About Joni
I became a lawyer because I like helping people resolve their differences. I stopped combative courtroom litigation a few years ago to focus my legal practice assisting clients with ADR solutions – including mediation, collaborative divorce and conflict coaching – as well as providing limited scope representation (a/k/a unbundled legal services). Now, as “of counsel” to the firm, I will continue to provide initial consultations with clients seeking strategies and support for resolving family law conflicts without contentious litigation.
Education
Villanova University School of Law
Villanova, PA
J.D. 1978
Cedar Crest College
Allentown, PA
Self-designed B.A. in political science and international affairs 1975
American University
Washington, D.C.
International Politics Program 1973
Bar Admissions
United States Supreme Court
United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals
Pennsylvania
Work Experience
BKW Family Law LLC/Berner Klaw & Watson LLP/Berner & Klaw
Philadelphia, PA 1994-Present
Law Offices of Joni J. Berner
Philadelphia, PA 1987-1993
Women’s Law Project
Philadelphia, PA 1987-1989
Blank Rome
Philadelphia, PA 1978-1986
City of Philadelphia Law Department
Philadelphia, PA 1980-1981
Juvenile Law Center
Philadelphia, PA 1976-1978
Bar Association Activities
Member, American Bar Association
Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Family Law Section (current)
Pennsylvania Bar Association Activities
- Member, Collaborative Law Committee (current)
- Law Schools Liaison
- Council Member, Family Law Section
Member, Delaware County Bar Association, Family Law Section
Member, Philadelphia Bar Association, Family Law Section (current)
Philadelphia Bar Association Activities
- Member (and past co-chair), Lawyer Referral & Information Service Committee (current)
- Chair, Family Law Section’s Web Page Coordinator Committee
- Co-Chair, Solo and Small Firm Management Committee
- Member/Family Law Section representative, Board of Governors
- Member, Judicial Selection Committee
- Chair, Family Law Section
- Officer, Family Law Section
Lectures / Trainings / Consulting
Villanova University School of Law, Adjunct Professor
Temple University, Beasley School of Law, Adjunct Professor
Peirce College, Adjunct Professor, Family Law
Co-Panelist, Business Aspects of Law
Villanova University, Charles Widger School of Law
Co-Panelist, Women in Law on the Frontlines of Change
Philadelphia Business Journal
Co-Panelist, Considerations Before Starting Your Own Solo Practice or Small Firm
Philadelphia Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
Co-Panelist, Alternate Dispute Resolution in Family Law
Family Law Society, Villanova University School of Law
Co-Presenter, Developing a Collaborative Process for Pro Bono or Modest Means Cases
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Collaborative Law Committee
Co-Presenter, Avoiding Malpractice with Technology
Philadelphia Bar Association
The Earle Mack School of Law at Drexel University
Collaborative Family Law Affiliates’ Divorce Training
American Bar Association Pro Bono Conference
Economics of Justice Conference
Temple University School of Law
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education
Family Law Institute, Fundamentals of Family Law, Family Law Updates, Philadelphia Domestic Relations Practice, Family Law Potpourri, Drafting Marital Settlement Agreements, Immigration Law for Family Lawyers, Alternative Dispute Resolution in Family Matters, Advanced Equitable Distribution Issues, “You Can’t Fire Me, I Quit,” Primer on Family Law, General Practitioner’s Update, Government Intervention in Parenting Decisions
Pennsylvania Psychological Association
Villanova University School of Law
New York City Chapter, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program
American Bar Association, Family Law Section, Domestic Violence Committee
Widener School of Law
Half Moon LLC, Pennsylvania Family Law Practice for Paralegals
New World Radio
Radio Times on NPR
Publications
War Stories
The Pennsylvania Lawyer (January-February 2022)
Unbundled Legal Services
Joni Berner, Jean Biesecker, Mary Timpany, Zanita Zacks-Gabriel
Pennsylvania Bar Association (Quarterly, April 2019)
Transforming a Family Law Practice to a Peacemaking Practice
The Legal Intelligencer (Family Law Supplement, July 2018)
A ‘See You in Court’ Mentality May Stifle Good Lawyering
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column, June 2017)
Perspectives on Building a Women-Owned Law Firm
Joni Berner, Margaret Klaw, Megan Watson
The Legal Intelligencer (Women in the Profession Supplement, April 2014)
Reflections on My First IACP Conference
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Collaborative Law Committee (Fall 2013)
Training the Next Generation of Family Law Attorneys
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column, April 2013)
Prenuptial Agreements (Chapter)
The Impact of Domestic Violence on Your Legal Practice: A Lawyer’s Handbook
Joni J. Berner, Margaret Klaw
American Bar Association (1996, 2004)
Press
People in the News (PA Bar Fiebach Award)
Aleeza Furman
The Legal Intelligencer (October 2020)
How to Boost Your Firm’s Online Visual Identity
Beth Blinebury
American Bar Association (May 2020)
Women in Law: Those who made a big move share the lessons learned
John George
Philadelphia Business Journal (June 2018)
Emerging Icons: Recognized as having ‘the potential to become legends’
Diane Mastrull
The Philadelphia Inquirer (November 2016)
Follow Rules With Funds, Avoid Discipline
Nicole Edwards
Philadelphia Bar Reporter (June 2011)
Two Philadelphia Law Firms . . . to Receive Prestigious Philadelphia Bar Foundation Awards
Philadelphia Bar Association (November 2009)
Boards / Prof. Memberships / Community Service
Board of Trustees and former Vice Chair, Cedar Crest College (current)
Arbitrator, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas (current)
Volunteer, Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program (current)
Mediator, USPS REDRESS (Postal Service Employee Mediation Program)
Volunteer, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Volunteer Mediation Program
Vice President, Radnor Fire Company
Board Member and Past President (2013-2014), Villanova University School of Law Alumnae Advisory Board
Board Member and Past President (2012), Women’s Therapy Center of Philadelphia (now Therapy Center of Philadelphia)
Board Member, Good Shepherd Mediation Program
Board Member, Women’s Law Project; Founding Member, Myra Bradwell Society
Chairperson, Family Mediation Association of Delaware Valley
Member, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
Member, Collaborative Law Affiliates of Southeastern Pennsylvania
Member, American Immigration Lawyers’ Association
Recognition
Best Lawyers in America 2016-2024* (Collaborative Law & Family Law)
Best Lawyers®
Best Lawyers in America 2017-2024* (Family Law Mediation)
Best Lawyers®
Best Law Firms 2017-2024 (BKW Family Law, f/k/a Berner Klaw & Watson)
Philadelphia – Family Law & Family Law Mediation – Metropolitan Tier 1
U.S. News & World Report-Best Lawyers®
Lawyer of the Year 2021-2022, 2024 (Collaborative Family Law)
Best Lawyers®
PA Super Lawyer 2012-2023**
Super Lawyers®, part of Thomson Reuters
AV Preeminent® 2018-2024**
Martindale-Hubbell®
Top Family Law Attorneys 2023
Suburban Life Magazine
Top Women-Owned Businesses 2013-2023 (BKW Family Law, f/k/a Berner Klaw & Watson)
Philadelphia Business Journal
Top 25 Law Firms by Pro Bono Hours 2016-2017; 2021 (Berner Klaw & Watson)
Philadelphia Business Journal
H. Robert Fiebach Award 2020 (Berner Klaw & Watson)
Pennsylvania Bar Association – Women in the Profession Commission
Brennan Award 2004, 2005 (Berner & Klaw); 2013-2015; 2017; 2020 (Berner Klaw & Watson)
Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program
Pro Bono Roll of Honor 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 (exemplary pro bono work)
First Judicial District of Pennsylvania
Business Integrity Award 2017 (Berner Klaw & Watson)
Independence Business Alliance
Inaugural Industry Icon Award – Legal 2016
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Client Choice – Boutique Family Law Firm of the Year in Pennsylvania 2016
CorporateINTL
Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™, Inaugural Edition 2011
Martindale-Hubbell®
Citizens Bank Pro Bono Award 2009 (Berner Klaw & Watson)
Philadelphia Bar Foundation
Chancellor’s Award 2002 (Berner & Klaw)
Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program
Philadelphia Family-Friendly Award 2000 (Berner & Klaw)
Philadelphia Bar Association
*Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer review publication in the legal profession, partnering with U.S. News & World Report, the leading rankings publication in the U.S., to rank lawyers and law firms in the United States.
**Chosen by nominations from PA lawyers, research of periodicals, databases and interviews; all nominees’ background and experience are researched as well.
***Peer rated for highest level of professional excellence.