Whitney R Chelnik

Whitney R Chelnik

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 24 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Springfield, NJ
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Child Support ... +2 more

Park Place Legal Center, 959 South Springfield Avenue, Springfield, NJ

About Whitney

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Alimony 15%

25 years

15%
Child Custody 15%

25 years

15%
Child Support 15%

25 years

15%
Mediation 15%

25 years

15%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in New York for 23 years

State: New York

Acquired: 2002

Delinquent

No misconduct found

Licensed in New Jersey for 24 years

State: New Jersey

Acquired: 2001

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Gomperts Penza & McDermott, LLC

Park Place Legal Center, 959 South Springfield Avenue, Springfield, NJ, 07081

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Whitney R Chelnik's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

23 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (23) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 6 - 9 of 9 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by john | October 05, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Alimony

efficient and successful

Whitney managed the pre court negotiation with excellent communication both with ne and with the opposing attorney as I sought to terminate alimony on my retirement. When negotiations stalled and ny ex refused reasonable offers she filed a motion. After he geard oral testinony the judge wrote a six... page opinion accepting all of Whitney's carefully prepared argument and exhibits and so with only one trip to court alimony was terminated without a plenary and without further fuss or expense retroactive to filing date. My ex had rejected two offers both higher than what the judge gave her. This is my idea of a worthy plea extremely well handled against strong opposition with a speedy and good result. Whitney had also ably handled pension division for me several years ago and when the retirement issue looked contested I turned to her again.

Posted by Mark | December 15, 2014 | Divorce & Separation

Whitney Chelnik is The Best!

Whitney Chelnik is an excellent lawyer. She knows the law inside and out, but more important, she knows her clients inside and out. She has always been responsive to me and *my* needs. I'm a real person to her, not just a client file number. She also has found ways to achieve great results for me... creatively, and sometimes by listening to me but then steering me in a better direction than I had thought. Most recently, she achieved a big court win for me that saved me lots of money based on a very well-reasoned interpretation of my divorce agreement. The judge handed us every bit of what Whitney had very impressively argued for.

Posted by anonymous | December 04, 2014 | Divorce & Separation

Would highly recommend Whitney

Whitney was very knowledgeable and trustworthy during a very difficult divorce. Dealing with domestic violence during the divorce, Whitney guided me during this very difficult and confusion time.

Posted by Mark | December 04, 2014 | Divorce & Separation

Honest and compassionate Attorney

I had changed lawyers and hired Whitney Chelnik during my divorce process and was extremely satisfied. Whitney attempted to move the process along and was a very good mediator under very difficult conditions. She always stayed composed and utilized appropriate judgement in my case. I always felt co...nfident that Whitney had my best interest in heart and made me feel comfortable when proceedings had gone awry. She counseled me on not being emotional and understanding New Jersey's matrimonial laws. This way I understood why she was making certain suggestions and compromising. Whitney was always available when I had questions or when important decisions had to be made. If she was unavailable, her legal secretary was well informed and diligent. She would always reach out and get an answer for me in a timely fashion. I found Whitney Chelnik to be a confident, compassionate, intelligent, honest attorney. She had integrity and I always felt I could trust her. Whitney was knowledgeable in negotiations and always attempted to mediate my case and not go to trial. She acted fairly on my behalf. I have been divorced for 1 -1/2 yrs and I would recommend Whitney Chelnik to whomever requires matrimonial assistance.

See All Client Reviews

Whitney R Chelnik's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Whitney
Crystal M Ullrich headshot
Crystal Ullrich

Mediation lawyer | Oct 30

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I have worked with Whitney both as a mediator and as an adversary and would not hesitate to recommend her for either role. She is always my first choice when clients ask who we should use as a mediator because she gets the job done while remaining neutral and proposing original ideas."

William Rodriguez headshot
William Rodriguez

Mediation lawyer | Apr 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Whitney is a highly skilled mediator who was able to take parties that were very far apart and get them to common ground. She does great work."

Cindy Ball Wilson headshot
Cindy Wilson

Divorce and separation lawyer | Mar 19

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Whitney is always a professional who advocates strongly for her clients while maintaining respect for the other party. I highly recommend her."

Sarah Jennifer Jacobs headshot
Sarah Jacobs

Family lawyer | Feb 23

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Whitney has been a formidable, but compassionate adversary. She has been forthright and has focused on the pertinent issues in the cases we have been opposing counsel on. Difficult issues were handled with sensitivity and insight as to how to reach resolution in a way that protected the integrity of the matter, and our profession."

Andrew M. Wolfenson headshot
Andrew Wolfenson

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jan 14

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Whitney is extremely well-respected within the legal community, and with good reason. She is a zealous advocate on behalf of her clients, and yet pragmatic enough to avoid having her clients unnecessarily prolong the divorce process. I would not hesitate to recommend her services."

Laura Ruvolo Lipp headshot
Laura Ruvolo Lipp

Divorce and separation lawyer | Oct 17

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I hold Whitney in the highest regard as a matrimonial law attorney. We recently worked together in a case in which I was the mediator and she represented one of the parties. She was organized, prepared, professional (yet friendly), astute, respectful of both parties and their family, and, most importantly, able to productively and efficiently work with the other side to achieve a fair settlement for all involved while never loosing focus of her client's needs and interests. She was also focused on the best interests of the parties' child at all times. I would never hesitate to recommend Whitney's services to a potential client, because I am confident they would be in excellent hands."

Jennifer Bretz headshot
Jennifer Bretz

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jul 28

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Whitney is well respected among her peers and the judiciary. She knows how to balance zealous advocacy with the need to be resolution oriented - skills necessary in family law. As an adversary, she is always responsive and courteous. I would refer clients to her and use her for mediation in my own cases."

Robyn E Ross headshot
Robyn Ross

Family lawyer | Jan 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Whitney is extremely professional, yet advocates zealously for her clients. She is a pleasure to work with."

Joan Geraldine Geiger headshot
Joan Geiger

Family lawyer | May 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Whitney is a "rising", if not "risen" star in the family law community. She combines skill, intergrity and hard work with caring for her clients. I refer clients to Whitney which is the highest compliment I can pay another attorney."

Kathryn Ann Gilbert headshot
Kathryn Gilbert

Family lawyer | May 07

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Whitney is a fabulous lawyer. She knows the law and is efficient in moving a matter to conclusion in a cost effective manner while still advocating for the best interests of her client."

Michael R Speck headshot
Michael Speck

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 07

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Chelnik is a professional and works in the best interests of her client. Family law is full of potholes and sometimes the lawyers are the worst potholes. Ms. Chelnik's work was exemplary and we resolved our case thoughtfully and prudently."

View All Endorsements
Cindy Ball Wilson headshot
Cindy Wilson

Family lawyer

Andrew M. Wolfenson headshot
Andrew Wolfenson

Divorce and separation lawyer

Albertina Webb headshot
Albertina Webb

Family lawyer

Sarah Jennifer Jacobs headshot
Sarah Jacobs

Family lawyer

Jennifer Bretz headshot
Jennifer Bretz

Family lawyer

Michael R Speck headshot
Michael Speck

Divorce and separation lawyer

Kathryn Ann Gilbert headshot
Kathryn Gilbert

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2015

Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine

2014

Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine

2013

Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine

2013

Accredited Family Law Mediator, ICLE

2012

Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine

N/A

Accredited Collaborative Attorney, ICLE

Work Experience

2008 - Present

Attorney, Gomperts Penza & McDermott

Associations

2014 - Present

New Jersey Collaborative Law Group

Member

2013 - Present

New Jersey Women Lawyers Association

Member

2010 - Present

Women Lawyers' of Union County

Member

2001 - Present

New Jersey State Bar Association

Member

Education

2001

Fordham University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1998

Emory University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

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