SIMONETTI & ASSOCIATES - Key Persons
Catherine was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and comes from a first-generation Italian-American family. A graduate of LIU C.W. Post, she is the first college graduate in her family and as a graduate of Touro Law School's Class of 2015, she is the first attorney as well. Catherine earned the CALI Award for her work in the Family Law Clinic and was also a member of the executive board for the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. Since being admitted to the New York State Bar, she has dedicated her career to the practice of Matrimonial and Family Law handling many cases including custody, child support and divorce matters for clients across Long Island. Outside the office, Catherine is married and loves spending time at the beach with her dog.
Job Titles:
- Family Lawyer
- Member of the Nassau County Bar Association
Charlotte M. Betts has dedicated over a quarter of a century to the representation of parties in all arrears of matrimonial litigation, including complex and high net worth contested matters involving equitable distribution of marital assets, spousal support, custody and parental access, child support, as well as advocating for victims of domestic abuse.
Charlotte M. Betts has dedicated over of a quarter of a century to the representation of parties in all arrears of matrimonial litigation, including complex and high net worth contested matters involving equitable distribution of marital assets, spousal support, custody and parental access, child support, as well as advocating for victims of domestic abuse. Ms. Betts has been involved in every aspect of such matters from commencement of litigation, motion practice, financial discovery (including examinations before trial and valuation of business interests), and through trial or settlement. Ms. Betts has advanced and opposed a myriad of post judgment matters, including enforcement and modification of court ordered obligations, as well as modification of custody of and parental access to minor children.
Ms. Betts has represented numerous clients regarding prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements.
Ms. Betts is further experienced in appellate practice. Ms. Betts has represented many clients including one case where she was successful in convincing the Appellate Division, Second Department to reverse the trial court and hold the opposing party guilty of marital waste and chargeable with the sum of $73,500 for refusal to file a joint income tax return. This was the first holding by the Appellate Division, Second Department regarding a finding of marital waste under those circumstances.
In 1993, Ms. Betts become associated with the firm then known as Gassman, Fischer & Fass, PC. In 2007, Ms. Betts was named a member of Gassman Baiamonte Betts, PC where she remained a member until November 2016.
Ms. Betts is an Arbitrator in the New York Attorney-Client Dispute Resolution Program (2012 to present). In this capacity, she determines disputes between attorneys and clients regarding counsel fees charged by attorneys and challenged by their clients.
In recognition of her professional standing, Ms. Betts has been selected by her fellow attorneys for inclusion in "Best Woman Attorneys" in New York for the year 2016.
Ms. Betts zealously advocates for her clients in the utmost professional manner, whether litigating or settling their matter. Divorce litigation is an emotional experience. It is a serious financial and life-altering event, which impacts the entire family. Most important for families with minor children are issues regarding how major decisions impacting the children's health, education and well-being will be made (legal custody), with whom the children will reside (residential custody) and the time the children will spend with each parent (parental access). Ms. Betts is cognizant of and counsels her clients though the emotion and financial aspects of matrimonial litigation in order to assist the client in moving forward and attaining, whether by settlement or litigation, the most favorable result.
Ms. Betts attended Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, where she graduated magna cum laude (top 5%) in 1993. She earned her undergraduate degree in accounting from St. John's University in 1990 (magna com laude).
Since 1993, Ms. Betts has been a member of the Nassau County Bar Association (Matrimonial Committee Member) and New York State Bar Association (Family Law Section). From 2003, Ms. Betts has been a Barrister of the New York Family Law American Inns of Court.
Louis F. Simonetti, Jr. is the driving force and founder of Simonetti & Associates. With over 30 years of legal experience, he draws from his corporate and business background to continue to develop the family law practice he started in 1990.
LOUIS F. SIMONETTI, JR. is the driving force and founder of Simonetti & Associates. He is a graduate of the famed Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1984. While at Wharton, he established the Wharton Investment Banking Society.
He then attended St. John's University School of Law, where he was granted the prestigious St. Thomas More Scholarship. This is the same Full Tuition scholarship that was awarded to former New York State Governor Mario Cuomo, former California Governor George Deukmejian, and countless members of the New York State and Federal Judiciary. While at St.John's Law School, he was a Member of Law Review and the author of The Catholic Lawyer, The Constitutionality of State Labor Relations Board Jurisdiction Over Parochial Schools: Catholic High School Association v. Culvert, 1986. Upon graduation, he was an associate at the leading Wall Street Firm of Willke Farr & Gallagher.
In 1990 he founded the Firm of Simonetti & Associates. Over the past twenty-five years, he has been able to incorporate his corporate and business background into his Matrimonial and Family Law practice. He has considerable experience in analyzing various types of business ventures and financial situations, that assist in maximizing the settlements that his clients are able to obtain.
In addition to being a sports enthusiast, he is actively engaged in various community organizations. Mr. Simonetti has dedicated himself to community service during his twenty-five years of legal practice. He has served as General Counsel to various youth organizations and religious organizations, as well as provided legal services for their members.
He is a life-long resident of Long Island, and is the father of four children.
A Long Island Native, Megan grew up in the Huntington area and now lives in Long Beach with her husband. While in school, she developed a passion for family and matrimonial law. She graduated from the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University, with honors in the following areas: Family Court Review, AFCC, and Alumni Coordinator, Vol. 54, the Vice President of External Affairs in the Family Law Society, and a social coordinator for the Hofstra Law of Women. She has been dedicated to the field of Matrimonial private practice as well as other family law matters from the time of her admission. She is also a member of the Nassau County Bar Association: Matrimonial Committee and Rising Stars in Matrimonial Law Committee. In her free time, she is an avid runner and also can speak and write conversationally in Spanish.
Education
Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University
Tim has devoted his over ten years of practice to family law and matrimonial matters. As part of his work with Simonetti & Associates, Tim handles all phases of matrimonial and family law litigation from inception through trial; including complex financial and custody cases. Tim has substantial trial experience and has gained a reputation as a talented and accomplished trial advocate. He is universally respected by the judges he appears before as well as his colleagues. Our clients consistently compliment his intelligence, legal acumen, and zealous advocacy.
Tim resides in Suffolk County with his wife and three daughters.