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Megan E Hodes

9 years of experience
Divorce, Family Law
New Jersey

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Biography

Megan was born and raised in Bergen County where she continues to reside today.
Before attending law school, Megan earned her diploma in Paralegal Studies from New York University in 2009 and worked as a Matrimonial Paralegal for two years. That experience helped Megan realize she wanted to devote her life to people struggling through difficult times.
During her first year of law school, Megan interned for Volunteer Lawyers for Justice/Newark Re-Entry Legal Services (VLJ/ReLeSe) where she utilized her knowledge of family law to prepare court filings for previously incarcerated individuals and to assist in the coordination and management of three (3) Pro Se Family Motion clinics. While in law school, Megan received the Pro Bono Justice Award for Extraordinary Service due to her work at VLJ/ReLeSe, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the New York County District Attorney’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. Throughout her law school experience, Megan purposely obtained internships and externships that would yield as much courtroom experience as possible. As former President of the Boston University American Parliamentary Debate Association and participant of several moot court competitions in law school, Megan has devoted her life to being able to effectively argue her position, which is of the utmost importance when handling sensitive and/or complex family law matters.
Upon graduating from law school, Megan completed a clerkship for the Honorable Teresa Kondrup Coyle, Superior Court Judge of Monmouth County. During her clerkship, Megan assisted Judge Kondrup Coyle with DCPP matters (previously known as DYFS) and her post-judgment motion calendar. After finishing her clerkship, Megan worked in private practice in Monmouth County before returning to practice in Bergen County.

Practice Areas

Divorce: Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce

Family Law: Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

New Jersey
Since 2015

Professional Experience

Associate: Shapiro, Croland, Reiser, Apfel & Di Iorio, LLP; 2021 - 2022; Handled matrimonial matters from inception to final resolution. Argued motions, drafted pleadings, certifications, mediation statements, early settlement proposal statements, settlement proposals, property settlement agreements and successful appellate counsel fee application.

Associate: Lesnevich, Marzano-Lesnevich, O'Cathain & O'Cathain, LLC; 2018 - 2022; Argues motions, drafts pleadings, certifications, mediation statements, early settlement proposal statements, settlement proposals and property settlement agreements. Handles matrimonial matters from inception to final resolution.

Associate: Sherwood & Johnson, LLC; 2017 - 2018; Argued motions, drafted pleadings, certifications, mediation statements, early settlement panel statements, settlement proposals and property settlement agreements. Handled matrimonial matters from inception to final resolution.

Associate: Silverman and Roedel, LLC; 2016 - 2018; Argued motions, conducted depositions, and participated in proof hearings, settlement negotiations and arbitration on clients’ behalf. Prepared legal briefs, memoranda, motions and performs discovery throughout litigation with constant correspondence with insurance companies and adversaries. Handled client intake, as well as frequent client contact from inception of case until settlement.

Law Clerk: Ocean County Prosecutor's Office; 2015 - 2015; Argued suppression motions on behalf of the State and participated in arraignments, sentencing and plea agreements. Drafted legal briefs, motions and memoranda in response to suppression motions. Compiled case summaries for three prosecutors, including the Chief of Trial Division, in preparation for weekly court appearances. Attended in-chambers case conferences.

Paralegal: Law Office of Claire Scully, Esq.; 2014 - 2015; Drafted briefs, pre-trial motions, post-judgment motions, client certifications, orders and expungements.

Law Clerk to Honorable Teresa Kondrup Coyle, J.S.C.: Superior Court of Monmouth County - Family Division; 2013 - 2014; Managed regular motion calendar by coordinating with the court staff and attorneys. Researched various family law issues and drafted motion orders and bench memoranda.

Legal Intern: Essex County Prosecutor's Office - Narcotics Unit; 2013 - 2013; Participated in daily preparation and prosecution of criminal cases in Juvenile Justice Division. Drafted accusatory instruments, conducted arraignments, negotiated plea bargains, appeared for calendar calls, and engaged in motion practice on behalf of the State.

Legal Intern: United States Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey; 2012 - 2012; Assisted the District with formation and organization of the new Federal Reentry Court by conducting extensive research on practices of national reentry courts and proposing strategies and protocol to be implemented. Drafted the Government’s response to a suppression motion based on seizure of evidence predicated on inaccurate search warrant affidavit. Drafted legal memorandum on proper constitutional framework to analyze claims against city police officers who had allegedly stole property from defendants.

Legal Intern: New York County District Attorney's Office; 2012 - 2012; Drafted responsive motions arguing that original complaints were facially sufficient, cases should not be dismissed and that evidence should not be suppressed. Completed research assignments regarding Marijuana Possession in a Public Place, Unlicensed General Vending and the unauthorized sale of unstamped cigarettes.

Legal Intern: Essex County Prosecutor's Office - Juvenile Justice Division; 2012 - 2012; Participated in daily preparation and prosecution of criminal cases in Juvenile Justice Division. Drafted accusatory instruments, conducted arraignments, negotiated plea bargains, appeared for calendar calls, and engaged in motion practice on behalf of the State.

Legal Intern: City of Newark Municipal Prosecutor's Office; 2011 - 2011; Assisted counsel with court room case work including exchanging discovery with adversary, discussing plea offers with defendants, and educating witnesses about the victim advocacy program.

Legal Intern: Volunteer Lawyers for Justice/Newark Re-entry Legal Services (VLJ/ReLeSe); 2011 - 2011; Assisted recently released clients to complete preliminary procedures for expungements, license restoration and child support modification. Created and formatted templates for family law motions including motion to emancipate, establish paternity, vacate arrears, modify support, and enforce visitation. Instituted new protocol for ReLeSe family law division.

Legal Intern: Essex County Prosecutor's Office - Appellate Division; 2011 - 2011; Drafted appellate briefs arguing against suppression of evidence seized during a traffic stop and opposing defendant’s motion for post-conviction relief based on claim of prejudicial jury. Conducted research on custodial interrogations.

Matrimonial Paralegal: Law Office of Veronica M. Davis, Esq.; 2008 - 2010; Assisted in drafting and editing legal briefs, memoranda, motions, supporting certifications, and orders. Completed interrogatories, case information statements, affidavits, subpoenas, and depositions. Created and updated client files. Assisted attorneys in preparation for trials, hearings, and motions.