Meet Our Professional Mediators
Family Mediation Group of New York is a team of experienced professionals united in our shared commitment to compassionate mediation. It is our mission to help bridge relationships to resolve conflicts amicably and effectively.
Carolyn Cohen
Carolyn is an attorney admitted to the New York Bar in 1983. Prior to working as a mediator, Carolyn worked as a lawyer for a major fortune 500 company specializing in banking and real estate and subsequently served as General Counsel to a real estate development firm. During that time, Carolyn also worked as a trained crisis intervention counselor for troubled teens. After practicing law, she founded a college counseling business where she navigated high-conflict family situations demanding a unique blend of skills and sensitivities. Carolyn integrates her skills and knowledge from the realms of law, college counseling, and crisis intervention, creating a powerful foundation for guiding families through the complexities of divorce with empathy and expertise. She guides her clients through property division, asset protection, and financial planning with a keen eye for detail and integrates her expertise in communication, empathy, conflict resolution, and fostering collaboration to support the emotional well-being of her clients. Carolyn is a Divorce and Family Mediator as well as a Commercial Mediator, trained and certified in conflict resolution. She received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Florida and a J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law. Her professional affiliations include The New York State Council on Divorce Mediation, The Academy of Professional Divorce Mediators, and the New York City Bar.
Jill Doti
Jill Doti is a Divorce and Family Mediator trained and certified in conflict resolution as well as a Certified Co-Parenting Specialist. Jill was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1996 and prior to becoming a mediator, she worked for the New York State Inspector General, the New York City Department of Investigation, the New York City Law Department, and as an associate in a general practice law firm in the Hudson Valley. After raising her family, Jill became committed to helping families navigate through the complex issues that may arise during the divorce process, and as they redefine their families post-divorce. Jill has a B.A. from Long Island University and a J.D. from New York Law School. Her professional affiliations include The Academy of Professional Family Mediators, The New York State Council on Divorce Mediation, The American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section, and The New York State Bar Association.
Edward Preato
Ed Preato is an attorney admitted to the New York State Bar in 1992. Prior to working as a mediator, Ed worked for a Fortune 50 corporation and in finance on Wall Street. During that period, because of his desire to work in Family Law, Ed also worked pro bono for two non-profit organizations that represented at-risk children, Lawyers for Children and The Door. Ed is trained and certified in conflict resolution and after retiring from his earlier work he has spent the last four years focused exclusively on Divorce and Family Mediation. Ed’s experience in both family law and finance allows him to be sensitive to the emotional components of divorce and also to navigate the often complicated financial aspects of a divorce. Ed has a BA from The State University of New York and a JD from Brooklyn Law School. His professional affiliations include The New York State Bar Association, The New York City Bar, The New York State Council on Divorce Mediation, and The Academy of Professional Divorce Mediators.
Julie Schnur
Julie Schnur is a Divorce and Family Mediator trained and certified in conflict resolution. She focuses on guiding families and couples through the separation and divorce process by empowering them to make decisions and come to agreements that represent the best interests of all parties. Julie was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1996 and the Connecticut State Bar in 1997. Prior to coming to mediation, Julie worked as an attorney at a litigation firm specializing in product liability cases and in the insurance industry analyzing environmental claims, determining financial exposure, and negotiating settlements. More recently, she served as Co-President of a scholarship association, easing the financial burden of higher education for high school students. Julie has a B.A. from New York University and a J.D. from Fordham Law School. Her professional affiliations include The Academy of Professional Family Mediators, The Connecticut Council for Non-Adversarial Divorce, and The New York State Council on Divorce Mediation.