Lisa Beth Older, Esq.

Lisa Beth Older, Esq. is a highly accomplished New York divorce and family law attorney with nearly four decades of legal experience. Since her admission to the New York State Bar in 1986, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals and families navigate complex divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, and family law matters. Her extensive courtroom experience spans Family Court, Supreme Court, Criminal Court, and multiple federal courts throughout New York.

Throughout her career, Lisa has successfully represented clients in every stage of matrimonial and family law proceedings, from negotiation and mediation to trial and appeal. She has handled hundreds of divorce and custody cases involving equitable distribution, alimony, paternity disputes, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, guardianships, and high-conflict custody matters. Her practical approach, combined with her willingness to litigate when necessary, allows her to protect her clients’ interests both inside and outside the courtroom.

Lisa is particularly recognized for her appellate advocacy and legal writing. She has achieved notable successes before New York’s Appellate Divisions, including precedent-setting custody and relocation cases that continue to be cited by attorneys and courts. Her experience as both trial and appellate counsel gives clients a strategic advantage when facing challenging family law disputes.

In addition to her legal practice, Lisa is a respected legal analyst, author, and media commentator who has appeared on national television and radio programs, including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, ABC News, and NPR. Her decades of experience, strong litigation background, and commitment to client advocacy have established her as a trusted voice in New York family law.

Education

• Juris Doctor (J.D.), Southwestern University School of Law, Los Angeles, California (May 1983)
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California (June 1977)

Bar Admissions

• New York State Bar (June 1986)
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York (December 9, 1988)
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (May 23, 1991)
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York (August 29, 1997)

Experience

• Nearly 40 years of experience in divorce, family law, custody, and appellate litigation.
• Represents clients in divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, paternity, alimony, equitable distribution, prenuptial agreements, and postnuptial agreements.
• Extensive trial experience in Family Court, Supreme Court, Criminal Court, and Federal Court.
• Successfully handled hundreds of family law and custody cases, including appeals.
• Experienced mediator who has resolved countless divorce and separation matters.
• Worked closely with forensic accountants on complex asset valuation, business valuation, pensions, and real estate issues.
• Served on the Law Guardian Panel and 18-B Panel.
• Experienced appellate advocate with multiple successful custody and family law appeals before New York appellate courts.
• Legal analyst and commentator featured on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, ABC News, NPR, Fox & Friends, and other national media outlets.

Notable Achievements

• Successfully defended Zindulka v. Zindulka (2001), a frequently cited New York case involving child custody and parental relocation.
• Won the custody appeal in Larkin v. White (2009) before the Appellate Division, Second Department.
• Assisted in successful appeals including Nourafchan v. Miner (1985) in California.
• Contributed research to the ACLU's successful U.S. Supreme Court case Kolender v. Lawson (1983).
• Authored numerous articles on divorce, custody, family law, and constitutional law.
• Co-authored a widely distributed educational DVD on New York divorce law.
• Regularly cited by media outlets as a legal expert on divorce, custody, and appellate matters.
• Participated in high-profile criminal litigation, including murder trials and a double-homicide jury trial resulting in acquittal.