Tanya L. Freeman

Tanya L. Freeman, Esq. is a distinguished family law attorney, executive leader, and strategic advisor whose career reflects a sustained commitment to excellence, service, and leadership within both the legal profession and the broader community. She guides individuals, families, and institutions through moments that carry the highest stakes, bringing clarity, strength, and principled judgment when it matters most.

Drawing on a professional career spanning more than two decades, Tanya has developed a distinguished legal practice representing clients in complex family law matters, including divorce, custody, support, interstate relocation, and domestic violence proceedings. She is frequently entrusted with high conflict and high asset cases where both legal precision and discretion are critical. Her approach is grounded in disciplined advocacy, thoughtful preparation, and an unwavering commitment to achieving outcomes that protect not only her clients’ legal interests, but their long-term stability and dignity.

Tanya’s work is distinguished not only by results, but by the manner in which she practices law. She is known for her integrity, her ability to navigate emotionally charged matters with steadiness and respect, and her dedication to guiding clients through deeply personal transitions with both strength and compassion.

Before entering the legal field, Tanya spent more than fifteen years in banking and insurance, developing advanced financial acumen and operational insight. This foundation informs her sophisticated handling of complex financial issues, including business interests, asset distribution, and long-term financial planning in matrimonial matters.

Throughout her career, Tanya has held significant leadership roles within major law firms, serving as Managing Partner and Department Chair, where she built and led high performing teams, expanded practice areas, and mentored the next generation of attorneys. She continues this work as Managing Partner of Tanya Freeman Law, where she leads a growing team dedicated to excellence in client service and advocacy.

Tanya’s commitment to service extends well beyond her practice. She served as Chair of the Board of Directors of University Hospital in Newark from 2018 through 2025, following her tenure as Board Member and Chair of the Governance, Ethics and Legal Committee from 2014 through 2018. During this period, she helped guide the institution through significant transformation, strengthening governance, restoring public trust, and advancing a long-term vision for equitable and high-quality healthcare in one of New Jersey’s most vital communities.
In 2026, Tanya was appointed as the inaugural Chief Strategy and Policy Officer of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, where she leads statewide efforts to expand economic opportunity, access to capital, and strategic partnerships for Black owned businesses. Her work reflects a broader commitment to advancing equity, strengthening institutions, and creating pathways for generational impact.

Tanya has been consistently recognized by her peers for her leadership, professionalism, and service to the bar. She has been appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court to the District VB Ethics Committee, served on the Family Law Executive Committee of the New Jersey State Bar Association, and continues her service as Co-Chair of Bench Bar Relations for the Essex County Bar Association. She is also a Fellow of the American Bar Association, an honor reserved for attorneys who demonstrate exceptional dedication to the profession and their communities.

A respected thought leader and educator, Tanya has lectured on custody, child support, and relocation law on behalf of the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, including at its Mid-Year Conferences in San Juan, Madrid, and Rome, contributing to the development and education of fellow practitioners.

EDUCATION
• Juris Doctor, cum laude, Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
• Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, Caldwell University

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CERTIFICATIONS
• Harvard Law School, Mediation and Conflict Management Certificate, 2023

APPOINTMENTS AND LEADERSHIP
• Chief Strategy and Policy Officer, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, 2026 to
Present
• Chair, Board of Directors, University Hospital, 2018 to 2025
• Board Member and Chair, Governance, Ethics and Legal Committee, University Hospital, 2014 to 2018
• District VB Ethics Committee Member, appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court, 2023 to Present
• Family Law Executive Committee, New Jersey State Bar Association, 2021 to 2023
• Co Chair, Bench Bar Relations, Essex County Bar Association, 2018 to 2021
• President, Montclair Drifters, Inc., 2021 to 2023

AWARDS AND HONORS
• Public Interest Award, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, 2026
• BINJE Best Black Business Leaders, 2026
• Pro Bono Award, New Jersey Judiciary, 2024
• ROI NJ Influencers Women in Business, 2024
• Professional Lawyer of the Year, Essex County Bar Association, 2023
• ROI NJ Influencers in Health Care, 2022
• Family Lawyer of the Year, Essex County Bar Association, 2021
• We Are the Light Honoree, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Bergen Passaic Chapter, 2021
• Veritas Award for Service to the Community, Caldwell University, 2019
• Family Lawyer of the Year, Hudson County Bar Association, 2018
• Diversity Award, New Jersey Law Journal, 2017

At every stage of her career, Tanya has remained guided by a core principle: that the practice of law is not only a profession, but a responsibility to serve with integrity, to lead with purpose, and to create meaningful impact for clients, communities, and the profession as a whole.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

• Interviewing Skill, Independent Colleges and University of New Jersey, November 2023
• African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, Corporate Awards Dinner, October 2023
• DEI & Alternative Dispute Resolution, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, May 2023
• Business Development – Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey– April 2023
• Cultural Competence & the Client Intake Process – Family Law Summer Institute 2022
• Family Law for Paralegals – New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2021
• Attorney Ethics in Family Law Practice New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, July 2021
• Professionalism & Ethics New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, July 2020
• Child Support Practice Tips for the Blended Family New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, November 2020
• Hot Tips in Family Law, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education October 2020
• Family Law Symposium on Crafting Better Agreements – New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education – New Brunswick, New Jersey – January 2019
• War of the Roses with Thorns – New Jersey State Bar Association Mid-year Conference Rome, Italy – 2018
• The Attack on the Legal Profession by Non-Lawyers – New Jersey State Bar Association 2018 Annual Convention – Atlantic City, New Jersey – May 2018
• The Domestic Violence Statute and Pop Culture – New Jersey State Bar Association Mid-year Meeting- Madrid, Spain – Oct. 2017
• Top Ten Family Law Cases – New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education Family Law Summer Institute –
• New Brunswick, New Jersey – July 2017
• Attorney Ethics in Family Law – New Jersey State Bar Association 2017 Annual Convention – Atlantic City, New Jersey – May 2017
• Hot Tips In Family Law – New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education – New Brunswick, New Jersey – November 2016
• Custody and Relocation – Top 40: Matrimonial Law’s Greatest Hits – New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education – New Brunswick, New Jersey – April 2016

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