Ellen B. Holtzman

Just after college I met and married Rose. I hoped we would have a happily ever after and I truly tried my best to make that happen. I worked hard and made good money. We had four children, but my wife made me do everything. She never worked during the marriage, and that was fine with me because we d...idn’t need the money. However, I always hoped she would take more interest in the kids and our home, but it never happened. Year after year, I was the one who got up to make breakfast and the school lunches for the kids before I went to work. Over time, Rose and I grew apart and I realized that I was carrying everything on my back. I never felt like I had a partner. We tried counselling but nothing changed. Finally, after nearly 20 years, I decided to get a divorce. I asked friends about divorce lawyers and the Law Office of Ellen Holtzman came highly recommended. After the initial consult I asked Ellen to send the divorce papers to Rose. I was always generous to Rose and the kids, but she was never satisfied. It was never enough, even when I willingly gave her above and beyond what the court ordered. Since the divorce became final seven years ago, she has taken me to court for extra support more than 20 times over issues that lack any validity. She seems to do it just to waste everybody’s time because the judges never find in her favor. I used to wonder why Ellen kept such a detailed paper trail about everything, all the correspondence back and forth. Honestly, I didn’t think a lot of it was necessary. But later, dragged into court year after year by my ex, I saw the point. When the judge had a question, Ellen always had the answer, and she always had the documents to prove everything. Proof that all the checks and the letters had been received, proof that the checks were deposited, and receipts showing that the money being sought for needed items had already been paid. Now happily remarried to a woman who is a true partner, I want to say that you can rely on Ellen and her team. They have been there for me every time I needed them. With Ellen, I had the best and she changed my life. Also want to say, Meryl was very kind and helpful to me. The office functioned as a really good team and I feel so lucky to have had them all on my side.

When you are contemplating or facing a divorce, the myriad of emotions and the depth of those feelings can overwhelm you and hijack your normally logical thought process. It can really challenge the foundation of who you are. This is what I found when I was facing my own divorce. Even though I am a w...ell educated PhD with a successful career, this process reduced me to feeling helpless and weak. This is why it was so meaningful that I found Ellen Holtzman and Christina Campolo on their website. As strong and well respected women leaders in their field and community, they understood how destabilizing divorce is and how even the most successful woman can find herself lost in the system. Both attorneys took their time to listen carefully to my fears and needs. Their expertise and knowledge of family law is impressive, but their ability to connect with clients is their strength. Ms. Holtzman is especially adept at constructing child parenting plans and negotiating child support even in a contentious divorce, and I was thoroughly awed by Ms. Campolo. She is smart and strategic and often thought of details and suggestions that would move us toward the outcome I desired. I am proud to call Ellen Holtzman, Christina Campolo, and her office friends of mine. They are so much more than just lawyers. They become part of your life and fight for you.

Ellen B. Holtzman was recommended to me by another attorney in the area as “the best divorce lawyer in the county,” and she was absolutely right. Mine was a late life divorce, after nearly 40 years of marriage. I knew that I would need a sure hand to navigate many complex financial issues, which incl...uded multiple legal landmines. First, there were the various complexities of splitting a New York City civil service pension which, although no easy task, Ellen’s firm was well versed in. They ensured my portion of his pension was exact and timely, and continued corresponding with me well after the divorce was final to make sure I was receiving my share. Many thanks to paralegal Collette, who also diligently worked on my behalf. The whole team made me feel so well cared for. Ellen Holtzman and her associate Meryl Neuren were confronted with what must be the most verbose lawyer in New York State. One of her games was to increase the workload by sending massive stacks of paper on a regular basis. But she was no match for my smart, efficient, and poised-under-fire team. Ellen Holtzman is amazing. Her entire legal team gave me exemplary representation. I highly recommend them.

I had been hoping and praying for ten years that I could save my marriage. A traumatic event in my husband's life led to his abuse of alcohol, drugs, and eventually me and our two girls. I had a good job at a leading financial institution in New York, but all of the happiness was being drained from o...ur lives. Before long, both our young daughters had begin abusing drugs. They were acting out their anger and depression in other heartbreaking ways, too. despite all this, I continued to try to make the marriage work for ten long years. A faithful Catholic, I rejected the very idea of divorce. But I finally realized that my marriage was hopeless, and my life was a shambles. My insistence on trying to save the marriage was destroying the ones I lived the most, the ones who most deserved my love--my children. As the violence escalated, a therapist referred me to Ellen Holtzman. Ellen moved immediately to get me an Order of Protection. My husband had long since stopped being a husband or father, but he fought the divorce. Ellen and her staff were so caring and so good to me. Ellen guided me every step of the way. We spent long hours after my work day was over with thousands of sheets of paper. I always felt like I was her top priority. She knew what I would need to take care of the girls, and she created the best possible scenario for us. Just walking through the courthouse with Ellen, I could see how well liked and respected she is, and I felt like a million dollars. Ultimately, I got full legal and physical custody, and Ellen helped me to see my way clear to a better future. It hasn't been all smooth sailing, but we are working to build that future now, and I am so grateful to Ellen, and to the therapist who led me to Ellen Holtzman and this new life.