Jennine Cullen
Jennine Cullen is a seasoned attorney based in Smithtown, New York, currently serving as a partner at Taylor, Eldridge & Endres, P.C., where she has been with the firm since 2022. She specializes in community association law, representing homeowners' associations, condos, and co-op communities, while also leading the landlord-tenant litigation department. Jennine is committed to being present for her clients and resolving the legal issues that directly impact community life. Jennine began her legal career at the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, where she served for eight years prosecuting major felony and attempted murder cases. After leaving the DA’s office in 2010 to focus on her family, she launched her own criminal defense practice in 2014, successfully managing it through the COVID-19 pandemic. Her experience spans both criminal law and civil litigation, giving her a comprehensive perspective on legal advocacy. Educated on a full scholarship in law, Jennine earned her JD from St. John’s University and completed her undergraduate studies at the College of the Holy Cross prior to law school. She is actively involved in her professional and local community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Community Association Institute, and the School Board and Board of Trustees for St. Philip and James School and Parish. She is also a member of the Suffolk County Bar Association. Recognized as one of Smithtown’s Influential Women in 2026, she continues to balance a thriving legal career with dedicated community engagement.
• St. John's University- J.D.
• Named to Board of Directors of CAI (Community Association Institute)
• Suffolk County Bar Association
• School Board Member at St. Philip and James School
What do you attribute your success to?
I think it's my desire to be with people and help people in all kinds of situations. Whether it was protecting victims from my prior work as a prosecutor, or now helping board members navigate issues, or helping landlords reclaim their properties - it's really just about helping people and dealing with their day-to-day problems. I've always wanted to make sure that justice was done, and throughout my career, I've tried to separate the difficult cases from my personal life by focusing on my family. That ability to maintain balance while staying committed to helping others has been key to my success.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice Jennine has received is that you can have it all—build a strong support team, keep persevering, and be willing to explore new paths, such as starting your own practice.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I guess that they can really have it all. You can have a career and a family. You know, you need a good support team, but just to keep trying new things. You know, I never thought I would open up my own practice, but it ended up being the best thing for me at that time. So, to take that leap out of your comfort zone. Don't be afraid to pivot when circumstances change, whether that's opening your own firm, joining a new practice area, or making changes to balance your professional and personal life. With the right support and willingness to adapt, you really can build the career and life you want.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think it's AI. I think one of the biggest challenges is the infiltration of AI, and making sure that attorneys are held to a higher standard, and doing our own research and not relying on software to do it for you. We need to maintain the integrity of our profession by ensuring we're not cutting corners or depending too heavily on artificial intelligence for legal research and analysis. The challenge is to use technology responsibly while upholding the rigorous standards that the legal profession demands.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Helping people is at the core of everything I do - whether that was protecting victims in my prior work as a prosecutor, or now helping board members navigate issues and helping landlords reclaim their properties. I'm motivated by being with people and dealing with their day-to-day problems. Balance is also incredibly important to me. I like to be involved in every aspect of my children's lives, and I make time for them while also being involved with people through different boards and organizations. My husband is very supportive, which makes it possible for me to juggle everything. I like to be busy and involved, and I've learned to use insights from one area, like the school board, to help in other areas, like our communities. At the end of the day, I always wanted to make sure that justice was done, and I've learned to go home to my family and separate work from personal life, even when dealing with difficult cases.