Anastasia Grace Cholakis Esq. - Albany, NY

Ana's interest in matrimonial law emerged during her high school years in Troy, NY, when she worked as a student intern for the Monagan Law Firm, a family-law firm that bears the name of her mother, Joanne P. Monagan, who is now Managing Attorney at O'Brien Monagan Law. Ana received her Juris Doctorate from Albany Law School and was admitted to the New York State Bar in April 2023. She is also a graduate of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor concentration in criminal justice.

Ana began her legal career at O'Brien & Associates conducting research, collecting, and reviewing discovery, drafting documents, coordinating with clients, and attending court appearances with one of the supervising attorneys. She took a short break from O'Brien & Associates to experience criminal law, completing an internship with the Albany County District Attorney's Office, where she assisted with victim interviews, conducted legal research, and attended and participated in arraignments. Her experiences in the legal field combined with her degree in psychology ultimately led her to matrimonial and family law, where she felt she could best use her skills as a communicator and an advocate. Having started as an assistant in her mother's law firm in high school, Ana's experience has provided her with a unique and practical understanding of how the laws, procedures and processes regarding divorce and family law litigation in New York apply to distinct and individual clients.

When she's not at work, Ana enjoys spending time with her family, playing with her cats Apollo and Chief, gardening, and going to the Adirondacks every chance she gets.

Ana's message to our clients is this: “as a young law school graduate with extensive experience in family law, I am dedicated to helping families navigate some of the most uniquely challenging times in their lives. I've chosen to pursue my career in matrimonial and family law because it offers me the opportunity to serve families directly and in a meaningful way by providing them with the legal guidance and support needed to move forward. I believe that every family deserves compassionate, individualized, and skilled representation, particularly during times of transition and uncertainty. I am committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and excellence in my practice, and to using my skills and expertise to help families achieve the best possible outcomes for themselves and their loved ones.