative role was located; the child-centered assessment relies on collaborative and interdisciplinary process evidence.Awards and current license and discipline status require independent verification.

Before you hire anyone

A shortlist is the beginning of diligence, not the end.

Kids First Divorce is an independent editorial publication. We do not represent you, refer you to counsel, certify any lawyer, or predict any result. Selection is based on publicly available information reviewed as of the date shown.

Confirm the lawyer’s current license and disciplinary history with the official state authority. Interview the lawyer about conflicts, fees, availability, geographic coverage, relevant experience, strategy, and whether their approach fits your family’s actual facts.

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