State Years

New York - NY 32 years

Connecticut - CT 32 years
Licensed for 32 years

State NY

Acquired 1991

Status
Currently Registered No misconduct found
Licensed for 32 years

State CT

Acquired 1990

Status
Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Melissa Needle

Divorce and separation Attorney at Westport, CT

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DONE AND DONE!

divorce

About Melissa

Learn Melissa’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

Divorce and separation

70%

Needle & Cuda is a boutique Fairfield County, CT law firm located in Westport, Connecticut whose practice is exclusively dedicated to divorce and family law matters including division of assets, alimony, child custody, and spousal & child support.
... Read more
32 years
Alimony

12%

Needle & Cuda is a boutique Fairfield County, CT law firm located in Westport, Connecticut whose practice is exclusively dedicated to divorce and family law matters including division of assets, alimony, child custody, and spousal & child support.
... Read more
32 years
Child custody

12%

Needle & Cuda is a boutique Fairfield County, CT law firm located in Westport, Connecticut whose practice is exclusively dedicated to divorce and family law matters including division of assets, alimony, child custody, and spousal & child support.
... Read more
32 years
Marriage and prenuptials

6%

Needle & Cuda is a boutique Fairfield County, CT law firm located in Westport, Connecticut whose practice is exclusively dedicated to divorce and family law matters including division of assets, alimony, child custody, and spousal & child support.
... Read more
32 years

GUIDANCE THAT MOVES LIVES FORWARD

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.

Awards

Client's Choice

2018

Photos and videos

Contact Melissa

Needle | Cuda Divorce & Family Law

(203) 652-8879 Office

(203) 557-9504 Fax

830 Post Rd E

STE 301

Westport, CT, 06880

needlecuda.com

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Reviews

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5.0 / 5.0

11 customer reviews

5 Star

100%

4 Star

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

Client's Choice

Client's Choice is an Avvo award granted to attorneys with a significant number of client reviews over 4 stars in a given year.

Posted by Cheryl | September 4, 2019

DONE AND DONE!

Melissa was personable, efficient, and knowledgeable. With her counsel, I was divorced in less than 6 months.

Posted by jennifer | November 12, 2018

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 Jay | November 16, 2018

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 Debra | November 12, 2018

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 and was fortunate to have her on my side.

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Posted by anonymous | November 12, 2018

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.

Posted by Debra | November 12, 2018

You want Melissa to represent you

I knew instantly after meeting Melissa that I wanted her to represent me if I was going to get divorced. It is such a difficult and emotional process, but she is professional, reassuring and caring. My divorce ended up going to trial, which no one wants. Melissa represented me very well and the outcome was favorable. She was prepared, organized and so composed. She presented the facts in such a professional manner. I would highly recommend Melissa if you need a caring, intelligent, professional attorney.

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Posted by Mark | June 14, 2018

Attorney and CPA

Melissa is a fine lawyer who has mastered the art of combining legal ability, strategic thinking and a sense of humanity towards her client. She is a pleasure to work with and I’d strongly recommend her.

Posted by anonymous | June 12, 2018

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED DIVORCE ATTY

At a very difficult and emotional time, Atty Needle helped to keep things calm. Professional, thorough and to the point, Melissa helped to guide me in the right direction. She quickly gained my trust so I felt confident with the legal councel I received. Atty Needle’s ability to keep things positive while getting the job done is what stands out the most when someone asks about my experience.

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Posted by anonymous | June 12, 2018

Entrepreneur

I spent 11 long years in the system. I would not have been trapped there for so long if I had Attorney Melissa Needle as my counsel from the beginning. She was a ray of sunshine in the very dark world of divorce and in my never ending storm. Melissa gave me back my freedom and not only brought justice to the ones who were trying to defy the system, but she defended me from many unjust accusations. I have spoken to countless lawyers during this process. Attorney Needle is the only lawyer who was not in it for the money or the big win--she's about justice and she fought for what was best for my kids and me. She has a level of empathy that can sometimes be hard to find in a lawyer. She cares. She is honest--a word hardly ever used in the process. She is a wife and a mother, which is so important in the world of divorce, so you can truly understand the dynamics of a family/marriage in all its facets. Melissa was the first attorney to be fair, and to truly care about my children and me. And her integrity spans all aspects of her business--she never over billed me or over charged me. I highly recommend Attorney Needle and am eternally grateful to her for all she did for me.

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Posted by Dan | June 12, 2018

Highly professional advice delivered with practicality and compassion

Melissa was extremely helpful as I went through my divorce process. She delivered great legal advice with a lot of technical excellence through some very complex employment compensation issues. However, more importantly, she understood my emotions and end goals and was able to communicate practically, patiently and with compassion to deliver a favorable result.

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Posted by Bill | June 12, 2018

A Caring-Smart-Rational-Prepared Professional

Melissa has professionally represented me for over 12 years; guiding me thru the legal & emotional hurdles of a difficult divorce, thru a court modification process to the original agreement, thru an appeal to that modification, & thru another full court hearing on the modification...all with fair & positive rulings in my favor. I have & will continue to recommend her legal services to others

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Cost

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

Operating Partner/Principal
Law Office of Melissa Needle a.k.a. Needle | Cuda
2010 - Present

Attorney
Rutkin & Oldham
2004 - 2010

Associate
Schoomaker & George
1996 - 1999

Asscoicate
Law Offices of Gary Cohen
1994 - 1996

General Counsel
American Infrastructure LLC
1991 - 1994

View all work experience

Education

Whittier
JD - Juris Doctor
1990

Tufts University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1987

Associations

American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
Member
2019 - Present

American Association of Certified Financial Litigators
Founding Member
2019 - Present

Connecticut Bar Association, Family Law Section
Member
1994 - Present

Fairfield County Bar Association
Member
1994 - Present

Connecticut Superior Court
Special Master
1994 - Present

American Bar Association
Member
1990 - Present

Connecticut Family Lawyer
Editorial Board - former member
N/A

Greater Brigeport Bar Association
Family Law Section
N/A

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Languages Spoken

English

Honors and Awards

Peer Review Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2022

10 Best Attorney in Client Satisfaction
American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2021

Top Ten Attorneys
National Association of Family Law Attorneys
2021

Peer Review Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2021

10 Best Attorney in Client Satisfaction
American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2020

Super Lawyer - Connecticut
Super Lawyers
2020

Top Ten Attorney
National Assocaition of Family Law Attorneys
2020

Peer Review Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2020

10 Best Attorney in Client Satisfaction
American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2019

Super Lawyer - Connecticut
Super Lawyers
2019

Peer Review Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2019

Peer Review Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2018

View all awards

Speaking Engagements

Connecticut Bar Association Annual Meeting
Divorce Law
2010

Attorney endorsements

Received (6)

Given (5)

Endorse Melissa

Mark Sherman

Divorce and separation Attorney | Jul 08
Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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!"

Morton Fry

Divorce and separation Attorney | Jul 07
Relationship: Other

"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."

Edward Nusbaum

Family Attorney | Jun 22
Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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."

Cynthia Smith

Divorce and separation Attorney | Jun 19
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Lisa Kessler

Marriage and prenuptials Attorney | Feb 09
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Eric Posmantier

Marriage and prenuptials Attorney | Dec 10
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Melissa is an outstanding, tough, honest attorney. She is both aggressive and compassionate. She also has a top notch paralegal - making her office a tour-de-force!"

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