PHYLLIS E. FEDERICO is a founding partner of the Boston law firm of Schmidt & Federico, PC, where she has specialized in the trial of domestic relations and family law for twenty years. She is a graduate of the State University of New York at Binghamton and Suffolk University Law School. She has participated in continuing education programs for MCLE, the Boston Bar Association, and the Massachusetts Bar Association. Ms. Federico has authored articles on family law practice for MCLE, including coauthoring the separation agreement chapter for the Massachusetts Divorce Law Practice Manual (MCLE, Inc. 2nd ed. 2008). She is also a coeditor of the manual. Ms. Federico is a member of the Boston Bar Association and a former chairperson of its family law section, Massachusetts Bar Association Family Law Council, and American Bar Association; treasurer of the Massachusetts Family and Probate American Inn of Court; and a fellow of the Boston Bar Foundation. She is president of the MCLE board of trustees. Ms. Federico is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and has been selected as one of Boston magazine’s top fifty female attorneys.  (December 2009)