Attorney at Law
Mara E.
Cella, Esq.
Family Court · Litigation
Dedicated advocacy for families and individuals — in the courtroom and beyond.
About Mara E. Cella
Deeply Experienced.
Genuinely Dedicated.
Mara E. Cella brings nearly two decades of Family Court experience to every client she represents. As a seasoned trial litigator, she has handled countless Family Court matters — including child protective proceedings, custody and visitation, and family offense proceedings — while sharing her trial skills with colleagues and contributing to the development of Family Court practice across New York State.
Family Court is a complex, often overwhelming process. Mara's depth of experience means she understands every stage — the procedures, the agencies, the people, and what it truly takes to achieve outcomes that are fair, lasting, and genuinely in the best interest of the families she serves.
What sets Mara apart is her belief that advocacy does not end with a court ruling. She is committed to building lasting solutions — helping clients not only achieve the best possible outcome in their case, but also access the services, support, and resources that create real, enduring change for their families.
20 Yrs
Family Court Experience
4 Yrs
Civil Litigation
J.D.
Cardozo School of Law
Published
The Suffolk Lawyer
Areas of Practice
How Mara Can Help You
Article 10
Child Protective Proceedings
Article 10 child protective proceedings are among the most consequential matters a family can face. Mara represents respondents and interested parties — including during pre-filing investigations, fair hearings, and through every stage of litigation from initial appearance through trial and appeal.
- Child Protective Proceedings
- Permanency Hearings
- Pre-Filing Investigations
- Interested Party Representation
- Consultations
Article 6
Custody & Visitation
Article 6 governs custody and visitation matters in Family Court. Mara represents petitioners, respondents, and interested parties in custody and visitation proceedings — advocating for arrangements that serve the best interests of children and the stability of families.
- Sole & Joint Custody
- Parenting Time & Visitation
- Custody Modifications
- Relocation Petitions
- Grandparent Visitation
Article 8
Family Offenses & Orders of Protection
Family offense proceedings and orders of protection are serious matters requiring immediate, experienced representation. Mara represents petitioners, respondents, and interested parties in Article 8 proceedings — ensuring that every client's rights and safety are fully and forcefully advocated for.
- Emergency Orders of Protection
- Temporary & Final Orders
- Family Offense Hearings
- Violation Proceedings
- Modification of Orders
Litigation
Trial Advocacy
When a matter requires strong, skilled advocacy in the courtroom, Mara is a seasoned litigator with nearly two decades of trial experience in Family Court. She represents petitioners, respondents, and interested parties across all Family Court litigation matters — and is also available in an advisory or consultant capacity for attorneys and individuals navigating complex proceedings.
- Family Court Trials
- Motion Practice
- Appellate Advocacy
- Witness Examination
- Evidentiary Hearings
- Emergency Applications
Beyond the Courtroom
Advocacy & Access to Services
Mara's advocacy extends well beyond the courtroom. She helps families understand their rights, navigate agencies, access services, and build the foundation for lasting stability. A favorable court outcome is only the beginning — the goal is ensuring families have what they need to move forward and not return.
- Agency Navigation
- Case Conference Representation
- Service Access & Referrals
- Systemic Advocacy
What Sets Mara Apart
The Difference
Experience Makes.
Mara's approach to advocacy goes beyond legal knowledge. It is rooted in a deep understanding of the system, a commitment to each client's unique circumstances, and the creativity to find solutions that others may not see.
First Impressions Matter
How a case is framed from the very beginning shapes everything that follows. Mara approaches every matter with the understanding that the first impression made — in court, in writing, with an agency — sets the tone for the entire proceeding. She prepares meticulously from day one.
Every Case Is Unique
No two families, no two fact patterns, and no two cases are alike. Mara refuses to apply cookie-cutter strategies to complex human situations. She listens carefully, analyzes the specific facts, and builds a strategy tailored to the realities of your particular circumstances.
Creative Problem-Solving
Lasting solutions require more than pro forma proceedings and orders. The most effective advocacy means knowing what tools are available — systemically, statutorily, and practically — and having the experience to apply them. Family Court issues are constantly evolving. The ability to identify what is available, what is effective, and how and where to access it is what separates meaningful outcomes from ones that simply close a case.
Specialized, Informed Advocacy
Mara's advocacy is grounded in deep, specialized knowledge of Family Court practice — its procedures, its agencies, its people, and its possibilities. She brings that knowledge to bear not just in the courtroom, but in every interaction, every negotiation, and every decision made on behalf of her clients.
Lasting Solutions
Court is not meant to be a fixture in a family's life for as long as it routinely is. A favorable outcome is the beginning, not the end. Mara is committed to helping families build something lasting — connecting clients with the services, support, and resources they need to move forward with stability and confidence, and not return.
Advocacy for Communities
The issues that bring families to Family Court are not just individual problems — they are community challenges. Mara's work is guided by a genuine commitment to ensuring that families and individuals have access to the justice and support that too often remains out of reach without skilled, dedicated advocacy.
"The goal is not just a favorable outcome in court — it is ensuring that families have what they need to move forward and build something lasting."
— Mara E. Cella, Esq., P.C.
Recognition & Leadership
A Career Built on
Excellence.
Mara's commitment to families extends beyond individual cases. She has contributed to the broader legal community through teaching, writing, and reform — because better outcomes for families require both skilled advocacy and a system that works.
Statewide Lecturer & CLE Presenter
Mara has lectured across New York State on trial advocacy, Article 10 litigation, and best practices in Family Court — presenting CLE programs on witness preparation, direct and cross examination, and child protective proceedings.
Published in The Suffolk Lawyer
Mara authored "Reclaiming CPLR Discovery in Child Protective Proceedings," published in The Suffolk Lawyer in March 2026.
Bar Association Panels & Courthouse Role
Mara has sat on panels at the Bar Association addressing termination of parental rights cases and the role of attorneys in the courthouse — contributing her perspective during her tenure as county counsel.
Statewide Conferences & Initiatives
Mara participated in the New York State Child Welfare Court Improvement Project and contributed to statewide conferences and initiatives focused on best practices, family stability, and improving outcomes for children and families in the court system.
Trial Skills & Colleague Advocacy
Mara has shared her trial skills with attorneys across Family Court practice and engaged colleagues on new developments in the law — including advocacy on matters such as domestic violence, access to services, and procedure. Keeping the legal community informed and equipped is part of the work.
Beyond the Disposition
Building the Village
Every Family Deserves.
Court is not the end of the road — it is a turning point. What happens after the gavel falls matters just as much as what happened before it. Mara has spent years building connections with nonprofits, community organizations, health and wellness resources, and support networks across Long Island, because the kind of lasting stability families deserve requires more than a favorable order. It requires a village — and too many families leave court without one.
Nonprofit & Community Partnerships
Mara has built relationships with nonprofits, community organizations, and service providers across Long Island — so that when a case concludes, clients are not left to navigate the next chapter alone.
Health & Wellness Connections
Physical and mental wellness are foundational to rebuilding stability. Mara connects clients with fitness, health, and wellness resources that support the whole person — not just the legal matter.
Building a Village
Every family deserves a support network. Mara works to ensure that litigants leave court with more than an order — they leave with access to the community, services, and people who can help them build something lasting.
"The goal is not just to win the case. It is to make sure that when this family walks out of the courthouse, they have what they need to never have to come back."
— Mara E. Cella, Esq.
Ready to discuss your situation?
Consultations available — call or email today.
Get in Touch
Schedule Your
Consultation.
Every legal matter begins with a conversation. Reach out today to discuss your situation and learn how Mara's experience can work for you and your family.