Lizanne J. Ceconi

Lizanne J. Ceconi is a founding member and managing partner of Ceconi & Cheifetz, LLC. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Ceconi was a sole practitioner specializing in family law.

Ms. Ceconi has been a leader in her profession. She is presently Second Vice Chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association Family Law Section and is slotted to become its Chair in 2008. Ms. Ceconi served as President of the Union County Bar Association, only the third woman to hold the position in its 103 year history. She was also the first woman to lead the Northern New Jersey Family Law Inns of Court and continues to serve as a Master and Group Leader. Ms. Ceconi also serves as a member of the Union County Bar Association Judicial and Prosecutorial Committee, a non-political review board which vets all potential judges and prosecutors for appointment and reappointment in Union County.

Since 1993, Ms. Ceconi has been approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts as a certified mediator. She has also served as a matrimonial Early Settlement Panelist since 1987. Ms. Ceconi has lectured extensively for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education, the Northern New Jersey Family Law Inns of Court, the Union County Bar Association and various civic organizations on issues such as basic rights of divorce, mediation, client consultations, expert witnesses, preparation of custody trials, equitable distribution of executive compensation and other prevalent family law topics. Ms. Ceconi also served on the specially appointed Family Law Committee in Union County appointed by the Honorable Walter R. Barisonek, A.J.S.C.

Admitted to the practice of law in New Jersey in 1982 and in New York in 1989, Ms. Ceconi received her law degree from Seton Hall School of Law and her undergraduate degree from Villanova University. Ms. Ceconi also attended the University of Madrid through Georgetown University.

Cary B. Cheifetz

Cary B. Cheifetz is a founding member in Ceconi & Cheifetz, L.L.C., where he limits his practice to matrimonial matters.

A Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Mr. Cheifetz is a member of the American, New Jersey State, Essex County and Bergen County Bar Associations. Past President of the Essex County Bar Association and a recipient of its Family Law Achievement Award, he is a former Chair of its Family Law Executive Committee and a member of the Essex County Judicial Selection Committee. Mr. Cheifetz is Past Chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association's Family Law Executive Committee and a member of the Family Law Section of ATLA-NJ. He is a member of the Supreme Court Board of Attorney Trial Certification (Matrimonial Law Committee) as well as a former member of the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Family Part Practice.

An Adjunct Professor of Law at Seton Hall University Law School, Mr. Cheifetz is a co-author of Valuation Strategies in Divorce (2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons) and Valuing Professional Practices and Licenses: A Guide for the Matrimonial Practitioner (2nd Edition, Prentice Hall Law & Business). Editor of the New Jersey Family Lawyer, he is Family Law Columnist for the New Jersey Law Journal and New Jersey Lawyer, and his articles have appeared in professional publications. Mr. Cheifetz has lectured on family law matters for ICLE, and is the recipient of its Distinguished Service Award, the American Law Institute, the American Bar Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the American Institute of Certificated Public Accountants, and other organizations.

In 2004, he was named one of Ten Leaders of Northern New Jersey Matrimonial and Divorce Lawyers. His profile for this honor can be found at ten leaders.

Mr. Cheifetz received his B.A. from George Washington University, his J.D. from New York Law School, and was Law Clerk to the Honorable June Strelecki, former Presiding Judge of Family Part, Essex County.

Brian M. Schwartz

Brian Schwartz has been with Ceconi & Cheifetz since its inception in 1999. Mr. Schwartz is a member of the Family Law Executive Committee of the New Jersey State Bar Association, and a co-chair of that Committee's Legislative Subcommittee. He is also an Associate Managing Editor of the New Jersey Family Lawyer, the official publication of the New Jersey State Bar Association Family Law Section. In addition, he is an officer of the Northern New Jersey Family Law Inns of Court – Family Law. Mr. Schwartz is actively involved in the Union and Bergen County Bar Association Family Law Sections and is a frequent lecturer for the Institute for Continuing Legal Education, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the NJSCPA and local bar associations. In May 2000, Mr. Schwartz participated in (and successfully completed) the American Bar Association Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute, an intensive eight-day advanced course to enhance trial skills and competency.

In 2003, at age 35, Mr. Schwartz was named a Top Ten Matrimonial Lawyer under the age of 40, and, in 2004, he was named one of Ten Leaders 45 & Under of Northern New Jersey Matrimonial and Divorce Lawyers. His profile for this honor can be found at ten leaders.

He is a graduate of University of Pittsburgh School of Law and was admitted to the practice of law in the State of New Jersey in 1993 and New York in 1994. Mr. Schwartz received his undergraduate degree from The George Washington University. He had also served as a judicial intern in the Family Part to the Honorable Lawrence D. Smith, J.S.C. in 1992. When he is not practicing law, Mr. Schwartz enjoys spending time with his wife, two daughters and two dogs.

Kimberly A. Rennie

Kimberly A. Rennie has been an associate with the firm since 2002. Ms. Rennie served as the Law Clerk to the Honorable Melvin S. Whitken, J.S.C. in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Family Part for the 2001-02 term. Since that time, she has devoted her practice to matrimonial and other related family matters. Prior to, and during, her attendance at law school, Ms. Rennie had been employed for twelve years as a paralegal, with an emphasis in family law.

Ms. Rennie is a Blaustein Scholar and a member of the American, New York and New Jersey State Bar Associations, as well as a member of the Union and Essex County Bar Associations. She is also actively involved in the Women's Lawyers of Union County. She also volunteers for the Women's Resource Center in Summit.

Ms. Rennie is a graduate of Rutgers University (Newark) School of Law and received her undergraduate degree, with honors, from Kean University.

Nancy C. Richmond

Nancy C. Richmond has been an associate with the firm since 2000. Ms. Richmond served as the Law Clerk to the Honorable John D'Amico, J.S.C. in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Family Part. Since that time, she has devoted her practice to matrimonial and other related family matters.

Ms. Richmond is also a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association Family Law Section, as well as a member of the Union and Essex County Bar Associations. Ms. Richmond is the Essex County Bar Association representative to the Non-Dissolution Planning Committee. She has also lectured on various family law topics with the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. Ms. Richmond also successfully completed the 18th Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute sponsored by the American Bar Association Family Law Section.

Ms. Richmond is a graduate of Dickinson School of Law and received her undergraduate degree from Lafayette College.

Sheryl J. Seiden

Sheryl Seiden has been associated with Ceconi & Cheifetz, LLC since July 2003. She is admitted to the practice of Law in the State of New Jersey and the State of New York, and has been practicing Family Law since her admittance to the Bar.

Ms. Seiden is a member of the Family Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association, the Union and Essex County Bar Associations, the Northern New Jersey Family Law Inns of Court – Family Law, and the Association of Trial Lawyers of American. She has provided pro bono representation for indigent defendants charged with violations of domestic violence orders, and has volunteered for Partners for Woman and Justice, an organization dedicated to providing legal services to low income woman in our community.

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Seiden had practiced Matrimonial Law at Kasowitz Benson Torres & Friedman, LLP where she worked with Eleanor B. Alter, Esq. and Helene Brezinsky, Esq. representing clients in complex matrimonial cases in both New York and New Jersey. Prior to joining Kasowitz, Ms. Seiden acquired significant litigation experience at both Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker and Thacher Proffitt & Wood, both in New York City.

Ms. Seiden received her undergraduate degree, cum laude, from American University in 1993, and received her law degree, magna cum laude, from New York Law School in 1996. When she is not practicing law, Ms. Seiden enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter and son.

Maureen A. Varley

Maureen A. Varley became associated with Ceconi & Cheifetz, LLC in 2005. Admitted to the practice of law in 1979, Ms. Varley worked for more than 8 years in the offices of Cohn Lifland in Bergen County, concentrating her practice on matrimonial matters. After taking a leave of absence from full time practice to raise her family, Ms. Varley has returned to the practice of Family Law.

She is a member of the Family Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association, the Union County Bar Association, and the Northern New Jersey Family Law Inns of Court.

A cum laude graduate of The College of the Holy Cross, Ms. Varley received her law degree from Boston College. She also studied in France at the University of Avignon through Bryn Mawr College. When not practicing law, Ms. Varley volunteers in many church, school, and community activities, and spends time with her husband and three children.