Jacqueline Harounian

Jacqueline Harounian, a distinguished matrimonial and family law leader, is a managing partner at Wisselman, Harounian & Associates in Carle Place, New York. With a peer-review rating of AV Preeminent* through Martindale-Hubbell, she is a highly sought-after attorney known for her proficiency in handling complex divorce, custody and support matters.Ms. Harounian's exceptional credentials stand out amongst her peers in the field. With a graduate degree (certificate) in behavioral forensic psychology and family systems therapy from the State University of New York at Oswego, her multidisciplinary background is truly one-of-a-kind. Her knowledge is primarily centered around child custody and support, fathers' rights, grandparent custody, enforcement of child custody, child abduction and parental kidnapping.When representing clients in family and supreme courts on Long Island and New York City, Ms. Harounian utilizes her extensive experience in trial and appellate advocacy to achieve the most favorable outcomes. Nevertheless, where minor children and co-parenting are a priority, she believes in a negotiated settlement approach. Her method is client-focused, straightforward and responsive. Additionally, she places excellent prominence on compassion and respect during the divorce process, guiding clients toward a holistic and cost-effective resolution in their best interest.Ms. Harounian boasts close to three decades of experience, having honed a distinctive methodology for tackling familial disputes and divorces. Her approach encompasses an interdisciplinary perspective on parenting dynamics and has proved incredibly efficacious. As a negotiator and neutral mediator, her success rate in settling cases outside of court is impressively high.A 1991 graduate of Columbia College, Ms. Harounian obtained her J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law in 1994 and was duly admitted to practice in New York a year later. She maintains a “Very Good” rating on Avvo. Her legal skill has also been featured in a thought-provoking article, "Legal Implications of Religious Divorce," published in Nassau Lawyer and presented at the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York 2019 annual convention.Ms. Harounian's many philanthropic endeavors are a testament to her dedication to professional, community and nonprofit organizations. Notably, she passionately contributes to The Safe Center, performing extensive pro bono work and raising awareness and funds for various social and legal causes on Long Island.For over a decade, Ms. Harounian served as an instructor of family law at Hofstra Law School. Her knowledge and experience make her a regular lecturer to attorneys, mental health professionals, accountants and women's groups. She is highly adored as a speaker for several topics, including financial and legal empowerment, religious divorce (Islamic Mahr, Jewish Gett), sexual and cyber-harassment, intellectual property, parenting issues, negotiating skills and mental health/addiction issues.*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.