About Us

Our firm was established in 1979 on the principles of expertise, integrity, and compassion. These principles continue to guide our practice today. Clients come to us because they know we will take their legal issues seriously, providing them with the legal expertise needed to navigate their legal matters in a practical and effective manner.

Why Farrauto Berman Slater & Michaeli?

We care.  We are straight-shooters and passionate fighters on behalf of our clients. We are honest and consider the emotional and financial toll our clients experience while fighting for their rights. We are proud to have a 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 Westchester and surrounding counties.  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 local causes.

Attorney Cheryl E. Slater joined the firm in 2005, becoming a Partner in 2009. Cheryl brings over two decades of family law experience to the firm and is committed to helping clients find smart and practical solutions in both simple and complex divorce, child custody disputes and estate planning.

Attorney Lauren E. Michaeli joined the firm in 2013 and became a Partner in 2018.  She focuses her practice exclusively on family law matters. She has handled complicated custody, relocation, domestic violence and financial trials and successfully argued before the Appellate Division.

For more information about our lawyers, please refer to their individual biographies linked below.

John P. Farrauto

Founding Partner, Retired

John P. Farrauto practiced law in and around Yonkers, New York for over fifty years.  While much of his practice was 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 was 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 took an active role in the 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 E. Berman

Founding Partner

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 Slater & Michaeli.  Howard is a past 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 also a former trustee of Dunwoodie Lodge #863 Free and Accepted Masons. He was Chairman of the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce 1989-1990 and served as its counsel for over 20 years.