John Yacos is a life-long New Yorker with over thirty years of legal experience, exclusively practicing matrimonial and family law. John has been selected to the 2020 New York State Super Lawyers list. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.

John is the director and co-founder of the Brooklyn Chapter of the National Association of Divorce Professionals an organization that builds beneficial relationships among divorce professionals and provides access to valuable information to better serve clients. John serves on the Board of Directors of Family Kind, a nonprofit organization that provides supportive services on a sliding fee scale to families experiencing separation and divorce. John has presented many times on issues related to matrimonial law and family law with well-respected resources such as Francis Financial (“Financially Ever After” podcast), UNtied and Park Slope Parents.

John kickstarted his legal career litigating child abuse and neglect cases and then represented children in contested custody litigation while at The Children’s Law Center in Kings County. John has extensive litigation experience in custody, visitation, guardianship, family offenses, paternity and child neglect and abuse cases. With a lengthy court-based practiced, John established relationships and knowledge of the legal community, familiarity with judges and court personnel. Fun fact: the first judge John appeared before was Judge Judy (Judge Scheindlin), who was a family court judge at the time.

Additionally, John worked with lenders in sophisticated real estate financing transactions, which strengthened his legal strategy in complex matrimonial litigation that often involves the disposition of real property interest. Prior to the establishment of his firm, John worked for a highly regarded matrimonial firm in Manhattan.

Shari Bornstein practiced in her own matrimonial and family law firm in Connecticut since the firm’s creation in 1989, prior to relocating to New York City. Shari used her skills as a litigator, mediator, and collaboratively trained attorney to resolve divorce cases, custody actions, post-judgment matters, as well as serving as a Guardian ad Litem for minor children. She participated in the Special Masters’ program by providing recommendations to colleagues and self-represented parties to assist them in settling their cases.

Shari joined The Law Firm of John Yacos, P.C. to continue offering high quality legal services to matrimonial and family law clients in New York in the process that best empowers clients to make solid decisions, while facing the emotional challenges of stress, conflict and the unpredictability of their future.

Shari is a mediator on the Supreme Court Roster of Matrimonial Mediators. Shari is passionate about using positive communication to solve problems and reduce conflict and created the co-parenting communication program, GOODTALK4PARENTS, offered by FamilyKind as a resource for parents to improve their communication skills. Shari served as the Director of FamilyKind Parent Services and now sits on the FamilyKind Advisory Council. Shari presented at Park Slope Parents educational programs, participated as guest speaker at UnTied and was interviewed on the podcast, Financially Ever After.

Stefany Lyn Schaefer-Riecke joined The Law Firm of John Yacos, P.C. in 2015 as a paralegal. Stefany provides effective assistance to the attorneys and support to clients as they move through their legal process. From complex cases to uncontested divorces, Stefany contributes to each case from beginning to end. She provides regular updates to clients, maintains case calendar and deadlines, manages the discovery process, and drafts pleadings and necessary documents.

Stefany has over seven years of experience in the Family and Supreme Court system. Stefany volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in the New York City Family Courts gaining experience in family court proceedings related to neglect and abuse cases. Stefany now volunteers with CASA of Hampden County, Massachusetts, where she continues to advocate for children in the foster care system. As an advocate, Stefany is an official part of the judicial proceedings, working alongside attorneys, social workers, and other professionals. She also attends court hearings to make sure that all relevant facts are presented.

Stefany became interested in family law while interning at FamilyKind, a nonprofit organization that provides supportive services, on a sliding scale, to families experiencing separation and divorce.

Emma Gawronski joined The Law Firm of John Yacos, P.C. in 2020 as an administrative and legal assistant. Besides daily administrative tasks, Emma drafts documents and files documents with the Court.

The self-fulfillment Emma has obtained through helping others combined with her newfound interest in law inspired her to become involved with The Law Firm of John Yacos, P.C., especially, because of the firm’s client centric values and meeting the diverse needs of the firm’s clients.

Emma currently is focused on expanding her knowledge and understanding of family and matrimonial law. In her free time, she is learning graphic design to enhance the firm’s marketing and branding goals.