Jay R. Butterman

Jay Butterman is the founding and senior partner of Butterman & Kahn, LLP, a matrimonial and family law firm. Mr. Butterman has been awarded an AV® rating by Martindale Hubbell, the nationally recognized legal directory, signifying the highest rating for legal ability and professional standards of conduct and ethics. He has also repeatedly been peer-chosen to the New York Super Lawyer’s® list. He has served as a legal commentator in the national media, and as a consultant and lecturer to the legal community. Mr. Butterman has successfully tried every type of matter arising out of matrimonial proceedings and has been lead counsel in trials concerning every aspect of matrimonial law (including complex distribution of assets, child custody, paternity and international matrimonial issues). Among the matters handled by Mr. Butterman are numerous well-publicized cases. Mr. Butterman is also experienced in international matrimonial issues and has expertise in the division of art and art-related businesses in the context of divorce proceedings. Mr. Butterman is the veteran of hundreds of highly contested matters, both at trial and on the appellate level. He is also a highly skilled negotiator able to bring closure to difficult family conflicts.

Mr. Butterman has been responsible for numerous significant precedents at the trial and appellate levels. He was the successful attorney in numerous published appellate cases, including the landmark decision of the New York Court of Appeals in the Matter of Clara C.v.. William L., 96 N.Y.2d 244, 727 N.Y.S.2d 20 (2001), which addressed the constitutionality of Section 516 of the Family Court Act and successfully vindicated the rights of children born out of wedlock; Stroh v. General Motors, 213 A.D.2d 267, 623 N.Y.S.2d 873 (1st Dept. 1995), which in a case of first impression extended the attorney-client privilege to family members acting on behalf of elderly parents; Gad v. Gad, 283 A.D.2d 200, 724 N.Y.S.2d 305 (1st Dept. 2001); Gemignani v. Gemignani, 244 A.D.2d 286, 665 N.Y.S.2d 854 (1st Dept. 1997); Cashman v. Rosenthal, 261 A.D.2d 287, 690 N.Y.S.2d 251 (1st Dept. 1999) and others, as well as reported lower court cases such as Gindi v. Gindi, N.Y.L.J. May 7, 2001, p. 31, col. 3 (Sup. Ct. Kings Co., Garson, J.) (A case of first impression applying the New York “Get” statute and freeing a young woman “chained” to a religious marriage); and Pober v. Pober, N.Y.L.J., December 10, 1999, p. 25, col. 1 (Sup. Ct., N.Y. Co., Drager, J.) among others.

Mr. Butterman was admitted to bar, 1988, New Jersey and U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey; 1989, New York; 1991, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York; 2002, U.S. Supreme Court. His memberships also include The Association of the Bar of the City of New York, New York State (Member, Family Law Section) and American (Member, Family Law Section) Bar Associations.

Education: Vassar College (B.A., 1983); Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University (J.D., 1988). Dr. Samuel Belkin Scholar; Moot Court Honor Society. Student Editor, New York Real Estate Law Reporter.

Practice Areas: Matrimonial Law; Family Law; Civil Litigation; Art and Publishing Law; General Practice.