BetzJitomir and Baxter

This web page was designed to assist you in getting help with your legal problems. If you need an attorney, I or my partner, Terrence Baxter, Esq., may be able to help you. However, you may discover after veiwing the information on this site that you don't need a lawyer's help.

If you do, you can contact us at (607) 776-4200. Sometimes the law can seem like a complex technical jungle. A low cost consultation with an attorney can be useful in sorting things out.

AREAS OF PRACTICE:

LITIGATION, BUSINESS, MUNICIPAL, DWI, MAJOR CRIMINAL DEFENSE, MINOR CRIMINAL DEFENSE AND TRAFFIC TICKETS, FAMILY, DIVORCE, CHILD AND SPOUSAL SUPPORT, NEGECT & ABUSE, ORDER OF PROTECTION, TRUSTS, ESTATES and WILLS, ESTATE PLANNING, PROBATE, REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS, LAWSUITS, VETERANS MATTERS, APPEALS, CONTRACT REVIEW, NEGOTIATION, FEDERAL PRACTICE, BANKRUPTCY FILING AND LITIGATION, NON PRFIT AND CORPORATE FORMATION

Susan BetzJitomir
50 Liberty Street
Bath, New York, 14810
607.776.4200
lawyer@betzjitomir.com

E  D  U  C  A  T  I  O  N

Cornell Law School

       Graduated Judicial Doctorate in May, 2000

Cornell College of Agricultural and Resource management

        Bachelor of Science, Applied Economics and Business Administration, 1996

Corning Community College-Graduated top of the program, Business Administration, 1994

O T H E R   S P E C I A L  Q U A L I F I C A T I O N S

          1) Co-host of a Local Public Affairs television show: WETM Elmira, Coleman and Company, 2006 to present.

          2) Weekly radio show on WENY AM in Corning, "Law Talk" Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m.

          3) Managing partner, Betzjitomir and Baxter Law firm, the only exclusively female managed law firm  in the Southern Tier

          4) I had a case on the cover of the New York Law Journal in April of 07, The People v. Mack, concerning an appeal that I won.

          5) I am a former Town Court Justice in the Township of Orange.

          6) Former member of both the President Bush’s Business Advisory Committee and the National Republican Congressional Business Advisory Council, the Republican Senatorial Inner Circle

          7) I am a member of the New York State  Bar Association’s Criminal Executive Committee and Chair of the Sentencing and Sentencing Alternatives Committee.

O T H E R  E X P E R I E N C E

8/00- 2002-   Alfred State College,  Associate Professor of  Law, Economics, and Finance, 2001-2002-   Alfred State College, Faculty Senate Chair

6/99-8/99     Summer Equal Justice America Fellow, Chemung Neighborhood Legal Services.

1987-1993     Town Councilman, Township of  Thurston

I won three consecutive elections, one primary and two general. I was the youngest person last century, and the youngest women ever, to be elected to this position.

Other Certifications and Memberships and Honors:

             Honorary Chair, 2005 presidential Dinner, House Majority Trust

             National Republican Congressional Committee’s Business Advisory Council :

                   2006 Businesswoman of the Year

             2008 National Republican Senatorial Committee Commission

             Former member: National Republican Inner Circle

             National Republican Committee Business Advisory Council

             2006 Twenty Fifth Anniversary Republican Presidential Task Force

             New York State Defender’s Association

             New York State Magistrate’s Association

             Farm Bureau Member

             Association of Trial lawyers of America

             Anti Defamation League Certified Campus of a Difference Trainer

             NAACP Executive Board Member for the Elmira/Corning Chapter

             Republican Senatorial Medal of Honor winner

             Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who in American Law, etc. listed

Conferences where I presented research of my own:

1) April 9-11, 2003, International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services, 3rd Annual Conference, co-presenter with Jennifer Stergion, Esq..

2) Victim Offender Mediation Conference with co-presenter Lauren Peffer, M.S.W.         

3) 2007 National Association of Social Workers Pennsylvania Chapter, Conference-Transracial Adoption, legal and Social Issues, with co-presenter Lauren Peffer, M.S.W.       

4) International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services, A NEW YORK DRUG COURT-CHALLENGES AHEAD, Presented To The Annual, Conference, June 6, 2004

Stockholm, Sweden, sole presenter

5) International Islamic Banking Conference , "From Money Lenders To Bankers : Evolution Of Islamic Banking In Relation To Judeo-Christian And Oriental Banking Traditions"

9th and 10th September 2003, Monash University Prato Centre, Prato, Italy, sole presenter

Law Licenses:

Licensed to practice law in New York (3/20/2001)

United States Supreme Court (6/6/2005)

Pennsylvania (1/22/1007)

New York's Federal Western District (6/4/2007),

New York's  Federal Western District Bankruptcy Court (3/10/2010)

Pennsylvania Federal Middle District (May 12, 2010)

Washington DC, completed required orientation 7/10/10, will submit application by motion soon.

Other Licenses:

New York State Real Estate Broker’s license

This web page was designed to assist you in getting help with your legal problems. If you need an attorney, I or my partner, Terrence Baxter, Esq., may be able to help you. However, you may discover after veiwing the information on this site that you don't need a lawyer's help.

If you do, you can contact us at (607) 776-4200. Sometimes the law can seem like a complex technical jungle. A low cost consultation with an attorney can be useful in sorting things out.

ABOUT THE LAWYER

I am licensed in New York and Pennsylvania. I am also licensed in Federal Court and the United States Supreme Court. My Law Partner is licensed in Ohio as well as New York. I have a Doctorate in Law from Cornell University's Law School. I was also a Judge in the Township of Orange.

I also have an Associate's Degree in Business Administration from Corning Community College, where I graduated at the top of my program. In addition, I have a Bachelor's degree, also from Cornell, in Appied Economics and Business Administration.

After I graduated from Law School, I passed the bar exam the first time that I took it. I spent a couple of years teaching law, finance and economics at Alfred State College, where I served as Faculty Senate Chair. I loved teaching, but I learned about some incidents and issues that made me feel that I had to practice law to attempt to set them right. That is the driving force of the Firm, everyone wants to see justice.

We believe that client's should start out and remain informed, that justice is worth fighting for and that it doesn't matter who is on the other side, our client deserves the best we can give. We can't guaruntee results, be we can assure you of our best efforts. Also, we beleive in good communication and always do our best to get your telephone calls returned promptly. Our first consultation is only $50. Here are some useful links, not on my site that may also answer your questions. Be sure to bookmark us first or open the sites below in a new tab or page so you don't lose this page!

FEES- We do not charge a fixed fee in Domestic Relations cases, but otherwise charge a minimum retainer. A fixed fee and minimum retainer are different. A fixed fee is the amount that will be charged for routine legal work. In a few situations, this amount may be set by law or by the judge handling the case. Since advertising by lawyers is becoming more popular, you are likely to see ads offering "Simple Divorce--$150" or "Bankruptcy--from $250." Do not assume that these prices will be the amount of your final bill. The advertised price often does not include court costs and other expenses, or the attorney time if your cases turns out not to be routine. The filng fees for a divorce are over $300 in New York. You have rights that you may not be aware of, which can amount to a loss of a great deal of what you are entitled to if you do not know what your rights are, or have someone to fight for them. Also remember that in life, you get what you pay for. The "bargain" lawyer may not be your best deal in the long run. Professional service is not the place to cut corners. We charge a reasonable fee for our area and level of experience. A minimum retainer is the amount of money that you need to pay up front for us to take the case at all. It varies with the type and complexity of the case. It is best to come in for a consultation, bring your paperwork, if any, and discuss the matter. We also do phone consultations. (607) 776-4200 to discuss either type of consultation.
Divorce FAQ
NYSBA CLIENTS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
DMV FAQS
sex offender registy FAQ
Open Government or FOIL
prisonlife FAQS
Wages and Hours NY Law
employment background check faq
Rent Control
Adoption FAQ
Most legal topics search
If you can't afford a lawyer
Starting a small business
DWI LAW
The above is a smapling of what is available. We also do all kinds of appeals, 440's, error coram nobis, all kinds of criminal defense without exception representing both state and Federal crimes,including major felony defense. We also as a regular part of our practice do Family Law including custody, divorce, some serious personal injury, and most areas of Courtroom based (as opposed to administratve agency based) trial and other practice, as well as real estate, estates, wills and trusts and estate litigation, and non courtroom based practice. Give us a call whatever your needs. We do almost everything and know very good attorneys in the few areas in which we do not practice. The firm founder has spoken at international conferences on International Islamic Banking, Transracial Adoption, Drug Courts, and Sex Offender Treatmet. Though we do the routine, nothing is too obsure or too unusual for us.

We practice in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Federal and the United States Supreme Courts, and will travel worldwide. We have offices in Steuben County New York, however, where ever you need us, we can be there.