Karen K Saminski

Karen K Saminski

also known as Karen Saminski

4.6
Rating: 9.6

Licensed for 37 years

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

123 South Avenue East, 3rd Floor, Westfield, NJ

About Karen

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Alimony 20%

38 years

20%
Child Custody 20%

38 years

20%
Child Support 20%

38 years

20%
Family 20%

38 years

20%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in New Jersey for 37 years

State: New Jersey

Acquired: 1988

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Westfield Office Location:

123 South Avenue East, 3rd Floor, Westfield, NJ, 07090

Karen Kirchoff Saminski, Esq., L.L.C.

221 River Street, 9th Floor, Hoboken, NJ, 07030

Karen Kirchoff Saminski, Esq. LLC

1704 Maxwell Drive, Suite 203, Wall, NJ, 07719

Karen Kirchoff Saminski, Esq. LLC

2500 Plaza 5, 25th Floor, Jersey City, NJ, 07311

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Karen K Saminski's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.6 /5.0

18 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (18) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 11 - 15 of 18 reviews

Posted by AP | January 06, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Supportive, ethical, accurate and effective.

I cannot thank you enough for standing in my corner through an extremely difficult time, negotiating with and coming to terms with a highly unreasonable and provocative adversary. Your legal advice and support was solid, ethical, and reasonable - values that I sincerely admire. During tough times, y...ou stood your ground, lent me strength, dealt with me with immense patience, and ensured we always stayed above the cackle and took the fair, just and high road through all our interactions with our adversary. To do so even in situations where baseless slander, false accusations and unproductive false accusations were thrown my way was truly commendable. It's been a trying few months, but I've come out on top (we had to, given we were reasonable throughout), and most importantly, in the right mental space, largely due to the way YOU led me through the whole process. Thank you again. Please treat the above as a testimonial for your services. I hope no friends go through a divorce, but if they do, rest assured I will recommend your services.

Karen Saminski

Replied last January 06, 2016

Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate your thinking of us for future referrals. Our entire team is dedicated to provide the services each individual client needs. As you obviously have experienced, we do not just “process” our cases, but strive to become educated about each client’s unique needs and goals, then our strong team works together to meet those goals.

Posted by Kanchan | January 05, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Excellent Attorney - Wealth of Knowledge & Experience

Karen Saminski a truly dedicated attorney with strong sense of justice and determination to protect her client. She was sent by god as an angel in my son’s and my life to get us justice. She saved a young child from being snatched away from his mother. I was married in India and migrated to the US f...rom India with my minor child, who was born in India. Within 6 months of my stay in NJ, US, I faced a divorce, which was filed without my knowledge. I knew nothing about how the laws and the legal system work here in the US. It started with a contested divorce where my ex-husband had asked for full custody (physical & legal) of minor child, and with several motions filed, ESP hearings. All of them were unsuccessful. I fired my previous attorney for not handling my case properly. I hired Karen and her legal team after ESP failed. The details of my case were complicated still Karen took my case with immense speed and dedication. My case had custody evaluation, 3 failed economic mediations and 5 motions before facing an 8 days of trial. Karen helped me with my deposition, trial proceedings and stood by me like my family. She uncovered my Ex Husband’s financial information from both US and India, which he had refused to disclose. She unfolded how this divorce was planned. She stood with me whenever I needed legal advice and to move ahead with case. I truly believe in her and will always recommend people who need the right legal counsel.

Posted by anonymous | January 01, 2015 | Divorce & Separation

a great attorney and firm

Karen is a very senior knowledgable attorney with a great team. i hired her at the worst of my life but her team help me sail through the hardest phase. a divorce is an emotionally and financially draining experience, where the right people can help yo get justice and i will recommend her for the sam...e

Posted by anonymous | December 04, 2014 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Had a good start, but a dragged out and unprofessional end.

Ms. Saminski is smart, personable, and comes across as a tough advocate. When my case started, I was optimistic. As the case dragged on through the Court system, their interest and work waned. The defending lawyer was more persistent, and in most instances was able to set the agenda. At the end it t...ook weeks to get any work done and my estimated bill doubled due to countless, needless interactions with defending lawyer and others. My experience is different than other posts on Avvo, but don't believe I'm the only one who was been strung along by this firm.

Karen Saminski

Replied last December 04, 2014

It is impossible to comment specifically because the poster is anonymous. Often, these posts result from an unhappiness that clients must pay for services rendered. I have a highly qualified legal team and, in addition, an administrative team, accessible to clients at any time to discuss any issues or questions that arise between our clients and our firm during our sometimes lengthy relationships. I am also personally available to discuss any issue my team has been unable to resolve. Unlike in other businesses, a Divorce and Family law practice often involves a highly charged emotional environment along with the unusual aspect that in contested cases there is another party represented by an attorney who is doing everything possible to undo our work. Despite these unique aspects of running the business of a Divorce and Family law practice, we handle hundreds of cases a year in which the clients are satisfied with the outcome, our legal representation, our ethics, responsiveness and their interaction with our firm. We do not ask our satisfied clients to post reviews. We do, however, when we get an unsolicited compliment from a client, ask them to post their comments or give us permission to use their feedback on our website. In addition, as legal ethics dictate, we must provide our clients with options for various paths, recommendations for strategy and options for minimizing legal costs, if possible. Clients choose the path based upon their personal agenda/goals/budget with our attorneys exercising our legal judgment when appropriate and necessary. This poster complains that nothing was done, then that too much was done and refers to needless interactions. We do not engage in any needless interactions and strive to provide our clients with value for every legal fee dollar they spend. At times there are tasks that are required by Court Rule which clients do not value highly but must be done. My team and I remain available to discuss this poster’s specific concerns or to answer any questions potential clients may have about our firm, practices and legal team.

Posted by anonymous | October 07, 2014 | Child Support

Don't use this firm!

I went to meet Ms. Saminski for a free consultation. I hired her thinking that she was going to represent me. The day I went to court she sent an attorney who just barely passed the bar exam. He was horrible to say the least. Instead of representing me, I felt as if he was helping out the defendant.... He was supposed to assist me with child support reduction. He insisted that the Child Support reduction case was not on that date and I had to return again. I went to the Child Support department after we saw the judge for the initial case and they told me they were waiting for me for the Child Support reduction case. So now I had to reapply for another court date, which there was a 3 month wait. I spent thousands of dollars on these attorneys and they did NOTHING for me. I would not recommend these attorneys to my worst enemies. They are not looking out for your best interest, they are only after your money!

Karen Saminski

Replied last October 07, 2014

Thank you for taking the time to write your review. We have no way to identify this client as we have not received any direct feedback on any similar issue. All of our clients, however, are required by Court rule to sign a retainer agreement. The retainer agreement explains the different hourly rates for the various attorneys in the firm and also explains an associate attorney may be assigned to a particular matter at a lower hourly rate. If any client specifically requests Ms. Saminski's services, every effort is made to accommodate that client, if they elect to pay the higher hourly rate. All work is supervised by Ms. Saminski. Aside from cost, other issues effect assignment of attorneys in our firm. Those issues include, but are not limited to the clients desire to secure an hourly rate that is lower than that of Ms. Saminski's rate or the rate of Senior Associate attorneys, and whether the client has met their financial obligations to the firm. It is unrealistic for a client to expect that the most experienced attorneys in the firm with the highest levels of experience and therefore the highest hourly rates will appear on matters if the client has not met financial obligations to the firm. In addition, what the child support department allegedly told this client has nothing to do with what the Judge assigned was scheduled to hear that day, so it appears there are multiple misunderstandings about the process, the law and the agreement with our firm which we are happy to attempt to clarify if the reviewer contacts us. We have many satisfied clients and we endeavor to resolve all matters that are brought directly to our attention with fairness and integrity. I encourage readers of this site to review my services and experience as well as the client testimonial page on my website where we are able to identify the source and validity of the information at www.karensaminski.com.

See All Client Reviews

Karen K Saminski's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Karen
Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Apr 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Stanley R Pietruska headshot
Stanley Pietruska

Child custody lawyer | Feb 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Anthony William Dunleavy headshot
Anthony Dunleavy

Unknown lawyer | Feb 04

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer."

Melissa A Fecak headshot
Melissa Fecak

Divorce and separation lawyer | Dec 10

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Karen is an experienced attorney in Family Law. She fights hard for her clients."

Yolanda Navarrete headshot
Yolanda Navarrete

Child custody lawyer | Nov 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. She has an excellent reputation in the community. Her answers are impressive. Her colleagues speak highly of her."

John J Scura III headshot
John Scura

Family lawyer | Nov 30

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I refer clients to Karen for Divorce and Family matters and she does an excellent job. The clients are always very pleased with her services and expertise."

Daniel A Serratelli headshot
Daniel Serratelli

Family lawyer | Aug 24

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"Karen is one of the most knowledgeable family lawyers that I know in NJ. She is someone that people go to when they are dealing with difficult issues. She is also a very nice person who is sensitive to the needs of her clients. I endorse this lawyer."

Matthew Shane Coleman headshot
Matthew Coleman

Divorce and separation lawyer | Aug 14

Relationship: Co-worker

"Karen's years of experience and creative thinking has produced successful outcomes for her clients time and time again. I fully endorse her, as she is an expert in the family law field."

John E Molinari headshot
John Molinari

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jul 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Karen is intelligent, professional, and practical."

Mark Christoph Curtis headshot
Mark Curtis

Family lawyer | Jul 11

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse Karen Saminski and attest to the fact that she is a great attorney. she has a reputation for being both professional and caring. She knows her craft and is dedicated to her clients. I would encourage those in need of a family law attorney to entrust Karen Saminski with those important matters involving their families and divorce. You cannot do better."

Meghan K Gulczynski headshot
Meghan Gulczynski

Family lawyer | Jul 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Karen is a tough, well-respected attorney. She is someone you want on your side of the table."

F Thomas Sidoti headshot
F Sidoti

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jul 11

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer."

Severiano Emile Lisboa IV headshot
Severiano Lisboa

Unknown lawyer | Jul 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Brian C Freeman headshot
Brian Freeman

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. Karen is one of the leading family law attorneys in Hudson County."

View All Endorsements
Maria Blancato headshot
Maria Blancato

Personal injury lawyer

John J Scura III headshot
John Scura

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer

F Thomas Sidoti headshot
F Sidoti

Family lawyer

Matthew Shane Coleman headshot
Matthew Coleman

Family lawyer

Daniel A Serratelli headshot
Daniel Serratelli

Criminal defense lawyer

Meghan K Gulczynski headshot
Meghan Gulczynski

Landlord or tenant lawyer

Brian C Freeman headshot
Brian Freeman

Personal injury lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.6 (Superb)

Honors

2016

BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

Avvo Client's Choice Award, Avvo

2003

Hudson County Family Law Attorney of the Year, Hudson County

Work Experience

2022 - Present

Partner, Saminski Fuller Family Law, LLC

1996 - 2003

Judge, Jersey City Municipal Court

1989 - 2016

Owner, Law Offices Of Karen Saminski

1988 - 1989

Attorney, Hudson County Legal Services Family Law Unit

Associations

2011 - Present

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

Member

1988 - Present

New Jersey Bar Association

Member

1988 - Present

Hudson County Bar Association

Member

New Jersey State Bar Association

Member

2005 - 2007

Hudson County Bar Association

Chair

1996 - 1999

Supreme Court of New Jersey, District VI Attorney Ethics Committee

Member

1995 - 1997

Hudson County Inns of Court

Barrister

Sample of Legal Cases

Blancas v. Blancas (N.J. Super., 2012)

We succeeded in lowering the amount of income imputed to our client for purposes of child support.

Falkowski v. Falkowski (N.J. Super., 2011)

The Court found that our client was entitled to a greater share of the property (in excess of 50%) due to his sacrifice and hard-work, which the judge referred to as “sweat equity.”

Levine v. Levine (Unpublished, 2007)

Representing the defendant mother, we successfully defended the plaintiff’s appeal.

Drakeford v. Rivers (N.J. Super., 2010)

Representing the children’s mother, we were successful in arguing that the court should conduct a full and complete hearing before awarding custody.

Kiely v. Kiely, No. A-0738-12T4, 2013 N.J.Super. Unpub. LEXIS 2784 (App. Div. Nov. 19., 2013)

Representing the Father on appeal we were successful in having that portion of the Motion Judge's Order finding his daughter "unemancipated" reversed.

See More Legal Cases

Education

2002

Rutgers University

Rule 1:40 Qualified Mediator

1996

Rutgers University

Diplomate in Municipal Law

1988

Seton Hall University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1985

Montclair State University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2016

Hudson County Bar Association

Handling Child Abuse and Neglect Issues in Family Court

2014

Hudson County Bar Association

Hot Tips in Family Law Seminar

2009

Family Law

Overview of the Divorce Process in New Jersey

2003

CLE

Equitable Distribution Not Necessarily 50/50

1998

Parent/Family Education Program

Parent/Family Education

1997

Hudson County Bar Association

The New Child Support Guidelines

1996

Hudson County Bar Association

Mock Trial of a Divorce Case with Expert Witnesses

Languages

Polish

Spanish

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
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