Steven J. Mandel

Practice areas

Family Law, Personal Injury – General: Plaintiff

Focus areas

Adoption, Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Marital Property, Personal Injury – Plaintiff, Prenuptial Agreements, Same Sex Family Law

Hailing from the gritty streets of Brooklyn, Steven J. Mandel’s journey led him through law school while moonlighting as a professional comedian. He honed his comedic craft before crowds numbering in the thousands at the most prestigious comedy clubs and resorts across the tri-state area. He attributes this unique experience as instrumental in shaping his success as a trial attorney, as both realms demand impeccable preparation, persuasive skills, and the ability to connect with an “audience.” His comedic talents earned him the esteemed distinction of becoming a member of the Friars Club.

Today, Steve regularly “performs” as a legal analyst on television, effortlessly sharing his extensive legal knowledge and expertise in a captivating manner. His insights have garnered extensive quotations in major New York newspapers and numerous national magazines, particularly in high-profile cases.

Steve’s educational journey commenced at Adelphi University on a baseball scholarship, and though he received an invitation to try out for the Toronto Blue Jays, his competitive spirit ultimately found its calling in the field of law. In 1979, he graduated at the top of his class, earning a Doctor of Law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

His remarkable legal career has been punctuated by accolades and recognitions, including being named a “Top 100 Lawyer in the United States” by the American Society of Legal Advocates, a “Top Attorney of the Year” by the New York Times Magazine Section, and a “Family Law Practitioner of the Year” by New York Magazine. ALM recognized him as a “Legal Leader” and one of “New York’s Top Rated Lawyers.” Steve’s peer and client recognition earned him a perfect “10” rating from AVVO for both “peer recognition & client satisfaction,” while Martindale-Hubbell bestowed upon him their prestigious “AV Preeminent” rating, signifying the highest possible standards in both legal ability and ethics.

Steve Mandel proudly serves as a co-chair of the New York County Lawyer’s Association’s Matrimonial Law Section, a role he was elected to by his peers. He is also a respected legal scholar, serving as a faculty member of the New York College of Matrimonial Trial Attorneys, where he imparts legal wisdom through continuing education programs at various bar associations and law schools across New York State. Additionally, he co-authored the publication “Strategies for Family Law in New York,” available on Amazon and published by Thomson Reuters.

Beyond his legal endeavors, Steve dedicates his time as a valued member of the Board of Directors and Chief Legal Counsel for Ed Randall’s Fans for the Cure, an organization focused on raising awareness for prostate cancer. Since 1987, he has also provided extensive legal counsel and support to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. In recognition of his unwavering efforts, the New York City Chapter of the MS Society honored him with a special award before a New York Mets game, and the National MS Society inducted him into their Volunteer’s Hall of Fame, a distinction reserved for the most highly respected volunteers in the nation.

Despite his many accomplishments, Steve measures his success by the heartfelt “thank you cards” he receives from appreciative clients. His ability to astutely assess each client’s unique situation and tailor an approach for optimal outcomes has earned him the moniker “the Picasso of the legal profession.” This expertise has allowed him to succeed even in what other attorneys might deem “unwinnable cases.” It is perhaps this extraordinary skill that places Steven J. Mandel in an elite category, with a “profile rating” of #89 out of 100,331 lawyers in New York State and #1,275 out of 1,692,898 nationwide, positioning him in the top 99.92 percentile, according to Martindale-Hubbell.