October 2007 - Ms. Sucher has joined the Brooklyn Bar Association.

July 2007 - Ms. Sucher is proud to be working of counsel to Rose Weber on civil rights litigation on behalf of the 2004 Republican National Convention arrestees.

June 13, 2007 - Ms. Sucher assisted Daniel Scott in securing an acquittal in People v. Davis after a jury trial on the charge of murder in the second degree.

May 2007 - Ms. Sucher has joined the National Lawyers Guild.

April 2007 - The firm's new website was launched.

March 2007 - The firm moved into a new office at 26 Court Street, Suite 2412, Brooklyn, New York 11242.

Please click on the links above for more detailed information about each of our practice areas.

Danielle E. Sucher has a lifetime of experience with the New York City court system. As a child, she could be found playing in the courtrooms of the Brooklyn Supreme Court, watching as her father argued cases. She began her legal practice while still in high school by performing legal research and drafting both motions and appellate briefs for her father's cases.

Ms. Sucher graduated from New York Law School, where she won Best Brief in the Herbert Wechsler National Criminal Law Moot Court Competition on behalf of the school as a member of the Moot Court Association. While in law school, Ms. Sucher studied mental disability law with Professor Michael Perlin, and assisted Mental Hygiene Legal Services in representing mentally disabled adults in involuntary civil commitment hearings. Ms. Sucher worked on state and federal criminal defense cases during her time with Hurwitz, Stampur & Roth, and learned to litigate medical malpractice suits with Joshua Schulman, Esq. Currently, Ms. Sucher is of counsel to the Law Office of Michael T. Sucher and the Egan Law Firm.

Before establishing her solo practice, Ms. Sucher worked as a Court Attorney for Judge Gerstein of the Criminal Court of the City of New York, Kings County.

Ms. Sucher maintains the Mental Disability Law Blog, where she keeps the public informed about changes in mental disability law. She provides pro bono legal services by representing indigent women in contested divorce proceedings through inMotion. She also offers free legal advice at the legal advice walk-in clinics and transgender name change clinics organized by LeGaL. Ms. Sucher occasionally represents other clients pro bono as well.

Ms. Sucher is a member of the Brooklyn Bar Association, the Brooklyn Women's Bar Association, the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Lawyers Guild, and LeGaL: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Law Association of Greater New York. She is an active participant of the American Bar Association Solosez mailing list, where she shares advice and support with other solo attorneys around the country.

In addition to practicing law, Ms. Sucher is an avid Go player and artist. She maintains a food blog, Habeas Brûlée, writes a cooking column for Gothamist, creates blown glass artwork at Urban Glass, and engages in myriad other forms of visual and performance art.

Criminal Defense and Reintegration

Center for Community Alternatives: Innovative Solutions for Justice
Center for Employment Opportunities
Collateral Consequences of Criminal Charges - New York State
The Correctional Association of New York
Family Justice
Interfaith Coalition of Advocates for Reentry and Employment
Muldoon's Criminal Law
New York State Department of Correctional Services
Reentry Resource Center - New York
Women's Prison Association

LGBT Legal Issues

Lambda Legal
NYC Marriage Bureau: Domestic Partnership
New York State Attorney General's Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act FAQ

Matrimonial and Family Law

Divorce Certificates - New York State Department of Health
New York State Unified Court System: Matrimonial Matters & Divorce Forms
South Brooklyn Legal Services - Community Education & Self Help

Mental Disability Law

American Bar Association Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law
American Board of Forensic Psychology
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
The Campaign for Mental Health Reform
Dr. Bursztajn - Forensic Psychiatry & Medicine
SeniorLaw: Guardianship for Incapacitated People in New York
Mental Disability Rights International
The Mental Health Association of New York City
National Alliance on Mental Illness
National Disability Rights Network
National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice
New York Guardian and Fiduciary Services
New York Law School's Online Program in Mental Disability Law
New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities
Urban Justice Center Mental Health Project

Special Education

Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
Learning Disabilities Association of America
National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
New York City Resources for Children with Special Needs
New York City Parents for Inclusive Education
U.S. Department of Education's Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 2004 Resources
Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy

General

FindLaw
The Lawyer's Client Manifesto

During your initial consultation, Ms. Sucher will evaluate your case and discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the available legal options with you. Should you retain this office for your representation, Ms. Sucher will explain the available fee structures and work out a billing arrangement that meets the value you will receive from her services.

Whenever possible, Ms. Sucher prefers to provide flat fee services. In those cases where hourly billing is necessary, she still maintains her commitment to value billing. Ms. Sucher will respect your budget and keep you updated on the time she spends working on your case. You will never be billed for short telephone calls or other forms of correspondence. You are encouraged to contact this office without fear of incurring huge legal fees for simply giving Ms. Sucher the information she needs in order to properly represent you.

For more information on rates and services, or to schedule an initial consultation, please call (718) 682-2661 or email .

The materials on this website have been prepared by the Law Office of Danielle E. Sucher for educational and informational purposes only and are not intended as legal advice. This website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a professional attorney who is aware of your particular legal circumstances.

The use and receipt of the information offered on this website is not intended to create, nor does it create, an attorney-client relationship. Please feel free to contact this office via e-mail or otherwise. However, please be advised that an attorney-client relationship is not created through the act of contacting this office. No attorney-client relationship exists until you have signed a retainer agreement formally retaining this firm.

Except where otherwise indicated, the Law Office of Danielle E. Sucher does not maintain and is not responsible for the information, accuracy, completeness, usefulness, or adequacy of any resources that can be accessed via hypertext links from this website.

All situations differ, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Ms. Sucher represents clients with mental disabilities in a variety of legal contexts. She is strongly opposed to the paternalism and discrimination prevalent in the legal system and in society towards people with mental disabilities. You can read more about Ms. Sucher's thoughts on legal issues faced by people with mental disabilities at the Mental Disability Law Blog.

Much like racism or sexism, our society is prone to prejudice against people mentally disabilities. Sanism can lead to discrimination in employment, housing, or other areas. Ms. Sucher represents clients with mental disabilities in responding to all forms of discrimination.

Under certain circumstances, the law permits people with mental disabilities to be civilly committed against their will. In these cases, it is of utmost importance to help the court understand the nuances of the circumstances and the law, and to defuse the prejudice which may threaten to outweigh the evidence. Ms. Sucher also understands the importance of the right to refuse treatment, and represents patients in forced medication cases as well.

In the context of elder law, Ms. Sucher handles Article 81 guardianship cases, as well as estate planning for mentally disabled individuals.

In the family law context, Ms. Sucher is particularly interested in representing parents with mental disabilities who seek to fight termination of their parental rights.

Ms. Sucher also represents criminal defendants with mental disabilities, and families with mentally disabled children who require special education. Please use the links above to reach the sections on criminal defense and special education for more information.

Ms. Sucher accepts some mental disability law cases for reduced fees or without charge, so do not hesitate to call (718) 682-2661 at any time to explain your situation and learn what sort of fee arrangement may be available for you.

If you are arrested, it is important that you remain silent and do not say anything at all to the police until you have had the opportunity to speak to an attorney. You have the right to remain silent, and so it is your responsibility to resist any pressure the police may put upon you to make a statement. An attorney will be able to advise you as to what statements may ultimately damage your chances of being found not guilty or offered an advantageous plea bargain.

You have the right to an attorney when facing criminal charges, and if you cannot afford to retain private counsel, the court will appoint an attorney to represent you. However, as a private attorney, Ms. Sucher has the time and resources to devote herself to protecting your rights. And as a former Court Attorney at the Brooklyn Criminal Court, she has the experience and familiarity with the New York City criminal justice system needed to zealously defend you.

It is important to retain an attorney as early in the process as possible. In New York, after you are arrested, your first court appearance should take place within 24 hours. This appearance, called arraignment, is your first opportunity to come before a judge. At arraignment, the prosecutor will first consider what sort of plea bargain to offer you, and the judge will first consider the issue of bail.

What happens at that first court appearance can greatly affect your case as it proceeds through the criminal justice system. Without a skillful attorney to argue the issue of bail, you are more likely to remain incarcerated pending trial, which affects your ability to properly prepare your defense.

As your case progresses, your attorney will be in the best position to make pre-trial motions, investigate the facts and circumstances of your alleged offense, negotiate with the prosecutor for an advantageous plea bargain, or ultimately conduct hearings and trial.

Defendants with mental disabilities should be represented by an attorney familiar with the special issues they may face. Ms. Sucher's background with mental disability law helps her understand the prejudices and legal nuances that can arise in these cases. You can read more about Ms. Sucher's thoughts on legal issues faced by people with mental disabilities at Mental Disability Law Blog.

Rather than going through a painful and lengthy contested divorce, you may wish to consider negotiating the issues with your spouse and obtaining an uncontested divorce instead. If you and your spouse can agree on all the details of how to divide your property and arrange maintenance, child custody, visitation, and support, obtaining an uncontested divorce is just a matter of paperwork that your attorney can prepare.

Ms. Sucher will do everything in her power to help you resolve your issues with your spouse and avoid having to undergo draining litigation in obtaining your divorce. She emphasizes negotiation, mediation, and compromise in working out matrimonial matters amicably and efficiently.

If you are considering getting a legal separation or divorce, please consult with an attorney before moving out of your marital home or making any significant financial decisions, as doing so may affect your rights. You can prepare for your first appointment by gathering together as much financial documentation as you can, such as your most recent tax return, bank account statements, and estimated monthly expenses.

Ms. Sucher handles uncontested divorces on a flat fee basis, and charges her regular hourly rate for drafting pre-nuptial and separation agreements and handling contested divorce matters.

The New York City Family Court hears cases such as child protective proceedings, adoption, custody and visitation, child support, guardianship, juvenile delinquency, paternity, domestic violence, and persons in need of supervision.

Ms. Sucher handles the full range of family law matters for LGBT and other non-traditional families and individuals as well as for more traditionally structured heterosexual families. She believes in fighting for you and your family, no matter your sexual orientation or lifestyle choices, your psychiatric diagnosis, or your age.

Please use the links above to reach the sections on matrimonial, mental disability law, and LGBT legal matters for more information.

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), every child is entitled to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Parents, medical health professionals, teachers, school administrators, and attorneys all have roles to play in making sure that each child receives the type of care and education that they need.

Ms. Sucher represents families whose children have special needs in resolving their disputes with the school system. She prefers to protect the collaborative relationship between parents and teachers during the course of negotiation, but is willing and able to fight the system if that is what it takes to protect your child's rights.

You can read more about Ms. Sucher's thoughts on legal issues faced by people with mental disabilities at Mental Disability Law Blog. We also recommend that you read Wrightslaw: Special Education Law and Advocacy, an incredibly thorough resource which will help you understand the process of special education advocacy.

Ms. Sucher accepts some special education cases for reduced fees or without charge, so do not hesitate to call (718) 682-2661 at any time to explain your situation and learn what sort of fee arrangement may be available for you.

The law in New York is inconsistent when it comes to the rights afforded to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Same-sex couples are protected the same way that heterosexual couples are in some areas of the law, and are completely disregarded in others. Ms. Sucher's goal is to work within the existing framework to help LGBT individuals as much as possible, and at the same time to argue cases which may encourage the courts to expand the rights and protections granted to LGBT individuals and same-sex couples.

The examples listed below are only some of the LGBT legal matters Ms. Sucher handles. As a general practitioner with strong beliefs in the rights of all people, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity, Ms. Sucher practices with the whole range of LGBT legal matters.

Estate Planning and Marriage

Because New York does not currently recognize same-sex marriage, same-sex couples can only protect their rights in a piecemeal and incomplete fashion. Ms. Sucher can assist you and your partner in creating the necessary contracts, powers of attorney, and health care proxies. She can advise you regarding domestic partnership registration, and other legal techniques for giving each other some of the rights and powers that would automatically accrue if you were permitted to get married.

Ms. Sucher can also assist you in estate planning, and help you and your partner arrange your finances and wills so that you will be protected in case one of you passes on, even if family members decide to contest your will. If family members do contest probate of your partner's will, Ms. Sucher is available to handle the probate litigation.

Child Custody and Adoption

Unless you have adopted your non-biological child, you will have no right to custody or visitation under New York law. New York permits second parent adoption, where the non-biological parent can adopt a child without causing the biological parent to lose any rights. If you and your partner have children, it is important that the non-biological parent(s) legally adopt the children immediately, in case anything should happen. Ms. Sucher can lead you through the process of adopting your child and gaining parental rights under the law.

Gay Divorce

When same-sex couples end their relationships in New York, they do not come under the protection of the Domestic Relations Law, and cannot obtain a divorce in the matrimonial part. The couple's financial entanglements must be divided using other means. Ms. Sucher has experience handling these cases, which we colloquially refer to as 'gay divorces'.

You should speak to an attorney about how to legally divide the assets in your relationship as soon as possible, long before you might contemplate wanting a divorce. If anything happens, the legal documents created in advance will control, making the divorce as swift and painless as possible.

If you have not set up contracts, trusts, and other legal protections, a gay divorce is more difficult to arrange. Ms. Sucher encourages mediation and negotiation in order to avoid lengthy and emotionally charged litigation. She will lead you through the process, using available protections under the law to divide your assets as equitably as the law allows.

Housing and Landlord/Tenant Matters

Same-sex couples who have registered as domestic partners or shown other evidence of financial and emotional entanglement are recognized as families in the housing context under New York law. In part, this means that same-sex partners can succeed to rent-regulated apartments on the death of the the partner who was the tenant of record.

This complicates matters when a landlord or the parter who owns or rents the apartment seeks to evict the partner not named in the deed or lease. Non-family members in possession can be evicted through a summary proceeding in Civil Court, but to evict a family member you are required to bring an ejectment proceeding in Supreme Court.

Ms. Sucher is not only experienced in landlord/tenant law, but has made special study of the issues raised where same-sex couples and LGBT individuals are involved.

Discrimination

While Federal law does not protect against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, New York State law does. New York City law goes a step further, and also protects against discrimination on the basis of gender identity. If you have suffered from any sort of discrimination, Ms. Sucher is interested in fighting back for you.

Domestic Violence

In domestic violence situations, heterosexual couples have the choice of bringing criminal charges or going to Family Court to obtain an order of protection and resolve the matter. However, Family Court does not have jurisdiction to hear cases involving same-sex couples. If your partner is abusing you, your options are limited, but they do exist. Do not hesitate to call the police in order to protect yourself from the cycle of abuse.

While Ms. Sucher cannot prosecute your case in Criminal Court, she can help you pick up the pieces and handle any financial, housing, or other civil matters that may arise as a consequence of the domestic violence situation.

Professional Association Membership and Pro Bono Work

Ms. Sucher is a member of LeGaL: The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Law Association of Greater New York. She offers free legal advice at the legal advice walk-in clinics and transgender name change clinics organized by LeGaL.

Ms. Sucher handles a wide range of legal matters beyond those detailed in other sections of this website. The breadth of her practice and understanding of the law gives her great advantage in handling legal issues that arise rarely, or where there is no established precedent for the court to follow. Her practice gives her the adaptability needed to react to unanticipated twists in the law.

If you have a legal matter which is not described elsewhere on this website, please do not hesitate to contact this office and describe the details of your unique situation.