Allan Mantel is one of New York City’s pre-eminent matrimonial attorneys, representing many of the City’s most prominent and financially sophisticated. Throughout the New York metropolitan area, the 69-year-old New York City native is universally respected within the legal community, renowned as both a skillful divorce negotiator and a seasoned litigator. He is the veteran of literally hundreds of divorce cases - most originating in Manhattan, home to some of the most contentious and high-stakes divorces in the world. And Mantel has handled them adroitly and skillfully, shunning publicity, maintaining discretion and guarding the privacy of his clients. “You’ll never see one of Allan’s clients on Page Six,” says a rival attorney.

Mantel McDonough Riso, a relatively small but influential firm, is a well-rounded team: Mantel’s non-matrimonial partners are also well known in tax and commercial litigation circles. The firm recently re-located to Park Avenue offices after many years in The Chrysler Building. In his over thirty years of practice, Mantel has established himself as a shrewd and sophisticated practitioner, yet in many respects he retains an unpretentious, self assured style that reflects his roots: Born in Brooklyn, of first generation immigrant parents, and the product of NYC public schools in the 1950s and ‘60s, he worked his way through law school. His first job was in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Buffalo, where he gained early and valuable litigation experience. Returning to NYC after law school, he landed at one of New York City’s then most prominent matrimonial practices, where he remained for 18 years, and became a named partner. He then headed the matrimonial department of a 100-year-old, full service, commercial law firm until he joined Dennis Stein and Gerard Riso more than a decade ago.

Today the firm is a team of nine attorneys, several of whom work with Mantel on family law cases. It’s an ideal size to focus on influential and affluent clients, giving each client the attention and service they expect and need. Mantel, for his part, is a fixture of the Manhattan legal landscape: “I’ve litigated against virtually every major divorce lawyer in the city,” he says. “We’re a small legal community, and we know one another well.” Some of Mantel’s cases have established legal precedent: One landmark case, now known nationally as the “Hougie Doctrine,” extended equitable distribution rights based on accumulated career skills, not simply from educational degrees or professional licenses under the so-called Enhanced Earnings standard. Most of Mantel’s cases originate with referrals from a litany of major law firms and satisfied clients, many of whom ask Mantel to remain as a legal advisor for years after the divorce. Much of his work stems from what he calls “bi-coastal” cases involving Hollywood-Manhattan lifestyles, as well as complex international cases.

Away from the office, with his wife of 30 years, and their two now adult children, Mantel enjoys skiing, boating and golf. He also spends time at their vacation house in Westhampton, NY, with his family and friends. He lives in Manhattan.