FARMINGDALE, NY, February 24, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Israel Napoleon Castillo-Hanna, Esq., ALJ, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Renowned for his expertise in family law — a field he initially entered by chance but has since mastered through years of dedicated service — Mr. Castillo-Hanna currently serves as an administrative law judge at the Office of Administrative Hearings within the New York State Department of State. In this capacity, he presides over cases under the Office of Temporary Disability and Assistance, including matters related to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, Public Assistance benefits and Medicaid and Medicare benefits.

Mr. Castillo-Hanna's responsibilities include hearing appeals following adverse decisions on state or federal benefits, reviewing and adjudicating agency decisions, conducting formal hearings and writing complex decisions. Appellants appearing before him have the option of retaining private counsel or seeking assistance from local nonprofit organizations or agencies. His ability to navigate complex legal issues and provide fair adjudication has contributed to his growing reputation for integrity and fairness throughout the State of New York as well as the wider legal realm.

Prior to reaching his current appointment, Mr. Castillo-Hanna was a junior associate at McGuire, Pelaez, Bennett & Belcastro, P.C. from 2022 to 2024. During his tenure in private practice in Suffolk County, Long Island, he handled every case that came to the firm and assumed full responsibility for all family law matters, including trials, hearings and case management. Mr. Castillo-Hanna was made responsible for handling the firm's traffic cases located in upstate New York counties.

Before Mr. Castillo-Hanna's arrival, the firm relied on outside counsel for family court trials; however, his proficiency allowed the organization to begin handling these cases internally. In addition to family law, he expanded his knowledge to include traffic law, small claims and town violations that could intersect with criminal cases.

From 2016 to 2022, Mr. Castillo-Hanna excelled as a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing legal representation for those unable to afford it. He began his legal career in the family court bureau, representing parents in family court cases and advocating for clients' rights in challenging circumstances. His longstanding commitment to honesty and diligence earned him recognition from colleagues who commended his exceptional work on behalf of his clients. Mr. Castillo-Hanna has played an important role as a Spanish-speaking attorney, representing a large population of Spanish-speaking clients in and around the surrounding counties in Long Island, New York.

Earlier in his professional journey, Mr. Castillo-Hanna worked as a research assistant at the Library of Congress in 2009. As he located important information, sources, data and reports for researchers in need, this experience contributed to his analytical skills and provided him with valuable exposure to legal investigation methodologies.

Hailing from an equally accomplished academic background, Mr. Castillo-Hanna earned a Juris Doctor in common law from Cooley Law School in 2015 after completing coursework that prepared him for the rigors of legal practice. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Florida International University (FIU), awarded in 2012. Determined to make an impact outside the classroom as well, he served as vice president of the FIU Political Science Honor Society and was a member of the Student Ethics Association as well as the Golden Key International Honor Society.

Mr. Castillo-Hanna's path to becoming an attorney was shaped by both personal determination and familial influence. As one of five siblings raised by parents who encouraged each child toward a specific professional field, Mr. Castillo-Hanna was guided toward law. Overcoming a speech impediment during his formative years required significant perseverance; he challenged himself through public speaking opportunities and transformed this obstacle into a strength that would later serve him well in his advocacy efforts.

After passing the bar exam in 2015, Mr. Castillo-Hanna encountered delays in obtaining character fitness approval due to out-of-state paperwork requirements after relocating to New York. During this period, he was interviewed by a panel seeking Spanish-speaking attorneys for criminal defense roles in Suffolk County, but ultimately accepted a position focused on family law after demonstrating proficiency during interviews conducted partly in Spanish. Successfully completing character and fitness process, he was admitted to practice law by the New York State Bar Association in 2016.

Happily married since 2017, Mr. Castillo-Hanna enjoys visiting bookstores, reading philosophy, law and history books and listening to classical music — particularly works by Beethoven. He frequents coffee shops with his wife, who is also a successful attorney specializing in family law and children's advocacy within the Children's Law Bureau in Suffolk County Court. Mr. Castillo-Hanna and his wife treasure their valuable moments with their two dogs during their leisure time. His four siblings have pursued careers in accounting, mathematics education, civil engineering inspection and computer science, each forging their own path while upholding the values instilled by their parents.

Looking toward the future with optimism, Mr. Castillo-Hanna intends to expand his professional portfolio by opening a limited liability company and aspires to deepen his education by earning either a master's degree or PhD in philosophy. As he continues to build his reputation within the New York legal community, he hopes to share his knowledge and experience as a part-time college professor and ultimately serve as an Appellate Justice in Supreme Court, 2nd Department.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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