Iska Ziver

Iska Ziver is an Ithaca, New York, family law attorney whose work centers on mediation, collaborative law, and legal services tailored to family disputes. She has represented children in Family Court since 2001 and has developed an approach that emphasizes constructive solutions outside adversarial proceedings when appropriate. She assists families seeking to address separation, parenting, and other sensitive issues through structured discussion and informed decision-making.

Ziver earned a J.D. from Cornell Law School in 1994 and a B.S. in Business Administration, magna cum laude, from the State University of New York at Albany in 1981. She became licensed to practice law in New York in 1995. Her additional professional training includes child advocacy, mediation, and collaborative law, followed by continuing education in each field.

Her work with children in Family Court informed her interest in procedures that allow families to participate directly in shaping the outcome of their disputes. She helps parties use mediation and collaborative practice to address family conflicts, and she offers unbundled legal services when clients need assistance with defined parts of a matter. Earlier professional experience in business and nonprofit management adds another perspective to her practice.

Iska Ziver previously served as president of the Ithaca Area Collaborative Law Professionals and has volunteered as a legal presenter for the Tompkins County Parents Apart Program. She has also held leadership roles in professional and community organizations. Her work emphasizes respectful communication, individual choice, and practical arrangements that help parents and other family members resolve disputes while considering their future relationships.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Mediation & Law Office of Iska Ziver
• Member, New York State Bar Association
• President, Ithaca Area Collaborative Law Professionals (2013)
• Membership Chair, Finger Lakes Women’s Bar Association (2020)
• Member, Tompkins County Bar Association
• Member, Women’s Bar Association of New York, Finger Lakes Chapter
• Member, Tompkins County Panel Attorneys for Children
• Board of Trustees and President, Community School of Music and Arts (2017-2019)
• Member, International Academy of Collaborative Practitioners
• Member, American Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

Licensed State

• New York

Education

• Cornell Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• State University of New York at Albany
  Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration

Awards & Badges