The Denninger Family: Rooted in Nissequogue, Focused on Family
Family Member Names:
Jennifer Denninger (professionally known as Jennifer Zeidner), William Denninger, Harper Denninger, Ethan Denninger, Cooper Denninger, Sophie Milburn (my mother), Dexter, and soon-to-be Summer
Pets:
Dexter, our 12-year-old rescue mutt from North Shore Animal League, and soon a corgi puppy named Summer
Dexter, our 12-year-old rescue mutt from North Shore Animal League, and soon a corgi puppy named Summer
Professions:
Attorney; Legal Technology Consultant/Software Developer
Attorney; Legal Technology Consultant/Software Developer
Activities/Hobbies:
As a family, we love traveling, trying new restaurants, hosting family and friends, spending time outdoors, and simply enjoying time together at home. We especially enjoy spending time at Long Beach and Schubert’s Beach during the summer, love the live concert series at Long Beach, and spend time skiing and snowboarding in Vermont during the winter. During the warmer months, we also enjoy stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing together.
As a family, we love traveling, trying new restaurants, hosting family and friends, spending time outdoors, and simply enjoying time together at home. We especially enjoy spending time at Long Beach and Schubert’s Beach during the summer, love the live concert series at Long Beach, and spend time skiing and snowboarding in Vermont during the winter. During the warmer months, we also enjoy stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing together.
Park/Play Area/Hang Out:
Long Beach, Schubert’s Beach, Avalon Park
Long Beach, Schubert’s Beach, Avalon Park
Restaurants:
Luca, NOCO, Enology
Luca, NOCO, Enology
Vacation Destination:
Vermont — we have close friends there and visit several times a year. We love the slower pace, the scenery, and the chance to truly unplug and spend quality time together. In the winter, we also enjoy skiing and snowboarding there as a family.
Vermont — we have close friends there and visit several times a year. We love the slower pace, the scenery, and the chance to truly unplug and spend quality time together. In the winter, we also enjoy skiing and snowboarding there as a family.
Sports Teams:
We are not a particularly sports-focused family, although Harper keeps us busy with softball.
We are not a particularly sports-focused family, although Harper keeps us busy with softball.
TV Show/Movie:
As a family, we love lighter comedies like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Modern Family.
As a family, we love lighter comedies like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Modern Family.
Music:
We all love music, especially anything with a relaxed summer vibe. One family favorite is “Vacation” by Dirty Heads.
We all love music, especially anything with a relaxed summer vibe. One family favorite is “Vacation” by Dirty Heads.
Family Dinner:
Cooking and sharing meals together is a huge part of our family life. We cook at home almost every night and love everything from simple comfort meals to more elaborate recipes and dinner parties with friends and family. Our kitchen is truly the hub of our home, and we make almost everything from scratch whenever we can.
Cooking and sharing meals together is a huge part of our family life. We cook at home almost every night and love everything from simple comfort meals to more elaborate recipes and dinner parties with friends and family. Our kitchen is truly the hub of our home, and we make almost everything from scratch whenever we can.
Do you have any family traditions?
A lot of our favorite traditions revolve around family dinners, holidays together, summers with family and friends, and simply making our home a place where everyone naturally gathers.
A lot of our favorite traditions revolve around family dinners, holidays together, summers with family and friends, and simply making our home a place where everyone naturally gathers.
What college/university did you attend?
I attended NYU before transferring to Stony Brook University and later earned my law degree from St. John’s University School of Law. Bill attended Binghamton University.
I attended NYU before transferring to Stony Brook University and later earned my law degree from St. John’s University School of Law. Bill attended Binghamton University.
Where are you originally from?
I grew up locally and originally lived in Smithtown before my family moved to Nissequogue when I was 14. Bill grew up in Hauppauge, so we both have deep roots in the local community.
I grew up locally and originally lived in Smithtown before my family moved to Nissequogue when I was 14. Bill grew up in Hauppauge, so we both have deep roots in the local community.
How long have you lived in this neighborhood?
My family has lived in Nissequogue since 1994, and we moved to the Goose Island section in 2000. Growing up there gave me a strong appreciation for family, community, and the importance of putting down roots somewhere special.
My family has lived in Nissequogue since 1994, and we moved to the Goose Island section in 2000. Growing up there gave me a strong appreciation for family, community, and the importance of putting down roots somewhere special.
What do you like to do to relax?
I spend so much of my professional life helping people through stressful situations that I really value quiet time with family and friends, dinners out, traveling, and anything that lets us unplug and recharge together.
I spend so much of my professional life helping people through stressful situations that I really value quiet time with family and friends, dinners out, traveling, and anything that lets us unplug and recharge together.
How are you involved in the community?
In addition to my legal practice, I write a monthly column for Stroll discussing family-related legal topics in a practical and approachable way. My husband owns a legal technology consulting and software development firm and is also involved locally through his work with the East Long Beach Road Homeowners Association. Having deep roots in the community makes those connections especially meaningful to us.
In addition to my legal practice, I write a monthly column for Stroll discussing family-related legal topics in a practical and approachable way. My husband owns a legal technology consulting and software development firm and is also involved locally through his work with the East Long Beach Road Homeowners Association. Having deep roots in the community makes those connections especially meaningful to us.
If you have kids, what activities are they involved with?
Harper is finishing fourth grade at St. James Elementary School and is involved in dance, softball, Girl Scouts, and plays the flute. My stepson Cooper recently finished his sophomore year at the University of Michigan, and my stepson Ethan is a graduate of the University of Maryland, currently working in legal technology. A lot of our family time revolves around supporting everyone’s activities, interests, and busy schedules.
Harper is finishing fourth grade at St. James Elementary School and is involved in dance, softball, Girl Scouts, and plays the flute. My stepson Cooper recently finished his sophomore year at the University of Michigan, and my stepson Ethan is a graduate of the University of Maryland, currently working in legal technology. A lot of our family time revolves around supporting everyone’s activities, interests, and busy schedules.
What is your favorite part about living in your neighborhood?
One of the things I love most about this area is the quiet, the incredible tree canopy, the natural beauty, and the wildlife that surrounds us. There is something very peaceful and grounding about living in a place that feels so connected to nature while still having such a strong sense of community. It is especially meaningful now to be able to raise my own daughter in the same neighborhood where I grew up.
One of the things I love most about this area is the quiet, the incredible tree canopy, the natural beauty, and the wildlife that surrounds us. There is something very peaceful and grounding about living in a place that feels so connected to nature while still having such a strong sense of community. It is especially meaningful now to be able to raise my own daughter in the same neighborhood where I grew up.
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After learning about the Denninger family's love of community, tradition, and togetherness, we wanted to spotlight Jennifer's professional journey as well. As a respected family law attorney and founder of My Ticket Fairy, she is helping clients navigate difficult situations with confidence and clarity. Jennifer shares more about her career, her inspiration, and the mission behind her work.
Headline: Making the Law More Accessible: Jennifer Zeidner and the Story Behind MyTicketFairy
For Jennifer Zeidner, helping people navigate life's challenges has always been at the heart of her career. As a partner at The Law Offices of Michael Catalanotto, P.C., she has spent years guiding clients through some of their most difficult and emotional moments, including divorce, custody disputes, support matters, and complex family litigation. Today, she is also bringing that same commitment to problem-solving and client service to MyTicketFairy, an innovative platform designed to simplify traffic-related legal matters for drivers throughout New York.
Jennifer's path to the legal profession was shaped by a passion for advocacy, negotiation, and helping others find practical solutions during stressful situations. Early in her career, she practiced insurance defense, handled federal litigation matters, and served as an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association for approximately eight years. Those experiences helped develop the skills that continue to define her approach today—strategic thinking, conflict resolution, and a focus on helping clients move forward with confidence.
At The Law Offices of Michael Catalanotto, P.C., Jennifer's practice is primarily focused on matrimonial and family law. She works closely with individuals and families facing major life transitions, providing guidance that balances professionalism, compassion, and practical advice. Her goal is not only to advocate for her clients but also to ensure they feel informed, supported, and prepared throughout the legal process.
In addition to her family law practice, Jennifer recognized another area where people often felt overwhelmed: traffic-related legal matters. Many drivers find the legal process surrounding traffic tickets confusing, time-consuming, and intimidating. Seeing an opportunity to simplify that experience, she launched MyTicketFairy, an innovative platform designed to help New York drivers navigate traffic-related legal issues in a more efficient and approachable way.
"MyTicketFairy was created to make legal services feel more approachable, efficient, and less intimidating for busy individuals and families," Jennifer explains. The platform uses technology and streamlined communication to allow many clients to address traffic-related matters remotely, eliminating much of the inconvenience traditionally associated with legal representation. By modernizing the process, Jennifer has created a service that is both accessible and convenient for today's busy lifestyles.
Whether she's helping a family through a major transition or assisting a driver with a traffic matter, Jennifer believes legal services should be understandable, responsive, and focused on achieving practical solutions. Her philosophy is simple: provide clients with the information, support, and advocacy they need to move forward with confidence.
Jennifer's advice to fellow residents is one she applies in her own work every day: don't wait until a difficult situation becomes overwhelming before seeking guidance. Whether the issue involves family, finances, or a traffic violation, having the right information early can make all the difference. Through both her legal practice and MyTicketFairy, Jennifer continues to make that guidance more accessible, helping people navigate challenges with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.