RoseAnn C. Branda is an Executive Partner and Director of the Family and Matrimonial Law department at Abrams Fensterman, LLP.
Ms. Branda’s professional focus and concentration encompass all areas of matrimonial and family law. She is an experienced and skilled lawyer in both settlement negotiation and, where necessary, aggressive trial litigation. Her expertise in family law assists her clients in resolving their personal and sensitive matters with grace and dignity. She is passionate about having her clients understand the process and attempt to see the “big picture”.
Ms. Branda graduated from Brooklyn Law School in 1984, a member of the Moot Court Honor Society. Following admission to the Bar, she began her career at the law firm of Caruso & Caruso, P.C., quickly gaining recognition for her advocacy and legal skills. In 1992, she became a Partner in the law firm of Caruso, Caruso & Branda, P.C.
In 2014, Ms. Branda was appointed to serve as a member of the Matrimonial Practice Advisory and Rules Committee by then Chief Administrative Judge of the State of New York, the Honorable A. Gail Prudenti. She was also appointed by both Judge Prudenti and the Hon. Randall T. Eng, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department, and served as the Chair of the Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission for the Second and Thirteenth Judicial Districts. She was also appointed a member of the Committee on Character and Fitness for the Second, Tenth, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts and further serves as a member of the Judicial Hearing Officer Selection Advisory Committee for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts. From 1997 to 2005, Ms. Branda was also a member of the Grievance Committee for the Second and Eleventh Judicial Districts.
On April 12th, 2022, Ms. Branda was also appointed to the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary by Mayor Eric Adams and was recently reappointed for another two-year term expiring on December 31st, 2025.
Recognized as well for her ethics, professionalism, and integrity, Ms. Branda chaired the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Attorney Professionalism from 2008 to 2010. Ms. Branda proudly held the office of President for the Brooklyn Bar Association, as well as the Bay Ridge Lawyers Association and the Columbian Lawyers Association of Brooklyn. She is presently the Co-Chair of the Family Law Section of the Brooklyn Bar Association and serves on the New York State Bar Executive Committee for the Family Law Section as a representative of the Second District.
Ms. Branda’s hard work and commitment to both her clients and practice are second to none; she mirrors the true image of a consummate legal advocate. She has been consistently recognized by her peers, clients, and the community at large for her talent, ethics, and passion within the field of matrimonial law, having been designated as a New York Super Lawyer every year since 2007 and, more recently, recognized as one of New York’s Women Leaders in the Law. She has earned one of the most prestigious distinctions in the country from Martindale-Hubbell, where she continues to be named a Top-Rated New York Women Leader for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability in both Peers and Judicial editions. She was also selected by her peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America for her expertise in Family Law, and selected for the prestigious Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers 2026.
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Bar Admissions
- State of New York – 1985
- U.S. District Court (Eastern District) – 1985
- U.S. District Court (Southern District) – 1985
Education
- Brooklyn Law School, Brooklyn, New York- J.D.
- Moot Court Honor Society – Alumni Member
- Wagner College, Staten Island, NY – B.A.
Honors and Awards
- Doyle’s Guide, Leading Family, Matrimonial & Divorce Lawyers – New York City, 2026
Recognized among New York City’s leading matrimonial and divorce attorneys by one of the legal industry’s most respected peer-reviewed guides. - 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers in America
Selected nationally among the country’s top family law attorneys for excellence in matrimonial litigation, leadership, and client advocacy. - Best Lawyers in America, Family Law — 2018 through 2026
Repeatedly recognized by peers for outstanding work in matrimonial and family law over nearly a decade. - Super Lawyers, Top 100 Lawyers in New York — 2025
Named among the top attorneys statewide across all practice areas in one of the legal profession’s most competitive distinctions. - Super Lawyers, Top 50 Female Lawyers in New York — 2024, 2025
Honored among New York’s most accomplished women attorneys for excellence in family and matrimonial law. - New York Metro “Super Lawyers”®, Family Law — 2007 through 2025
Nearly two decades of recognition as one of the New York metropolitan area’s leading family law practitioners. - AV Preeminent® Rated — 5.0 out of 5.0
Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer-review distinction for legal ability, professionalism, and ethical standards. - 2019 Recipient of the Champion of Justice Award by The Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Recognized for exceptional leadership, legal achievement, and longstanding contributions to Brooklyn’s legal community. - 2017 Recipient of the Brooklyn Bar Association Trailblazer Award
Honored for pioneering leadership and meaningful impact within the legal profession and Brooklyn bar associations. - 2010 Recipient of the Brooklyn Bar Association Foundation, Inc. Annual Award
Awarded in recognition of professional excellence, service to the legal community, and dedication to the profession. - 2006 Recipient of the Brooklyn Bar Association Distinguished Service Award
Recognized for outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to the Brooklyn legal community. - 2006 Recipient of the Brooklyn Council, Boy Scouts of America Lawyers “Good Scout” Award
Honored for leadership, integrity, and contributions to the community and legal profession.
Professional Associations and Memberships
Brooklyn Bar Association
- Brooklyn Bar Association
- President – 2007 to 2008
- Chair-Family Law Section – 1998 to the Present
- Vice-Chair Attorney-Client Fee Dispute
- Resolution Program for Matrimonial Matters
- Member, Judiciary Committee
Columbian Lawyer’s Association of Brooklyn
- President – 2015 to 2016
New York State Bar Association
- Chair, Committee on Attorney Professionalism – 2008 to 2010
- Delegate, House of Delegates – 2005 to 2009
- Executive Committee Family Law Section
- Representative of the Second District
Judges and Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert
- Member of Board of Directors – 2011 to 2016 • Committee on Membership
American Inns of Court – Barrister Member – 2002 to 2008
- The Nathan R. Sobel Kings County Section
Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association
- Member – 2000 to Present
Bay Ridge Lawyers Association
- Past President – 1993-1994
Appointments
- Member of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary – April 2022 to present
- Special Master in the Mandatory Civil Appeals Mediation Program – October 2018 to Present
- Member of the new Matrimonial Practice Advisory and Rules Committee – 2014 to Present
- Chair of the Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission for the Second and Thirteenth Judicial Districts – 2012 to 2018
- Independent Judicial Election Qualification Commission for the Second and Thirteenth Judicial Districts – Member 2009 – 2018
- Member of the Committee on Character & Fitness for the Second, Tenth, Eleventh and Thirteenth Judicial Districts – 2007 to Present
- Member of Judicial Hearing Officer Selection Advisory Committee for the Second, Eleventh and Thirteenth Judicial Districts – 2009 to Present
- Member of Grievance Committee for the Second and Eleventh Judicial Districts – 1997 to 2005
Reported Decisions
Matter of Perau v. Ross, 106 AD3d 1013 (2nd Dept. May 2013)
Rocco v. Rocco, 90 A.D.3d 886 (2nd Dept, December 20th, 2011)
Natalia Khlevner vs. Ruslan Khlevner – 48 A.D.3d 428 (2nd Dept. 2008)
Ivani vs Ivani – 303 A.D.2d 639 (2nd Dept. 2003)
Maddalena vs Maddalena – 217 A.D.2d 606 (2nd Dept. 1995)
Cherfas v Wolf 2008 NY Slip Op 51397(U) [20 Misc 3d 1118(A)]
Cherfas v Wolf 2007 NY Slip Op 51802(U) [17 Misc 3d 1102(A)]
Publications and Media
- Brooklyn Savvy Divorce in New York Interview Part 1 with RoseAnn C. Branda, October 2018
- Brooklyn Savvy: You’re contemplating a divorce, but you really don’t know what you’re about to face? Take a listen to Roseann Branda who will give you her expert advice that can help you as you wrestle with this decision. Click here for the interview.