Meet Our Staff

Kiara Alvarado

Program Associate

Assisting families through the complexities of the family court system is deeply significant to me, as it allows me to offer guidance and support in such challenging moments in their lives. Giving back to the community this way is not just rewarding—it’s a privilege to help create positive and lasting change for those who need it most.

Rachel Andron

Chief Program Officer

The Family Legal Care team motivates me to bring my best self to work each day. Our collaborative, innovative and compassionate team brings an unyielding source of passion for social justice and dedication to Family Legal Care’s mission and clients.

Kristin Aswad

Staff Attorney, Staten Island Borough Coordinator

Family Court is so opaque and difficult for pro se litigants to navigate. People are frustrated, scared, and often in the dark about what they are supposed to do and what lies ahead. I really enjoy empowering clients to understand the law, their rights, and helping them take control of this process. They are often so relieved that Family Legal Care exists, and it’s great to be able to help them through a hard time.

Joel Banuelos

Bilingual Staff Attorney

These last few years have laid bare the inequitable access to justice and legal services in our state. I am motivated each day knowing that my work might help alleviate those inequities for families across New York.

Katherine Barenboim

Bilingual Staff Attorney

Often, we are the only help that many NY Family Court litigants have, and the help that we provide is tangible, it’s not abstract. We fill that existing legal gap not just effectively but compassionately.

Molly Burke

Associate Director of Advocacy, Policy and Community Engagement

While we aren’t a huge organization, we make a huge difference…Many of our litigants come to us as a last resort after having been through the system and had doors shut on them. We listen to our litigants and advocate for their direct needs while advocating for change on a larger scale.

Nadia Casimir

Pro Bono Coordinator

I care about our work because I care about people. I believe compassion to be the very least we can offer another person; and I want people from all walks of life to know that their stories matter, their families matter, and that they’re worthy of equity, accessibility, and compassion.

Cialinett Colón

Bilingual Staff Attorney

I care deeply about families and particularly the children involved. In the middle of the anxiety laden process of being involved in Family Court, our work at Family Legal Care can provide families with the tools they need to feel empowered and exercise their rights.  Whether it is helping a parent to build a relationship with their child through the visitation process, or helping a parent to navigate the custody process, our work has a tremendous impact on the lives of the families we serve.

Cathy Cramer

Chief Executive Officer

I care because family – however defined – is so important to one’s life and future.  The work we do supporting families makes a huge difference to a child’s future and to the village that everyone needs.  I love that we fill a niche that few others address and my team, my board and our clients are all so special and certainly deserve the high level of respect, the legal support and the advocacy we provide.

Lynnette De La Cruz

Program Associate

I am excited to be a part of this team. Being part of the bridge that’s closing the gap of inaccessibility in the court system is extremely rewarding and I look forward to contributing to help vulnerable individuals get the assistance they deserve.

Nathalie González

Legal Director

What gets me up in the morning is a determination to try and make the day a great one. Appreciating the wonderful things I have in life, my family, friends, a job that I am passionate about where I can see my training as an attorney used to better serve my community.

Samantha Ingram

Director of Pro Bono Programs

I feel lucky to work with such smart, driven people at an organization where we are committed to helping litigants navigate complex and personal legal issues.

Tyler Levsen

Staff Attorney and Legal Research Advisor

Family law involves areas of people’s lives that are deeply personal and important. I want to ensure that people feel cared for and have guidance through the legal system to best serve their family’s needs.

Blythe Hawthorne- Loizeaux​

Pro Bono and Outreach Staff Attorney

I care about the work we do because I care about family. Family is the most important thing in my life, and I want to turn my labor into making sure that all people can have meaningful relationships with their children and have economic stability.

Amy Marmol

Bilingual Program Associate

I care about my work because of my culture. I grew up providing resources and advocating for my community who aren’t always able to do so for themselves. Having the opportunity to merge both my passion and my work motivates me to wake up each morning.

Andrea Miller

Manager of Institutional Giving

My goal every day is to share the important, necessary work that Family Legal Care is doing with funders who can make a difference. I want to help them understand the systemic failures in our Courts that are driving the need for our services, how we are a lifeline for parents and caregivers who have nowhere else to turn, and all that we can accomplish with their support.

Clara Mohagen

Salesforce and Data Administrator

I am grateful to be part of a team comprising of passionate, knowledgeable, and creative individuals who are dedicated to helping the people and families that make up our communities. It is rewarding to know the work I do will make someone else’s life tremendously easier while they navigate a complex system.

Evony Morel

Community Engagement Manager

I care about Family Legal Care’s work because every day is a new opportunity to help someone.

Briana Pipczynski

Manager of Development and Communications

I believe that equitable access to legal resources is an invaluable asset to parents and caregivers who are navigating family court. I’m honored to be part of an organization that makes those resources available to those who otherwise may not have been able to get the help they need.

Kristin Pulkkinen

Chief Development and External Affairs Officer

I believe deeply in the need for equal access to justice in our courts system—it is an economic justice issue, a racial justice issue, a human rights imperative—and I’m proud to play a small part of that effort in my role here at Family Legal Care.

Liza Rosa

Associate Director of Operations and Human Resources

I care about our work because the services we provide are critical to families who have fewer resources. What gets me up in the morning is having a dedicated team that shares the same passion when it comes to helping others in need of the services we provide.

Shalini Somar

Program Associate

I care because I understand how overwhelming family court cases can be for someone. Although I may not be able to completely fix someone’s problems, I can hopefully help someone overcome their challenges through a conversation. And maybe make their day a little better which I know can go a long way.

Jessica Stadmeyer

Director of Legal Resources and Digital Justice

I believe that anyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from, can advocate for themselves in court, as long as they are given the right tools and information to succeed.

Marlene Urena

Helpline Manager

Making a difference in my community drives me and gets me going in the morning; empowering a person on their legal options is a small gesture which can give someone the strength to make changes in their lives or empower others.