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Melissa Cipriano
About Melissa
Biography
Ms. Cipriano graduated from Nova Southeastern University, Shephard Broad Law Center in 1999 with a Juris Doctorate Degree. Ms. Cipriano obtained a Master's of Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1996. She graduated from Wells College in 1991.
Ms. Cipriano is admitted to practice law in New Jersey, New York and Florida. She is also admitted to the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
Ms. Cipriano also volunteers on the Essex County Matrimonial Early Settlement Panel. She has tried numerous matrimonial cases to completion and is also a qualified family law mediator, including domestic violence issues and a parenting coordinator. Ms. Cipriano practices in almost every county in New Jersey. She opened her own law firm in 2003. Ms. Cipriano's office has been in West Caldwell, New Jersey since 2007. She has been named as a "RISING STAR IN FAMILY LAW" and "ONE OF 2007 through 2020 Super Lawyers" in the New Jersey Super Lawyers Magazine." She was recognized by CAMBRIDGE'S WHO'S WHO in 2008 and named as one of "the top attorneys in New Jersey" in 2011.
Ms. Cipriano was honored as a "Best of New Jersey Among our Most Distinguished Americans of Italian Descent" and conferred the "Stivale D'Italia Award of Excellence" by the Italian Tribune for her "honesty, integrity and dedication to fair and ethical business practices" and her "outstanding reputation as a Woman Whose Word is Her Bond".
Ms. Cipriano is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association and the New Jersey Association for Justice. She is also a member of the Florida State Bar Association and New York State Bar Association.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Divorce and Separation
50%
27 years
Mediation
30%
22 years
Child Custody
10%
27 years
Child Support
5%
27 years
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in New York for 24 years
State: New York
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
Licensed in New Jersey for 26 years
State: New Jersey
Acquired: 1999
No misconduct found
Licensed in Florida for 26 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 1999
No misconduct found
Location
Cipriano Law Offices, PC
175 Fairfield Ave, Suites 4C/D, West Caldwell, NJ, 070060000
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Melissa Cipriano's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
67 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (67)
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Practice Areas
Divorce & Separation (25)
Family (10)
Lawsuits & Disputes (10)
Child Custody (9)
Litigation (5)
Mediation (3)
Child Support (2)
Criminal Defense (2)
Ethics & Professional Responsibility (2)
Speeding & Traffic Ticket (2)
Alimony (1)
Land Use & Zoning (1)
Landlord & Tenant (1)
State, Local And Municipal Law (1)
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 5 of 67 reviews
Posted by anonymous | March 09, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Disorganized, Difficult, and Overpriced
My experience with her was consistently negative. She nickel‑and‑dimes everything, creates problems instead of solving them, and is unpleasant to communicate with throughout the process. I walked away feeling like the service was more about generating billable hours than providing real help.
Posted by anonymous | January 13, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Don't hire her!
Don't ever use this person as a lawyer or parent coordinator !!! Not competent esp. when charging $450/hr. She also does not allow her retainer be edited to capture or refer to court or consent orders. She is also plays the middle so as not to offend either party in the hope that they will rehire he...
Posted by Jesse | May 01, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Family
Don't waste your money
Absolute worst. Wish I could give them zero stars. I've used Bart Lombardo who was so bad I fired him and then used the owner Melissa who was just as bad. They dragged everything out for years to generate more legal bills. Could never get updates, they missed important emails from the opposing attorn...
Posted by Ethics committee | December 08, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Ethics & Professional Responsibility
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT! BEWARE !!!
Straight CROOK!!!! Takes your money and doesn’t produce! Ask around there has been at least 3 of her clients in my local courthouse that all have or will be reporting this firm to the ethics committee. Conniving, thief , Don’t DO IT!!! Dec 2023
Posted by anonymous | October 15, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Proud Divorcee
Melissa cares about your concerns and gives it to you straight. There are no surprises. I knew I was in experienced and efficient hands. The confidence she exudes offers a sense of calm and protection during times of great distress. While I hope not to need her services again, it’s comforting to know...
Melissa Cipriano's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Cipriano and I have worked on opposing sides of many cases over the years and I have always found her to be ethical and fair yet zealous in her advocacy of her client."
"Melissa is an extremely talented and highly respected member of the legal community. I endorse this lawyer without hesitation."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is extremely professional and works diligently for her clients. I highly recommend her."
"I endorse this lawyer for all matters in the family law field. I had the pleasure of working opposite her and she was extremely courteous and professional."
"I endorse this lawyer."
Stacey Selem Antonucci
Divorce and separation lawyer | Jul 30
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Melissa is a highly experienced and intelligent attorney. I recommend her to many of my clients who have family law issues. She has a fabulous personality and is a pleasure to know."
"I endorse this lawyer and all the work she does to get the best results for clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Cipriano was an adversary on a very difficult matter, however, no matter what happened in the case, Ms. Cipriano did not sacrifice her integrity or ethics at any time. Ms. Cipriano was professional in our dealings and represented her client well."
"I endorse this lawyer. We were adversaries on a divorce case, and agreed to take a "problem solving" approach to resolving the issues. We conducted a 4-way conference in Melissa's office, and a short time later, the case was settled. All this occurred even before the initial complaint was filed. This save both sides an enourmous amount of money, time, and stress."
"A well-qualified, professional, knowledgeable mediator. Very experienced and helpful in settling divorce disputes."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Melissa is terrific to have a case with. She's smart, reasonable and has good common sense. We settled a case that could have been a disaster with another adversary. She was always protective of her client. She was also fun to deal with. I highly recommend her and look forward to working with her again."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Melissa for over 15 years. She is an excellent attorney and a tremendous advocate for her clients. She does a fantastic job for her clients. I would recommend her (and do) to everyone."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Melissa is an excellent mediator. The first time I sent her a case, it was for custody and parenting time mediation in a case that my adversary and I had been unable to resolve for almost one year. We sent the couple to Melissa and after only a few hours, she resolved every detail of the case to everyone's liking and the family was finally able to move on with their lives. I continue to refer mediations to her because of this. I know that my clients will always be in good hands with someone who truly understands what it is like to parent young children."
"I wholeheartedly edorse Melissa. I have know here for approximately 15 years. She is one of the most hard working and intelligent lawyers out there. Keep up the great work Melissa."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Cipriano is an excellent example of the effective and zealous matrimonial litigator. Her contributions to the community are immense."
"I have known Melissa for 11 years. Melissa is a client focused, top notch divorce attorney. I would, and have, referred all matters requiring an aggressive, yet sensible approach to facilitate resolution. One of the best."
Paula Crane
Divorce and separation lawyer
Joanne Vos
Litigation lawyer
Mara Dooskin
Divorce and separation lawyer
Benjamin Curcio
Personal injury lawyer
Aristotle Mirzaian
Corporate and incorporation lawyer
Joseph Bimonte
Personal injury lawyer
Melinda Singer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Juliana Cipriano
Workers compensation lawyer
Armando Horta
Child custody lawyer
Richard Nocks
Family lawyer
Richard Weiner
Divorce and separation lawyer
Francesca Blanco
Family lawyer
Edward Snyder
Divorce and separation lawyer
Julie DiMaggio
Litigation lawyer
Jessica Swenson
Family lawyer
Melissa Ruvolo
Family lawyer
Laura Ruvolo Lipp
Family lawyer
James Yudes
Family lawyer
Matthew Bavaro
Litigation lawyer
Christine Dalena
Family lawyer
Experience
Honors
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
10 Best, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2011
Super Lawyer, New Jersey Super Lawyers Magazine
2011
Rising Star, New Jersey Monthly Magazine
2010
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2009
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2009
Certificate of Appreciation, Early Settlement Panelist, Morris County Superior Court
2008
Rising Star, New Jersey Super Lawyers magazine
2008
Certificate of Appreciation, Early Settlement Panelist, Morris County Superior Court
2007
Super Lawyer, New Jersey Monthly Magazine
2007
Certificate of Appreciation, Early Settlement Panelist, Morris County Superior Court
2006
Certificate of Appreciation, Early Settlement Panelist, Morris County Superior Court
2005
Certificate of Appreciation, Early Settlement Panelist, Morris County Superior Court
2004
Certificate of Appreciation, Early Settlement Panelist, Morris County Superior Court
Work Experience
2008 - 2008
Divorce Expert Interview, Court TV
Associations
2009 - Present
United States Supreme Court BarMember
2008 - Present
Cambridge Who's WhoHonored Member
2004 - Present
Morris County Early Settlement PanelPanelist
2003 - Present
Association of Family and Conciliation CourtsMember
2002 - Present
New York State Bar AssociationMember
2001 - Present
Association of Trial Lawyers of AmericaMember
2000 - Present
Essex County Bar Association, Family Law CommitteeExecutive Committee
1999 - Present
Florida State Bar AssociationMember
1999 - Present
New Jersey State Bar AssociationMember
Education
1999
Nova Southeastern University - Shepard Broad Law Center
JD - Juris Doctor
1996
Fairleigh Dickinson University
MA - Masters
1991
Wells College
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2008
Court TV
Family Law Expert Analysis
Publications
2008
New Jersey Super Lawyer's Rising Stars
Hanging Out Their Own Shingle
2007
New Jersey Monthly Magazine
New Jersey Super Lawyers of 2007
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers