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EXPERIENCE: Laura is a lifelong resident of Union County. Upon graduating from law school in 2001, she served as a Judicial Clerk for the Honorable Karen M. Cassidy, J.S.C. at the Superior Court of New Jersey in Union County, Family Division. She was admitted that year to the New Jersey Bar. Following her clerkship, Laura became an associate at Da Silva & Pinho, LLC in Newark, New Jersey, where she handled family, immigration and general litigation matters. During two and a half years at that Firm, Laura built a substantial reputation as an effective litigator who is consistently successful in helping her clients achieve their goals. She has kept close ties with and continues to serve the Portuguese community.
In college and throughout law school, Laura acquired a wide-range of experience in the legal profession including an internship at the Office of the Corporation Counsel in Washington D.C.; an internship with the City Attorney's Office in Elizabeth, New Jersey; she served as a law clerk for one year at Ginarti, O'Dwyer & Winograd, a personal injury firm in Newark, New Jersey; a summer clerkship at Donahue, Hagen, Klein, Newsome & O'Donnell, P.C. (Formerly, Donahue, Braun, Hagen, Klein & Newsome, P.C.), a large Family Law firm in Short Hills, New Jersey; and Laura was actively involved with the Immigration Law Clinic at the Seton Hall Center For Social Justice.
Now, Laura is pleased to join her colleagues and fellow alumnae, Sandy M. Morales and Alexandra Garcia Pagan, in forming the Law Firm of Morales, Mendonca & Pagan, LLC, where she can further expand her Family Law and Immigration practice, and build a Bankruptcy practice.
AREAS OF PRACTICE: Laura's family practice includes, but is not limited to handling the following: matrimonial matters (including divorce); custody; parenting time; child support; adoption; domestic violence; prenuptial agreements; and separation agreements. Her immigration practice consists of family and employment based petitions, naturalizations and adjustment of status. Laura is also focused on developing a larger bankruptcy practice. Her fluency in Portuguese and Spanish are invaluable in her practice.
