Jacalyn F. Barnett, Esq. brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in matrimonial and family law. Her career hit its first peak when she headed the matrimonial department at the law office of Shea & Gould, prior to creating her boutique practice, The Law Office of Jacalyn F. Barnett, P.C. in 1993.
Having testified as an expert witness on New York State divorce law, Jacalyn has been a frequent legal commentator on NBC, ABC, CBS, MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, COURT-TV, and CNBC among others on issues concerning divorce, family law, and child custody.
She contributed the chapter on Cross-Examination in a Deposition to the book “Take the Witness: The Experts Speak on Cross Examination” published by Juris Net LLC, and was the lawyer featured in the matrimonial chapter in the book “Lawyers at Work” published by Apress.
She was selected for Crain’s New York Business 40 Under 40. She has been cited regularly in numerous periodicals and newspapers such as The New York Times, International Herald Tribune, Crain’s New York Business, Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, Wall Street Journal, Bride’s Magazine, Forbes, Harper’s Bazaar, L.A. Herald Examiner, L.A. Times, Manhattan Lawyer, Time Magazine, USA Today, Women’s Wear Daily, New York Post, and Vogue Magazine. Jacalyn has served as a legal consultant to Salomon Smith Barney on “Women in Transition”, a nationwide educational program offering financial advice to women involved in divorce or widowhood.
Jacalyn has lectured on a variety of topics such as New York State Society of CPAs, Entertainment, Arts and Sports Committee, for their seminar entitled, “How to Protect Your Client’s ASSets and Your Own” and at the New York State Society of CPAs Tax Planning Conference on Tax Planning and Divorce.
She has been a Distinguished Delegate for the Creative Coalition of the Arts to the White House and Capitol Hill in 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024 and as a chair at The Creative Coalition’s National Arts Summit in February 2025.
Among her clientele are celebrities and individuals of high net worth, who rely upon her discretion and creativity to resolve complicated problems efficiently while respecting their privacy and that of their families.
She is a fierce advocate, especially when the best interests of a child are at stake. She has been a member of the Screen Actors Guild since 1999.
She is a member of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, the New York State Bar Association, Women’s Forum of New York and the International Women’s Forum. Jacalyn earned her BA from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, studied at the University of London and received her law degree from Brooklyn Law School. Jacalyn has been a member of the bar in New York State and U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York since 1978.
A Life of Passion & Compassion
“No one cares more about the things you do than the person that used to be married to you.”
Ms. Barnett is an exceptional attorney, but who is Jackie?
I have wanted to be a family lawyer ever since I was 17 years old. Growing up as a twin, I developed a unique bond that taught me the importance of understanding and protecting those we care about. This relationship instilled in me a deep sense of empathy and a desire to advocate for others, particularly in vulnerable situations. At 17, I wanted to earn the funds to take flying lessons, so I decided to teach piano to children in my neighborhood. The unforeseen consequence was it led me to decide to become a family lawyer as I saw in those homes how children needed protection.
In addition to custody divorce often involves complex financial issues, such as asset division, spousal support and child support. Managing debt is the essence of asset protection in a divorce so having an understanding and background in both family law and bankruptcy law has positioned me to help strategize asset protection. This is crucial in ensuring one party does not unfairly lose assets to creditors during or after the divorce process. I clerked for a Federal Bankruptcy judge, was appointed to be a bankruptcy trustee in some personal bankruptcy cases, and focused on bankruptcy law in my early legal career, before specializing in family matters which makes me uniquely qualified to practice matrimonial law.
Unfortunately, dramatic changes impact relationships causing breakups and breakdowns which can cause divorce to intersect with bankruptcy issues. Having this unique background allows me to offer a more comprehensive approach to a client’s situation, addressing emotional, financial and legal aspects in a cohesive, nuanced manner so as to best navigate the challenges of divorce.
My goal is to be a strong advocate for those who might feel lost or powerless, ensuring that every voice is heard and respected.
“Timing is everything. The date of valuation of assets can make all the difference in the world depending upon when an action was started.”