Eileen G. Murphy

About Eileen

My goal is to provide compassionate guidance so you can navigate your situation with confidence. I am focused on understanding each client’s specific needs and concerns. No case is routine and no case is too complex. Together, we can create the best strategy for you, both financially and emotionally, whether it’s knowing when to fight in court, how to negotiate successfully with the other side or where to compromise to reach the best possible outcome.

Education

Temple University Beasley School of Law
Philadelphia, PA
J.D. 2010

Furman University
Greenville, SC
B.A. in History and Art, with a concentration in Art History, 2005

Bar Admissions

United States Supreme Court

Pennsylvania

New Jersey

Work Experience

Berner Klaw & Watson LLP
Philadelphia, PA 2017-Present

Attorney. Practice includes all aspects of family law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including adoption, alimony/APL, child support, custody, divorce, domestic violence, grandparent disputes, LGBTQ families, name changes, order modifications, parental relocation, paternity, and spousal support.

Attorney (2011-2012). Participated in one-year law clerk-attorney program. Appeared on behalf of clients in support conferences; routinely drafted pleadings and agreements in custody, divorce and support. Served as second chair in a number of trials, including custody, relocation, equitable distribution, contempt and enforcement. Drafted Motion to Quash for filing in the Appellate Division of the Pennsylvania Superior Court and co-authored firm’s appellate brief.

Law Offices of Michael E. Fingerman
Philadelphia, PA 2012-2017

Attorney. Trial and Arbitration: Represented clients in trials, hearings, short lists and conferences. Assisted arbitrator in family law matters, including preparing complex compensation and business valuations; preparing complex calculations for financial support, both retroactively and prospectively; outlining discrete assets for hearing; and drafting conclusions and awards.

Drafting and Research: Drafted pleadings, memoranda and certifications for a wide variety of cases, including those relating to special relief, equitable distribution, support, custody, contempt and enforcement, for both high and low-income litigants. Authored appellate brief on behalf of child client in case involving the involuntary termination of parental rights (termination upheld on appeal).

Negotiation and Settlement: Drafted and negotiated comprehensive agreements both in anticipation of marriage and to conclude litigation in a variety of family law practice areas.

Superior Court of New Jersey
Trial Division – Atlantic County
Atlantic City, NJ 2010-2011

Law Clerk to The Honorable Mark A. Sandson J.S.C. and Jeffrey D. Light J.S.C. Assisted in the courtroom four days per week, primarily authoring orders issued to litigants. Prepared daily case summaries for the court for all non-dissolution (FD) family law matters, which typically exceeded 100 cases per week. Researched and assisted with the drafting of the published trial court opinion, E.E. v. O.M.G.R., 420 N.J. Super 281 (2011). Trained as a New Jersey Court Mediator.

Internships

Temple University Legal Aid Office
Philadelphia, PA 2009

Certified Legal Intern – Family Law. Represented low-income clients in custody matters, including initial filings, contempt, enforcement and modification of current custody arrangements. Developed case summaries for future legal interns.

Bar Association Activities

Member, American Bar Association, Family Law Section & Young Lawyers Division (current)

Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Family Law Section

Council Member, Family Law Section (current)

Member, Philadelphia Bar Association, Family Law Section

Treasurer, Family Law Section (current)
Executive Board, Family Law Section (current)
Co-Chair, Mentoring Committee, Family Law Section (current)
Family Law Section Liaison, Executive Committee, Young Lawyers Division
Member, Young Lawyers Division

Lectures / Trainings / Consulting / Publications

Moderator, Philadelphia County Domestic Relations Practice
Pennsylvania Bar Institute

Co-Presenter, Who Gets the Dog? Prenups 101
Common Cents Club, The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (with the University of Pennsylvania Law School)

Moderator, Legislative, Rules and Case Law Updates
Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section

Co-Presenter, Custody Law Flipped Classroom Project: Custody 101
Pennsylvania Bar Institute

Panelist, Young Lawyers Division, Lawyer for a Day
Philadelphia Bar Association

Co-Presenter, Family Law Institute, Case Law Updates
Pennsylvania Bar Institute

Panelist, Young Lawyers Division Boot Camp, Interviewing Skills
Philadelphia Bar Association

Co-Presenter, Trying a Protection from Abuse Case
The Nicholas A. Cipriani American Inn of Court

Panelist, Practice of Family Law
Temple University Beasley School of Law

Presenter, Paternity and Custody Case Law Updates
Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section

Co-Presenter, What Pennsylvania Lawyers Need to Know About New Jersey Family Law Practice
The Nicholas A. Cipriani American Inn of Court

Co-Presenter, Dependency 101
The Nicholas A. Cipriani American Inn of Court

Boards / Memberships / Community Service

Executive Board Secretary, The Nicholas A. Cipriani American Inn of Court (current)

Volunteer Lawyer, Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program (current)

Volunteer Lawyer, Support Center for Child Advocates (current)

Volunteer Lawyer, Philadelphia Family Court Help Center (current)

Curtis Institute of Music (current)

Co-Chair, Crescendo Club
Member, Friends Board

Temple University Beasley School of Law

Associate Editor, Temple International and Comparative Law Journal
Associate, Rubin Public Interest Law Honor Society

Awards

Pro Bono Roll of Honor 2013-2015, 2017-2018 (exemplary pro bono work)
First Judicial District of Pennsylvania

Eric D. Turner Award 2010
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

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