Our Team
Thomas J. Taranto, ESQ.
Attorney Taranto is an experienced family law attorney and negotiator who counsels clients in complex high asset divorce cases, often highly contentious. He also counsels clients in post-divorce matters; modifications involving alimony/spousal support, child support, and custody. Upon the completion of his undergraduate Degree in Finance from Boston College’s prestigious Carroll School of Management and; he worked for an international corporation then started and successfully developed his own medical company, which involved interfacing with accountants, lawyers, bankers and high-level business executives. Understanding how a business functions, the ability to analyze business and personal financial statements, coupled with an uncanny ability to negotiate are components leading to his success in achieving results that clients and former clients rave about. The business knowledge he brings just doesn’t come from having read books or attending seminars. It stems from life experience. Attorney Taranto has been divorced with children, and fully understands the financial impacts of a divorce as well as the importance of both parents having ample parenting time with their children. After passing a comprehensive exam, he has received his certification as a Certified Financial Litigator. He is currently a member of the American Academy of Certified Financial Litigators. The AACFL provides its member firms with customized training in the financial aspects of litigation including accounting, taxation, investments, valuation, forensics, and compensation.
Attorney Taranto is also a Certified Mediator and a member of the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation. He has received the highest ranking from AVVO, 10 out of 10, a national rating service for lawyers. The outstanding reviews the firm continuously receives are from clients and former clients; which in his view should be the most highly regarded.
AACFL
The AACFL is a national educational institution dedicated to enhancing the legal community by providing lawyers with advanced training in the financial aspects of litigation. Benefits to the member attorneys and the community include increased litigation skills and credibility with the courts, potential reduction in the number of cases creating backlogs in the court system, and the ability for the general public to better distinguish the lawyers who possess the skills needed to handle their financial cases.
CFLs represent a highly-motivated collection of elite professionals dedicated to resolving conflict through a common training, leading to a more uniform understanding of financial issues. The CFL designation is awarded to select practitioners who are dedicated to improving their knowledge of financial matters related to litigation and adhere to high standards of ethical practice, and who have passed the CFL exam. The AACFL is a private organization whose standards are not recognized by either a state organization or the ABA.
EDUCATION
- Massachusetts School of Law
- Boston College, Carroll School of Management, BS Finance (Cum Laude)
- Malden Catholic High School (Honors)
MEMBERSHIPS
- Salem Bar Association, Executive Committee
- Essex Bar Association
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- Admitted to Massachusetts and Federal Court, first circuit bar.
- Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation
- American Academy for Financial Litigators
- Board of Directors for the Greater Newburyport Bar Association
- Mass Academy of Trial Lawyers
COMMUNITY/VOLUNTEER WORK
- Past Technical Advisor to Marblehead High School Mock Trial Team
CERTIFICATIONS
- Probate and Family Court Conciliator/Mediator
- Certification on Effective Intervention in Family Violence Cases
- Certified Financial Litigator (CFL™)
- Court Certified Attorney Representing Children (ARC Program)
Brandi C. Brook, ESQ.
Attorney Brook has been part of the Taranto Law team since 2014. She has focused solely on family law since the beginning of her legal career. She is highly experienced with assisting clients through all steps of the divorce process as well as modifications involving alimony/spousal support, child support, and custody. Attorney Brook has also worked on cases that have been reviewed at the appellate level. Her impressive legal writing and research skills combined with her advocacy experience make her an integral part of Taranto Law.
Attorney Brook graduated from Salem State University Summa Cum Laude. During her undergraduate years, she was an active member of the Honors Program and studied Political Science, concentrating in policy and law. During her time at Salem State, Attorney Brook was part of a large-scale collaborative research project regarding marine policy and management on Nantucket Island. Her work is published in Marine Policy, a leading ocean policy journal where she is listed as a co-author.
Attorney Brook graduated from Massachusetts School of Law with her Juris Doctor, Magna Cum Laude in the top 3 of her class. During her time in law school, she received CALI awards in both Torts and Civil Procedure. The “CALI award” is given to the student with the highest grade in a class, as determined by the professor or registrar. She was also a Writing and Legal Advocacy Competition finalist. While in law school, Attorney Brook was working at Taranto Law as a paralegal which gave her the unique opportunity to utilize her legal studies while completing her degree.
Attorney Brook has an affinity for animals and in her spare time enjoys hiking with her dog and spending time with her two cats who were adopted from the Northeast Animal Shelter. Attorney Brook is an avid supporter of the shelter and when her time allows, she gathers spare sheets, blankets, and pet supplies for donation. She also volunteers her time to participate in the Massachusetts School of Law Animal Rights Day which is a free event open to the public where legal issues related to animal rights and animal cruelty are addressed by recognized legal experts in the field of animal rights law as well as educational attractions for animal lovers of all ages.
EDUCATION
- Massachusetts School of Law, J.D. Magna Cum Laude
- Salem State University, B.A. Political Science, Policy and Law, Summa Cum Laude
MEMBERSHIPS
- Massachusetts Bar Association
- Essex Bar Association
- Greater Newburyport Bar Association
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