ADVOCATE - Key Persons
Eleanor Grosz has practiced exclusively in the field of matrimonial law for more than forty years. While she is continuing to practice in all areas of family law, Eleanor has expanded her practice to include family law mediation. Uniformly respected in the field before joining our firm, Eleanor was the managing partner of her own family law practice for over thirty years. With expertise across a range of specialties and a no-nonsense approach, Eleanor is prepared to help clients through challenging times. Eleanor reaches settlements that benefit clients and their families while minimizing acrimony. If a settlement is not possible, Eleanor will fight to protect her clients' interests in court to reach the most favorable and expeditious resolution.
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Member of the Bar in New York
Jason A. Advocate is the founder with more than 25 years of experience in complex matrimonial and commercial law. A native New Yorker who won't back down, Jason is known for protecting his client's privacy at all costs. His diverse background of complex commercial litigation provides a level of knowledge into corporate and financial matters that levels the playing field from the start in high net worth cases.
Mr. Advocate is a member of the bar in New York and New Jersey. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. He works to further legislation and issues among his peers through the Association of the Bar for the City of New York and the New York State Bar Association. Jason also shares his vast legal experience on cutting edge legal matters as a lecturer at numerous institutions.
Maria E. Ficalora is an Associate at Advocate, LLP focusing exclusively on matrimonial and family law matters.
Prior to joining Advocate, LLP, Maria was an associate with the Matrimonial Law Department at Abrams, Fensterman, Fensterman, Eisman, Formato, Ferrara & Wolf, LLP in their Brooklyn Office.
Ms. Ficalora earned her juris doctorate from Brooklyn Law School in May 2016 and her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology at Fordham University in May 2012. During law school, Ms. Ficalora was a judicial intern for Justice Jeffrey S. Sunshine, Civil Term Kings County, Supreme Court, Matrimonial Term.
Ms. Ficalora is an extremely compassionate person who appreciates what her clients are going through. She views each client's situation as important and unique. Above all, she zealously advocates for their individual interests.
Melissa's practice focuses exclusively on matrimonial and family Law.
Prior to joining Advocate, LLP, Melissa was an attorney at the Administration for Children's Services ("ACS") in the Manhattan office where she represented the Commissioner of ACS in child neglect and abuse cases. Melissa earned two Bachelors of the Arts Degrees at the University of Michigan where she majored in English and Judaic Studies. Melissa earned her Juris Doctorate from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law where she had a concentration in family law. She is admitted to the bar in New York and lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
Tomoko Kataoka has practiced exclusively in matrimonial and family law for over 18 years.
Tomoko Kataoka was with the Eleanor Grosz Law Firm from 2003 - 2019. She began her career as a matrimonial lawyer as an associate at Cohen Goldstein & Silpe, LLP in 1999. Ms. Kataoka received her JD from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and her BA from Columbia University, Barnard College. She is admitted to practice in New York and is a member of the Family Law Sections of the New York State Bar Association and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. Ms. Kataoka is on the Executive Board of the New York Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and has been an active member of the Board at Large of the AFCC since 2018.