About the Family Law Section
The purpose of this Section is to bring together, for the furtherance of their mutual interests and the public interest, members of the New York State Bar Association who are concerned about matrimonial and family law.
The Family Law Section, alone or in cooperation with other sections and committees of the New York State Bar Association, or in conjunction with other bar associations or organizations, shall:
- Plan, coordinate and conduct continuing legal education programs.
- Publish a Family Law Review and distribute it to Section members.
- Provide a forum through which matrimonial and family law practitioners may cooperate with, encourage and assist each other in the resolution of problems and practice issues.
- Enhance the skills and competency of New York attorneys practicing matrimonial and family law;
- Formulate professional opinion in the areas of matrimonial and family law;
- Review legislative and administrative proposals, rules and statutory changes and, where appropriate, initiate legislation and legal reforms in the areas of matrimonial and family law;
- Serve as a resource to civic, governmental and public organizations in matters affecting matrimonial and family law;
- Undertake all such other activities as may be authorized, from time to time, by the Executive Committee of the Section for the purpose of accomplishing the foregoing goals.
Contact the Family Law Section Liaison
To learn more about this Section, please contact Carra Forgea
cforgea@nysba.org
(518) 487-5521
Please do not contact the Section liaison with a request for legal advice or an attorney referral. You can instead visit our ‘Public Resources’ or ‘Lawyer Referral Service’ page for this type of request.
Michelle L. Haskin, Esq.
Partner, Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP
Albany, NY
Michelle Haskin is Co-Chair of the Matrimonial and Family Law practice group and practices exclusively in the field of matrimonial and family law, concentrating on divorce, custody, support; domestic violence, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements; and interstate issues. Ms. Haskin has over 25 years of extensive experience in representing clients in both Supreme and Family Court, as well as litigation and negotiations of resolutions of these matters.
Professional/Community
Ms. Haskin currently serves as an officer of the New York State Bar Association Family Law Section and will be ascending to Chair of the section during 2026. She also serves as the only practicing attorney representative from the 3rd Judicial District on the statewide Matrimonial Practice Advisory and Rules Committee. This committee is chaired by Hon. Jeffrey Sunshine, Statewide Coordinating Judge for Matrimonial matters and makes recommendations on legislative proposals; court rules and court forms; and develops best practices to assist Judges, litigants and attorneys. Previously, Ms. Haskin served as co-chair of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York’s Matrimonial Committee for over 10 years. She also served as a Past President of the Capital District Women’s Bar Association. Ms. Haskin is an Honorary Board and Steering Committee Member of The Legal Project, Inc., and is a member of the Domestic Violence Legal Connection. Ms. Haskin was a member of a small working group of bar leaders tasked to draft the proposed Maintenance Guidelines statute, which then became a formal proposal and was enacted by the legislature and signed into law in the form presented.
Background/Education
Ms. Haskin received her J.D., cum laude, from Albany Law School and received her Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University, graduating magna cum laude.
Presentations/Publications
Ms. Haskin is an author and lecturer for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Programs sponsored by Albany Law School, and the New York State Bar Association Additionally, Ms. Haskin is the author of Pitfalls of Practice, Matrimonial Law Chapter, and New York State Bar Association.
Family Law Section Fellowship Program
The Family Law Section (FLS) of the New York State Bar Association is pleased to continue its Family Law Section Fellowship Program.
The FLS will select up to five (5) attorneys to serve as Fellows for one year commencing in June. Each Fellow will be paired with a mentor from the FLS Executive Board who will work with the Fellow throughout the year to assist in his or her career development.
- Fellows will be required to be a member of the FLS, to actively participate on a FLS committee, and to attend the Summer Meeting and Annual Meeting of the Family Law Section.
- Fellows may also attend the FLS Executive Committee meetings. Reasonable travel expenses for the Fellows to attend meetings will be covered by the Family Law Section.
- Fellows will be selected based on their applications and the diversity initiatives of the Family Law Section, which include diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, geographic location, and area and type of practice within family law.
Those who are interested in the practice of Family Law, are willing to become active participants in the work of the New York State Bar Association and the Family Law Section, and who desire to expand their professional network and further develop their legal career should submit an application by 4:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 16, 2025.
For questions, contact:
Elena Karabatos, Esq., Fellowship Program Chair ekarabatos@soklaw.com
Carra Forgea, Staff Liaison cforgea@nysba.org
