Local Attorney Lisa Natoli, has been representing children and families for more than 17 years in Chenango County family court. (Submitted photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY – It is with great pleasure that local Attorney for Children Lisa Natoli has announced her nomination and candidacy for the newly created position of Chenango County Family Court Judge.

“The experience that I have gained over 22 years of practicing in Family Court are unparalleled by any other candidate, ” said Natoli.

Natoli, who briefly practiced in the Capitol District after becoming an attorney in 2002, returned to her hometown of Norwich in 2006 and opened a private practice, with the primary focus on the field of family and matrimonial, law.

Throughout her career, Natoli has served as an Attorney for Children, representing the legal interests of children in a wide-variety of proceedings.

“After representing children and families through my private law practice over 17 years, it was a great privilege to become a full-time Attorney for Children in 2019,” she said.

Upon opening the Chenango County Children’s Law Office, Natoli’s practice resulted in her having more cases in Chenango County Family Court than any other local practicing attorney.

“In the past five years alone, I have represented over 1,700 children in our county in a combination of Family, Surrogate’s and Supreme Courts,” said Natoli.

Due to Natoli’s breadth of Family Court experience, she has been honored to join advisory committees, panels and even been sought after to lead Continuing Education programs. She has been nominated twice by Presiding Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Garry to the AFC Advisory Panel for the Appellate Division. Natoli was also a member of the delegation created by Family Court Judge Frank Revoir to participate in the Better for Families Program operated by the NYS Court System.

Natoli stated, “I am fundamentally invested in meeting the needs, and ensuring the preservation of the rights, of our children, their parents and families. I have worked intimately with local service providers, schools, caseworkers, counselors and many others to ensure that the needs of our children are met.” She continued, “it is unfortunate that our Family Court system has to intervene in the private lives of family, but it is necessary for us to ensure that the children’s best interests are served through custody, abuse, neglect and other similar legal proceedings.”

In addition to the breadth of knowledge and experience that Natoli has in Family Court, she shares that she has engaged in outreach within the community to support local youth and community services.

Natoli has volunteered with the High School Mock Trial program for over 15 years, has mentored students from the New Visions Law and Government Program for over 15 years, speaks regularly at Foster Parent training, and been selected to serve on a number of committees within the Norwich City School District and Holy Family School. She has also volunteered throughout her career as a probono attorney for the Family Law Clinic through Legal Aid in both Chenango County and the

Capital District.

The Chenango County Democratic Committee has proudly endorsed Natoli for this newly-created position.

Patti Giltner, Chairperson for the Committee, stated, “Lisa has spent her 22-year law career as an advocate for children and families, giving her more experience in this area than any other candidate. Additionally, working with the BOCES New Visions and Norwich High School Mock Trial programs has allowed her to reach even more students, becoming a powerful influence in their lives and futures. I have personally known Lisa since she was in high school and support her unequivocally. There is no better candidate for this position.”

Natoli was a graduate of Norwich High School, Binghamton University and Albany Law School. Since returning to her hometown, Natoli has served on a variety of local committees, including Norwich Dollars for Scholars, Chenango Valley Home and Apartments, Chenango Arts Council, Catholic Charities of Chenango County and Commerce Chenango. “I have been incredibly grateful for all that this community has done for myself, my family and many others. I remain committed to give back to the community that raised me and I have been honored at being selected as a leader in many of these local organizations.”

Community members are invited to visit Lisa’s Facebook page and to watch for events at which Lisa will be meeting with the public. Anyone interested in volunteering to share their knowledge and experience with Lisa are encouraged to contact the Committee to Elect Lisa Natoli for Family Court Judge at NatoliForFamilyCourt@gmail.com.