About Us
Our firm was founded in 1979 on the shared principles of trust, integrity and compassion. These principles continue to guide our practice today. Clients come to us because they know we will take their legal issue seriously, providing them with the personal attention and legal skill needed, in an economical and practical manner.Why Farrauto Berman Slater & Michaeli? Our reputation. The longevity of our firm. Our history of results. Our long list of satisfied clients. These are the things that set Farrauto Berman Slater & Michaeli apart. Our attorneys have committed their careers to improving the lives of residents in Yonkers and throughout the New York metro area. Whether that means resolving a family law dispute, guiding you through divorce, protecting your financial interests during a property transaction or helping you preserve your assets for the next generation, we are on your side.
Our Attorneys
Firm founders John P. Farrauto and Howard E. Berman are both Yonkers natives. Both were past presidents of the Yonkers Lawyers Association when they came together to form a partnership in 1979. They are as committed to the local community as they are to their clients, serving on many local boards and donating their time to many local causes. Attorney Cheryl E. Slater joined the firm in 2005, becoming a partner in 2009. She brings over a decade of family law experience to the firm and is committed to helping families find efficient, cost-effective solutions during divorce, child custody disputes and other family law matters. Attorney Lauren E. Michaeli joined the firm in 2013 and became a partner in 2018. She practices in both family law and related criminal defense matters. She was one of the youngest lawyers to appear in Supreme Court, Westchester County and is already an experienced and respected litigator, having represented hundred of clients throughout the state. For more information about our lawyers, please refer to their individual biographies linked below.
John Farrauto
John P. Farrauto has been practicing law in and around Yonkers, New York for over fifty years. While much of his practice has been in family law, he is also well versed and experienced in real estate, commercial matters, and trusts and estates. John was lead counsel for the plaintiff in the seminal case of Mahoney-Buntzman v. Buntzman, 12 NY3d 415 (2009) from the trial level through oral argument in the New York Court of Appeals. John is a graduate of both Fordham University School of Law and Fordham University. John is admitted to practice in New York (Second Department), United States Supreme Court, and United States Federal Court, Southern District of New York. Throughout the years, John has taken an active role in the legal community including the following past positions: President of Yonkers Lawyers Association, Chair of the Family Law Section of the Westchester County Bar Association, Treasurer and Board Member of the Mental Health Association of Westchester, Board Member of Center for Preventative Psychiatry (and honoree), President of Yonkers Jaycee’s, Chair of Mount Saint Michael’s Directory (and honored as Legend of the Mount).
Howard Berman
Howard E. Berman, Attorney at Law and Civic Role Model
Howard E. Berman grew up in Yonkers. He has practiced law in the city of Yonkers since July 1965. He has been equally committed to bettering the Yonkers community through his vast contribution to a wide variety of Yonkers Civic Organizations. Howard E. Berman is a graduate of Yonkers High School, Class of 1957. The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania at which he received a Bachelor's Degree in Economics 1961 while majoring in Accounting, Columbia Law School 1964 and New York University Graduate Law (LLM in taxation)1967. Howard is admitted to the New York State Bar, the Florida Bar, Federal District Courts, U.S. Tax Court and the Supreme Court of the United States. Howard is currently a partner at Farrauto, Berman and Slater specializing in estate planning, wills, tax matters, land and real estate. Howard is the President of the Yonkers Police Athletic League (PAL) and has been involved as Counsel since 1982. In 1995 the PAL honored him as its Man of the Year. Since 1970 Howard has been a member of the Yonkers Lions Club. He served as President in 1980 and 1981. In 2008 Howard was the recipient of the “Lifetime of Service Award” from Lions International. He is a former Trustee of the NYS and Bermuda Lions Foundation. In 2014 he volunteered for a medical mission in the Dominican Republic called “Operation Restore Vision” under the auspices of New York Eye and Ear Hospital. Howard is also a former trustee of Dunwoodie Lodge #863 Free and Accepted Masons. He was formally Chairman of the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce 1989-1990 and has served as its Counsel for over 20 years. Howard and wife of 52 years, Carole, are the proud parents of 3 children Michelle, Renee and Marc and 5 grandchildren. In his spare time, Howard enjoys playing bridge and poker.
Cheryl E. Slater Esq.
Cheryl has practiced almost exclusively matrimonial and family law for well over a decade. In doing so, she has successfully guided clients through all aspects of family law including negotiating prenuptial agreements, custody and support proceedings, divorce, and the resolution of post-divorce matters. She recognizes that family issues which lead clients to Family Court and/or Supreme Court are often life changing. As such, her practice of law is zealous but always cognizant of the practical and emotional implications of settlement negotiations and litigation. She also handles related matters that often arise in the wake of family law proceedings including real estate, probate and administration proceedings, wills, powers of attorney, and health care proxies. She represents clients in both the Supreme and Family Courts of Westchester, Putnam, and Rockland Counties as well as all five boroughs of New York City.
Admitted to practice in New York and Connecticut
Pace University School of Law, 2004 JD Cum Laude
University of California, Santa Barbara 1996 BA (History and Political Science)
New York State Bar Association, Family Law Section
Westchester County Bar Association, Family Law Section
Yonkers Lawyers Association
Lauren Michaeli
Lauren is a Partner at Farrauto Berman Slater & Michaeli, a boutique law firm that specializes primarily in family law, including matrimonial matters, custody, pre-nuptial agreements, support, etc. in Westchester County. Lauren has handled many cases involving sensitive matters such as infidelity, domestic violence and sexual abuse allegations. Lauren began her career as an impassioned litigator in January 2013, jumping right into court as one of the youngest attorneys appearing in Supreme Court, Westchester County. Since then, she has represented hundreds of clients in various courts throughout the State of New York. Graduating from Fordham Law with the Archibald R. Murray Award, summa cum laude and from New York University, cum laude with a concentration in social work and business communications, she dedicates herself fully to her clients' legal and emotional entanglements. Lauren is well known for her compassion and dedication to her clients, serving not just as a lawyer but also as a friend.
Super Lawyers recognized Lauren as a "Rising Star" in 2022 and 2023. She also received the "10 Best in Client Satisfaction" Award from the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys and was recognized as one of the Three Best Divorce Lawyers in Yonkers, New York by ThreeBestRated.com. She was further selected in 2017 by Attorney and Practice Magazine as one of New York's top 10 Family Law Attorneys, and was honored by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys as one of the "Top 10 under 40" for Family Law Attorneys in New York. Lauren served as a Committee Member of the New York State Bar Association Committee on Children and the Law, and is a member of the Yonkers Lawyer and Westchester County Bar Associations. Outside of her legal work, Lauren developed an indoor cycling program for a cycling studio in New York City, and manages the social media account of her two Italian Greyhound "pupfluencers."