Freddie Fender Verified Attorney

Val Kleyman
Family Law · Divorce
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Freddie's Review
After Two Decades and More Than 1,000 Cases, Val Kleyman Knows the Divorce Battlefield
Divorce has a way of turning even the most organized lives upside down. Questions about children, finances, businesses, retirement accounts, and the family home can quickly become overwhelming. In those moments, experience matters. Val Kleyman has spent more than two decades focusing exclusively on New York family law, building a practice dedicated to helping clients navigate some of the most emotionally and financially significant moments of their lives. By concentrating solely on matrimonial and family law since his admission to the New York Bar in 2004, he brings a depth of knowledge that only comes from handling these issues every day.
One of the strongest advantages Kleyman offers is genuine courtroom experience. While many divorce cases ultimately settle, the outcome often depends on whether the opposing side believes your attorney is fully prepared to go to trial. Over the course of his career, Kleyman has managed more than 1,000 matrimonial and family law matters, representing clients in both the New York State Supreme Court and Family Court. His trial foundation began in law school as a member of a national championship-winning Moot Court Trial Team, an experience that sharpened the advocacy skills he continues to rely on today. For clients, that means having an attorney who negotiates from a position of strength rather than convenience.
His experience extends well beyond the courtroom. Kleyman regularly represents clients with substantial financial holdings, including business interests, investment portfolios, complex real estate assets, and carefully structured prenuptial agreements. He is also admitted to practice before both the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and the Eastern District of New York, giving him additional experience with matters that cross into the federal court system. Whether protecting significant assets or resolving difficult custody disputes, his practice is built on careful preparation and practical strategy.
Kleyman’s knowledge has also earned the respect of the legal community. In 2019, he was selected by the Marino Legal Academy to teach Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses to other attorneys, a role reserved for lawyers recognized for their command of the subject matter. His legal commentary has also been featured through national media outlets and PR Newswire, where he has discussed emerging issues affecting modern family law. His peers have further recognized his work with honors including the National Association of Distinguished Counsel’s Nation’s Top One Percent designation and ongoing recognition as an Elite Lawyer.
For consumers, however, the strongest endorsement comes from the people he has represented. Kleyman has earned an outstanding 4.8-star client rating, with clients consistently praising his responsiveness, professionalism, and ability to provide clear guidance during emotionally difficult cases. His firm also offers representation in both English and Russian, making experienced family law counsel more accessible to New York’s diverse communities.
That combination of experience, reputation, verified professional standing, and public credibility is why Val Kleyman was included on FreddieFender.com.
Credentials
- Education: Juris Doctor, Brooklyn Law School (2004)
- Education: Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Neuroscience, Syracuse University (1999)
- Member of a winning Moot Court Trial Team, National Competition
- Founder, Libra Legal Network / Libra Professional Network
- Member, New York State Bar Association
- Member, New York County Lawyers' Association (2013–2015)
- Member, Psi Chi National Honor Society
- Admitted to practice, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
- Admitted to practice, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
- Selected to Super Lawyers
- Named one of the Top 100 Lawyers In New York in divorce and family law by The National Advocates
Career Highlights / Proven Experience
Career Highlights
- Trial Strategy Rooted in Courtroom Success: Structures domestic relations and matrimonial cases around a trial-ready philosophy to maximize out-of-court leverage.
- Extensive New York Family Court History: Guided over 1,000 clients through high-stakes family law conflicts and complex matrimonial litigation since entering private practice.
- Bilingual Legal Representation: Delivers cross-cultural accessibility to clients within New York's diverse market by conducting representation in both English and Russian.
- Elite Professional Recognition: Named among the Top 100 Lawyers in New York for divorce and family law by The National Advocates and consistently selected to Super Lawyers.
- Elite Litigation Training Foundations: Secured a position on a winning national Moot Court Trial Team during his enrollment at Brooklyn Law School.
Proven Experience
- High-Net-Worth Property Distribution: Utilizes a targeted network of corporate forensic economists and business appraisers to identify, value, and split high-value assets during equitable distribution disputes.
- Executive Compensation Tracing: Investigates and splits complex stock options, corporate structures, and executive benefits portfolios during contested divorces.
- International Child Custody Resolution: Represents parents navigating cross-border jurisdictional disputes and complex international custody conflicts under New York family law.
- Fathers' Rights Protection: Establishes protective parenting structures and visitation schedules to defend and safeguard parental bonds for fathers during custody battles.
- Asset Identification and Protection: Partners with legal investigators and forensic accountants to protect hidden or disputed real estate and deep financial portfolios.
A Note About Family-Law Case Privacy
Divorce, custody, support, parentage, and domestic-violence proceedings frequently involve children, financial records, medical information, and other sensitive personal matters. Depending on the court and jurisdiction, records may be confidential, sealed, redacted, or unavailable for remote public review. Consequently, an attorney’s publicly documented results may represent only a portion of their family-law experience.
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