Practice areas: Family Law, Estate Planning & Probate, General Litigation; view more
Licensed in New York since: 1993
Education: Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2023 - 2026 Call today:
631-825-7624
Free Consultation Donato Law
130 W. Main St.East Islip, NY 11730 Visit website
The founder of Donato Law in East Islip, New York, Jodi Ann Donato offers dedicated legal representation to individuals and families managing tough family law matters. She focuses her practice on a broad range of issues, including contested and uncontested divorce, child custody, child support and domestic violence concerns. Committed to helping clients achieve practical, effective resolutions during some of life’s most challenging transitions, she handles high-income divorces, adoptions, paternity actions and orders of protection.
Ms. Donato has developed extensive experience in matrimonial and family law, guiding clients through sensitive legal and personal issues while advocating for their long-term interests. Her approach combines strategic counsel with a thorough understanding of New York family law, enabling her to assist clients effectively in both negotiations and courtroom proceedings.
Academically accomplished, Ms. Donato earned her Juris Doctor from Touro Law Center in 1992. Prior to pursuing her legal education, she received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Hofstra University in 1985. She has been licensed to practice law in New York since 1993. She is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and the Supreme Court of the United States. Ms. Donato has served as a Small Claims Court Arbitrator for over 25 years and was appointed as a Small Claims Assessment Review Hearing Officer in 2024. Ms. Donato has completed 40 hours of mediation training including training in Matrimonial Mediation. She also has certificates in Basic Religious Studies, Missionary Discipleship and Catechesis.
Active in the legal community, Ms. Donato holds leadership roles in several professional organizations. She serves as Pres-dent-Elect of the Women's Baw Association of the State of New York and is an active member of the Suffolk County Bar Association's Matrimonial and Family Law Committee, the Suffolk County Matrimonial Bar Association, the Suffolk County Women's Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association’s Family Law Section.
Ms. Donato is also active outside the legal community - she is a member and Mentor of the East Islip School Business Partnership; serves as a Girl Scout Leader for her granddaughters (and previously held various positions with Girl Scouts for over 13 years). She is active in her church where has served as a Lector for 6 years and a Catechist for over 20 years.
Practice areas
Family Law, Estate Planning & Probate, General LitigationFocus areas
Adoption, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Estate Planning, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements, Probate & Estate Administration, Restraining Order, Same Sex Family Law
- 80% Family Law
- 10% Estate Planning & Probate
- 10% General Litigation
First Admitted: 1993, New York
Professional Webpage: https://jodianndonatolaw.com/about/
Bar / Professional Activity
- New York State 1993
- U.S. Supreme Court 1996
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York
- Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association
- Suffolk County Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association, WBASNY Delegate
- Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association, Treasurer, 2021 - present
- Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association, Co-Chair of Women In Law Day
- Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association, Director, 2020 - 2021
- Touro Law Center Alumni Association, Moot Court Judge
- Suffolk County Matrimonial Bar Association, 2000
- New York State Bar Association, General Practice Section
- Touro Law Center Alumni Association, Alumni Council
- New York State Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association, Past President
- Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association, President, 2023
- Suffolk County Bar Association Charitable Foundation, Secretary
- Suffolk County Bar Association Charitable Foundation, Manager
- Suffolk County Bar Association, Matrimonial and Family Law Committee, 2017 - present
- Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, President-Elect
- Suffolk County Bar Association, Mock Trial Judge/Mock Trial Attorney Mentor
- Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, Treasurer, 2024
- Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, Chapter Delegate, 2019 - present
- Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, Legislation Committee
- Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, Co-Chair of the Family and Matrimonial Law Committee
- District Court Small Claims Arbitrator - Suffolk County Courts in conjunction with Suffolk County Bar Association, 1997 - present
- Hon. Betty Weinberg Ellerin Commission on Women in the Courts – Suffolk County Women in the Courts Committee
- Hon. Betty Weinberg Ellerin Commission on Women in the Courts – Suffolk County Women in the Courts Committee, Member of Mental Health Awareness Sub-Committee
- Hon. Betty Weinberg Ellerin Commission on Women in the Courts – Suffolk County Women in the Courts Committee, Member of the Human Trafficking Sub-Committee
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Board Member Essentials, Non-Profit Ready, 2024
- Fundraising, Non-Profit Ready, 2024
- Marketing Essentials, Non-Profit Ready, 2024
- Advanced Divorce Mediation Training, 2021
- Basic Religious Studies, DRVC, 2020
- Basic Mediation Training, 2019
- Certificate in Catechesis, University of Dayton and DRVC, 2019
- School of Missionary Disciples, DRVC, 2021
Pro bono / Community Service
- Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, Leader
- Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, Service Unit Coordinator
- Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, SU Team Member
- Boy Scouts of Suffolk County, Committee Member
- Boy Scouts of Suffolk County, Merit Badge Advisor
- True North Community Church, Children’s Ministry
- St. Mary’s Church, Coordinator – 1st Grade Religious Education
- St. Mary’s Church, Catechist
- Park Row Homeowner’s Association, Chairman – Rules Committee
- East Islip School District District-Wide Committees, School Improvement Team (MS and HS)
- East Islip School District District-Wide Committees, Excellence in Learning Committee
- East Islip School District District-Wide Committees, Budget Committee
- East Islip School Business Partnership, Business Partner
- Park Row Homeowner’s Association, Vice President
Educational Background
- Hofstra University, Bachelor of Business Administration, 1985
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- East Islip School Business Partnership, Mentor
- Touro Law Center Alumni Association, Mentor Program
Honors
- Entrepreneurial Attorney of the Year Finalist, 2022
- Recipient of various awards from Girl Scouts of Suffolk County
- Named Pro Bono Attorney of the Month three times
- Clio Reisman Award for Best Growth Story, 2020
- Recipient of the Town of Islip Distinguished Service Award, 2009
- Inducted into East Islip School District Alumni Hall of Fame, 2000
- Recipient of Toyota Motors Distributors’ Comptroller's Award for Excellence, 1989
Awards
Avvo Client's Choice Award: This award is granted to attorneys with at least 5 reviews with 4+ stars in a given year on Avvo.com
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2023 - 2026
