Attorney Rhonda Joan Panken's Legal Cases

Family

M.G. v. C.M., NYLJ 1202792223427, at *1 (Sup., KI, Decided June 2, 2017); 2017 NY Slip Op 50745 (U); 55 Misc 3d 1223(A)

Jun 02, 2017

OUTCOME: Client's Motion to Dismiss mother's divorce in UCCJEA matter granted by Kings County Supreme Court.

In an interstate child custody matter, Mother of a toddler fled from New Mexico to New York with the child, denying the Father access to his young daughter and filing for divorce in New York. In repre ... senting the Father, I filed a Motion to Dismiss the New York divorce under the UCCJEA, the interstate custody statutes and under the doctrine of inconvenient forum and unclean hands. After the New York and New Mexico Courts held a series of live-streamed hearings by video, the matter was dismissed by the New York judge and handled in New Mexico. The Father was granted immediate access to and temporary custody of his young daughter .

Family

Travis v. Murray, 977 N.Y.S. 3d 621 (N.Y. S.Ct. 2013)

Nov 22, 2013

OUTCOME: Settlement following landmark published decision regarding Client's Dog Custody Dispute in Matrimonial matter.

In a matrimonial matter between same-sex partners, this case involved a custody dispute regarding Plaintiff-wife's dog, Joey. Defendant-wife secreted Joey after a business trip and failed to return hi ... m. The Court analyzed how to handle disputes over pets and reviewed the cases throughout the nation on the matter. The Court granted a trial date to determine "what would be best for all concerned," a new standard on disputes over pets.

Family

Aprille's Case (Pro Bono)

Mar 11, 2013

OUTCOME: Reunification of all 5 children with Aprille, and dismissal of DCPP neglect proceedings.

Represented, on a pro bono basis, domestic violence survivor in neglect proceedings in Essex County Superior Court, where DCPP removed the children and placed them in foster care and prepared to clear ... them for adoption. Successfully litigated the matter and the case was dismissed and the children reunified with their mother. Aprille's story was featured in LSNJ's Reunification Day Celebration of 2013. See : https://youtu.be/Cm9-UJJJ2Uc

Family

N.J. Div. of Youth & Fam. Servs. v. D.S.H., 425 N.J. Super 228 (App. Div. 2012)

Apr 12, 2012

OUTCOME: Obtained for client Mother reversal of lower Court's parental rights termination.

Obtained reversal of lower Court's termination of client Mother's parental rights regarding 6 year-old daughter. New Jersey's Appellate Division agreed with the client Mother that it was not necessar ... y, and would be contrary to the child's best interests, to permanently sever her bond with her mother for the sole purpose of allowing her father, married to the mother but not the biological father, to adopt the child. The Appellate Court noted that "two parents are better than one, even if one parent falls far below the ideal."

Rhonda Joan Panken's Legal Cases (4)

M.G. v. C.M., NYLJ 1202792223427, at *1 (Sup., KI, Decided June 2, 2017); 2017 NY Slip Op 50745 (U); 55 Misc 3d 1223(A)

Travis v. Murray, 977 N.Y.S. 3d 621 (N.Y. S.Ct. 2013)

Aprille's Case (Pro Bono)

N.J. Div. of Youth & Fam. Servs. v. D.S.H., 425 N.J. Super 228 (App. Div. 2012)