Elena Dvoinik, Esq.
Attorney At Law
(212) 605-0529
info@dvoiniklaw.comPrecision. Analytical Rigor. Strategic Advocacy. I represent individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and businesses in immigration, family law, contract and business disputes, personal injury, civil litigation, and administrative litigation throughout New York. My practice also includes the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments and other cross-border legal matters. I personally handle every stage of your case—no layers, no unnecessary handoffs, just strategy, direct representation, and personal attention. Legal services are available in English, Russian, and German.⚖️ New York Family Law
I represent clients in a broad range of New York family law matters, including contested and uncontested divorce, equitable distribution of marital property, child custody, parenting time (visitation), and parenting disputes, child support, spousal maintenance (alimony), prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, separation agreements, relocation disputes, paternity proceedings, orders of protection (restraining orders), and post-judgment enforcement and modification proceedings. Whether through negotiation, mediation, or litigation, I work to protect my clients' parental rights, financial interests, and long-term objectives.
⚖️ Contract & Business Disputes
I represent individuals, entrepreneurs, professionals, and small businesses in New York contract and commercial disputes. My practice includes breach of contract claims, business disputes, unpaid invoices, demand letters, commercial litigation, judgment enforcement, the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, and cross-border matters. Whether through negotiation or litigation, I develop practical legal strategies tailored to each client's objectives.
⚖️ New York Personal Injury & Municipal Liability
I represent individuals injured as a result of negligence, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, trip-and-fall accidents, unsafe property conditions, defective sidewalks, roadway hazards, construction accidents, negligent security, school negligence, and other premises liability claims.
My practice also includes claims against municipalities, the City of New York, school districts, transportation authorities, and other governmental entities. These cases often require strict compliance with Notice of Claim requirements, shortened filing deadlines, governmental immunity rules, and other procedural requirements unique to public entity litigation. From the outset of every case, I conduct a thorough factual investigation, preserve available evidence, and develop a legal strategy tailored to the circumstances of each client.
🛡️ Immigration & Federal Immigration Litigation
I advise and represent clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Immigration Courts, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and federal courts in a broad range of immigration matters.
My practice includes:
- Removal (deportation) defense
- ICE detention, immigration bond hearings (bond proceedings), and detention-related representation
- Asylum and humanitarian protection
- Withholding of Removal and protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT)
- Representation of victims of human trafficking, labor trafficking, and other qualifying forms of trafficking seeking T nonimmigrant status (T visas)
- Representation of eligible spouses, children, and parents seeking immigration relief under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
- Motions to reopen removal proceedings, motions to reconsider, and administrative appeals
- Federal mandamus actions involving delayed immigration matters
- Federal habeas corpus petitions challenging unlawful immigration detention
- Family-based immigration
- Employment-based immigration
Immigration matters frequently involve multiple agencies and courts. Every case begins with a careful evaluation of the facts, procedural history, and applicable law to develop a strategy tailored to the client's individual circumstances.
⚖️ Civil Litigation, Administrative Litigation & Judgment Enforcement
I represent individuals, businesses, and foreign clients in New York state and federal courts in a broad range of civil and administrative matters.
My practice includes:
- Recognition and enforcement of foreign and out-of-state judgments in New York
- Asset discovery and information subpoenas in aid of judgment enforcement
- Cross-border commercial disputes
- Contract disputes and breach of contract
- Defamation (libel and slander)
- Constitutional and civil rights litigation
- Administrative and regulatory litigation
- Proceedings under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA)
- Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) administrative claims
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) litigation
- Administrative appeals and agency-delay litigation
- Appellate litigation
Whether a matter involves governmental entities, interstate judgment enforcement, or complex civil litigation, I develop legal strategies based on careful factual investigation, thorough legal analysis, and the client's long-term objectives.
⚖️ Fee Arrangements
I believe clients should understand how legal fees are structured before representation begins. Fee arrangements vary depending on the type of matter, its complexity, and the anticipated scope of representation.
Personal Injury Matters
Many personal injury matters are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning attorney's fees are payable only if there is a recovery—whether by settlement, judgment, or award. Costs and litigation expenses are addressed in the written retainer agreement and deducted from the final recovery before the contingency fee is calculated, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Contingency fee percentages vary depending on the stage of the case and whether the matter settles before or after trial. All contingency fee terms are confirmed in a written retainer agreement. Matters involving governmental defendants or unusually complex issues may require a different fee arrangement.
Immigration Matters
Immigration matters are generally handled on an hourly, flat-fee, phased, or hybrid fee basis, depending on the nature and scope of the representation. Contingency fees are generally not permitted in immigration matters under the applicable rules of professional conduct.
Family Law, Civil Litigation & Judgment Enforcement
Family law, judgment recognition and enforcement, civil litigation, appellate matters, and administrative litigation are generally billed on an hourly, flat-fee, phased, or hybrid basis, depending on the complexity of the matter, procedural posture, and anticipated scope of representation.
Initial Consultation
An initial consultation is $300 for up to one hour. The consultation fee is non-refundable. If I accept your matter and you sign a retainer agreement, I may, in my discretion, credit some or all of the consultation fee toward future legal services.
All fee arrangements, anticipated costs, and the scope of representation are discussed during the initial consultation and confirmed in a written retainer agreement if representation is accepted.
⚖️ Urgent Matters
If your matter involves ICE detention, an immigration bond hearing, imminent removal, an emergency family court proceeding, or another time-sensitive legal issue, please call my office or email me directly rather than scheduling online. For urgent matters, I prioritize responding as soon as possible. However, this website does not guarantee immediate availability or specific response times.
⚖️ Focused Practice
To maintain a focused litigation practice, I generally do not represent clients in matters involving wills, trusts, and probate, residential real estate transactions, transactional business law, tax law, bankruptcy. When appropriate, I am happy to refer prospective clients to attorneys whose practice better matches their legal needs. The decision to refer a prospective client to another attorney is made in the client's best interest and does not constitute an endorsement of that attorney's qualifications or services.
Legal services available in English, Russian, and German.
Areas of Practice
⚖️ Family Law (New York)
I represent clients in New York family law matters involving divorce, child custody, child support, and other proceedings that carry significant consequences for their children, financial future, and long-term interests.
Services include:
- Contested and uncontested divorce
- Child custody, visitation, and parenting time
- Child support
- Spousal maintenance (alimony)
- Equitable distribution of marital property
- High-asset and complex property division
- Prenuptial, postnuptial, and separation agreements
- Orders of protection (commonly referred to as restraining orders)
-Paternity proceedings
-Relocation disputes
-Enforcement and modification of child custody, child support, spousal maintenance, and divorce judgments
-Cross-border family law mattersFamily law disputes require careful factual preparation, thoughtful legal analysis, strategic advocacy, and, when necessary, effective courtroom representation. I work directly with every client to protect parental rights, financial interests, and long-term objectives from the initial consultation through final resolution.
Services are available in English, Russian, and German.
🛡️ ICE Detention & Bond Representation
Detention by ICE presents serious challenges: limited access to counsel, potential transfer to out-of-state facilities, and fast-moving procedural deadlines. I provide skilled representation in bond hearings, custody review proceedings, and emergency federal litigation for detained individuals.
Services include:
- Bond hearings before Immigration Court
- Review of detention and custody issues
- Motions relating to release from detention
- Habeas corpus petitions in federal court
- Coordination with family members and detention facilities
- Emergency filings in time-sensitive matters
Detention matters require immediate factual review, rapid document collection, and strategic coordination across immigration and federal court systems. I move quickly and carefully — because delay can harm a client's case.
Services available in English, Russian, and German.
🛡️ Asylum, Removal Defense & USCIS Matters
I represent clients in affirmative and defensive immigration matters, including asylum, removal proceedings, humanitarian protection, USCIS applications, and complex immigration issues.
Services include:
Asylum & Humanitarian Protection
- Affirmative asylum applications
- Defensive asylum before Immigration Court
- Withholding of removal
- Convention Against Torture (CAT) protection
Removal Defense
- Responses to Notices to Appear (NTA)
- Representation in removal proceedings
- Motions to reopen or reconsider
- Appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
Family & Employment Immigration
- Family-based immigration petitions
- Employment-based immigration matters
- USCIS applications and petitions
-Responses to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and Notice of Intent to Deny (NOIDs)
Advanced Litigation & Coordination
- Federal mandamus actions for delayed adjudications
- Review of immigration records and prior filings
- Preparation of supporting declarations and documentary evidence
- Strategic coordination in complex or cross-border matters
Immigration cases demand careful factual development, credibility analysis, detailed documentation, and strategic coordination between administrative agencies and federal courts.
Many clients seeking protection or lawful status have experienced political pressure, discrimination, governmental abuse, family separation, or institutional instability in their home countries. I approach every case with clear communication, trust, and careful preparation — from initial consultation through final resolution. Services available in English, Russian, and German.
⚖️ Personal Injury & Municipal Liability (New York State)
When you or a loved one is injured due to someone else's negligence—whether in a car accident, truck accident, pedestrian accident, motorcycle accident, bicycle accident, slip-and-fall, dog bite, or on unsafe property—you need clear guidance and strong advocacy. I represent personal injury victims throughout New York State.
Services include:
- Car Accidents — including intersection collisions, rear-end crashes, and hit-and-runs
- Truck Accidents — involving commercial vehicles, tractor-trailers, and delivery trucks
- Pedestrian Accidents — including crosswalk collisions and sidewalk injuries
- Motorcycle Accidents — including lane-splitting and intersection collisions
- Bicycle Accidents — including bike lane collisions and dooring incidents
- Slip-and-Fall and Premises Liability — involving unsafe residential or commercial properties, defective sidewalks, and roadway hazards
- Dog Bites and Animal Attacks — including attacks by dogs and other animals
- Nursing Home Neglect and Elder Abuse — including bedsores, dehydration, malnutrition, falls, medication errors, and inadequate supervision
- Wrongful Death Claims — arising from any fatal accident caused by negligence
- General Negligence — including negligent security, construction site accidents, and boating accidents
- Claims Involving Municipalities and Government Entities — including the City of New York, school districts, and transportation authorities
Important under New York law (pure comparative negligence):
Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you may still recover damages. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault — but not eliminated unless you were 100% at fault. Do not assume you have no case before speaking with me.
A special note on municipal claims:
Cases involving cities, public agencies, or government actors come with strict procedural deadlines, notice requirements, and immunity defenses. Missing a deadline can destroy a claim. I review these matters immediately — because timing is everything.
A special note on nursing home cases:
New York nursing homes owe residents a legal duty of care. Neglect — whether through understaffing, improper training, or failure to follow care plans — can cause serious injury or death. Bedsores (pressure ulcers), unexplained falls, rapid weight loss, dehydration, infections, and medication mistakes are common signs. I review these cases carefully and act quickly, because evidence and witness memories fade.
Personal injury cases demand detailed factual investigation, careful documentation, strategic communication with insurers, and thorough review of medical and evidentiary records. I provide all four.
Contingency fee arrangements available for qualifying cases. Fees discussed during initial consultation.
⚖️ Civil Litigation (New York State and Federal Courts)
When a dispute escalates into litigation — whether over a matrimonial dispute, broken contract, defamation, fraud, or a government action — you need strategic, no-nonsense representation. I handle complex civil matters in New York state and federal courts.
- Pre-suit factual and legal analysis
- State and federal court litigation
- Motion practice and procedural disputes
- Claims involving fraud, defamation, negligence, and business disputes
- Litigation involving governmental or institutional actors
- Jurisdictional and cross-border disputes
- Review of complex factual and documentary records
-Strategic case assessment at all stages of litigation
What to expect:
Civil litigation demands detailed factual investigation, procedural precision, strategic written advocacy, and sustained case management from start to finish. I provide all four.
Every case receives my direct attention. No handoffs. No layers. Just individualized strategy and clear communication at every stage.
A note on business and commercial disputes:
Contracts, partnerships, shareholder issues, and business torts often involve high stakes and tight deadlines. I move quickly to preserve evidence, analyze exposure, and develop a litigation strategy aligned with your objectives.
A note on government and institutional defendants:
Suing a government agency or large institution adds layers of complexity — immunity defenses, jurisdictional hurdles, and procedural traps. I know these rules and use them to your advantage, not theirs.
Fee arrangements discussed during initial consultation. Hourly, flat-fee, phased, and mixed-fee structures available depending on the matter.
⚖️ Recognition & Enforcement of Foreign and Out-of-State Judgments
Winning a lawsuit is often only the beginning. If the judgment debtor has moved to New York or holds assets here, additional legal proceedings may be necessary to recognize and enforce the judgment. I represent individuals, businesses, and foreign clients seeking to enforce foreign-country and sister-state judgments in New York.
Services include:
- Recognition and enforcement of foreign-country money judgments
- Recognition and enforcement of out-of-state (sister-state) judgments
- Domestication of judgments in New York, where applicable
- Cross-border judgment enforcement proceedings
- Post-judgment enforcement proceedings
- Asset discovery and information subpoenas in aid of enforcement
- Strategic coordination with foreign counsel and out-of-state attorneys
A note on foreign judgments:
Foreign judgments are not automatically enforceable in New York. Recognition depends on the applicable law, the type of judgment, and the circumstances under which it was entered. I carefully evaluate each matter and advise clients on the available legal options before initiating recognition proceedings.
A note on interstate judgments:
Judgments entered by courts in other U.S. states can often be enforced in New York, but they must first comply with New York's procedural requirements. I assist judgment creditors throughout the recognition and enforcement process while developing a strategy tailored to the location of the debtor and available assets.
Fee arrangements discussed during the initial consultation. Hourly, flat-fee, phased, and hybrid fee structures are available depending on the nature and complexity of the matter.
⚖️ Government Accountability & Administrative Litigation
When a government agency delays a decision, withholds records, acts outside its authority, or threatens your professional or occupational license, you need someone who understands the rules and knows how to push back. I handle administrative litigation involving federal and New York State agencies.
Services include:
- Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) matters (federal)
- New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) proceedings (state)
- Public records requests and related disputes
- Administrative appeals and agency review proceedings
- Mandamus and agency-delay actions (compelling agency action)
- Review of agency determinations and procedural compliance
- Regulatory and licensing-related matters
- Strategic coordination between administrative and court proceedings
A note on agency delays:
When an agency fails to act within a reasonable time, valuable rights can be lost. Mandamus actions and other procedural tools may compel a decision. I evaluate these matters carefully and move when the law allows.
A note on public records disputes:
FOIA and FOIL requests are often ignored, partially fulfilled, or improperly denied. I handle administrative appeals and, when necessary, litigation to force disclosure. If a record should be public, I will fight for it.
⚖️ Appellate Advocacy
Representation in immigration appeals (BIA), federal circuit courts, New York state appellate proceedings, and complex jurisdictional matters. Services include appellate briefing, emergency relief, post-judgment motions, and strategic issue selection. Every appeal demands careful record analysis, procedural precision, and detailed briefing. I provide all three.
Strict deadlines. Contact immediately.
Elena Dvoinik, Esq.
Attorney admitted to practice law in the State of New York
Elena Dvoinik is a New York attorney with an international legal and business background. Her practice focuses on immigration law, personal injury matters, civil litigation, administrative proceedings, appellate advocacy, and complex disputes involving governmental and cross-border issues.
Contact Form
Do not wait until a problem becomes a crisis.
Early legal guidance can make a critical difference. Whether you are facing an immigration matter, governmental inquiry, complex dispute, or personal injury issue, you are welcome to describe your situation in your own words. I strive to respond promptly to all serious inquiries.
Plain language is welcome. You may write in English, Russian, German, or another language.
⚠️ Important Notice
Submitting this form or communicating through this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. I do not represent you unless and until we enter into a signed written retainer agreement. Please do not send confidential, privileged, or highly sensitive information through this form. Submission of this inquiry does not obligate either party to proceed with representation.