Practice Areas: Family Law; view more
Licensed in New York since: 1983
Education: Harvard Law School
Call today:
914-431-7299
Kristensen Law PLLC
333 Westchester AvenueSuite S302
White Plains, NY 10604 Visit website
Details
Tamara A. Mitchel is a partner in Kristensen Law PLLC, a law firm in Westchester County and New York City focusing exclusively on family and matrimonial law. Ms. Mitchel practices in all aspects of matrimonial and family and approaches to them, including negotiation, settlement, litigation, trial and collaborative law. She has extensive experience handling complex and straightforward financial and custody matters, modification/enforcement cases and domestic violence matters.
Ms. Mitchel is a cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School, a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard College and completed the Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute of the American Bar Association. She is an esteemed bar association leader, including as former chair by election of the Westchester County Bar Association Domestic Relations/Family Law Section, serving on its Executive Committee from 2008 to the present. Ms. Mitchel also serves by appointment as the Co-Chair of the Custody Committee of the New York State Bar Association Family Law Section and has served on that Section's Executive Committee from 2008 through the present.
Tamara Mitchel previously worked as a partner at two esteemed New York family and matrimonial law firms, and, prior to that, as a supervising attorney at the Pace Women’s Justice Center, training law students, representing domestic violence victims and working with law enforcement, mental health professionals and legislators to improve services and outcomes.
A frequent lecturer and writer for continuing legal education programs, Tamara Mitchel is recognized in the legal and public communities for her valuable services and contributions to the practice of family law and the protection of domestic violence victims. She received two Certificates of Distinguished Service from the Westchester County Office of the County Executive, and the Diane White Legal Advocacy Award from the Pace Women's Justice Center, for her service to domestic violence victims and their families. Ms. Mitchel is also a Fellow of the New York Bar Foundation.
Ms. Mitchel serves on the advisory board of the Pace Women's Justice Center, and, In 2018, was a founding board member of New Dawn Family Resources Center, a not-for-profit dedicated to improving services in Northern Westchester for victims of intimate partner and family abuse and sexual assault.
Ms. Mitchel has been described by her clients as a tenacious advocate, puzzle master, manager of a daunting process with clear vision and deliberate execution of process, and a professional in all aspects of the word. She strives to expand her scope of work to use her insights, sense of justice and compassion, drive and determination, on behalf of the law and service to clients and the community.
Practice areas
Family LawFocus areas
Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Paternity, Prenuptial Agreements, Same Sex Family Law
- 100% Family Law
First Admitted: 1983, New York
Professional Webpage: http://www.kristensenpllc.com/mitchel
- Chair of the 9th Judicial District of the Fellows of the New York Bar Foundation, 2024
- Co-Chair, Child Custody Committee, New York State Bar Association Family Law Section, 2024
- Executive Committee Member, Westchester County Bar Assn Domestic Relations and Family Law Section, 2024
- Member, Westchester Women's Bar Association, 2023
- Member, Executive Committee, New York State Bar Association Family Law Section, 2024
- Member, New York Association of Collaborative Professionals, each year since 2010, 2021
- Fellow of the New York Bar Foundation, by election, 2020
- Member, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, 2021
- Officer and Board Member, New Dawn Family Resource Center, Inc., domestic violence and sexual assault victim support not-for-profit in Northern Westchester County, 2021
- Member, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, 2017
- Co-Chair Special Committee on By-Laws, New York State Bar Association Family Law Section, 2015
- Co-Chair Continuing Legal Education Committee, Westchester County Bar Association Domestic Relations and Family Law Section, 2017
- Member, Committee On Legislation, New York State Bar Association Family Law Section, 2016
- Former Chair, Domestic Relations and Family Law Section, Westchester County Bar Association, 2016
- Former Member, Post-Miller Commission Committee For Change, 2008
- Graduate, Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute of the American Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Certification in the Practice of Collaborative Law, 2010
- Fellow and 9th Judicial District Chair of the Fellows, New York Bar Foundation, 2023
- Founding and current Board Member, Officer, New Dawn Family Resource Center, not-for-profit dedicated to improving services for domestic violence, intimate partner and sexual assault victims in Northern Westchester County, 2023
- Member, Friends of Gail Advisory Board of the Pace Women's Justice Center, 2023
- Board of Directors Member, Westchester Women's Bar Association Foundation, 2018
- Former Member, Board of Directors, Hope's Door (formerly Northern Westchester Shelter)
- Former Member, Harvard College Schools and Scholarships Committee, Harvard-Radcliffe Club of Westchester
- Former Member Resource Committee of the Summer Justice Academy for Young Women
- Former Member, Zoning Board of Appeals, City of Rye, New York
- Best Lawyers in America Family Law, Best Lawyers in America Family Law, Best Lawyers in America, 2024
- Best Lawyers in America for Family Law, Best Lawyers, 2025
- Partner in Kristensen Law Group, PC, included in Best Law Firms, Metropolitan Tier 1, White Plains, Family Law, Partner in Firm included in Best Law Firms, Metropolitan Tier 1 White Plains Family Law, Best Law Firms, Metropolitan Tier 1 White Plains Family Law, 2024
- Best Lawyers in America for Family Law, Best Lawyers in America, 2023
- Best Lawyers in America for Family Law, Best Lawyers in America, 2022
- Best Lawyers in America for Family Law, Best Lawyers in America, 2021
- Best Lawyers in America for Family Law, 2019
- Included in Marquis Who’s Who for Professional Excellence in Law, 2018
- Best Lawyers in America for Family Law, 2018
- Pro Bono Volunteer Award, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, 2017
- The Diane White Legal Advocacy Award: In recognition of commitment to the mission of the Pace Women’s Justice Center, dedication to providing justice to victims and survivors of domestic violence and access to the legal system for all women, that has made a difference in the lives of so many women and their childrren, Pace Women's Justice Center, Pace University School of Law, 2011
- Certificate of Distinguished Service: For generous giving of time and effort while providing an invaluable service to the Citizens of Westchester County, and in recognition of being honored by the Pace Women’s Justice Center for support of the Center’s mission and work, Westchester County, Office of the Chief Executive, 2011
- Proclamation: For exemplary service on behalf of the community, proclaiming October 19, 2011 as Tamara A. Mitchel, Esq. Day, Hon. Andrew Stewart-Cousins, NY State Senate 35th District, 2005
- Proclamation: For numerous years of service to the Community and State for long and sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in the profession, New York State Senate-37th District, Hon. Suzi Oppenheimer, 2011
- Proclamation: For seeking justice for victims of the domestic violence through private practice, lectures, writing, support of the Pace Women’s Justice Center and leadership in helping women escape the terror of domestic violence, and bringing abuse to the attention of the public and the court, U.S. House of Representatives Congressional, Hon. Nita M Lowey, 2011
- Certificate of Distinguished Service: For Outstanding Service as Supervising Attorney for the White Plains Family Court Domestic Violence Legal Program, Westcheser County Office of the County Executive, 2002
- Harvard Law School, J.D. cum laude
- Harvard College, B.A. Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
- Presenter and Author of Materials on Domestic Violence and Impact on Victims at Roundtable Attended by Judges; Other Presenters Included Pro Bono Attorneys and Counselors and Private Attorneys, Presenter/Author, Presenter/Author at Domestic Violence Roundtable, Presenter and Author of Materials on Domestic Violence and Impact on Victims at Roundtable Attended by Judges; Other Presenters Included Pro Bono Attorneys and Counselors and Private Attorneys, 2023
- Presenter/Lecturer to Supreme Court Judges and legal staff in 9th JD presiding over matrimonial cases regarding impact of domestic violence in divorce proceedings., Presenter/Lecturer, Presenter/Lecturer to Judges and Court Legal Staff, Presenter/Lecturer to Supreme Court Judges and legal staff in 9th JD presiding over matrimonial cases regarding impact of domestic violence in divorce proceedings., 2023
- Critical Areas in Matrimonial Law II: Drafting Pendente Lite, Modification and In Limine Motions: Ethics and Motions, CLE Lecturer, New York State Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, 2018
- Family Court Trial Institute II: Petitions for Support, Enforcement and Downward Modification , CLE Lecturer, New York State Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, 2017
- Representing Victims of Domestic Violence: How to Navigate When A Family Court Matter Becomes A Supreme Court Divorce, CLE Lecturer and Co-author, Westchester Women's Bar Association; Westchester County Bar Association; Pace Women's Justice Center, 2016
- Family Court Trial Institute: Orders of Protection, CLE Lecturer, New York State Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, 2016
- Ethics in Matrimonial and Family Law Update, CLE Co-Author and Lecturer, New York State Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, 2015
- Domestic Law Review 2008-2014, Editor-in-Chief, Westchester County Bar Association Domesic Relations and Family Law Section, 2014
- Practical Skills - Basic Matrimonial Practice, "Introduction to Equitable Distribution and Maintenance", CLE Lecturer, New York State Bar Association, 2013
- Basic Matrimonial Practice, CLE Chair, New York State Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, 2012
- Practical Skills, Family Court Practice, "Family Offense Proceedings – Article 8" , CLE Lecturer, New York State Bar Association, New York State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education, 2012
- Legislative Update: Divorce and Child Support Reform Laws, March 2011, Lecturer, The Fifteenth Annual Domestic Violence Conference, Sponsored by the Appellate Division, 1st Department; Fordham Law School; Lawyers Committee Against Domestic Violence; New York State Judicial Committee on Women, 2011
- Practical Skills, Basic Matrimonial Practice, CLE Chair, New York State Bar Association, 2011
- Practical Skills: Basic Matrimonial Practice, Motions and Pre-Trial Interventions., CLE Lecturer, New York State Bar Association, 2010
- In-Service Police Training Manual published by Westchester County, titled, "Current Issues in Law Enforcement Response to Family Offenses: A Domestic Violence Manual", Author, Westchester County, 2001
- Family Court Practice: Custody, Child Protective Proceedings and Ethics, CLE Chair, New York State Bar Association, 2011
- "Jurisprudence: Due Process Concerns for the Underrepresented Domestic Violence Victim," Buffalo Women's Law Journal, Vo. XIII, p. 173, Fall 2006., Co-author, Buffalo Women's Law Journal, 2006
- Matrimonial Actions, Jurisdiction, Grounds, Separation, Annulment and Dissolution, CLE Lecturer, New York State Bar Association, 2011
- Divorce Law and Domestic Violence-How Recent Amendments in Domestic Relations and Other Laws Benefit Survivors of Domestic Violence, CLE Co-Author and Lecturer, Pace Law School Center for Continuing Legal Education, 2011
- The New Child Support Modification Laws of 2010, CLE Author, New York State Bar Association, 2011
- Practical Skills: Family Court Practice, "Ethics and Professionalism", CLE Lecturer and Co-Author, New York State Bar Association, 2009
- Current Issues in Custody Matters Involving Domestic Abuse: Cautionary Considerations for the Matrimonial Attorney, Author CLE Materials and Lecturer, Pace Law School Center for Continuing Legal Education, 2009
- "Should Women Fear New York's New No-Fault Divorce Law?", Author-Op Ed Article, Rye Sound Shore Review, Sound and Town Report Mamaroneck Larchmont, Town Report-Bronxville Eastchester, 2009
- Domestic Violence and the Collaborative Practitioner: The Complexity of Power in Relationships, CLE Lecturer, NY Association of Collaborative Professionals & Pace Women's Justice Center, 2009
- Comeback Lawyers - Updating Your Substantive and Technical Skills, CLE Lecturer, New York State Bar Association, Special Committee on Lawyers in Transition, 2008
- Divorce Law and Domestic Violence, CLE Lecturer, Pace Law School Center for Continuing Legal Education, 2007
- Domestic Violence and Financial Exploitation in Matrimonial Cases, CLE Lecturer, The Ninth Judicial District Committee to Promote Gender Fairness in the Courts, Westchester Women's Bar Association, Pace Law School, Pace Women's Justice Center,, 2007
- Nuts and Bolts of Matrimonial Law, CLE Lecturer, Westchester Women's Bar Association/Pace Women's Justice Center Moderate Means Program and the Northern Westchester Shelter Survivor's Law Project, 2006
- Custody and Child Support, 2006 Nuts and Bolts of Divorce Law in New York 2006 General New York Divorce Law 2005 New York Divorce Law 2004, Lecturer, Pace Women's Justice Center Family Law Lecture Series, 2006
- Post-Divorce Legal and Financial Issues, Lecturer, Citigroup's Women and Co., 2004
- Project DETER approach by Pace Women's Justice Center for civil attorneys working with police 24/7 to provide vertical representation to domestic violence victims to secure civil orders of protection, Lecturer, New York State Regional Community Policing Institute, John Jay College of Criminal Justice/CUNY, 2000
- New York State Bar Association Family Law Section
- Westchester County Bar Association Domestic Relations & Family Law Section
- Westchester Women's Bar Association
- Women's Bar Association Of The State Of New York; New York State Bar Foundation
Office location for Tamara A. Mitchel
333 Westchester Avenue
Suite S302
White Plains, NY 10604
Phone: 914-431-7299
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2013 - 2024