About Stern Law
Who We Are
Jon did not come to family law litigation by chance. He spent years as a public defender, first representing adults facing felony charges in Georgia, then advocating for children with the Legal Aid Society and for the indigent with the Monroe County Public Defender's office. From the start, his career has been built in the courtroom, standing up for people navigating some of the hardest circumstances of their lives.
That experience shaped everything about how he practices. He knows that family law litigation is not abstract. It is your children, your home, your finances, your future. He understands and appreciates what it costs emotionally and financially for a person to walk into a lawyer's office and ask for help.
When Jon takes your case, you have his complete attention, all his energy, and his honest counsel, from the first conversation to the final outcome.
Our Team
Jon Stern
Founder, Attorney
Jon Stern is a seasoned trial lawyer with over 30 years of experience handling thousands of cases across Western New York. He is an expert in family law — knowledgeable, tenacious, and unafraid to take on the cases others won't touch. When negotiation falls short, Jon goes to trial. When the odds are stacked, Jon doesn't back down. His record and reputation speaks for itself.
Jon is honored that clients entrust such important matters to him, and he carries that responsibility sincerely. He is accessible, direct, and committed to delivering results for every family he represents. Clients don't get passed off to associates or left waiting for a callback. They get Jon from the first consultation to the final outcome.
CREDENTIALS
B.A., Skidmore College 1993
J.D., Emory University School of Law 1996
Licensed to practice in New York State 2001, (Georgia 1994, Washington D.C. 2001)
EXPERIENCE
A Career Built in the Courtroom
Jon's career has been shaped by representing people in their most vulnerable moments, first as a public defender, then as an advocate for children, and for the past two decades as a trusted private counsel in Rochester, New York.
1994-2001: Felony Criminal Public Defender in Douglas County, Georgia
2001-2003: Attorney for the Child program- Legal Aid Society of Rochester
2003-2005: Monroe County Public Defender- Family Court
2005-2014: Private practice, representing children, the indigent, and private pay clients in Family Courts
2014-2025 - Partner, Kaman Berlove LLP
RECOGNITION
2013 — Excellence in Indigent Adult Representation Award
2013 — Honorable Michael F. Dillon Attorney for Children Award
2023 — Daily Record Power 20, Family Law
PRESS
Feature in the Daily Record
Stern Wins First Family Court Defender Award
Angela Mirabella
Executive Assistant & Paralegal
Angela brings 40 years of legal experience to Stern Law, including years alongside some of Rochester's most respected attorneys. She is the steady backbone of this practice — knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and always accessible to clients who need answers.
Andrew Wanzenried
Senior Summer Law Clerk
Andrew is a student at the University of Connecticut Honors College and a graduate of Honeoye Falls-Lima High School, where he was valedictorian of the class of 2023. His contributions to Stern Law go well beyond his title. He brings an educated perspective, careful attention, and a level of dedication and intelligence that benefits our clients daily.
• Excellence in Indigent Adult Representation Award - 2013 • Honorable Michael F. Dillon Attorney for Children Award - 2013 • Daily Record Power 20, Family Law - 2023
