Partners
Mr. Mantel is a pre-eminent matrimonial and business attorney, with more than 40 years of extensive trial and appellate experience. He represents many of New York’s most prominent and high net-worth individuals in their divorce, custody, prenuptial, and estate matters. Renowned as a skilled and accomplished litigator, Mr. Mantel has been responsible for the advancement of significant matrimonial law precedents through several ground-breaking reported cases. Yet, due to Mr. Mantel’s exceptional reputation and his adroit negotiation skills, his clients often are able to reach favorable settlements without resorting to litigation.
Mr. Mantel takes seriously and respects his clients’ desire and need for the utmost discretion and privacy. Often, and based on the bond of trust created with his clients, Mr. Mantel is requested to continue to serve as a trusted adviser and fiduciary of many of his client’s family and business enterprises.
Mr. Mantel is a Fellow of the American and International Academies of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML; IAML). Mr. Mantel was President of the AAML New York Chapter (2006-2008). Through peer evaluation, Mr. Mantel has been selected as a premier matrimonial attorney by the New York City “Super Lawyers” (2006 – present); by The Best Lawyers in America (2006 – present); and by The New York City “Ten Leaders.”
For more than 20 years, Mr. Mantel has enjoyed a pre-eminent AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, representing the highest ethical and competence peer evaluation rating.
Mr. Mantel received his law degree from the SUNY Buffalo Law School (1976) and serves on his law school’s Dean’s Advisory Council.
Our firm has been selected by US News “Best Law Firms” as a superb New York City Tier 1 Family Law Firm, and recognized as such by clients, the legal community and members of the judiciary.
KEVIN M. MCDONOUGH
Mr. McDonough concentrates in Matrimonial and Family law and has more than 25 years of experience as a litigator and negotiator in high net-worth matters. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and sits on its Board of Managers. Mr. McDonough is admitted to the New York Bar and is a member of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York (Matrimonial Law Committee); New York County Lawyers’ Association (Matrimonial Law Committee) and the Westchester County Bar Association (Family Law Section). He received his law degree from Fordham University (1995) and his undergraduate degree from Yale University (1992).
Through peer evaluation, Mr. McDonough has been selected as a premier family law attorney by The Best Lawyers in America and the New York City “Super Lawyers.”
GERARD A. RISO
Mr. Riso concentrates in complex commercial, tax, white-collar criminal, trial and appellate litigation, and has extensive experience in representing clients in international commercial disputes. A magna cum laude graduate of the Pace University School of Law (1982), Mr. Riso is a former New York County Assistant District Attorney. He has extensive trial experience, and has been involved in many complex criminal and civil trials, winning the dismissal and acquittal of various clients in several significant criminal cases. Mr. Riso often teams with Mr. Mantel and Mr. McDonough in representing clients in matrimonial matters that present complex financial issues.
In addition to his admission to the New York State Courts, Mr. Riso is admitted to the United States Supreme Court; the United States Court of Appeals for the Second, Third, Seventh, and Tenth Circuits; the United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; the United States District Court for the District of Colorado; the Court of Claims; and the Tax Court. Mr. Riso enjoys an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
BURTON D. WITMAN
Burton D. Witman is a partner at Mantel, McDonough, Riso, LLP. A member of the firm’s matrimonial and family law department, his practice focuses on navigating complex, high conflict cases often involving litigation, and negotiating resolutions to his clients’ satisfaction. Dedicated to the field, and with the firm since 2013, his extensive experience allows him to maximize results for his clients no matter the situation.
He obtained his juris doctor, cum laude, from the University of Miami School of Law in 2012, and obtained his undergraduate degree from Indiana University.
Mr. Witman is a member of the New York State Bar Association, New York County Lawyers Association, and American Bar Association.
Mr. Witman has been selected as a “Rising Star” by New York Super Lawyers every year since 2021.
MELISSA B. MANTEL
Ms. Mantel is a partner in the firm’s matrimonial department. She received her undergraduate degree from Emory University and graduated from the University of Miami School of Law, magna cum laude, in 2012. She has devoted her practice exclusively to matrimonial and family law since 2013. Prior to joining Mantel, McDonough, Riso, LLP, Ms. Mantel worked as an associate at Alter, Wolff and Foley LLP and in the matrimonial department of Kasowitz, Benson, Torres & Friedman, LLP. During law school, she interned at the Children & Youth Law Clinic and was awarded Honors in the Trial Litigation Skills program. Ms. Mantel serves on the Matrimonial Committee of the New York City Bar Association and is a member of the New York State Bar Association, Family Law Section. Ms. Mantel has been selected as a “Rising Star” by New York Super Lawyers every year since 2019.
