Marilyn B. Chinitz

Biography

Marilyn Chinitz is a formidable advocate for her clients, guiding them through some of the most challenging transitions in their lives. She concentrates her practice in matrimonial law, particularly high-net-worth divorce actions. Marilyn is a skillful negotiator whose numerous high-profile and celebrity cases have received national and international attention. She has more than 35 years of experience in every facet of family law, including:

  • Complex divorce actions involving diverse transactional matters
  • High-conflict custody cases
  • International custody cases including the return of abducted children in proceedings filed under the Hague Convention
  • Premarital agreements and postnuptial agreements
  • Same-sex divorce/dissolution matters
  • Paternity cases

Known for her straightforward, creative, and responsive approach to representing her clients, Marilyn is as successful in litigation as in settlement negotiations. She has argued winning appeals in the appellate courts of New York, and in trials before the family court and the supreme courts of New York.

When high-profile marital matters or recent changes in the law make headlines, Marilyn is a sought-after commentator. She is often quoted in print, and has appeared on local and national television and radio shows including:

  • NBC’s The Today Show
  • ABC News 20/20
  • Inside Edition
  • HLN’s Headline News
  • Hollywood Heat

Outside the Firm

Marilyn is the proud mother of two accomplished adult children. She loves cycling, and participates in fundraising rides and organizes travel to international destinations.

News & Views

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Recognitions

  • 2023, "Notable Woman in Law," listed by Crain's New York Business
  • 2023, Recommended Family Lawyer, listed in Spear's 500 Legal Indices
  • 2023, "Top Entertainment Dealmakers and Litigators," listed in Variety’s 2023 Legal Impact Report
  • 2022, "Hollywood’s Troubleshooters: Top 35 Lawyers for Death, Divorce and Other Disasters," listed by The Hollywood Reporter
  • 2020–2023, New York, Family/Matrimonial, listed in Chambers High Net Worth
  • 2013–2024, Family Law in New York, listed in Best Lawyers in America©
  • 2021, Attorneys, Activists & Agents of Change Maker’s List, listed by Marquis Who’s Who
  • 2013–present, New York Metro Area “Super Lawyer,” listed by Super Lawyers
  • 2020, “Top 500 Leading Family Lawyers,” listed in Lawdragon
  • 2013–2014, “Top 50 Women Lawyers,” listed by New York Super Lawyers

Affiliations

Memberships

  • Bar Association of Nassau County
  • National Association of Professional Women
  • New York City Bar Association
  • New York State Bar Association
Professional Activities

Marilyn is involved extensively in community causes and has taken leadership roles in diverse non-profit organizations.

  • The Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America: Marilyn is a board member and was honored in 2017 as “Woman of Distinction in Law” at an event that raised more than $800,000 to increase awareness and provide research funds to find a cure for these diseases.
  • The Foundation for Gender Equality: Marilyn serves on the board, and played a key role in the Foundation’s 2017 summit, “Gender Equality: The State of Our Union”, and its 2016 high level conference, “A Call to Action for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment” held at the United Nations Headquarters.
  • Bedford Democratic Committee: Marilyn was honored in 2011 with the Geraldine Ferraro Award and was the keynote speaker at the first annual Jefferson Jackson Day Awards Dinner and Celebration of Community Service.
  • K-9 4 Cops: Marilyn is an active board member of this non-profit, which raises funds to donate highly trained canines to law enforcement agencies and school districts across the nation.
  • Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation: She has been a committee member since the inception of the Foundation in 1998.

Credentials

Admissions

  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • New York
  • U.S. District Court - Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court - Southern District of New York

Education

  • New York University, BA, with honors
  • Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University, JD