Meet Barbara J. Schaffer

Barbara J. Schaffer, Esq. has more than 35 years of litigation and transactional experience. She is an adjunct professor in the lawyering program at the CUNY School of Law.She graduated in 1985 from Brooklyn Law School, where she was the recipient of the prestigious American Jurisprudence Award in Evidence. From 1986 to 2000, Ms. Schaffer worked in private practice, representing individuals as well as corporations with a focus on matrimonial, family law, and real estate matters. In 2001, Ms. Schaffer became Of Counsel to the firm of Lansner & Kubitschek. In 2009, she became a partner in the firm. Ms. Schaffer has been repeatedly selected as a Super Lawyer by her peers, an honor accorded to only 5% of attorneys in the New York area. Ms. Schaffer, through the U.S. Department of State, has been utilized as an expert in New York family law by the High Court of Ireland.

Ms. Schaffer started her boutique matrimonial and family law practice in January 2012. She is also a trained and experienced mediator. Ms. Schaffer has also provided continuing legal education presentations to attorneys in New York City and contributed chapters to legal treatises. (see Published Articles section)
Ms. Schaffer has represented hundreds of clients in divorce and family law matters in New York State Supreme and Family Courts. She is skilled not only in all aspects of litigation but also in the negotiation of comprehensive settlement agreements in high-conflict cases. Ms. Schaffer’s practice also includes appellate work [e.g., Anna-Sophia L. v Paul H., 52 A.D.3d 313 (1st Dept. 2008); Flores v Flores, 22 A.D.2d 372 (1st Dept. 2005), Turecki v Turecki, 211 A.D.2d 450 (1st Dept. 1995)]

Education

Juris Doctor, 1985, Brooklyn Law School
Bachelor of Arts, 1981, Binghamton University

Bar Admissions

New York State Courts
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
U.S. Supreme Court

Professional Associations and Memberships

Practice Philosophy

Teamwork!
The best outcome in contested family law matters comes from the interactive relationship between lawyer and client. We know the law, the courts, the process, and the usual cast of characters appearing throughout.

You know your life, your finances, and your parenting skills—and you have the best insight on the very important traits of your former partner. Thoughtful participation in your case is crucial to a successful resolution. We will work together to resolve your case with the best result possible. Having litigated hundreds of family law matters for over two decades, we can advise you on the possible parameters of an outcome.

Family law matters are uniquely dependent on the facts of each case, and each case presents you with options for a successful conclusion. We will never litigate unnecessarily. We can also explore out-of-court options for resolving your case.

We’ve worked with everyone from renowned psychiatrists, medical technicians, Olympic Athletes, actors, auto-body mechanics, artists, stay-at-home parents, secretaries, Wall Street executives, mason tenders, and professors. . . all are warmly welcomed, and all are encouraged to participate fully in their own case.

Published Articles

Inside the Minds: Strategies for Family Law in New York, 2012 ed.
“Building Relationships with Family Law Clients to Achieve Results”
— Aspatore Books, Thomson Reuters
New York Civil Practice: Family Court Proceedings, Chapter 22
“Biological Children of Unwed Parents”
— Matthew Bender & Co.
New York Civil Practice: Family Court Proceedings, Chapter 48
"Enforcement of Child Support and Maintenance Awards"
— Matthew Bender & Co.

Continuing Legal Education Presentations

Divorce: Drafting Stipulations of Settlement
Legal Services NYC, 2010
Contested Divorce Training
In-Motion, 2008
“Visitation Issues in Domestic Violence Cases”
Fordham Law School Domestic Violence Conference, 2007
NYCLA’s “Uptown Justice” series, lectured to community organizations on child support issues, 2006
“Depositions in Family Law Cases”
Legal Services NYC, 2006
Family Court Versus Supreme Court in Matrimonial Matters
Does the Choice of Court Change the Result?
NYCLA, 2005

Published Cases

Anna-Sophia L. v Paul H., 52 AD3d 313 [1st Dept 2008]-The First Dept. awarded our client attorney’s fees in a Family Court filiation and child support proceeding, finding that: “To the extent that petitioner’s attorneys were forced to litigate what would have been an easily resolved issue but for respondent’s less than forthright position concerning his true financial state, respondent should reimburse petitioner for the fees incurred.”
Flores v Flores, 22 AD3d 372 [1st Dept 2005]: The First Dept. awarded our client a share of her former spouse’s Superior Officer Variable Supplement Fund, finding that “Defendant’s SOVSF benefits constituted marital property in which plaintiff was entitled to share.”
Turecki v Turecki, 211 AD2d 450 [1st Dept 1995]: Where our client had paid for his children’s college education, as directed by his separation agreement, the First Dept. found that “the IAS court correctly held that the plaintiff had not violated the Agreement and the New York Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (EPTL 7–4.1 et seq.) by directing the children to use their custodial accounts, which were funded by plaintiff, to pay their college expenses.”