About Abby & Ellie

Founded in 2005, Family Mediation LLP has become a leader in the field of family and divorce mediation in New York.  Abby and Ellie have been featured panelists at many conferences and trainings including: the International Bar Association conference about children and mediation; mediation training for the Juvenile Rights Division of the Legal Aid Society; Cardozo Law School ADR conference.

Abby and Ellie are adjunct professors of Mediation Theory and Skills at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Abby began her legal career in 1991 as a litigation associate at the law firm Cravath, Swaine and Moore. Subsequently, she volunteered with the Lawyer’s Committee for Human Rights, where she evaluated cases and interviewed immigrants from around the world who wished to apply for asylum in the United States. Abby then worked at the Women’s Justice Center at Pace Law School in White Plains. There, she provided legal advice to victims of domestic violence.

In April 2004, Abby received her mediation training through the Center for Mediation in Law (now known as the Center for Understanding in Conflict) and continues to participate in advanced trainings and professional retreats through the Center, including advanced coursework in matrimonial law and mediation techniques. Abby completed an apprenticeship as a volunteer mediator with the Westchester Mediation Center, CLUSTER, where she participated in custody and visitation mediations, and she is a certified mediator in the New York City Family Courts.

Abby is a member of the Family and Divorce Mediation Council. She was a teaching assistant at the Ackerman Institute for the Family, training new mediators in an advanced practicum. Abby volunteers as a mentor to consulting attorneys and as a mediator at the New York Legal Assistance Group.  Additionally, Abby is a regular columnist for the New York Law Journal, mediation column. Abby received her BA from Barnard College of Columbia University and her JD from the New York University School of Law.

Ellie began her legal career advocating on behalf of children in abuse, neglect and juvenile delinquency cases at the Juvenile Rights Division of the Legal Aid Society. Subsequently, she represented indigent clients in custody, child support, matrimonial and family violence cases at the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG). As part of her work at NYLAG, she also supervised law students who assisted domestic violence victims in Family Court and conducted family law trainings at law schools and social service agencies throughout New York City.

Using her family law background, Ellie is now committed to the practice of mediation to assist families in resolving their conflicts. She received her mediation training at the Queens Mediation Network and completed the divorce mediation practicum at the Ackerman Institute for the Family. She participates in advanced trainings and professional retreats through the Center for Mediation in Law (now known as the Center for Understanding in Conflict), including advanced coursework in matrimonial law and mediation techniques.

Ellie served on Board of Directors of the Family and Divorce Mediation Council. She was a teaching assistant at the Ackerman Institute for the Family, training new mediators in an advanced practicum. Ellie volunteers to mediate with low income clients at the New York Legal Assistance Group.  Additionally, Ellie is a regular columnist for the New York Law Journal, mediation column. She is a certified mediator in the New York City Family Courts and a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. Ellie received her BA from Northwestern University and her JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.