About Joy S.
Joy S. Rosenthal earned her Juris Doctor from CUNY School of Law at Queens College in 1996, where she studied Family and Child Welfare Law and participated in the Housing Law Clinic. She previously graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies. Those academic choices set a clear trajectory toward work in family, child welfare and housing matters.
Rosenthal entered practice as a Staff Lawyer in Juvenile Rights at the Legal Aid Society in 1997. In that role she represented young people in court proceedings and advised families on related legal issues. The position placed her regularly in family and juvenile courts, giving her early exposure to the practical demands of child welfare and delinquency cases.
In 2001 she served as a fellow at the NYU Law School Family Defense Clinic. The fellowship provided supervised practice defending parents and children in family court matters and helped deepen her courtroom and negotiation skills. She returned to the Legal Aid Society in 2002 as a Staff Lawyer in Juvenile Rights, continuing to work on behalf of vulnerable youth and their families.
Rosenthal established Rosenthal Law & Mediation in 2006 and has managed the firm since then. As owner she combines litigation experience with alternative dispute resolution. Her work has included representing clients in family and child welfare proceedings, advising on housing-related legal problems, and conducting mediations aimed at resolving disputes outside of court.
Her practice reflects years of hands-on experience in juvenile rights and family defense. She handles court appearances, client counseling and negotiated settlements. The mix of clinic training, public defense work and private practice informs how she approaches cases. She is known among colleagues for steady courtroom presence and an emphasis on practical solutions.
Rosenthal is licensed to practice in New York and has spent the bulk of her career there. She balances courtroom work and mediation services in private practice. She currently practices in New York, focusing on family law, child welfare, housing matters and mediation.
