John M. Teitler

Spear’s Review

When asked by Spear’s to name the US-based family lawyers they would recommend, several UK lawyers mentioned John M. Teitler of Teitler & Teitler, the go-to for some of New York’s most complex financial cases.

Teitler is the firm’s third-generation torchbearer; his father and grandfather set up the boutique firm in the 1960s. Today, he and his father, Michael Teitler, lead a 15-lawyer team with a fearsome reputation for success.

Despite his courtroom prowess, Teitler emphasises achieving settlements wherever possible. ‘Reasonable lawyers meeting together should be able to resolve issues and come up with compromises,’ he says.

Adviser Profile

Serving as lead trial counsel in the firm, John represents wealthy individuals, trusts, and institutions in matrimonial, estate and family-related litigation. John’s extensive trial experience, and role as lead counsel in some of the largest and most complex matrimonial matters in the country, have earned him a reputation as one of the most financially sophisticated lawyers practicing in the family law area.

He has extensive experience with complex trusts and business valuation issues involving hedge funds, private equity and investment firms, professional practices, and other financial interests. His reputation and skills often allow him to achieve his clients’ objectives through negotiation and without the need to resort to the courts.

John has advised clients in various family law and estate matters in New York and elsewhere in the United States, as well as matters in many non-U.S. jurisdictions, including China, Singapore, England, Scotland, Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, Israel, South Africa, Australia, Hong Kong, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, the Cayman Islands and other jurisdictions.

John also provides non-litigation advice to individuals and families on a broad array of issues, including estate matters, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, art law and asset purchases and sales, both domestically and abroad.

John, who joined the firm in 1996, began his career in the litigation department of Shearman & Sterling (1990-96), including a year as a Shearman & Sterling-sponsored Special Trial Counsel to the New York City Corporation Counsel’s Office. John is the third generation of his family to act as a partner of the firm, and now leads the firm together with his father Michael F. Teitler.