Teresa Ombres is a graduate of Fordham University and New York Law School. She has been a lawyer since 1981, a mediator since 1996 and has practiced Collaborative Divorce since 2001. Her practice is a blend of contested cases, mediations and collaborative family and divorce cases. Regardless of the nature of the case, she is committed to acting like a human being and helping her clients and adversaries to do the same. As a board member of FDMCGNY for 8 years Teresa spent 4 years as co-chair of the Continuing Education Committee and 4 as chair of the Legislative Committee. She was among the first group of lawyers and mediators to be trained in Collaborative Divorce in 2001, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals. She is also a member of the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation and Treasurer and founding member of AFCC-NY. She belongs to the New York State and Queens County Bar Associations. Teresa is a member of the divorce mediation panels for New York, Queens and Nassau Counties. She also serves as a volunteer Arbitrator hearing fee disputes. Since the Fall of 2009 she has taught the Judicial Matrimonial ADR Externship at St. John's University School of Law.