Melissa B. Zemsky

For more than two decades, Melissa B. Zemsky has wholeheartedly advocated on behalf of her clients, earning her the reputation of being a highly skilled and seasoned professional by her peers.  With her extensive knowledge of matrimonial and family law, Melissa has exclusively handled matters involving divorce, child custody disputes, spousal support, child support hearings, removal/relocation applications, domestic violence restraining orders, post-judgment applications, matrimonial agreements (prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements), same-sex divorces and civil union disputes, grandparent rights, contested adoptions, and DCPP issues.  Melissa provides personalized attention to all of her clients in both large and small matters, intently representing them in order to achieve the best possible outcomes according to their unique and individual circumstances regardless of their net worth. For Melissa, every client is a top priority.

Melissa understands that while some cases necessitate an aggressive approach and litigation, many cases can be settled outside of court.  Melissa will always seek the most amicable and efficient path to resolution first, but will not hesitate to tenaciously advocate for her clients in the courtroom when necessary.  Although known for always being direct and straightforward, Melissa listens to and “hears” her clients, is keenly sensitive and aware of their individual needs, and converts their goals into real results.   

Melissa’s unique style of intense advocacy coupled with her compassion and empathy for her clients’ well-being, as well as her practical understanding of matrimonial and family law issues, has made her well known for being a challenging opponent in the courtroom by her adversaries and a trusted adviser to her clients.  Her dedication and commitment towards her practice and her clients has resulted in her being named as one of New Jersey’s “Top Attorneys for Families” by New Jersey Family Monthly Magazine in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, a recognition earned through votes of her prior and current clients.  Additionally, Melissa has been awarded the prestigious honor of being named to “Lawyers of Distinction” in 2019, 2020, and 2021. 

Role in the New Jersey Legal Community

Melissa presently serves as a Panelist on the Union and Middlesex County Early Settlement Panels. In this vital role, Melissa adeptly assists litigants in avoiding lengthy and expensive court proceedings by guiding them to reach equitable settlements in a more intimate and congenial setting outside of the courtroom.

Melissa is also a valued member of the Assignment Judge’s Family Law Committee where she has played an integral role in creating key policies and procedures for Middlesex County’s family law courts. Melissa completed a four-year term as chairperson of the Ethics Committee for Middlesex County, a position that she was nominated to and appointed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey from 2006 until 2010.

Background

Melissa began her legal career immediately following law school serving as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Melvin S. Whitken, P.J.F.P (retired), formerly the Presiding Judge in the Family Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Union County.

Admitted to practice in 1998, Melissa is a member in good standing of the New Jersey Bar. She is also a member of the Family Law Section of the New Jersey Bar Association, as well as the Essex, Union, and Middlesex County Bar Associations.

Bar Admissions

• New Jersey

Education

• University of Pittsburgh, B.A. in English (cum laude)
• Western New England School of Law, Juris Doctor

Professional Associations

• Assignment Judge’s Family Law Committee
• New Jersey Bar Association
• Essex Bar Association
• Union Bar Association
• Middlesex Bar Association
• Union County Early Settlement Panelist
• Middlesex County Early Settlement Panelist
• Ethics Committee for Middlesex County (Chairperson, 2006 – 2010)

Local Engagement

A lifelong resident of Westfield, New Jersey, Melissa stays connected and committed to her Union County roots by representing a cross section of local clients from her community and its neighboring towns. Always approachable, always relatable, Melissa is regarded in local circles as the embodiment of dependable and competent legal representation and sound guidance, and is continually relied upon for upholding the highest standards of confidentiality and discretion.  When Melissa is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and watching her daughter swim competitively at high-level swim tournaments.