“I deeply understand the trauma that comes with family matters—divorce being one of the most significant. I’m driven by a passion to use my personal experience and expertise to help secure a brighter future for those in need. When I chose to become a family lawyer, my goal was clear: to be among the best in the field, because I recognize firsthand what’s truly at stake. For me, that meant protecting clients in two critical ways that I felt vulnerable to during my own divorce: by mastering financial intricacies to stand strong against the most seasoned opposition, and by offering clients my personal contact information and being available around the clock for any family emergencies."

Elena Giannattasio

Founding and Managing Partner

Family Law, International Divorce & Family Law, Complex Divorce, Complex Asset Division, Complex Child Custody, Child Support, Spousal Support, PreNuptial and PostNuptial Agreements (International PreNuptial and PostNuptial Agreements)

Elena is a determined and results-driven attorney, widely respected for her extensive knowledge and experience in matrimonial and family law, especially in complex, multi-jurisdictional cases. She has a particular focus on matters involving the UCCJEAUIFSA, and the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, earning recognition for her expertise from both peers and clients alike.

Since 2014, Elena has exclusively practiced matrimonial and family law, handling all aspects of high-net-worth divorces, international custody disputes, and complex litigation. Her global perspective, shaped by her international education and cross-border legal experience, sets her apart in navigating intricate legal challenges.

Elena holds a law degree from LUISS Guido Carli School of Law in Rome, Italy, where she concentrated on Contracts Interpretation and Formation, as well as Finance—fields increasingly relevant to modern matrimonial law. She began her legal career in Italy before completing an MBA in International Finance from the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom. In 2012, she earned an LL.M. in Banking, Corporate, and Finance Law from Fordham University School of Law in New York.

Before founding Multi-Jurisdictional Divorce PLLC, Elena practiced at prominent matrimonial law firms in ManhattanBeverly Hills, and the Bay Area, where she managed high-stakes divorces and international custody matters involving complex jurisdictions and Hague Convention issues. Over the years, she has honed her ability to draft sophisticated marital agreements for international clients, breaking down complicated legal concepts into clear and actionable strategies.

Since 2017, Elena has focused on cases involving multiple jurisdictions, guiding clients through the complexities of concurrent proceedings in various states and countries with clarity and precision.

Elena is admitted to practice in New York and California. She is a member of International Child Abduction Attorney Network of the U.S. Department of State (ICAAN), specializing in international child abduction cases under the Hague Convention, and a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), an organization comprising the world’s foremost family law practitioners.

Elena is a member of the Family Law Committee and International Committee of the New York State Bar Association; a member of the Matrimonial Law Section of NYCLA; and a member of the American Bar Association.

A NEW PHASE

A Free Quarterly Seminar on Navigating International Child Custody and Relocation

Whether you’re considering relocating or already in the process of an international child custody case, you may have some basic questions…

Q  How does relocating with minor children outside of the country generally work in New York?

Q  What is the difference between a local child custody case and an international child custody case?

Q  How does the Hague Convention protect me in a case of child abduction?

Q  How does international child visitation work?

…and while we can’t offer legal advice or address specific individual situations, we’ve got some answers.

A New Phase with MJD
Reserve your spot the fourth Sunday of each quarter at noon EST on zoom.

Ready to explore your legal options?

Let’s discuss about a much better tomorrow.

Schedule a consultation with me.