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Bleakley Platt & Schmidt LLPPartner
Frances M. Pantaleo
Pro

Frances M. Pantaleo

4.9
12 reviews

One North Lexington Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601

Trusts and Estates, Elder Law, Special Needs Trusts and 5 more

About Frances M. Pantaleo

Ms. Pantaleo is the head of our Elder Law and Special Needs Practice Group. Prior to joining the Firm, Ms. Pantaleo worked with two other Westchester law firms and was an associate clinical professor and adjunct professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and Pace Law School, respectively. At the latter, she developed and taught a course on elder law.

Ms. Pantaleo handles a broad range of matters with a particular emphasis on medical planning, special needs planning, guardianship proceedings under Article 81 of the Mental Hygiene Law and Article 17A of the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act, drafting and administration of special needs trusts, estate planning, drafting of wills and trusts, and estate administration.

Professional Recognitions

• Best Lawyers in America “Ones to Watch” 2026 (Elder Law)

• Named Best Lawyers’ 2020 Westchester Lawyer of the Year in the practice area of Elder Law

• Named to Super Lawyers Top 50 Women Lawyers in the Metro Area in 2019

• Named to Super Lawyers Top 25 in Westchester County List: 2011, 2012, 2017 - 2021

• The Best Lawyers in America, 2015 to present (Elder Law)

• New York Super Lawyers, 2010 to present (Elder Law)

• AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell

• Award from the New York State Bar Association’s Elder Law & Special Needs Section for work “in furtherance of the rights of the elderly and persons with disabilities”

 

Frances M. Pantaleo (White Plains, New York) View website

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

Client Champion Awards

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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.

Frances M. Pantaleo got this award in 2021

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

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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.

Reviews for Frances M.

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Overall Rating
4.9
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12
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4.9
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12
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Services

Areas of Law

  • Trusts and Estates
  • Elder Law
  • Wills and Probate 1
    • Living Wills
  • Other 5
    • Special Needs Trusts
    • Guardianship
    • Wills
    • Trust Administration
    • Estate Administration

Practice Details

  • Video Calls
    Offers Video Calls
  • Firm Information
    Position
    Partner
    Firm Name
    Bleakley Platt & Schmidt LLP
  • Additional Links
    http://www.bpslaw.com

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    New York
    U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
    U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York
    Memberships

    Memberships and Community Service

    •Ms. Pantaleo is the former Chair of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section and a former Co-Chair of the Committee on the Elderly and Disabled of the Trusts and Estates Section of the New York State Bar Association.
    •She has served as Chair of the Elder Law Committee of the Westchester Women's Bar Association.
    •Ms. Pantaleo is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Hudson Valley/Rockland/Westchester Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.
    •In 2007, Ms. Pantaleo received a Partner in Justice Award in recognition of her outstanding pro bono assistance to Legal Services of the Hudson Valley.
    •She currently serves as President of the Board of Directors of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley and on the Board of the Hudson Valley Justice Center.
    •Ms. Pantaleo is a fellow of the New York Bar Foundation.
    •Ms. Pantaleo is co-author of a chapter on Elder Law in General Practice in New York, published by the West Publishing Company.
    •Ms. Pantaleo is a frequent lecturer at Continuing Legal Education programs which provide training to attorneys regarding elder law and special needs planning. She also makes frequent presentations on these topics to community organizations, consumers and non-legal professionals at the request of organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association, AARP, UJA-Federation, the Pace Women's Justice Center, Westchester Arc, the Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services and the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services.

    Bar Fellowship
    New York Bar Foundation.
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    New York University Law School
    Class of 1979
    J.D.
    Other Education
    City University of New York's Brooklyn College
    Class of 1977
    B.A.
    summa cum laude
  • Personal Details & History
    Age
    Born in 1955
    Brooklyn, NY, July 22, 1955

Contact Frances M. Pantaleo

Partner at Bleakley Platt & Schmidt LLP
4.9
12 reviews

One North Lexington AvenueWhite Plains, NY 10601U.S.A.

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Fax: (914) 683-6956
Office Hours:
  • Monday 08:30 AM - 06:00 PM
  • Tuesday 08:30 AM - 06:00 PM
  • Wednesday 08:30 AM - 06:00 PM
  • Thursday 08:30 AM - 06:00 PM
  • Friday 08:30 AM - 06:00 PM

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Attorneys FAQs

  • Does this attorney maintain a professional presence on any social networks?
    Yes, Frances M. Pantaleo has a professional profile on LinkedIn.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    Bleakley Platt & Schmidt LLP has 42 attorneys at this location.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Frances M. Pantaleo attended New York University Law School.
  • What year was this attorney's law firm established?
    Bleakley Platt & Schmidt LLP was established in 1937.
  • Is this attorney listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers?
    Frances M. Pantaleo is listed in the Appellate Practice, Construction Law, Criminal Trial Practice, Environmental Law, Health Care Law and Product Liability Law section of the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.

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