Elena
Giannattasio

Professional Biography

A Global Perspective
on Family Law

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 UCCJEA, UIFSA, 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, Elena practiced at prominent matrimonial law firms in Manhattan, Beverly 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, California, and Washington. She is a member of HAGUE Convention Attorney Network of the U.S. Department of State, specializing in international child abduction cases under the Hague Convention, and a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) – US Chapter, 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 the New York City Bar; and a member of the American Bar Association.