Family Law Section

Joan Casilio Adams Esq

J. Adams & Associates PLLC., Williamsville, NY

Joan Casilio Adams, Esq. is the owner of J. Adams & Associates PLLC, a law firm dedicated exclusively to matrimonial and family law. She became Chair of the Family Law Section in late January 2022. She has limited her practice to matrimonial and family law and related appeals since being admitted to practice in New York in 1988. Ms. Adams is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court, Bankruptcy Court and the Seneca Nations Peacemaker’s Court. She began practicing and became a partner at a boutique matrimonial firm, Ange, Gordon and Adams. Thereafter, she became a partner at Offermann, Cassano, Greco, Slisz and Adams PLLC where she practiced from 1999 to 2009. She is a 1984 journalism graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and a 1987 graduate, cum laude, of the SUNY at Buffalo Law School.

In 1994, Ms. Adams was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, New York Chapter and is currently on the Board of Managers. She has been active in the New York State Bar Association Family Law Section for over 30 years. She has been listed for decades in the New York Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America for Family Law Lawyers. She has received numerous awards through both organizations including twice named the Best Lawyers, Lawyer of the Year – Best Family Law Attorney in Western New York, Best Law Firms for Family Law in New York, Top 25 Women Upstate New York Super Lawyers, Top 50 Lawyers in Upstate New York, New York Super Lawyers and Top 50 Attorneys in the Buffalo Area.

She is the past Chair of the Matrimonial and Family Law Committee of the Bar Association of Erie County and has been a Chair or Member of multiple Committees including the Judiciary Committee, Practice and Procedure in Family Court Committee, Law Office Management and the Appellate Practice Committee.

Ms. Adams is an Adjunct Professor of New York Matrimonial and Family Law  at SUNY Buffalo Law School. She is also a frequent lecturer and author for continuing legal and judicial education programs throughout the state. She has also taught at the Western New York private college level  and for many years, she has written and lectured for the New York State Supreme Court Judicial Institute which provides state-wide training of New York State Supreme Court Justices, Confidential Law Clerks and Family Court Judges and Magistrates.