Desiree Marie Claudio, Esq.
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With 16+ years of legal excellence, Desiree Marie Claudio, Esq. brings an unparalleled combination of judicial insider knowledge as a former Superior Court Law Clerk to Hon. John A. Jorgensen and deep commitment to serving families through the most challenging times of their lives.
Awards & Recognition
Elite Lawyer 2025 Award Winner
Super Lawyers 2021-2023 & Rising Star 2020
Top 40 Under 40 & Top 100 Lawyer (National Advocates)
10 Best Attorneys Nominations (NY & NJ)
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. Society Award (2011)
Results That Matter
16+ Years of Legal Excellence
400+ Family Law Cases Annually
233+ Five-Star Client Reviews
Education & Admissions
J.D., Rutgers School of Law (Newark)
M.A. Urban Policy & Management, The New School
B.A. Political Science, Long Island University
NY State Courts (2009)
Federal Courts - Eastern & Southern Districts of NY
Superior Court Law Clerk to Hon. John A. Jorgensen (Family Division)
The Court Insider Advantage
Desiree Marie Claudio, Esq. founded Claudio & Associates with a revolutionary vision: combining insider judicial knowledge with compassionate advocacy. As a former Superior Court Law Clerk in the Family Division, she witnessed firsthand how judges analyze cases, evaluate evidence, and make decisions that affect families for generations. This rare perspective—available to very few attorneys—gives her clients a decisive advantage in court. Her philosophy, "Treating You Like A Person, Not A Number," reflects her commitment to personalized representation backed by institutional knowledge.
Judicial Clerkship: Your Strategic Advantage
During her tenure as Law Clerk to Hon. John A. Jorgensen in the Family Division, Desiree drafted judicial opinions, researched complex legal issues, and observed hundreds of family law proceedings from behind the bench. She understands the unspoken factors that influence judicial decisions—how judges react to certain arguments, what evidence carries the most weight, and how to present cases for maximum impact. This insider knowledge means she can anticipate judicial concerns before they arise and address them proactively, giving her clients a strategic advantage rarely available in family law practice.
Specialized Services
With 400+ annual cases and deep expertise in complex family law matters, Desiree has developed specialized methodologies for the most challenging situations:
High-Asset Divorces: Advanced asset-tracing, business valuations, executive compensation
Fathers' Rights Advocacy: Full custody victories, equal parenting advocacy
Complex Custody: Interstate cases, relocation, parental alienation
Protective Orders: Emergency relief, safety planning, victim advocacy
Dual Court Strategy: Leveraging Family Court orders to streamline Supreme Court proceedings
Immigration-Divorce Integration: Specialized expertise in cross-border cases
Professional Leadership
Desiree holds prestigious leadership positions across multiple bar associations, demonstrating her standing in the legal community:
- Queens County Bar Association - Board of Managers (Class of 2026)
- Latino Lawyers Association of Queens County - Second Vice President
- American Bar Association - Active Member
- New Jersey State Bar Association
- Middlesex County Bar Association
- Essex County Bar Association
- Queens Women's Bar Association
- The National Advocates - Executive Committee Member (2017-Present)
Community Impact & Pro Bono Leadership
Desiree's deep commitment to community service extends throughout her practice:
Extensive pro bono services for underserved communities
CLE Instructor - Integration of Divorce and Immigration Law
The Claudio Method: Compassion Meets Strategy
Desiree's approach combines three powerful elements: judicial insider knowledge from her clerkship, proven legal expertise in complex family matters, and genuine compassion for families in crisis. She leverages her unique dual court strategy—using Family Court's informal procedures to obtain favorable orders that strengthen Supreme Court positions—saving clients time and money while maximizing outcomes. Her bilingual capabilities and multicultural understanding ensure every client receives culturally competent representation. With Saturday hours, video consultations, and offices directly across from Queens Supreme Court, accessibility is paramount.
Bilingual Services
Fluent in English and Spanish. The entire firm website and all legal documents are available in both languages, ensuring complete accessibility for New York's diverse communities.
Client Success Stories
With 233+ five-star reviews, clients consistently praise Desiree's unique combination of expertise and empathy:
"Her experience as a court clerk gave us insights no other attorney could provide. She knew exactly how the judge would view our case."
"Desiree fought for my rights as a father when everyone said I had no chance. I now have full custody of my children."
"She discovered hidden assets my ex was concealing—her financial expertise saved me hundreds of thousands."
"The way she handled my domestic violence case, with both strength and sensitivity, literally saved my life."