Whoever coined the phrase “you can’t go home again” surely never met a local pair of lawyers who say coming home was the best choice they ever made.
After meeting on a class trip to Europe, Lisa Scott and Steve Natoli knew they were a perfect match. “We met in high school and have been together ever since,” said Lisa. She explains the Eiffel Tower replicas decorating her office are a symbol of the time she and Steve spent in Paris and touring Europe.
Following graduation in 1993, Steve headed to Albany were he did his undergraduate studies at the College of Saint Rose and later attended Albany Law School.
Lisa, graduating a year later, started her college career at Binghamton University and would join Steve later on in Albany so she could also attend Albany Law School as well.
Lisa explains becoming a lawyer had been her goal since high school, and that Steve was interested more in the political spectrum. The duo married in Norwich in 2000, just a year before Lisa finished school. Deciding the Albany area fit their needs, they lived and worked there for six years. Lisa worked with a solo practitioner while Steve worked as legislative counsel for a state senator.
By 2003, the couple had started a family with their daughter, Abigail. Another daughter, Isabella, came along two years later. Still living in the Albany area, Steve and Lisa traveled home for visits as often as possible. “Both of our families were here, so when we came home we got a chance to see everyone,” said Lisa.
Steve explains after their second daughter was born, they came home for a weekend visit. “After just one weekend home, we knew without ever saying it to each other that we were ready to move back,” said Steve.
The couple say they decided to come back in October and were home by July. Roughly the same time the couple decided to move back home, they made another big decision – the husband and wife lawyers would jointly open their own legal practice. From real estate to criminal law to child advocacy, the Natoli & Natoli practice covers a broad range of legal matters.
Now, just a year after opening their own West Main Street office, buying a house in their hometown and enjoying being back, the couple says they have not once second-guessed their decision. Their parents, Anne Leibundgut and Brent Scott, and Barney and Jeanne Natoli, also play a role in the couple’s life. “It is important to for me to see my girls growing up knowing their grandparents,” said Lisa.
Being around family, Lisa explains, is the best part of being home. She says the safety net of knowing her children will grow up in a safe, community-oriented environment is important to her and Steve.
Shortly after arriving home, an event called Jesse’s Jam took place. The event gathered dozens of area residents in remembrance of Jesse Scott, Lisa’s younger brother who passed away 10 years ago in a car accident. Lisa explains how much that one event meant to her family, to the community and to her girls.
“Unfortunately, my girls will never have the chance to know their uncle. But the spirit and enthusiasm of his friends and the community in recognizing the 10th anniversary of his death by getting together, having a good time, listening to some good tunes and raising money for great causes was truly moving for myself and gave my daughters an opportunity to understand who he was,” said Lisa. She explains the event further solidified the reasons why they moved home.

Editor’s Note: “Chenango Stories” puts the spotlight on those people whose compelling stories you might not otherwise hear. If you know someone who is interested in telling their “Chenango Story,” contact Jill Osterhout at 337-3075 or e-mail: josterhout@evesun.com.