Demetra M. Pontisakos

Experience. I am a solo practitioner in Topsfield, MA, concentrating my practice in divorce and family law. I have over 30 years of experience serving clients in all areas of family law. I have practiced in the Massachusetts courts since 1986 and in the New Hampshire courts since 2004. My practice areas include divorce, division of assets, alimony, child support, child custody matters, guardianship matters, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and interstate jurisdictional conflicts.

I have practiced law in both the public sector and the private sector. I have had the privilege and opportunity to represent individuals from all walks of life, with varying cultural and economic backgrounds, and with a broad range of legal and financial concerns. My legal experience in both the public and private sectors has given me a broad perspective in practice.

Certifications. I offer a variety of approaches toward the resolution of family law conflicts, including traditional client representation, litigation, collaborative law practice, mediation and arbitration. I also provide services as a Parenting Coordinator to assist parents with the resolution of custodial and co-parenting conflicts outside of the court process. I am certified by the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court as a Category V Parenting Coordinator, and also trained and certified as a family law arbitrator by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Professional Affiliations. I am licensed to practice in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York and have an interest in handling interstate jurisdictional conflicts. My affiliations include the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and I serve on the Board of Directors for the Essex County Bar Association. I am a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, the New Hampshire Bar Association, the Massachusetts Family and Probate American Inn of Court, the Greater Newburyport Bar Association, and the Salem Bar Association.

Pro bono work. I serve as a volunteer conciliator for the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court through the Essex County Bar Association. I have also served as a lecturer and a speaker on family law topics, including the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education programs, “Cutting Edge Issues in Northern Massachusetts Family Law” (2015), “Practicing Family Law on the Border of Massachusetts and New Hampshire” (2017-program chair), and “The Family Lawyer’s Discovery Toolkit (2018).”