DEBRA A. VEY VODA-HAMILTON
SUMMARY
An attorney with significant animal law experience, including civil litigation, collaborative and mediated
resolutions in contract disputes, criminal and civil disputes involving animal issues collaborative divorce and divorce mediation. Demonstrated leadership, advocacy, organizational and program coordinating abilities. Fundraising professional with proven record of achieving financial goals. Nationally recognized breeder, owner and handler of top winning show dogs. Admitted in New York and to the U.S. Supreme Court. Certified in both Collaborative Law and Mediation.
LEGAL EXPERIENCE
Debra A. Vey Voda-Hamilton, Esq.
Hamilton Law & Mediation, PLLC
Armonk, New York
Solo Practitioner October 2008 – Present
Solo practitioner offering collaborative and mediation processes in contract disputes, criminal and
civil disputes involving animal law issues and divorce. Consults on a nationwide basis in matters
pertaining to alternative dispute resolution in the animal law field. Providing pro bono legal
services to Angel on a Leash, a 501C3 Charity.
Harlem Stage
New York, New York
Attorney/Extern 10/ 2009 – 12/2009
Assisted Board Governance Committee in drafting Board Manual and required post-
Sarbanes/Oxley policies. Researched and drafted memorandum involving recent changes in IRS
Form 990 filings, annual giving policies and products available to expedite planned giving.
NY State Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Office of the Inspector General
New York, NY
Assistant Inspector General 1987 - 1996
Coordinated investigations into mismanagement and labor violations.
Collaborated with labor, public policy and legislative advocates within and outside MTA statewide.
Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, White Plains, NY
Assistant District Attorney 1985 - 1987
Coordinated appellate responses and motion papers in criminal and domestic violence matters. Conducted local criminal trials.
New York City Police Department, Department Advocate’s Office
New York, NY
Assistant Department Advocate 1983 - 1985
Handled labor disputes and internal disciplinary actions against NYPD police officers. Conducted pre-trial interviews. Prosecuted defendants for departmental infractions.
DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE
Williston Northampton School, Easthampton, MA
Alumni Parent Representative 2008 - present
Boarding Parent Representative, Parent Association 2005 - 2008
Legacy & Annual Fund Solicitor 2006 - 2008
Award for Eminent Service – The Alumni Association 2008
Worked with Williston administration and Parent Association on two year capital campaign resulting in $36 million dollars. Collaborated with educational administrators, marketing professionals on long- range school strategy.
The Rectory School, Pomfret, CT
Parent Association Treasurer 2006
Annual Fund Committee Member 2004 - 2006
Organized and operated fundraisers with administration and Parent Association members.
Solicited operating funds capital, achieving over $15,000 in both 2005 and 2006.
Served as Coordinator for Alumni Day 2006
Byram Hills Education Foundation, Armonk, NY
Board Member 2002 Fundraising Co-chair, Raised approximately $30,000 for Education Foundation.
EDUCATION
Center for Understanding in Conflict/The Center for Mediation in Law December 2010
Mediation Intensive Training
Jack Himmelstein and Gary Friedman
Certificate of Completion Awarded
New York Association of Collaborative Professionals November2010
Intensive Training in Collaborative Divorce Practice
Certificate of Completion Awarded
Mediation Training – New York Center for Interpersonal Development July 2010
Family & Divorce Mediation - – A. Berner, Esq. & S. Stalder
Certificate of Completion Awarded
MEDIATION TRAINING
Community Mediation Services, Jamaica, NY March 2010
Cluster Mediation Service, Yonkers, New York May 2010
Certificates of Completion Awarded in Basic and Family Mediation
Mediation Training – Fordham Law School March 2010
Commercial Mediation - Certificate of Completion Awarded
Pace University School of Law, White Plains, NY
“New Directions: Practical Skills for Returning to Law Practice” December 2009
Certificate of Completion Awarded
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, New York, NY
J.D. 1983
The American University, School of Government and Public Administration
Washington, D.C.
B.A., Public Affairs 1980
Semester Abroad: University Of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark 1978
BAR ADMISSIONS
Admitted to the 2nd Department New York State January 1984
Admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court November 1989
Additional Certifications and Professional Affiliations
New York State Bar Association 1984 - present
Solo Practitioner Committee Member 2005 -present
General Law Committee 2009-present
TIPS Committee 2010-present
New York Association of Collaborative Professionals 2010-present
International Association of Collaborative Professionals 2010- present
New York State Collaborative and Divorce Mediation 2010- present
New York State Dispute Resolution Association , Inc. 2010-present
ADR-GNY 2010-present
NYCLA 2010-present
Animal Law Committee 2010-present
American Bar Association: 1984-present
Animal Law Committee 2010-present
TIPS/ADR 2010-present
Certified Fraud Examiner 1990 - 1998
COMMUNITY SERVICE/VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
Eastern Irish Setter Association
Member 1984 - present
Board Member, President, Corresponding Secretary 1988 - present
Rescue Coordinator – NY-NJ-CT 1988- 1990
Irish Setter Club of America
Board Member-Region One 2011-present
Member 1985 – present
Rescue Coordinator 1988 - 1990Assisted in Irish Setter rescue on national level
Spokesperson for Irish Setter Club of America in Region 1 (NY, NJ, PA, DE, CT, MD, VA)
ADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Nationally and internationally recognized breeder, owner, handler
of Irish Setters and Longhaired Dachshunds 1984 - present
HONORS
Irish Setter Club Of America National Specialty Winners, Specialty Best of Winners
Westminster Breed and Award of Merit Winners
Multiple Best in Show Winners
Titled dogs - Obedience/Rally/Agility/Field/Earth Dog
First Female Ocean Lifeguard at Jones Beach, New York 1976
U.S. Olympic Trial Participant, Swimming 1976
U.S. Junior Olympic Team Member, Region 1- Swimming 1972
