Jill M. Zuccardy, of Counsel

Jill M. Zuccardy, Esq. has been representing clients in matrimonial, family law and child welfare cases for 20 years.  In addition to substantial work in private practice, Ms. Zuccardy also has worked in the public sector, holding positions as the Director of the Child Protection Project at Sanctuary for Families in New York City and as a program director at the Women’s Prison Association.  Ms. Zuccardy was trial and appellate co-counsel in Nicholson v. Williams,  344 F.3d 154 (2d Cir. 2003),  a landmark class action lawsuit in which a federal court found the City’s practice of removing children from battered mothers and prosecuting the mothers for child neglect to be unconstitutional.  

Ms. Zuccardy was previously affiliated with the law firm of Lansner, Kubitschek & Schaffer, handling family court and matrimonial cases, and federal civil rights lawsuits on behalf of parents and children abused in foster care.  In January, 2012, she started her own practice and developed a reciprocal of counsel relationship with the Law Offices of Barbara J. Schaffer. 

Ms. Zuccardy is a faculty member of the National Judicial Institute, which trains judges throughout the country. She serves on the appellate family law counsel panel in the Second Department. Ms. Zuccardy also regularly consults with and provides training throughout the country on family law.

Education
Juris Doctor, 1990
New York University School of Law
New York, NY

Bachelor of Arts in 1987
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

Bar Admissions
Federal Courts:
U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York

State Courts:
State of New York
State of Connecticut

Published Works
New York Civil Practice: Family Court Proceedings,
Chapter 36: Family Offense Proceedings, Matthew Bender & Co.
Representing Domestic Violence Victims in Child Welfare Investigations and Cases, Lawyers Manual on Domestic Violence, Appellate Division, First Department: 4th ed.
Practice Commentaries, Family Court Act Articles 8 and 10, Matthew Bender & Co.
Nicholson v. Williams: The Case, 82 Denv. U.L. Rev. 655
New York State Child Protective Cases Involving Domestic Violence Issues, Child Abuse, Neglect and the Foster Care System, Practicing Law Institute

Awards
2010— Abely Award for Pro Bono Achievement, Columbia Law School, Sanctuary for Families’ Center for Battered Women’s Legal Services, and Davis Polk & Wardwell

2009— Above and Beyond Award for Volunteerism, Sanctuary for Families’ Associate Committee
2003— In the Trenches Award, Lawyers’ Committee Against Domestic Violence
2002—  Peace At Home Award for Legal Activism, NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence
2002— Legal Services Award, Association of the Bar of the City of New York
1990— Chancellor’s Award for Leadership and Community Service, New York University