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 New York County Matrimonial Part. Before being elevated to the bench, Justice Fields was in practice for 15 years as Director of the Matrimonial and Family Law Unit at South Brooklyn Legal Services, representing low income people in divorce 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 affecting women, as well as other areas of family law and international jurisprudence.
Education
New York University School of Law (J.D. 1970)
City College of New York (B.A. 1964)
Practices
Matrimonial & Family Law
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 - 2008; 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, 1977 - 1986
National Center on Women and Family Law, Inc (Board Member, 1979 - 1992)
American Bar Association, Section of Family Law 1975-present; Section of Judicial Administration 1986 - 2001; Section of International Law 1986 - present
International Association of Women Judges, National and New York State Associations of Women Judges
Bar Admissions
New York
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
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
Representative Cases
Buckingham v. Buckingham, 2015 NY Slip Op 2190 (1st Department); R.V. E-R (1st Department 2011)
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).
Fields, M. and Pollack, J., "Pre and Post-Nuptial Agreements in New York: Not Radmacher v Granatino," June 2011 International Family Law 123 (Jordans Pub., Bristol, UK).
Foreign Divorce: Risks and Rewards for Americans Abroad , with David Truex, Solicitor, England and Wales, 8-12 International Family Law (Jordans Pub., Bristol. UK, March 2006).
Challenging Bias Against Women Witnesses: Lessons from Criminal Proceedings, 160 International Family Law (Jordans Pub., Bristol. UK, Sept. 2006).
Getting Beyond "What Did She Do To Provoke Him?" Comments by a Retired Judge on the Special Issue on Intimate Partner Violence, Custody and Visitation, 14 Violence Against Women 93-99 (January 2008).
Remedies for Children when Non-Resident Parents Abandon Them After Separation or Divorce, 22 J. American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers 291-301 (2009).
Diversion of Domestic Violence Cases from Courts Endanger Victims, 15 Domestic Violence Report (1 February 2010).
Mediation Fails, But Protection Orders Succeed in Domestic Violence Cases, 17 Domestic Violence Report 1 (Aug/Sept 2012).
