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Melissa Needle
also known as Melissa Needle
Virtual Consultation Available
About Melissa
Biography
Attorney Melissa Needle is an active Divorce and Family Law litigator with an impressive track record. Most of the cases in which Melissa appears involve high net worth divorce property division, complex business valuations, highly contested custody, and petitions for child relocation. She is well-known in Connecticut courts as a forceful, but fair fighter; an attorney with great integrity; and as a worthy adversary who does not shy away from litigation if that path is the best opportunity for her client to reach an equitable solution. Melissa understands that divorce is not just about the dissolution of marriage or stop-gap solutions but helping clients develop and negotiate a comprehensive plan for the rest of their lives. Melissa and the firm pride themselves on providing their clients "Guidance that Moves Lives Forward.”
Needle | Cuda: Divorce and Family Law, the firm she founded in 2010 proudly serves clients in Greenwich (Including Cos Cob, Riverside, Old Greenwich, Belle Haven, and Glenville) Darien (including Rowayton), Fairfield (including Southport), New Canaan, Ridgefield, Westport, Weston, Wilton -- and the surrounding towns and communities.
Melissa is a lifetime Connecticut resident. She was born in New Haven, raised in Fairfield, and now resides in Westport with her family. Attorney Needle is a third-generation attorney with deep family roots in Connecticut. Her father, Attorney Charles Needle, was a founder of the Connecticut firm Zeldes, Needle & Cooper in 1971. Since her admission to the Connecticut Bar in 1990, Melissa has exclusively practiced divorce and family law. Melissa started Needle | Cuda: Divorce and Family Law in 2010. The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys named Needle | Cuda a Connecticut Top 10 Best Firm in Client Satisfaction in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Attorney Needle has been a Super Lawyer Honoree in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Guidance that Moves Lives Forward
Guidance that Moves Lives Forward
Guidance that Moves Lives Forward
Guidance that Moves Lives Forward
Guidance that Moves Lives Forward
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Divorce and Separation
70%
35 years
Alimony
12%
35 years
Child Custody
12%
35 years
Marriage and Prenuptials
6%
35 years
Fees and Rates
Awards
2018
Licenses
Licensed in New York for 34 years
State: New York
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
Licensed in Connecticut for 35 years
State: Connecticut
Acquired: 1990
No misconduct found
Location
Needle | Cuda Divorce & Family Law
(203) 557-9504
Fax
830 Post Rd E, STE 301, Westport, CT, 06880
needlecuda.comGallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Melissa online.
Melissa Needle's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 11 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Cheryl | September 4, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
DONE AND DONE!
Melissa was personable, efficient, and knowledgeable. With her counsel, I was divorced in less than 6 months.
Posted by Jay | November 16, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Client
Attorney Melissa Needle and her team accomplished a most acceptable revision of a prior divorce contract that others firms said wouldn't happen. I applaude them for their diligence.
Posted by jennifer | November 12, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
divorce
Melissa Needle always made me feel comfortable during a very stressful and emotional time. She was very knowledgeable and worked hard to get this done in a timely manner.
Posted by Debra | November 12, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
A Compassionate Professional
Melissa Needle and her staff provided me with professional, common sense support during a very difficult process. She never judged, was level headed while dealing with a very obstructionist opposing Counsel, and simplified what could have been a drawn out process. I have complete confidence in her a...
Posted by anonymous | November 12, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Smart, savvy, and sensitive
Melissa is a top-notch divorce lawyer with a vast knowledge of the legal system and the skills to navigate it. But of equal importance to a client going through a divorce, she is sensitive and compassionate and always realistic about expectations. There is no one better I'd rather have on my side.
Melissa Needle's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have worked with Melissa for over 10 years. Her and her team are aggressive, compassionate and highly skilled in divorce matters, including sensitive domestic violence issues as well as complicated financial issues among high net worth families. Her firm is one of the best in Fairfield County--hire them!"
"I endorse this lawyer. Representing private companies and executives throughout the US (and abroad), I am often called upon to find my clients “local” family counsel in the case of family or marital distress, which is often overwhelming and emotional. While good family counsel must know the law, the courts, the judges and the local community well, obviously, it also helps immensely if 1) counsel is imperturbable and 2) a mother -- since, for better or worse, traditionally, “moms” have borne much of the “burden” of families, and, from a machiavellian perspective, imv, they are simply perceived by the courts more sympathetically. I have represented Melissa Needle and her husband, a technology entrepreneur, on various business matters for most of the 25 years of their marriage and the 27 years of her practice. Melissa Needle fits all the criteria above if one seeks family counsel in Fairfield County, CT."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Melissa Needle for over 15 years. I have had nothing but positive interactions with her. I find her to be very reasonable, intelligent and articulate for her clients. She has a complete understanding of the more complex issues in family law. In fact, I refer cases to her. She has the unique ability to manage her client’s expectations which results in the greater likelihood of a case being resolved short of trial. I have been practicing family law exclusively for well over 35 years, and I would count Melissa Needle among the top ten ethical lawyers that I deal with."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
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Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2021
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Top Ten Attorneys, National Association of Family Law Attorneys
2021
10 Best Attorney in Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2020
Top Ten Attorney, National Assocaition of Family Law Attorneys
2020
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer - Connecticut, Super Lawyers
2020
10 Best Attorney in Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2019
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer - Connecticut, Super Lawyers
2019
10 Best Attorney in Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2018
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
2010 - Present
Operating Partner/Principal, Law Office of Melissa Needle a.k.a. Needle | Cuda
2004 - 2010
Attorney, Rutkin & Oldham
1996 - 1999
Associate, Schoomaker & George
1994 - 1996
Asscoicate, Law Offices of Gary Cohen
1991 - 1994
General Counsel, American Infrastructure LLC
Associations
2019 - Present
American Institute of Family Law AttorneysMember
2019 - Present
American Association of Certified Financial LitigatorsFounding Member
1994 - Present
Connecticut Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember
1994 - Present
Fairfield County Bar AssociationMember
1994 - Present
Connecticut Superior CourtSpecial Master
1990 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
Connecticut Family Lawyer
Editorial Board - former member
Greater Brigeport Bar Association
Family Law Section
Education
1990
Whittier
JD - Juris Doctor
1987
Tufts University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2010
Connecticut Bar Association Annual Meeting
Divorce Law
Languages
English