Kayla Leder, Esq.

Pronouns: “She/Her/Hers”

Partner

Primary Practice Areas:

Kayla Leder is a Partner with Copps DiPaola Silverman, PLLC. She practices exclusively in the areas of matrimonial and family law. She has extensive experience representing individuals in the litigation of separation, divorce, custody, child support, spousal support, qualified domestic relations orders, and domestic violence matters. Attorney Leder has also completed a 60-hour Divorce Mediation Training and is a Member of the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation.

Prior to joining Copps DiPaola Silverman, PLLC, Ms. Leder’s private practice focused exclusively upon the representation of individuals in divorce and family law matters. Ms. Leder worked at another boutique family law firm in the Capital District, devoting her time to the representation of clients in a wide array of complex matrimonial and family law matters, with a special emphasis on contested custody and domestic violence cases.

Prior to private practice, Ms. Leder was selected to participate in the Kathryn D. Katz Fellowship Program at a not-for-profit civil legal services agency providing representation to the poor and working poor of the Capital District. While working with this organization, Ms. Leder represented individuals in divorce and family law matters involving complex issues of domestic and/or intimate partner violence.

Ms. Leder has previously provided educational trainings to fellow attorneys who wish to volunteer at the Albany County Family Court Help Center, and she has also provided educational trainings for the community and other attorneys on topics such as child support, domestic violence sensitivity trainings, preparing for a Family Offense trial, and litigating custody cases involving psychological and emotional abuse.

She is currently the Treasurer of the Capital Region Italian American Bar Association, the Membership Chair of the Schenectady County Bar Association, and a member of the Albany County Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association.

Originally from Kingston, Ms. Leder currently resides in Niskayuna, New York with her two sons, her husband, Greg, and their dog.

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Professional Associations

Appointed to serve on the Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department’s Committee on Character & Fitness

Albany County Bar Association: Member

Capital Region Italian American Bar Association: Member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer

New York State Bar Association: Member

New York State Bar Association Family Law Section: Member

Schenectady County Bar Association: Membership Director

Education

Ms. Leder received her J.D. degree, summa cum laude, from Albany Law School, where she received the Martin H. Belsky Graduation Prize for Commitment to Public Interest and The Capital District Trial Lawyers Association Prize. While in law school, Ms. Leder served as an Associate Editor for the Albany Law Review and is a member of The Justinian Society. Ms. Leder received her B.A. Degree in Political Science from The University of Connecticut.

Notable Cases/Representations

Jennifer VV v. Lawrence WW: http://decisions.courts.state.ny.us/ad3/Decisions/2020/528257.pdf. The Appellate Division, Third Department issued a decision affirming the lower court Judge’s rejection of the Support Magistrate’s attempt to blindly deviate from the Child Support Standards Act. This 7-page decision adopted numerous findings and arguments argued by Trial Counsel Attorney Leder in this Support Proceeding, and Appellate Counsel Attorney Joe Williams. It demonstrates the importance of the comprehensive legal services that we are able to provide to our clients.

Sean W. Tierney v. Wendy L. Tierney: https://decisions.courts.state.ny.us/ad3/Decisions/2026/CV-25-0961.pdf. The Appellate Division, Third Department issued a decision reversing the trial court’s denial of a request for an amended Domestic Relations Order. The Court held that our client was entitled to her marital share of her former spouse’s disability pension, ordered the immediate issuance of an amended order, and directed the trial court to calculate and award pension arrears.

Bar Honors & Awards

Brigid Nolan Memorial Award for Pro Bono Service to Victims of Domestic Violence, The Legal Project, 2021

YWCA NENY Volunteer of the Year, 2021.

Stanley A. Rosen Memorial Award for Service to Victims of Domestic Violence, 2019.

Martin H. Belsky Award for Commitment to Public Interest, 2014.

The Capital District Trial Lawyers Association Prize, 2014.

Publications

Silverman, Lorraine R., Kayla Leder, and Jessica Phillips, New York Law Journal (March 14, 2025): The Critical Role of the Attorney for the Child in New York Custody Proceedings: A Necessary Safeguard for Justice

Speaking Engagements

Beyond the Bruises: Litigating Custody Cases Involving Psychological and Emotional Abuse, Albany County Bar Association (October 2025)

Basics of a Family Offense Trial, Albany County Bar Association (November 2024)