BARRY GOLDSTEIN - BIO

Barry Goldstein has been a practicing attorney in the State of New York since 1978.  In 1983 he was asked to serve on the board of directors of My Sisters’ Place, which is one of the leading domestic violence agencies in the country.  He served on the board for 14 years including four years as chairperson.  Mr. Goldstein was actively involved during a time when there was a major expansion in the interest and support for domestic violence issues.  He led My Sisters’ Place from a small agency with one shelter to an important domestic violence organization with two shelters, school program, support groups, legal clinic and many other services.

As a result of his work with My Sisters’ Place, an ever larger part of his law
practice was devoted to representing victims of domestic violence. Many domestic violence agencies and people working with victims of dv referred clients to Mr. Goldstein because he was one of the few lawyers with expertise in domestic violence and a willingness to take cases on a pro bono or reduced fee basis.

The author has worked with the Community Change Project of the Volunteer Counseling Service in Rockland County, New York since January of 1999.  He is one of the instructors who teach domestic violence classes for men.  Most of the participants are men who have been convicted of domestic violence crimes.  The material presented by Barry Goldstein and his colleagues is the most up to date information about domestic violence and the same information presented to judges, doctors, therapists, community leaders and other professionals.  The Community Change Project is nationally and internationally recognized, and often asked to present trainings for other domestic violence advocates.

The author has made presentations to the Community Change Project participants regarding the legal aspects of domestic violence.

Barry Goldstein graduated from New York Law School in 1977.  He graduated from George Washington University with a BA in Political Science in 1974.  Mr. Goldstein served as Vice Chairman of the Mayor’s Environmental Committee for Action in Yonkers, New York from 1970-74.  He became an expert in returnable bottle legislation and gave many speeches to legislatures and civic organizations.  In 1972 he published a report about returnable bottles “ Your Can Is a Waste.” 

Barry Goldstein was a candidate for Yonkers City Council in 1981.  He was a successful bridge player having won many tournaments and a listing in the encyclopedia of bridge.

Barry Goldstein was born in 1952.  He is divorced and does not have any children.  He married Sharon Spaltro in November of 2001.