Stephanie Cañas Hunnell grew up in Southern California and studied Criminal Justice at California State University, Long Beach, where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree.  Stephanie then went on to graduate with honors from Rutgers University, School of Law.  While in law school, Stephanie earned several academic awards and was active in moot court, as well as being an editor for the Journal of Law and Urban Policy.  Stephanie currently represents a broad spectrum of clients in family court matters, including divorce, dissolution of civil unions and domestic partnerships, child custody, contested removal actions, child support, spousal support enforcement, and equitable distribution.  Stephanie also defends local municipal court clients, and has an active estate planning practice, with a special focus on planning for same-sex couples.  In addition to her areas of practice, Stephanie is very active in the legal community, serving as Vice -Chair of the GLBT Rights Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association, as well as a committee member on the Legal Education Committee, Family Law Committee, Entertainment Committee and Young Lawyers Committee of the Monmouth Bar Association.  

Areas of PracticeLitigation Percentage
  • 95% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
  • New Jersey, 2004
  • Pennsylvania, 2004
  • U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, 2004
Education
  • Rutgers School of Law - Camden, Camden, New Jersey, May, 2004
    J.D., With Honors
    Law Journal: Journal of Law & Urban Policies, Submissions Co-Editor, 2003 - 2004
     
  • California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, California
    B.S.
    Major: Criminal Justice
     
Honors and Awards
  • Witkin Award for Academic Excellence, Professional Skills I & II
  • Witkin Award for Academic Excellence, Contract
  • Dean's Scholar, 2003
  • Dean's List, 2003 - 2004
  • Best Oralist, Moot Court I, 2003
  • Ernest A. Spinello, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, 2003 - 2004
  • Stetson International Environmental Law Moot Court, Round 2- Best Oralist
  • Admiralty Moot Court, 4th Place-Best Brief
  • Senior Research Assistant, Focus: Environmental Law
  • Member, Phi Delta Phi, Social Committee
  • Stetson International Environmental Law Moot Court, 2004
  • Rutgers School of Law, Camden, Hunter Moot Court Brief Grader, 2005
Professional Associations and Memberships
  • New Jersey Bar Association 2004- Present
  • GLBT Rights Section, current Vice-Chair
  • Member Young Lawyers Section
  • Member Family Law Section
     
  • Monmouth Bar Association, 2005 - Present
  • Member Young Lawyers Committee
  • Member Family Law Committee
  • Member Entertainment Committee
  • Former Trustee Liason for the Young Lawyers Committee
     
Past Employment Positions
  • Hon. E. David Millard, NJ Judiciary - Law Clerk, 2004
  • Lucas & McGoughran, LLC. Oakhurst, NJ, Associate, 2005 - 2007
  • Office of the Attorney General, Criminal Appeals Division, Trenton, NJ, Intern, 2003
  • O'Melveny & Myers, LLP, Los Angeles, CA, Litigation Paralegal, 2000 - 2002
Fraternities/Sororities
  • Phi Delta Phi