Stephanie Cañas Hunnell – Top Women Attorneys of America
Neptune, NJ WW/Press/ – Attorney Stephanie Cañas Hunnell, Owner – Divorce Litigation & Family Attorney with the The Hunnell Law Group, LLC is recognized and distinguished by the Top Women Attorneys of America 2027.
Stephanie Cañas Hunnell: A Journey of Purpose, Excellence, and Advocacy
Some careers are built on talent. Others are built on determination. The most remarkable ones are built on both, along with a deep commitment to the people they serve. Stephanie Cañas Hunnell, owner of the Hunnell Law Group, has built exactly that kind of career. Her path from Southern California to the courtrooms of New Jersey shows what a person can achieve with focus, courage, and a genuine desire to help others through some of the hardest moments of their lives.
Stephanie’s story begins in Southern California, where she grew up with a curiosity about justice and how the legal system shapes people’s lives. That curiosity led her to California State University, Long Beach, where she studied Criminal Justice and earned her Bachelor of Science degree. Those years gave her a strong understanding of how laws affect real families and real communities. Her undergraduate studies did more than prepare her for law school. They helped her see the human side of the law, a perspective that would later become one of her greatest strengths as an attorney, allowing her to guide clients with both legal skill and compassion.
With her sights set on becoming an attorney, Stephanie crossed the country to attend Rutgers University School of Law in Camden, New Jersey. There, she did not simply succeed. She excelled. In May 2004, she graduated with honors and earned her Juris Doctor, closing out a law school career filled with distinction. Her list of academic honors reflects a rare blend of intellect and skill. She received the Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Professional Skills I and II, along with a second Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Contracts. She was named a Dean’s Scholar in 2003 and earned a place on the Dean’s List from 2003 to 2004. She was also awarded the Ernest A. Spinello, Jr. Memorial Scholarship for the 2003 to 2004 academic year.
Stephanie’s talent for advocacy became especially clear in moot court, where law students argue mock cases before judges. She earned Best Oralist honors in Moot Court I in 2003, then went on to claim Best Oralist in Round 2 of the Stetson International Environmental Law Moot Court Competition. Her written advocacy was equally strong, placing fourth for Best Brief in the Admiralty Moot Court competition. Beyond competitions, she served as Submissions Co-Editor for the Journal of Law and Urban Policy from 2003 to 2004, worked as a Senior Research Assistant focused on environmental law, and was an active member of Phi Delta Phi. Even after graduation, she returned to give back, serving as a Hunter Moot Court Brief Grader in 2005 and helping shape the next generation of legal advocates.
In 2004, Stephanie was admitted to practice law in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. She went on to establish the Hunnell Law Group, where she has become a respected voice in family law and a trusted advocate for clients across a wide range of needs. As a female divorce attorney, she brings strength and understanding to matters that touch the most personal parts of her clients’ lives. She represents clients in divorce, the dissolution of civil unions and domestic partnerships, child custody disputes, contested removal actions, child support, spousal support enforcement, and equitable distribution. Each of these matters carries real emotional weight, and Stephanie approaches every case with the care and attention it deserves.
Her practice extends well beyond family court. Stephanie maintains an active estate planning practice, helping clients protect their loved ones and plan for the future with confidence. She represents clients in both contested and uncontested estate administration, also known as probate, and handles residential real estate matters, giving clients a single trusted resource across several important areas of life. What truly sets her apart is her dedication to the courtroom. A full 95 percent of her practice is devoted to litigation, and clients who work with her know they have an attorney who is ready and fully prepared to stand up for them in front of a judge when it matters most.
Stephanie’s influence reaches well beyond her own clients. A member of the New Jersey State Bar Association since 2004, she served as Past-Chair of its LGBT Rights Section, where she helped advance the rights and representation of LGBT individuals and families. Her leadership in this role reflects her belief that every family deserves fairness, dignity, and strong legal protection. She is also a member of the Association’s Young Lawyers Section and Family Law Section. Since 2005, she has been an active member of the Monmouth Bar Association, serving on the Legal Education Committee, the Family Law Committee, the Entertainment Committee, and the Young Lawyers Committee. She also previously served as Trustee Liaison for the Young Lawyers Committee, building connections between the Association’s leadership and the attorneys who represent the future of the profession.
Stephanie’s dedication to service extends into her local community as well. She currently sits on the Zoning Board for the City of Asbury Park, where she helps shape decisions that affect neighborhoods, businesses, and residents. Her willingness to contribute her time and legal knowledge to civic life reflects a deep sense of responsibility to the place she calls home.
Stephanie Cañas Hunnell’s story is one of steady growth, bold ambition, and a lasting commitment to others. She moved across the country to pursue her goals, earned top honors among talented peers, and built a thriving law practice focused on protecting families. Along the way, she has opened doors for others through her advocacy for equal rights, her mentorship of young lawyers, and her service to her community. For women entering the legal profession, she stands as proof that excellence and empathy can go hand in hand. For clients facing divorce, custody battles, or the loss of a loved one, she offers something invaluable: a skilled and caring advocate who will fight for their future. Her journey reminds all of us that a meaningful career is measured not only by the honors we earn, but by the lives we help change along the way.
The Top Attorneys of North America, a New York based publication, distinguishes and profiles leading attorneys who have reached a recognizable degree of success and leadership in their field. The directory is valued for promoting awareness of the accomplishments within the North American legal community.
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