About David
David Centeno earned his J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 2005. He moved into practice in New York after completing law school. His legal education at Cardozo provided a foundation in trial work and family law subjects that he would later apply in his own practice.
He founded David Centeno Law - NY Divorce Lawyer in 2010. The decision to start a solo practice followed years of handling contested family court matters and settlement negotiations. He built the firm to address the day-to-day realities clients face when ending a marriage: child custody fights, support calculations, division of assets and the procedural demands of New York courts.
Centeno’s work spans courtroom advocacy and negotiated settlements. He represents clients in contested divorces and custody disputes and handles related matters such as spousal maintenance and enforcement of support orders. He prepares pleadings, argues motions, and conducts hearings. At the same time he engages in settlement talks and mediation sessions when those routes better serve clients’ interests. He balances litigation readiness with attempts to resolve cases without a trial when possible.
Colleagues describe him as practical in his case handling. He maps out likely timelines and potential costs. He explains legal standards and the court’s usual remedies. That clarity matters in family disputes, where emotions can complicate decision-making and where outcomes hinge on precise documentation and timely filings. Clients who have worked with him often note his attention to deadlines and to case preparation.
Outside of individual cases, Centeno keeps current on developments in New York family law. He tracks changes to statutes and case law that affect custody determinations and support calculations. This steady attention to legal updates helps in framing arguments and in advising clients about realistic outcomes in both settlement and trial settings.
Today he continues to operate his practice in New York. The firm handles divorce and related family law matters, representing clients through negotiation, court proceedings, and post-judgment enforcement when needed. He handles divorce and family law matters at his firm.
