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Melissa Cefalu
Virtual Consultation Available
About Melissa
Biography
Melissa R. Cefalu commenced her career as a corporate attorney specializing in investments and securities where she worked as counsel for some of the largest asset managers in the world. This knowledge serves her well in all aspects of her practice, from drafting and negotiating matrimonial agreements, structuring the distribution of complex financial assets and investments, and her ability to effectively advocate on behalf of her clients in mediations, dispute resolutions, and court.
Ms. Cefalu discovered her calling to transition from the corporate sector to matrimonial and family law as a result of her own personal experience of going through the divorce process. As a result of her experience and personality, Ms. Cefalu is extremely adept to understanding the needs of her clients. It is with such compassion and vigor that Ms. Cefalu approaches each individual matter in the best interests of her clients and their families.
Ms. Cefalu was born and raised in New York City and attended St. John’s University where she applied for and was accepted into the university’s joint-degree program, receiving a B.A. and M.A. in English with a minor in Philosophy. Subsequently, Ms. Cefalu applied and was accepted into Hofstra University’s School of Law’s joint-degree program, receiving a J.D. in Law and M.B.A. in finance.
While in law school, Ms. Cefalu served as a member of the Hofstra Law Review and as President and Editor-in-Chief of Hofstra Law’s Moot Court Board.
Some of Ms. Cefalu's current recreational interests include reading, yoga, golf, dining out, traveling, playing chess, snowboarding, surfing, visiting museums and art galleries.
Dedicated family law attorney serving NYC. Call today!
Dedicated family law attorney serving NYC. Call today!
Dedicated family law attorney serving NYC. Call today!
Practice Areas
12
Practice Areas
Divorce and Separation
50%
7 years
Family
40%
Alimony
1%
Child Abuse
1%
Fees and Rates
Awards
2024 2023 2021
Licenses
Licensed in Connecticut for 8 years
State: Connecticut
Acquired: 2017
No misconduct found
Licensed in New York for 10 years
State: New York
Acquired: 2016
No misconduct found
Licensed in New Jersey for 11 years
State: New Jersey
Acquired: 2014
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Melissa online.
Melissa Cefalu's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
22 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (22)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 6 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by Natasha | January 12, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Litigation
Excellent Lawyer That Sees You as More than a Case
Ms. Cefalu has been on my case for roughly a year and has taken me into trial (unavoidable in this situation), and has by far been the best attorney I’ve worked with. She’s efficient, always responds to messages promptly, and thorough. She knows the law and the system, and will discuss strategy and o...
Posted by Mitchell | November 14, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Family
Best Family Attorney in New York! Melissa Cefalu saved my life
When I was first served with family court papers, I immediately sought to reach out to attorneys to have my case reviewed and litigated. At first, I felt like there wasn’t anyone out there who was listening to me. These initial attorneys on our consultation calls would say things to me that didn’t al...
Posted by anonymous | July 24, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Marriage & Prenuptials
Prenuptial Agreement
Melissa helped me negotiate and draft my prenuptial agreement leading up to my wedding. She was super thorough and helped me understand the potential consequences of the prenup if it were ever to be litigated. More importantly, made sure that the intentions that we had were correctly reflected in the...
Posted by anonymous | April 12, 2023
EO
Melissa was very attentive to my situation and provided me with a very detailed consultation. With her help I was able to understand what I was eligible for and which route to take.
Posted by anonymous | August 24, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Highly recommened
Melissa is an exceptional, knowledgeable, and sincerely caring attorney. From our first time speaking together, I knew I found the best attorney to represent me in my child custody case because she is very well informed about family court. She guided me with which documents I needed and kept me updat...
Melissa Cefalu's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I can endorse Ms. Cefalu because it's clear she understands the law and can explain it so that her clients will understand it."
"I endorse attorney Melissa Cefalu . Her answers are right on point and provide useful guidance. Attorney Cefalu is competent and dedicated to serving her clients."
"Attorney Cefalu is dedicated in using her skills in family law and divorce to assist her clients during trying times. Her approach is compassionate and dedicated, coupled with strategic finesse regarding her clients' best interests. I endorse this lawyer."
"Ms. Cefalu is an asset to the AVVO community. She generously lends her time in providing insightful answers in the family law arena. Not only is she a lawyer, she has an MBA."
"Ms. Cefalu has remarkable educational credentials that make her a formidable advocate for her clients - communication evidenced by her Masters in English and serving on her law school's Law Review, finance with her Masters in Business Administration, and legal skills through her Juris Doctor from law school. She uses all three daily representing her clients. I am pleased to endorse her."
"Melissa has great customer reviews and specializes in family law issues. Attorneys who work in too many areas of practice often don't know the ins-and-outs of each specific area. Almost impossible if you ask me. Also, while no one goes into a marriage thinking about divorce, Melissa has shared her personal experience and understands what her clients are going through. Clearly an attorney who cares about her clients and wants to help."
"I endorse this lawyer. Melissa is a an excellent advocate that fights hard for her clients. She can be trusted by her clients to give their case her very best. Her passion shines through on every case she handles."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Attorney Cefalu. Her experience and compassion is exemplified by the detailed responses within the AVVO community and forum."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Melissa Cefalu for Divorce and Family Law. Her answers on this forum speak greatly about her experience, and how much she cares about her clients."
"I endorse lawyer Cefalu. Ms. Cefalu's many thoughtful and helpful answers on the Avvo forum are a real service to the community she serves."
"I endorse Melissa as it is clear that she cares about her clients and maintains high and ethical standards and legal knowledge to represent her clients to the best of her ability."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Cefalu brings her experience and approach as a "corporate lawyer" into the world of family law. That approach always translates into excellence for the clients, who get to enjoy the methodological approach, while getting the carrying and insightful touch that she displays in her responses on AVVO. I endorse her!"
"I endorse Ms. Cefalu. Her broad experience and her personal involvement in family law make her an excellent lawyer to advocate for her clients. She has received spectacular reviews from her clients and provides precise and informative responses to questions on this forum."
"The answers of Ms. Cefalu are consistently accurate, full of analysis, and customized to the needs of the Avvo asker. These are exactly the qualities that every client would look for when hiring an attorney."
"I endorse Attorney Melissa Cefalu. Her education and experience make her exceedingly well suited to handling complex situations and personalities and getting outstanding results for those lucky enough to be her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is very knowledgeable about a broad variety of family law matters."
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Experience
Honors
2025
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2024
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2023
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2022
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2022
Top 10 Attorneys Under 40, National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys
2022
Top Lawyer, Thomson Reuters
2021
New York Metro Rising Stars, SuperLawyers
2021
Top 10 Attorneys Under 40, National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys
2021
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2014
Dean's List, Hofsra University School of Law
2013
Finalist, Intramural Competition, Hofstra Trial Advocacy Association
2012
Semifinalist and Recipient of Outstanding Brief Award, Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition 2012
2012
Dean's List, Hofstra University School of Law
2011
Quarterfinalist, Intramural Competition, Hofstra Law Moot Court Board
Work Experience
2023 - Present
CEO and Managing Member, Cefalu Law
2019 - 2023
Senior Counsel, Bryant & Bleier, LLP
2018 - 2019
Associate, Stark & Stark, A Professional Corporation
2016 - 2018
Associate General Counsel, AQR
2014 - 2016
Director Counsel, Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
Associations
2022 - Present
New York Women's Bar AssociationExecutive Committee
2022 - Present
New York State Bar Association, Family Law SectionExecutive Committee
2021 - Present
New York State Women's Bar AssociationMember
2021 - Present
New York Women's Bar AssociationMember
2021 - Present
New York State Bar AssociationMember
2020 - Present
New York County Lawyers' AssociationMember
Education
2014
Hofstra University School of Law
JD/MBA - Juris Doctorate and MBA
2013
St John's University
MA - Masters
2012
St John's University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Publications
2021
Instagram
5 Reasons to Consider Signing a Pre Nup?
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
How significant is it that my wife moved her boyfriend into my home?
09 Aug 2022
Q&A
Does my ex have to disclose his employment status and current salary during divorce mediation?
05 Aug 2022
Q&A
In the event you find out your husband married overseas what is the best course of action to take to protect joint property and
08 Aug 2022