Barbara J. Strauss - a Goshen, NY Divorce Lawyer

Goshen Divorce Lawyer

Updated: 03/02/2026

Areas of Practice

Divorce
Litigation
Family Law
Child Support
Custody & Visitation
Child Neglect
Criminal Law
Appeals

Attorney Information

Overview

Attorney Barbara Strauss has maintained a private practice for over 15 years dedicated to advocating for men, and women coping with divorce, family law disputes or criminal charges. She represents clients in Orange, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties. In her 23 years as a lawyer first as a prosecutor for Orange County, New York, in the area of child and domestic abuse, and then in private practice Barbara Strauss has advocated for justice. At the Law Office of Barbara J. Strauss, she uses that passion to help clients face difficult problems in divorce, family law, and criminal defense.

Divorce and Family Law

Ms. Strauss seeks to resolve family law issues and divorce with dignity. She utilizes the collaborative law approach or negotiation whenever possible. When court proceedings are necessary, she approaches litigation with a thorough, and civilized style while at the same time zealously representing the interests of her client.

Ms. Strauss has developed a reputation for her in-depth knowledge of some of the more complicated issues facing a Family Law practitioner. She has litigated complex cases involving valuation of family owned corporations, interaction of divorce and bankruptcy, division of pension benefits and survival rights, distribution of stock options, tax consequences of divorce, and inter-state custody and support issues.

Barbara Strauss is also a court appointed law guardian representing children's interests in divorce, custody and child abuse matters. For over five years she has co-taught the Parents Apart teaching parents in the midst of custody disputes about the impact of litigation on children.

Richard Mandell, the former Orange County Support Magistrate, is of counsel to the firm. Mr. Mandell has received awards from the Orange County Bar Association and the Women's Bar Association for his work in developing innovative approaches to peaceful resolution of family conflict. He specializes in collaborative law and mediation.

Criminal Law

Barbara Strauss was a Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Orange County District Attorney's office for eight years. She was in charge of the prosecution of child sex abuse cases and supervised the appellate litigation.

As a prosecutor and defense attorney Ms. Strauss has tried the gamut of criminal cases ranging from straight-forward driving while intoxicated matters, to A-1 felony drug prosecutions, child abuse, white collar fraud, rape, criminally negligent homicide and murder. She has also handled parole revocation hearings and probation violation proceedings.

Appeals

This law firm is one of the few local matrimonial and criminal practices which has significant expertise in appellate litigation in addition to the trial level advocacy. Barbara Strauss has personally drafted and filed over one hundred and fifty appellate briefs and has argued cases in the Appellate Division, Second Department and Third Department and Court of Appeals as well as in Federal Court.

Awards and Honors

Super Lawyers® Selectees

Barbara J. Strauss included in a Super Lawyers® list

Honors

Pro Bono Award for Outstanding Contribution, Orange County Bar Association, 1994
Special Recognition Award for Pro Bono Activities, Field of Family Law, American Bar Association, 1994
Women of Achievement of Orange County Award, presented by the Sarah Wells Girl Scout Council and the YWCA of Orange County, 2004
AVVO Top 1% Super Lawyers Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Legal Services – NYS Unified Court System 2013

Other Sources of Feedback About Barbara J. Strauss

Included on the 2026 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list

Past Lists

2025 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list
2024 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list
2023 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list
2022 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list
2021 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list
2020 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list
2019 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list
2018 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list
2017 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list
2016 Upstate New York Super Lawyers list

Education

Legal Education
- New York University School of Law, New York, New York, 1979
  J.D.
Non Legal Education
- Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, 1976
  B.A.
  Honors: cum laude
  Major: Psychology

Current Employment Position(s)

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Partner
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Past Positions

United States Department of Health & Human Services, New York Office, Assistant Regional Attorney, 1980 - 1982
Orange County District Attorney's Office, Senior Assistant District Attorney, 1982 - 1989

Classes and Seminars

Lecturer, Orange County Dispute Resolution Center, Parents Apart Program
Benjamin Cardozo School of Law, Advocacy Program
NBI Family Law CLE: Family Law from A-Z
Practical Approach to Valuation Issues in Divorce Negotiation and Litigation: Valuation of Enhanced Earnings and Small Businesses
NBI Advanced Family Law CLE: Changing Families and Children in the Courtroom
Cardozo Law School Intensive Trial Advocacy Program: Trial Practice
DRC, Parents Apart Class: Legal Issues for Parents Going Through Custody Litigation

Pro Bono Activities

“A Friend’s House” Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter Advisory Committee Board Member
Orange County Bar Association Executive Committee
Board Member, YWCA of Orange County
Orange County Safe Homes
Orange County Dispute Resolution Center
Leadership Orange
Goshen Central School District
Former Member, Board of Directors, Goshen Chamber of Commerce and the Mental Health Association of Orange County
Volunteer Mediator, Orange County Dispute Resolution Center, Parents Apart Program

Bar Admissions

New York, 1980
U.S. District Court Southern District of New York, 1993
U.S. Supreme Court, 1993

Other Affiliations

Orange County Bar Association (Current Treasurer)
New York State Bar Association, Family Law and Criminal Law Sections
American Bar Association, Family Law Section
Women's Bar Association of Orange and Sullivan County, 1993 - 1994 (President)
Women's Bar Association of Orange and Sullivan County, 1983 - 1984 (Treasurer)
Appellate Division Law Guardian Panel (Law Guardian)
Appellate Division, 2nd Dept, 9th and 10th Judicial District (Member, Grievence Committee)
Orange County Bar Association, Board of Directors 2003-2010
Orange County Bar Association President 2010-2011
Grievance Committee 2006-2014
Lawyer for Children Panel, Appellate Division, 1990 - Present
Judicial Screening Committee, Appellate Division, 2015

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Contact

Goshen, NY

301 Main Street
Suite 2E
Goshen, NY 10924

Directions

Phone: 845-360-2094

Fax: 845-294-3861

Email: Send a message

Website: https://www.goshenlawyer.com

Credit Cards Accepted

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Barbara J. Strauss - Goshen, NY