Jessica Toelstedt

Jessica Toelstedt is a partner with Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein, LLP. Ms. Toelstedt joined the firm in 2012. Prior to joining, Ms. Toelstedt worked for another Manhattan-based firm where she focused on complex matrimonial and family law cases. Ms. Toelstedt's practice focuses on mediation, collabortaive law and litigation. Ms. Toelstedt also specializes in drafting prenuptial and postnuptial agreements for high networth individuals.

Ms. Toelstedt’s reputation for high ethical standards and professional ability among her fellow attorneys has earned her the highest peer rating, AV Preeminent, from Martindale-Hubbell, which has also named her a “Client Champion” for 2017, 2018 and 2019. Ms. Toelstedt was voted a New York Family Law Rising Star by her peers from 2014 through 2016 and as a New York Family Law Super Lawyer by her peers in 2017-2019.

Throughout Ms. Toelstedt’s career, she has appeared regularly in both Supreme and Family Courts in New York City and the surrounding areas and continues to do so. Ms. Toelstedt has also been trained as a mediator by The Center for Understanding in Conflict and has ben trained in collaborative law by The New York Association of Collaborative Law Professionals.

Ms. Toelstedt is a strong proponent of settling divorce and related matters as amicably as possible for the benefit of the parties and when relevant, the best interests of their children. Ms. Toelstedt resides on Long Island with her husband and two children.

Areas of Practice:

Mediation

Ms. Toelstedt mediates all matters related to marriage and family law, including prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements, separations, divorces, and post-divorce/separation issues including but not limited to custody, co-parenting, parenting schedules, agreement modifications, and financial matters.

Collaborative Law Divorce

Ms. Toelstedt represents clients who wish to obtain a divorce or separation using the Collaborative Law Process, utilizing a formal participation agreement.

Consulting Attorney

Ms. Toelstedt regularly serves as a consulting attorney for clients as they go through the mediation process with an outside mediator.

Negotiation Only/Out of Court Settlements

Ms. Toelstedt represents individuals who wish to resolve their matters out of court, but do not feel that mediation or Collaborative Law would be the right process choice.

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

In additional to serving as a mediator for couples who wish to enter into these types of agreements, Ms. Toelstedt represents individuals who would like her to negotiate the terms of these agreements.

Litigation

Ms. Toelstedt began her career solely litigating matrimonial and family court matters both pre and post-judgment, and continues to serve in this capacity.

Second Parent Adoptions

Ms. Toelstedt represents individuals seeking to be named as a “second parent” to a child.