Experienced, thoughtful and in her professional prime, Bonnie Reiss is one of the most successful independent matrimonial attorneys in the region.

The Levittown, Pa., native has a strong background of hands-on work in the law; early in her career, after a clerkship with Family Law Judge Hon. Robert L. Garrenger, Jr., she joined the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, where she tried juvenile and adult criminal cases as an assistant prosecutor.

In 1981, she joined the Woodbridge firm Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer practicing matrimonial law, in both the trial and appellate courts. She became a partner in 1986 and built a reputation for focus, competence and toughness - as well as the stature to eventually establish her own practice, in 1996, with fellow Wilentz partner Peter Paras and Patricia A. Apy, who specializes in interstate and international custody matters.

Reiss's practice, located in The Galleria complex in Red Bank, is solely devoted to family law, including complex matters such as the valuation of business and professional practices and custody. She is also an accredited mediator by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Reiss, though, has a light touch as well: She was named "Boss of the Year" by the Middlesex County Legal Secretaries Association.

She has two grown children and lives with her husband in Colts Neck.