Marc J. Ialenti, Esq.

Nassau Suffolk Law Services Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP), along with the Nassau County Bar Association, are privileged to recognize Marc J. Ialenti as Attorney of the Month. Mr. Ialenti, a solo practitioner in Garden City, New York, specializes predominantly in matrimonial, criminal and real estate matters. We honor him this month for his long term pro bono legal assistance to the indigent residents of Nassau County in matrimonial proceedings. Due to his efforts, these individuals are able to obtain proper parenting arrangements, a fair settlement, and move forward with their lives during the most trying of times.

Mr. Ialenti has served on the VLP’s matrimonial panel for more than 15 years, during which time he has steadfastly accepted pro bono matrimonial cases. In fact, he has never been without a VLP case since joining the panel. Even more importantly, Mr. Ialenti is happy to assist with complicated, multifaceted litigation, often involving protracted custody battles.When asked his motivation for this service, he stated: “It is incredibly rewarding to assist a client who is being taken advantage of by a more moneyed spouse. I help level the playing field. This often can result in a client being able to retain custody of their children, where otherwise they might lose them due to an inability to properly defend against a very litigious adversary. I find my clients are very appreciative that I have helped them get their life back. ”

Mr. Ialenti also believes that serving as pro bono counsel to the underserved gains him respect and credibility among judges and his colleagues. He feels they take his commitment seriously, and understand his time constraints. He feels that there is always a way to fit this work into his busy schedule. “Honing my skills in the courtroom, and knowing that I’ve helped someone is my compensation in these cases,” notes Mr. Ialenti.

Susan Biller, Pro Bono Coordinator of the Volunteer Lawyers Project, credits Mr. Ialenti with making her job just a little bit easier. “Marc is part of the backbone of our volunteer effort. He takes the initiative and reaches out to me when he is close to concluding a matter, so I can consider referring him another needy client. I always know I can count on him to take a challenging case.”

Mr. Ialenti attended St. John’s University as an undergraduate, and St. John’s School of Law. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1987, as well as the Eastern and Southern Districts of the US Federal Court. He is also a member of the Nassau County Bar Association, and is a member of its Matrimonial Law Committee.

For the last 25 years, Marc Ialenti has also volunteered his time coaching baseball and basketball. He enjoys spending time with his wife, and his two children, now grown.

In light of his continuous dedication and the outstanding work Mark Ialenti has done for the VLP, we are very proud to honor him as Pro Bono Attorney of the Month.

The Volunteer Lawyers Project is a joint effort of Nassau Suffolk Law Services and the Nassau County Bar Association, who, for many years, have joined resources toward the goal of providing free legal assistance to Nassau County residents who are dealing with economic hardship. Nassau Suffolk Law Services is a non- profit civil legal services agency, receiving federal ,state and local funding to provide free legal assistance to Long Islanders, primarily in the areas of benefits advocacy, homelessness prevention (foreclosure and eviction defense), access to health care, and services to special populations such as domestic violence victims, disabled, and adult home resident. The provision of free services is prioritized based on financial need and funding is often inadequate in these areas. Furthermore, there is no funding for the general provision of matrimonial or bankruptcy representation, therefore the demand for pro bono assistance is the greatest in these areas. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Susan Biller, Esq. 516-292-8100, ext. 3136.