Announcing the Barry Goldstein Veronica York Partnership


Barry-Goldstein-Veronica-York.jpgIn July of 2021, Veronica York started working as my assistant with the hope and expectation this would lead to a professional partnership. The first time we met in person was for my testimony in a difficult Texas case. The court recognized the enormous harm caused by the abusive father, the children’s lives were saved, and they never had to be exposed to their abuser again. This successful case was the start of a successful relationship that has provided great benefits to clients, children, and our movement.

Veronica already possessed great knowledge and understanding of the issues, and I have been gratified by her growth as we have worked together. We enjoyed successful presentations for the Center for Judicial Excellence, NOMAS, Battered Mothers Custody Conference, Domestic Shelters, a medical inspired webinar for judges and the Diverse Voices Conference from Edmonton, Canada. We have written some important articles together including a list of 20 common mistakes evaluators make when they fail to consider ACE and Saunders. Veronica has expanded her work on behalf of our clients to include patterns of abuse, reports, and now expert testimony. During this time, I have grown ever more confident and trusting in Veronica’s work.(see Veronica's bio below)

If anyone has any questions, they can contact us here.

Introducing Veronica York

Veronica York headshotAfter a 20 year Sales and Marketing career in the Television Industry, Veronica York felt a passion and a calling to make a career change. Following a 10 year marriage that was both mentally and emotionally abusive, and going through a difficult custody battle, she started her High Conflict Coaching practice. During her experience with the family court system, she realized that the best interest of the children was not the first priority. Parental rights are trumping children’s rights and children are suffering unnecessarily due to the outdated practices of judges and other court professionals. Along with helping her clients navigate their custody battles, she is also an advocate for change in the family court system as well as a champion for Domestic Violence training and education. Veronica is certified with the High Conflict Divorce Certification Program and has advanced training in family law mediation. She performs speaking engagements and writes articles regarding the topics of Child Custody Issues that involve Intimate Partner Violence and Child Abuse. She also does training on the misuse of Parental Alienation and the effects of Post Separation Abuse during a divorce.

Here we grow again!

About Thilanka

Thilanka Dissanayake headshotThilanka Dissanayake is a certified victim's advocate, specializing in intervention, response, and justice, as well as an empowerment coach, consultant, advisor, and a dedicated supporter of women’s rights and victims’ rights. Her career began as a successful Chemical Engineer, but her own experience and her witness to the injustices to numerous victims by the institutions meant to protect them ignited her passion for advocacy and the desire to strengthen women’s confidence. She is on a mission to bring awareness to systemic injustices and contribute to policy changes on violence against women, provide empathetic support and guidance to victims and survivors, and guide women to strengthen and rebuild their identities. Thilanka sees her efforts as her life's work and a way of making the world a better place for her children and future generations. Thilanka enjoys reading, writing, painting, meditating, and spending time with her children.

Speaker

Barry Goldstein is one of the leading national and international experts regarding domestic violence. He has a unique range of experiences that include service as a board member to a local battered women’s shelter, attorney for domestic violence survivors, instructor in a NY Model Batterer Program and writer of some of the leading books and articles in the field. He has a strong grasp of the most current and important research concerning domestic violence and innovative ideas for using the research to create the needed reforms.

Barry is a powerful and engaging speaker.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Battered Mothers Custody Conference regularly rely on him for important speeches and trainings. He has provided workshops and trainings for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, U. S. Department of Justice, Oklahoma Attorney General, Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence and many colleges and domestic violence agencies. In August of 2018, Barry was the plenary speaker at an International Conference in Melbourne Australia that focused on the health and safety of children involved in contested custody cases.

Much of Barry’s speaking and writing focuses on the crisis in the custody court system that has resulted in thousands of children being sent to live with dangerous abusers. His new book with Elizabeth Liu, Representing the Domestic Violence Survivor is designed to train attorneys to present the strongest possible cases. He is available to teach court professionals about the best practices to protect children in domestic violence cases. He also works with domestic violence advocates so they can offer their clients the most useful information.

He is familiar with the recent research about the medical impact of domestic violence and other trauma on children. This information should be highly persuasive in convincing court professionals to reconsider standard practices that are actually likely to shorten children’s lives. Barry has also written extensively about best practices for drastically reducing domestic violence crime. He can show communities the practices that will reduce these crimes and save substantial financial and other resources. Nationally these practices would save $500 billion per year which equals $1500 per person.

Testimonials

We won our relocation case ...The judge understood everything! …I am so happy. She said she found it so "disturbing" that the DV was so minimized (probably a side eye to the GAL) because she doesn't think that DV just goes away because the parties don't live together. That he took no responsibility, no accountability, didn't do the therapy, continued to have excuse after excuse and that there are new allegations about his home life don't speak to any meaningful change. I mean it was all so beautiful.

Client, IL

In a time where there is no shortage of misconceptions and a general lack of understanding surrounding domestic abuse and the effects of trauma on survivors and their children within local justice systems, Barry Goldstein has the experience and expertise to shed light on this very important issue. Having personally worked with Mr. Goldstein as an expert witness, I can speak to the justice that occurs for abuse survivors and the children at issue as a direct result of Mr. Goldstein's insight and expert opinions contributing to the evidence before the court. I highly recommend Mr. Goldstein for any party or attorney in need of an expert to establish the dynamics of abuse and effects of trauma for their bench officer.

Sarah Yacoub, Esq., Equal Justice Inc., WI

Thank you for your unwavering patience and support through this difficult process. The judge provided her ruling yesterday ... I got the move away and they kept the restraining order in place for both my daughter and me. I could not hold back my tears as the judge read specific messages of harassment from my ex-husband in her ruling. It was very hard to listen to…Even though we did not end up requiring your testimony, the fact that we had presented you as a witness kept the opposing counsel on their heels. Thanks so much, God bless both of you.

Client, CA

The judge listened to Barry and the relevant info…Thanks to you both for your fantastic work on this case and the support.

Thea Gilbert, Esq., AZ

I just wanted to say thank you for your testimony yesterday. I know that the judge prides herself on her knowledge of DV but the information you provided I believe made her take a step back and rethink what she is going to do in this matter.

Attorney, CA

GOLDSTEIN & YORK DV Experts, LLC