Diana Velez-Harris

Diana S. Velez Harris

Partner

Location: West Springfield, Massachusetts
Phone: 413-732-8356
Fax: 413-439-0480
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Attorney Velez Harris has focused her practice on high conflict family law and civil litigation matters for nearly 16 years, in Massachusetts and Connecticut, as well as Federal District Court in both States. She is a trained and experienced Mediator and Conciliator and provides full representation and Limited Assistance Representation in the Probate & Family Courts in Hampden, Hampshire, Berkshire, Franklin and Worcester Counties.

Areas of Practice

  • 70% Family Law, Mediation, Conciliation, and Limited Assistance Representation
  • 25% Civil Litigation
  • 5% Special Education

Litigation Percentage

  • 60% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

  • Connecticut, 2002
  • Massachusetts, 2003
  • U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts, 2005
  • U.S. District Court District of Connecticut, 2015

Education

  • New England Law/Boston
    J.D. – 2002, Cum Laude
  • University of Massachusetts, Amherst
    B.A. – 1999, Cum Laude
    Double Major: Legal Studies and History

Honors and Awards

  • Recognized as Business West Forty Under 40, 2008
  • New England Law/Boston – Awarded the Charles Hamilton Houston full tuition Academic scholarship
  • New England Law/Boston – Associate Editor of the Journal on Criminal and Civil Confinement
  • University of Massachusetts – UMass Judicial Hearing Board Member, Student Judge

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Massachusetts Bar Association, Member
  • Hampden County Bar Association, Member
  • Hampshire County Bar Association, Member

Past Employment Positions

  • Holyoke Community College – Instructor 2011 – present (teach various family law related courses, including courses focusing on Prenuptial Agreements, Postnuptial Agreements, the divorce process and Special Education Law)
  • Marien & Hodge, P.C., 2011 – 2016, Shareholder
  • Cooley, Shrair P.C. 2005 – 2011, Associate
  • Law Offices of Kathryn Parakilas – 2003 – 2005, Associate
  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts – 2002 – 2003, Clerk to Superior Court Judges in all four Western MA Counties

Pro Bono Activities

  • The Gray House – Board Member and Former Clerk 2008 – 2015
  • Volunteer as Conciliator in Hampden County Probate and Family Court 2011 – present
  • Volunteer Lawyers Services – provide free legal representation to Clients eligible for the program 2011 – present

Languages

  • English
  • Working knowledge of Spanish