Fern

We are a boutique  law firm of three lawyers focused exclusively on family law, including divorces, paternity, prenuptial agreements and modifications. 

We are committed to achieving the best practical results for our clients and observe the highest standards of professionalism and advocacy to that end.

By practicing exclusively in family law, founder Patricia S. Fernandez has developed over twenty-two years of legal expertise and a reputation in the community for remarkable advocacy that has proven invaluable to our clients. Placing high value on open, honest attorney-client communication, Attorney Fernandez is best known for her reliably practical guidance.

Pat received arbitration training through the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and does mediation as well.  Pat has been appointed as a Guardian Ad Litem and Discovery Master by the Norfolk, Essex and Middlesex Probate and Family Courts.  Pat has abeen named in the Best Lawyers in America since 2006 and as  a Massachusetts Super Lawyer since 2005.  She holds an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell.

Carolyn E. Jordan is an associate attorney at Patricia S. Fernandez & Associates. She has been with the firm since 2007 and currently handles divorce, modification and paternity matters in the Probate and Family Courts of Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk Counties. Carolyn’s pro bono work includes the Lawyer for the Day program at the Essex County Probate and Family Court in Lawrence, MA.   Prior to joining Patricia S. Fernandez & Associates, Carolyn practiced with the Social Security Law Group, where she represented claimants in approximately forty administrative hearings across the country.

During law school, Carolyn gained experience as a legal intern at the Law Office of Phyllis Boltax in Barre, VT in the areas of family, criminal and public benefits law. As a Rule 9 Student Attorney, Carolyn also represented clients for the Family Law and Domestic Violence Units of Rhode Island Legal Services.   Carolyn’s achievements during law school include receiving the Academic Excellence Award in Family Law in 2004, arguing before the Vermont Supreme Court as a member of the National Moot Court Team, placing second in both individual and team rankings for the Debevoise Moot Court Competition, achieving the Best Oralist Award in her Legal Writing II course and serving as Student Ambassador to represent Vermont Law School.

Zamzam Syed joined the firm as an associate attorney in 2009. Zamzam handles divorce, modification and paternity matters in the Probate and Family Courts of Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk Counties. Her pro bono work includes The Family Law Project for Battered Women, through the Women’s Bar Foundation.

Prior to joining Patricia S. Fernandez & Associates, Zamzam was an associate with Harmon Law Offices in Newton Massachusetts where she worked on Real Estate matters resulting from mortgage default and foreclosure.

During Law School Zamzam gained diverse experience participating in the Intellectual Property Clinic and conducted research on African Legal Systems with a focus on human rights and women’s issues. She is fluent in Hindi and Urdu and speaks conversational Spanish.