Beldock Levine & Hoffman LLP, Attorneys at Law
Marjory D. Fields
Marjory D. Fields became special counsel to the firm in 2002 after serving for more than sixteen years on the bench, first as a Judge of the Family Court of the State of New York and then as a Justice of the Supreme Court Matrimonial Part. Before being elevated to the bench, she was in private practice, specializing in matrimonial and family law matters. Throughout her entire career she has been a devoted advocate for the rights of victims of domestic violence and has led efforts to reform and draft new legislation to protect victims’ rights. She has also published and lectured extensively around the world on the topic of domestic violence, human rights of women, other legal issues effecting women, as well as other areas of family law and international jurisprudence.
Education
City College of New York (B.A. 1964)New York University School of Law (J.D. 1970)
Bar Admissions
1971, New York1972, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York
1981, United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Professional Activities
New York City Bar Association (Chair, Special Committee on Women in the Courts, 1990-1993; African Affairs Committee 1999-2002; United Nations Committee 2000-2003; Pro Bono Legal Services 2005 - present; previous Committee memberships: Family Court and Family Law; Legal Assistance)New York Women’s Bar Association
Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York
New York City Interagency Task Force on Domestic Violence, 1997 - 1986
National Center on Women and Family Law, Inc (Board Member, 1979 - 1992)
American Bar Association, Section of Family Law; Section of Judicial Administration; Section of International Law
International Association of Women Judges, National and New York State Associations of Women Judges
Recent Publications
Fields, M., “Combating Domestic Violence In Japan And The United States: A Comparative Analysis,” 5 F-Gens, Frontiers Of Gender Studies 291(Ochanomizu University, Tokyo, Japan, March 2006).Fields, M., “Foreign Divorce: Risks And Rewards For Americans Abroad,” International Family Law 8 (September 2006, 160, Jordans Pub., Bristol, UK).
Fields, M., “Lawyers Skills Training For DV Representation: Tips from a Retired Judge,” 12 Domestic Violence Report 1 (Civic Research Institute Kingston, NJ, Oct/Nov 2006).
Public Office
Justice Of Supreme Court Of The State Of New York, 1999-2002
Judge Of The Family Court Of The State Of New York, 1986-1999
New York Governor's Commission on Domestic Violence, Chair, 1979-1989
New York Governor's Commission on Domestic Violence Fatalities, 1996 - 1998
Family Violence Task Force, New York Court System, 1995 - present
Family Court Advisory and Rules Committee, New York Court System, 1984 - present
New York Child Support Commission, 1981-1984
New York Task Force on Women in the Courts, 1984-1986
United States Commission on Civil Rights, Consultant, 1978
