team-member

Debra Mechanick

New York, NY

Licensed for 8 years

Law Degree

Awards

Primary Practice Area

Divorce and separation

Language

English

About

I am an Attorney and Social Worker, licensed to practice in New York State. I graduated from Columbia University School of Social Work and Pace University School of Law. As founder of DLM Divorce Mediation, I respond to the call for a more peaceful approach to separation and divorce. Couples contact me when they have accepted that while their marriage may be irretrievably broken, as individuals, their dignity must remain intact. I blend my expertise in both Social Work and the Law to help couples arrive at an agreement that is durable and custom-made for their family.I also help individuals negotiate out of court divorce settlement with their spouses through direct legal representation. For some, establishing a strong strategic alliance is key to a successful outcome. Prior to establishing my law practice, I volunteered as Supervising Attorney at a New York City non-profit organization, helping indigent domestic violence survivors obtain final judgments of divorce against their former abusers. I was instrumental in teaching law student interns about the special needs of domestic violence survivors and how to assist them with the requisite skill set of empathy, compassion, and competence.In furtherance of my commitment to helping those less fortunate to receive competent legal services, I volunteer as Co-Mediator and Consulting Attorney for New York Legal Assistance Group’s Divorce Mediation Project.I serve on the New York City Bar Matrimonial Law Committee, and am an active member at other prominent organizations including the New York State Bar Association and the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation.

Practices Areas

Divorce and separation

Language

English

Contact

The Law and Mediation Office of Debra Lynn Mechanick1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 825New York, NY, 100361180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 825New York, NY, 10036

Office: N/A

Website: N/A

Reviews

anonymous
August 1, 2018

I saw her today for a prenup consult and she was fantastic - strong and shrewd in her knowledge yet kind and thoughtful. I would recommend her to anyone. I think she pours her heart into this job but has the intelligence to back it up. In my case it turned out I have to find an attorney in NJ since the prenup that my other half drafted with his attorney is based in NJ, so sadly I have to find another attorney otherwise she would be it!

anonymous
December 1, 2015

Deborah was very receptive and thorough in answering all questions. Very helpful!

Vera
July 27, 2015

Debra is very knowledgeable. I can honestly say it was a pleasure working with her. She made the process less painful. I received replies to my questions in a timely manner. She even followed-up with me on a weekend, calling from her personal cell phone. She met with me at a time when it was convenient for me, coming in on her day off. Debra made sure we got it right. Thank you Debra!

anonymous
January 31, 2019

I was a client of DM's for several months in developing and negotiating a divorce agreement from an abusive spouse. Debra was always timely in responding to my e-mails and kindly offered a lesser fee in deference to my financial situation, which I very much appreciate. What I missed during the process of our work together was her ability to fiercely protect and defend my need for absolute separation on all levels from my abuser. From her background in social work, specifically in working with DV cases, I thought she would have a basic understanding of an abusers proclivity to maintain control over their victim, including weaponizing any available tool or term in a divorce agreement that maintains access to their spouse. Her suggested strategy was to give in to every term my abuser requested including allowing my abuser to remain connected to me via leases in my name, claiming that he wouldn't sign the divorce agreement otherwise. Since then, I've discovered at least one way in which I could have exercised leverage to force him to release our union on a lease agreement. It's been a year since I began the initial divorce from my abuser. My divorce has been granted, but the divorce agreement I created with Debra has shackled me to my abuser in ways I never imagined and I am now painfully working my way through the court system towards redrafting an agreement clause by clause. My suggestion to anyone dealing with an abusive spouse is to work with a highly principled litigator with a track record, not a mediator.

anonymous
August 1, 2018

I saw her today for a prenup consult and she was fantastic - strong and shrewd in her knowledge yet kind and thoughtful. I would recommend her to anyone. I think she pours her heart into this job but has the intelligence to back it up. In my case it turned out I have to find an attorney in NJ since the prenup that my other half drafted with his attorney is based in NJ, so sadly I have to find another attorney otherwise she would be it!

anonymous
December 1, 2015

Deborah was very receptive and thorough in answering all questions. Very helpful!

Vera
July 27, 2015

Debra is very knowledgeable. I can honestly say it was a pleasure working with her. She made the process less painful. I received replies to my questions in a timely manner. She even followed-up with me on a weekend, calling from her personal cell phone. She met with me at a time when it was convenient for me, coming in on her day off. Debra made sure we got it right. Thank you Debra!

anonymous
January 31, 2019

I was a client of DM's for several months in developing and negotiating a divorce agreement from an abusive spouse. Debra was always timely in responding to my e-mails and kindly offered a lesser fee in deference to my financial situation, which I very much appreciate. What I missed during the process of our work together was her ability to fiercely protect and defend my need for absolute separation on all levels from my abuser. From her background in social work, specifically in working with DV cases, I thought she would have a basic understanding of an abusers proclivity to maintain control over their victim, including weaponizing any available tool or term in a divorce agreement that maintains access to their spouse. Her suggested strategy was to give in to every term my abuser requested including allowing my abuser to remain connected to me via leases in my name, claiming that he wouldn't sign the divorce agreement otherwise. Since then, I've discovered at least one way in which I could have exercised leverage to force him to release our union on a lease agreement. It's been a year since I began the initial divorce from my abuser. My divorce has been granted, but the divorce agreement I created with Debra has shackled me to my abuser in ways I never imagined and I am now painfully working my way through the court system towards redrafting an agreement clause by clause. My suggestion to anyone dealing with an abusive spouse is to work with a highly principled litigator with a track record, not a mediator.

anonymous
August 1, 2018

I saw her today for a prenup consult and she was fantastic - strong and shrewd in her knowledge yet kind and thoughtful. I would recommend her to anyone. I think she pours her heart into this job but has the intelligence to back it up. In my case it turned out I have to find an attorney in NJ since the prenup that my other half drafted with his attorney is based in NJ, so sadly I have to find another attorney otherwise she would be it!

anonymous
December 1, 2015

Deborah was very receptive and thorough in answering all questions. Very helpful!

Vera
July 27, 2015

Debra is very knowledgeable. I can honestly say it was a pleasure working with her. She made the process less painful. I received replies to my questions in a timely manner. She even followed-up with me on a weekend, calling from her personal cell phone. She met with me at a time when it was convenient for me, coming in on her day off. Debra made sure we got it right. Thank you Debra!

anonymous
January 31, 2019

I was a client of DM's for several months in developing and negotiating a divorce agreement from an abusive spouse. Debra was always timely in responding to my e-mails and kindly offered a lesser fee in deference to my financial situation, which I very much appreciate. What I missed during the process of our work together was her ability to fiercely protect and defend my need for absolute separation on all levels from my abuser. From her background in social work, specifically in working with DV cases, I thought she would have a basic understanding of an abusers proclivity to maintain control over their victim, including weaponizing any available tool or term in a divorce agreement that maintains access to their spouse. Her suggested strategy was to give in to every term my abuser requested including allowing my abuser to remain connected to me via leases in my name, claiming that he wouldn't sign the divorce agreement otherwise. Since then, I've discovered at least one way in which I could have exercised leverage to force him to release our union on a lease agreement. It's been a year since I began the initial divorce from my abuser. My divorce has been granted, but the divorce agreement I created with Debra has shackled me to my abuser in ways I never imagined and I am now painfully working my way through the court system towards redrafting an agreement clause by clause. My suggestion to anyone dealing with an abusive spouse is to work with a highly principled litigator with a track record, not a mediator.