×
Go back to Martindale-Avvo ➔
Melissa Needle
Pro

Melissa Needle

4.9
15 reviews

2435 Route 6, 2nd Floor, Brewster, NY 10509

Divorce, Child Custody, Spousal Support and 29 more

About Melissa Needle

Attorney Melissa Needle is a lifetime Connecticut resident. She was born in New Haven, raised in Fairfield, and now resides in Westport with her family. Attorney Needle is a third-generation attorney with deep family roots in Connecticut. Her father, Attorney Charles Needle, was a founder of the Connecticut firm Zeldes, Needle & Cooper in 1971. Since her admission to the Connecticut Bar in 1990, Melissa has exclusively practiced divorce and family law. Melissa started Needle | Cuda: Divorce and Family Law in 2010. The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys named Needle | Cuda a Connecticut Top 10 Best Firm in Client Satisfaction in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Attorney Needle is an active litigator with an impressive track record. Many of the cases in which Melissa appears involve high net worth divorce property division, complex business valuations, highly contested custody, and petitions for child relocation. She is well-known in Connecticut courts as a forceful, but fair fighter; an attorney with great integrity; and as a worthy adversary who does not shy away from litigation if that path is the best opportunity for her client to reach an equitable solution. Melissa understands that divorce is not just about the dissolution of marriage or stop-gap solutions but helping clients develop and negotiate a comprehensive plan for the rest of their lives.

Honors

• Super Lawyer’s Honoree 2019 & 2020

• Family Law and Practice Magazine’s Top 10 Family Law Attorney Connecticut, 2020 & 2021

• American Institute of Family Law Attorneys (AIFLA) – 10 Best – 2-Years 2019-2020

• National Academy of Family Law Attorneys – Top 10 Attorney 2019, 2020

• Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell, 2018

• AVVO Clients’ Choice Award 2018

• AVVO Top Attorney 2018

 

Melissa Needle (Brewster, New York) View website

Awards

Peer Reviewed Rated
This badge is granted to attorneys who have been reviewed by another attorney.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer PR
Avvo Client's Choice
This award is granted to attorneys with at least 5 reviews with 4+ stars in a given year on Avvo.com.
Avvo Client Choice

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Melissa Needle got this award in 2021

Reviews for Melissa

Have you consulted or hired this lawyer?

Leave a review about your experience with this lawyer.

Write a Review

Overall Rating
4.9
See All Reviews
15
Lawyers.com
Not yet reviewed
4.4
Martindale
3
5.0
Avvo
12

Services

Areas of Law

  • Family Law 6
    • Divorce
    • Child Custody
    • Spousal Support
    • Visitation Rights
    • Child Support
    • Paternity
  • Restraining Orders
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution 1
    • Mediation
  • Other 23
    • Alimony
    • Pre-Marital Agreements
    • Fathers’ Rights
    • Marital Asset Division
    • Marital Property Division
    • Legal Custody
    • Prenuptial Agreements
    • Relocation
    • Post Judgment Modification and Enforcement
    • Separation Agreements
    • Dissolution of Marriage
    • Alternative Resolution (Mediation, Arbitration
    • Matrimonial Law
    • Prenup
    • Postnup
    • Spousal Abuse and Divorce
    • Substance Abuse and Divorce
    • Earning Capcity and Divorce
    • Business Valuations and Divorce
    • High Asset Division and Divorce
    • Celebrity Divorce
    • Privacy and Divorce
    • Infidelity and Divorce

Practice Details

  • Video Calls
    Offers Video Calls
    Video Call Options
    Zoom
  • Firm Information
    Position
    Partner
    Firm Name
    Needle | Cuda

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1990, Connecticut
    1991, New York
    Memberships

    Connecticut Bar Association, Family Law Section
    American Bar Association
    Fairfield County Bar Association
    Greater Bridgeport Bar Association, Family Law Section
    Connecticut Family Lawyer, Editorial Board, Former Member
    Special Master, Connecticut Superior Court
    Speaker: Connecticut Bar Association 2010 Annual Meeting

  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Whittier College School of Law
    Class of 1990
    J.D.
    Other Education
    Tufts University
    Class of 1987
    B.A.

Email Melissa Needle

Case type is required.
A valid zip code is required.
A valid city is required.
State is required.
Country is required.
Outside the US or Canada?
Message is required.
0/1000 characters

Additional Details (optional)

These final optional questions below will help this attorney gain a clearer understanding of your case.

Contact Information

First name is required.
Last name is required.
A valid email address is required.
A valid phone number is required.

By clicking the Submit button, you agree to the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms and Privacy Policy. You also consent to be contacted at the phone number you provided, including by autodials, text messages and/or pre-recorded calls, from Lawyers.com and its affiliates and from or on behalf of attorneys you request or contact through this site. Consent is not a condition of purchase.

Thank you! Your message has been successfully sent.

For your records, a copy of this email has been sent to

Summary of Your Message
Case Type:
Zip Code or Postal Code:
City:
State:
Country:
Case Description:
Contact Information
First Name:
Last Name:
Email:
Phone Number:
Return to Profile

Attorneys FAQs

  • Is this attorney admitted to the bar in more than one state?
    Yes, Melissa Needle is admitted to practice in Connecticut and New York.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Melissa Needle has a 4.4 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    Needle | Cuda has 5 attorneys at this location.
  • Does this attorney maintain a practice in more than one location?
    Yes, Melissa Needle has a presence in Westport, CT.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Melissa Needle attended Whittier College School of Law.

Attorney information displayed in this FAQ section is based upon information the lawyer has included on their profile, in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals.

These FAQs include information about a lawyer's background, but do not evaluate their knowledge of the law, past performance on individual cases, personality, or communication skills.

It is solely the responsibility of lawyers and law firms to ensure that any information they provide complies with all applicable laws and rules of professional conduct.

You should be aware that the information we rely upon may not be comprehensive, or frequently updated.

Always research the lawyer further to get a better understanding of their license credentials, disciplinary status, background, and experience.

Related Lawyers Near You

Lawyers.com Client Reviews

Martindale-Hubbell® Client Review Ratings™ display reviews submitted by individuals who have either hired or consulted the lawyers or law firms.

The Client Review Rating score is determined through the aggregation of validated responses. People who submit reviews are either individuals who consulted with the lawyer/law firm or who hired the lawyer/law firm and want to share their experience of that lawyer or law firm with other potential clients. Reviewers can be anyone who consults or hires a lawyer including in-house counsel, corporate executives, small business owners, and private individuals.

Martindale-Hubbell validates that a reviewer is a person with a valid email address. As part of the review process, respondents must affirm that they have had an initial consultation, are currently a client or have been a client of the lawyer or law firm identified, although Martindale-Hubbell cannot confirm the lawyer/client relationship as it is often confidential. The content of the responses is entirely from reviewers.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome and Martindale-Hubbell accepts no responsibility for the content or accuracy of any review. For more information on Martindale-Hubbell Client Review Ratings, please visit our Client Review Page

Martindale Peer Reviews

Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ are the gold standard in attorney ratings, and have been for more than a century. These ratings indicate attorneys who are widely respected by their peers for their ethical standards and legal expertise in a specific area of practice.

The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings process is the gold standard due to its objectivity and comprehensiveness. Lawyers solicited for peer reviews include both those selected by the attorney being reviewed and lawyers independently selected by Martindale-Hubbell. All reviewers are verified as attorneys through Martindale-Hubbell’s extensive attorney database. Only attorneys practicing at least three years and receiving a sufficient number of reviews from non-affiliated attorneys are eligible to receive a Rating.

What are the different Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings?*

• AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

• Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

• Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Lawyers who have received peer reviews after 2009 will display more detailed information, including practice areas, summary ratings, detailed numeric ratings and written feedback (if available). Details for individual reviews received before 2009 are not displayed.

Attorneys that receive reviews from their peers, but not a sufficient number to establish a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating, will have those reviews display on our websites.

For more information on Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings™, please visit our Ratings Page on Martindale.com and our Frequently Asked Questions

Avvo Client Reviews

Ratings and reviews are feedback from people who have either consulted an attorney about an issue (but may not have hired the attorney) or people who hired an attorney as a current or former client and provided their feedback to our sister site, Avvo.com.