Meet the Instructors

FEATURED INSTRUCTORS
Meet our featured instructors—experienced legal professionals who bring clarity, practical insight, and real-world expertise to every seminar. 

Explore their profiles below, and discover all of our instructors who make VHF Legal Seminars exceptional.

Meet our team

Alissa L. Van Horn, Esq.
Founder/Principal

Alissa is a powerhouse in family law, with extensive experience in divorce, adoption, custody, child support, orders of protection, foster care litigation, and prenuptial, postnuptial, and separation agreements. Beyond her courtroom expertise, she brings creativity and energy to CLE design, ensuring every program combines practical skill-building with engaging learning. Alissa is recognized for her strategic insight, approachable teaching style, and ability to make complex legal concepts instantly accessible.

Meredith Friedman, Esq.
Founder/Principal

Meredith is known for her dual approach: seeking harmonious resolutions where possible but fiercely advocating when needed. She draws on years of litigation experience to craft CLE courses that replicate the real-world challenges attorneys face, from high-stakes negotiations to courtroom strategy. Meredith’s seminars emphasize critical thinking, practical problem-solving, and hands-on application, giving participants tools and strategies they can immediately use in practice.

Ashley N. Besse
Chief Operating Officer

Ashley drives strategy, operations, and program delivery with a singular focus: redefining legal education. She ensures each VHF program is operationally seamless, highly engaging, and leaves a lasting impact. With a background in organizational leadership and legal program management, Ashley specializes in creating scalable, innovative learning experiences that resonate with attorneys nationwide. Her leadership bridges vision and execution, making VHF’s interactive model both practical and memorable.

CarolAnn Carbone-Cajuste

Director of Educational Programs

CarolAnn is a seasoned legal professional and educator with a strong background in law and instruction. A Queens College graduate with a B.S. in Political Science and an Accelerated Paralegal Certificate, and the first paralegal invited to teach there, she has worked across multiple legal fields and gained experience at the Court of Appeals. She now serves as Director of Educational Programs, developing continuing legal education initiatives that inspire learning and uphold excellence.
Daniel R. Antonelli, Esq.
Trusts, Estates & Probates
Florence M. Fass, Esq.
Family Law
John J. Fellin, Esq.
Matrimonial & Family Law
Meredith Friedman, Esq.
Matrimonial & Family Law
Alisa J. Geffner, Esq.
Family Law
Michael Goldberg, Esq.
Tax Law
LaToya R.A. James, Esq.
Family & Criminal Law
Avi Kafka, Esq.
Tax Law
Carolyn Kersch, Esq.
Family Law
Michele Olsen, Esq.
Family Law
John T. Powers, Esq.
Civil & Criminal Litigation
Samantha M. Sbrocchi, Esq.
Trusts, Estates & Probates
Peter S. Thomas, Esq.
Civil & Criminal Litigation
Francesco P. Tini, Esq.
Family Law
Alissa L. Van Horn, Esq.
Matrimonial & Family Law