Steven J. Mandel is not just a lawyer. He refers to himself as a Counselor at Law, because that's what he does. He counsels his clients. Whether he is dealing with a Divorce or Family Law issue, a Business or Commercial case, or an Entertainment or Corporate Law matter, Steve knows that it is important to fulfill not only the clients' legal needs, but their emotional needs as well. He relates to his clients as people, not merely as cases. In the course of getting to know his clients personally, their businesses intimately, and their goals and objectives, he has developed lifelong business and personal relationships. In fact, the first two people that Steve ever represented, when he was a novice attorney just out of law school more than 25 years ago, still remain his clients and close friends today.

Steve's approach to his law practice has undoubtedly been shaped by his unique personal experiences. Steve proudly hails from the gritty streets of Brooklyn , New York , where he attended James Madison High School , home of such legal luminaries as United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and TV's own Judge Judy Sheindlin. As a college student at Adelphi University , Steve played shortstop for the school team on an athletic scholarship, hoping to realize his dream of being a professional baseball player. Although he received an invitation to try out for the Toronto Blue Jays, Steve decided his competitive spirit, and winning attitude, would best be served by becoming a tough, yet compassionate attorney.

His ability as a litigator, to perform before a judge or jury, was greatly enhanced by his experiences as both a professional musician and singer, to earn money for college and law school, and later as a professional comedian, performing in front of thousands of guests in New York City's prestigious comedy clubs and resort hotels throughout New York State. In recognition of his performing skills, he was also accepted as a member of the esteemed Friars Club.

Steve credits his experience as a professional comedian with helping to make him a successful trial lawyer. In both fields, the lawyer/performer must be fully prepared, confident, persuasive, engaging, quick-witted and able to relate to his audience. Both arenas are truly Darwinian, where only the strongest survive.

Steve has always been a trailblazer with a pioneering spirit. That is why, even though he was accepted by many law schools throughout the country, he chose to be part of the first graduating class of Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, right here in New York City , where he excelled.

Negotiating and/or obtaining the best outcome for his clients is always Steve's main concern. His unique negotiating style is based on his keen ability to assess a situation and determine that approach which is best suited for a particular place and point in time. While an aggressive, no-holds-barred approach may be warranted at one moment, a more conciliatory, laid back approach may be called for at the next. Steve's ability to be flexible in his negotiating style has enabled him to achieve many a successful outcome for his clients, where another attorney might have failed.

Steve enjoys his frequent guest appearances as a legal analyst on Court TV and NBC's Celebrity Justice , and has been quoted extensively in all of the major New York newspapers. He has often appeared on national television programs such as Dateline NBC and CBS' 48 Hours . In addition, his legal papers have been sought out by Matthew Bender for inclusion in their form books, which serve as examples of writing excellence, for other attorneys.

Steve devotes much of his spare time and energy volunteering his legal skills for the benefit of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. In the Spring of 2005, Steve was recognized by the New York City Chapter of the MS Society for his more than 20 years of dedicated service, and was presented with a special award at a ceremony on the field of Shea Stadium, just prior to a New York Mets game.

Throughout the years, Steve has been known to collect and disperse witty, yet wise aphorisms that collectively provide a view of the philosophy that guides his approach to practicing law. Click here for a representative sampling of some of Mandel's Laws. They'll make you laugh and make you think.

Divorce Law
Child Custody
Division of marital assets
Gay and lesbian family law