Russell I. Marnell is admitted to the bars of New York, California, Nevada, Florida, the United States Tax Court, and Federal District Court. In addition to receiving his J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law, Mr. Marnell has earned a MBA in Accounting and has passed the CPA examination. He has litigated over two hundred trials specializing in cases involving complex custody, equitable distribution, child support, and maintenance issues.
Mr. Marnell’s accomplishments include:
- Current member of the Matrimonial Committees of The Nassau and Suffolk County Bar Associations
- Member of the prestigious New York Family Law American Inns of Court
Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Mr. Marnell has published numerous articles on matrimonial and family law topics, is a frequent lecturer on these subjects, and has appeared on several television and radio programs. Additionally he is ‘AV’ rated by Martindale-Hubbell. **( An AV rating shows that a lawyer has reached the height of professional excellence. He or she has usually practiced law for many years, and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.)
BAR ADMISSIONS
New York State Bar , Florida Bar, California Bar, Nevada Bar, Federal District Court, United States Tax Court
LEGAL EMPLOYMENT
September, 1985 - Present - Marnell Law Group, P.C.
One Huntington Quadrangle
Suite 1N10
Melville, NY 11747
Suffolk County Office:
180 East Main Street
Suite 308
Smithtown, NY 11787
tel. (516) 542-9000 fax. (516) 542-2039
e-mail: info@marnelllaw.com , website: www.marnelllaw.com
Emphasis on Matrimonial and Family Law
"AV" rated by Martindale-Hubbell** and listed in their
Bar Register of Pre-eminent Lawyers
(An AV rating shows that a lawyer has reached the height of professional excellence. He or she has
usually practiced law for many years, and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity.)
**"CV, BV, and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the
Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies."
"Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review process that rates lawyers. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions
of members of the Bar and the Judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell Ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general
ethical standards."
Thomson Reuters "Super Lawyers" – 2007, 2014, 2015, 2016,
2017 and 2018.
AVVO - 10 rating
EDUCATION
Hofstra University School of Law, Hempstead, New York
J.D. awarded, 1984
Hofstra University School of Business, Hempstead, New York
MBA, 1984; Accounting
S.U.N.Y. at Albany, Albany, New York
B.S., 1980; Business
Certified Public Accountant Examination, passed 1985
AFFILIATIONS
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
New York Family Law American Inn of Court
New York State Bar Association
New York State Bar Family Law Section
New York State Bar Association Family Law Legislative Sub-Committee
Nassau County Bar Association
Nassau County Bar Association - Board of Directors
Nassau County Bar Matrimonial Committee
Nassau County Bar Child Custody Sub-Committee - Past Chairperson
Nassau County Bar Speaker Panel
Nassau County Bar President Attorneys/Accountants Committee
Suffolk County Bar Association
Suffolk County Bar Matrimonial Committee
Associate Editor, Nassau Lawyer
Florida Bar Association
Florida Bar Family Law Section
California Bar Association
Nevada Bar Association
Past President - Kiwanis Club of the Bellmores
Past Member - Board of Directors - Bellmore Chamber of Commerce
East Meadow Chamber of Commerce
Melville Chamber of Commerce
Huntington Lawyers Club
Association of Divorce Financial Planners
Jewish Lawyers Association of Nassau County
Attorney Round Table, Long Island, New York (ART)
St. Anthony's Fathers Guild
Attorney/Accounting Network Group (AANG)
PUBLICATIONS
"Lifetime Maintenance: Does it Still Exist"
New York Law Journal, February 8, 2015
"Enforcing Divorce Agreements: What is the Statute of Limitations?"
New York Law Journal, January 10, 2012
"Equitable Estoppel Applied by Court to Preclude Biological Father's Parental
Rights" Nassau Lawyer, December 2011
"Issues Arising from Passage of the 'No Fault' Divorce Law" Nassau Lawyer,
May 2011
"Incarceration and Civil Contempt in Family Court Matters" New York Law
Journal, March 16, 2011
"Heather Still Has Two Mommies" Nassau Lawyer, September 2010
"Do Interim So-Ordered Stipulations Survive Signing of Divorce Judgment?"
New York Law Journal, June 24, 2010
"Cancelling Child Support Arrears - Will the Recently Decided Case of
Carlton v. Heller Start a Trend?" Nassau Lawyer, May 2010
"The End of Social Abandonment," New York Law Journal
March 22, 2010
"The Role of Sexual Orientation in Child Custody Cases," Nassau Lawyer,
May 2008
"The Appointment and Powers of Referees and Judicial Hearing Officers in
Matrimonial and Family Court Actions," Nassau Lawyer, March 2007
"Post-Divorce Interspousal Tort Suits and the Doctrine of Res Judicata," Nassau
Lawyer, February 2006
"Should No Fault Grounds for Divorce Be Enacted in New York?" Nassau
Lawyer, September 2005
"Divorce Agreements Post Kazel v. Kazel," Nassau Lawyer, March 2005
"'Tis the Season....to Divorce?" Long Island Business News, January 28, 2005
"The Challenges of Home Ownership and Divorce," The Suffolk Lawyer, October
2004
"The Challenges of Home Ownership and Divorce," The Attorney of Nassau
County, September 2004
"The Emancipation Age of Children; Age of Majority Versus 21," New York Law
Journal, August 27, 2004.
"Preventing Parental Child Abduction," Suffolk Lawyer, April 2004.
"What Constitutes Child Abuse or Neglect?" Nassau Lawyer, April 2004.
"Equitably Distributing Licenses and Degrees in a Divorce," Nassau Lawyer,
January 2004.
"Grandparent Visitation Rights in New York," Nassau Lawyer, February 2003.
"Determining Whose Last Name Children Born Out of Wedlock Should Bear,"
Nassau Lawyer, February 2002.
"Divorce Counterclaims Without a Complaint," Nassau Lawyer, September,
2001.
"Equitable Distribution of a Closely Held Business," Nassau Lawyer, April, 2001.
"Enforcing State and Federal Child Support Orders," New York Law Journal,
April 20, 2000, page 1.
"In Custody Case, 3rd Department Departs From Prior New York Case Law,"
New York Law Journal, June 16, 1999, page 1.
"Extending F.C.A. Article 7 PINS Proceedings to Children Aged 16 and 17,"
Nassau Lawyer, October, 1997, pages 7, 13.
"Can You Legally Videotape Your Nanny?" Westchester Families, May, 1997,
pages 23, 74.
"Should the Court of Appeals Have Changed the Law in Custody Relocation
Cases?" Family Law Review, New York State Bar Association, Vol. 28, No. 4,
December, 1996, page 3.
"Authority of Court to Order Party to Pay Fees of Law Guardian," New York Law
Journal, August 15, 1996, page 1., col. 1.
"Should Attorneys Be Provided with Photocopies of Forensic Reports in Custody
Disputes?" The Nassau Lawyer, December - January '95-'96, page 1.
"Joint Custody in New York, A Statute Whose Time Has Come?" New York Law
Journal, April 26, 1995, page 1.
"Marital Fault in New York: Its Appropriate Role in Financial Issues," New York
Law Journal, June 16, 1994, page, 1, col. 1.
"Modification of Child Support and Maintenance," Family Law Review, Family
Law Section, New York State Bar Association, Vol. 24, No. 4, December, 1992,
page 8.
"Treatment of Enhanced Earning Capacity as an Asset Under Equitable
Distribution," NewYork Law Journal, September 17, 1992, page 1, col. 1.
"Leading and Impeaching The Hostile or Adverse Witness: Statutes and Case
Law In The New York and Federal Courts," New York Law Journal, January 10,1992, page 1, col. 1.
"Appreciation of Separate Property During the Marriage," Fair Share, May, 1991,
page 4.
"Divorce, No-Fault Style," New York Law Journal, March 4, 1991, page 1.
"Appreciation of Marital Residence: Separate or Marital Property?" New York
Law Journal, October 30, 1990, page 1.
"May Custodial Parents Relocate?" New York Law Journal, June 7, 1990, page 1.
"Divorce, I.R.S. Style" The Nassau Lawyer, May 1990, page 2.
MEDIA/LECTURE
Lecture to Association of Divorce Financial Planners at Suffolk County Bar Association
October 8, 2013, "Enforcing Prenuptial Agreements"
Moderator at the National Business Institute Program for Divorce
Professionals
October 3, 2013 "As Matrimonial and Family Court Justices See It: Top Mistakes
Attorneys Make in Litigating Divorce
Presentation at the National Business Institute Program for Divorce
Professionals
November 29, 2012, "Financial Settlements and Support Issues in Divorce"
Topic: Tax Consequences and Reporting
Presentation at the National Business Institute Program for Divorce
Professionals
May 3, 2012, "Family Law From A-Z"
Topic: Child Custody and Visitation
Pulse Magazine named Russell I. Marnell one of its 2011-2015 "Top Legal
Eagles" in the areas of divorce and family law.
Presentation at the National Business Institute Program for divorce
professionals
September 24, 2010, "Family Law A-Z"
Interviewed on News 12 Long Island regarding the New York State's
proposed no-fault divorce law, June 17, 2010.
Moderated program at Nassau County Bar Association Academy of Law
for the Attorneys/Accounts Committee
March 16, 2010
Lecture to Association of Divorce Financial Planners at Nassau County Bar Association
May 14, 2008, "Prenuptial Agreements"
"Lawyer in the Classroom" Program at Seaford High School
April 11, 2008
Presentation at the National Business Institute Program for divorce
professionals
April 19, 2007, "Successful Financial Settlements for Your Client"
Presentation to New York Family Law Inns of Court
January 17, 2007, "Motions for Recusal and Applications for Mandamus"
Lecture at Kiwanis of the Bellmores
January 16, 2007, "Divorce Issues in New York State"
Lecture at Satty, Levine & Ciacco
May 1, 2006, "Divorce Tax Planning for Closely Held Business Owners,
Valuation Issues with Licenses and Degrees, and Equitable Distribution Rules"
Lecture to the National Conference of CPA Practitioners
December 1, 2005, "Divorce Tax Planning for Closely Held Business Owners,
Valuation Issues with Licenses and Degrees, and Equitable Distribution Rules"
Lecture at Huntington Rotary Club
September 8, 2005, "Financial Issues of Divorce"
Lecture at LI Protestant Singles Meeting
June 12, 2005, "Pre-Nuptial Agreements"
Interviewed on WLIU Radio
March 21, 2005, "Living Wills - The Schiavo Case"
Interviewed on Nationally Syndicated Business Talk Radio
February 21, 2005, "The Challenges of Home Ownership and Divorce"
Interviewed on WLIU Radio
February 14, 2005, "Valentine's Day and Prenuptial Agreements"
Interviewed on WALK 97.5 Radio Show
Week of February 14, 2005, "Valentine's Day and Prenuptial Agreements"
Interviewed on WALK 97.5 Radio Show
Week of January 1, 2005, "New Year's Resolutions and Divorce"
Interviewed on CBS NewsRadio 88
Week of January 1, 2005, "New Year's Resolutions and Divorce"
Interviewed on WALK 97.5 Radio Show
October 2004 on Parental Kidnaping
Interviewed on CBS News Radio 88
October 2004 on Prenuptial Agreements and Home Ownership and Divorce
Interviewed on WLIE-Radio
September 28, 2004, "The Challenges of Home Ownership"
Interviewed by Long Island Business News
June 2004 column on prenuptial agreements
Appeared on ABC Eyewitness News
June 13, 2004, "Pre-Nuptial Agreements"
Interviewed on CBS NewsRadio 88
January 2004, "Examining Relationships for the New Year."
Interviewed on WALK 97.5 Radio Show
December 2003, "Examining Relationships for the New Year."
Guest Lecturer/Instructor at Hofstra University School of Law
January 2003, "National Institute for Trial Advocacy" Divorce and Custody
Trial Techniques Program
Panel Member at Jewish Lawyer's Association of Nassau County
October 2001, Forum on "the Get law" presented to lawyers and judges
Lecturer at St. John's University - Judge Brennan, Nassau County Family
Court
February 13, 2001, "Valuing a Professional License and Enhanced Earning
Capacity"
Lecturer at School District 29
November 7, 2001, November 2, 1999, "Custody Issues"
Guest on Newschannel 4's Today in New York
June 29, 2000, "The Elian Gonzalez Custody Case"
Lecturer at Farmingdale Rotary Club
June 14, 2000, "Matrimonial Law"
Lecturer at Jewish Lawyers Association of Nassau County
March 2, 2000, "Marriage and Divorce"
Lecturer at Plainview Hadassah
November 18, 1999, "American and Jewish Matrimonial Law"
Lecturer at Samuel Field Y
November 17, 1999, "Personal Injury Law"
Guest Speaker at Nassau County Bar Association
November 10, 1999, "The Parental Kidnaping Jurisdiction and Enforcement
Act"
Lecturer at National Institute for Paralegal Education
April 14, 1999, "The Personal Injury Paralegal"
Guest Speaker on "APFC Money Show," WLIX radio-540AM
March 20, 1999
Lecturer at National Conference of CPA Practitioners
November 6, 1997, "Financial Impact of Divorce on a Business and Its Owners"
Lecturer at Association of Professional Financial Consultants
June 10, 1997, "Financial Impact of Divorce on a Business and Its Owners"
Lecturer at Society of Independent Accountants
May 27, 1997, "Financial Impact of Divorce on a Business and Its Owners"
Lecturer at Institute of Certified Financial Planners
May 13, 1997, "Financial Impact of Divorce on a Business and Its Owners"
Nassau Bar Association
February 1995 and Winter 1997, "Divorce Trial Preparation and Trial Procedure"
Lecturer at American Society of Women Accountants, Long Island Chapter
January 9, 1997, "Financial Impact of Divorce on a Business and Its Owners"
Appearance on television discussing divorce and custody law
1994 - 1995
Lecturer at Temple Israel
May 14, 1991, "Divorce, Custody & Child Support"
Lecturer at St. Catherine's Outreach
September 26, 1991, "Divorce, Custody, Child Support"
Lawrence H.S. Adult Education
November 7, 1991, "Support, Custody and Visitation"
October 17, 1991, "Matrimonial Law"
Hofstra University Adult Education, Fall 1991, "Custody and Visitation
Rights," "Father's Rights in New York State"
Lecturer at Father's Rights Association, New York City
Fall 1990, "Child Support Standards Act of New York State"
**“CV, BV, and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review process that rates lawyers. Ratings reflect the confidential opinion of members of the Bar and the Judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell Ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.”
