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 (cum laude)

Bar Admissions

United States Supreme Court

Pennsylvania

New Jersey

Work Experience

BKW Family Law LLC/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. Eileen is also available as an arbitrator.

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

Immediate Past Chair, 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

Co-Panelist, Practicing Family Law in Uncertain Economic Times
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Family Law Section Winter Meeting, January 2021

How to Prepare for a Virtual Hearing
Berner Klaw & Watson LLP Blog, December 2020

Course Planner, Mistakes, Mishaps, & Malpractice: Ethical Anecdotes and Cautionary Tales for the Modern Family Lawyer
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Family Law Section Summer Meeting, July 2020

Yes, You Need a Therapist
Berner Klaw & Watson LLP Blog, May 2020

No One Cares About Your Affair
Berner Klaw & Watson LLP Blog, May 2020

Do Marital Settlement Agreements Need a Force Majeure Provision?
Pennsylvania Law Weekly, May 2020
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column), April 2020

Arbitration as an Alternative to Litigation
Berner Klaw & Watson LLP Blog, April 2020

Prepare for Divorce While in Quarantine
Berner Klaw & Watson LLP Video, April 2020

Wedding Planning? Consult with a Divorce Attorney First!
Berner Klaw & Watson LLP Blog, April 2020

The COVID-19 Financial Fallout – Child Support
Berner Klaw & Watson LLP Blog, March 2020

Parenting in a Pandemic
Berner Klaw & Watson LLP Blog, March 2020

Co-Presenter, Riding the Waves of Life: Divorce, Custody and Support in an Ever-Changing World
Pennsylvania Bar Institute, CLE Down the Shore, August 2019

Sharing College Costs (Weber v. Weber)
Berner Klaw & Watson LLP Blog, August 2019

Co-Panelist, Case Law, Rules & Legislative Updates
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Family Law Section Summer Meeting, July 2019

Passing the Starbucks Test (H.Z. v. M.B.)
Berner Klaw & Watson LLP Blog, March 2019

Presenter, What Divorce & Custody Mediators Need to Know About the Impact of the Recent Tax Revisions
Good Shepherd Mediation Program, February 2019

Moderator, Philadelphia County Domestic Relations Practice
Pennsylvania Bar Institute, November 2017

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), November 2017

Moderator, Legislative, Rules and Case Law Updates
Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section, July 2017

Co-Presenter, Custody Law Flipped Classroom Project: Custody 101
Pennsylvania Bar Institute, February 2017

Panelist, Young Lawyers Division, Lawyer for a Day
Philadelphia Bar Association, May 2016

Co-Presenter, Family Law Institute, Case Law Updates
Pennsylvania Bar Institute, April 2016

Panelist, Young Lawyers Division Boot Camp, Interviewing Skills
Philadelphia Bar Association, October 2015

Co-Presenter, Trying a Protection from Abuse Case
The Nicholas A. Cipriani American Inn of Court, January 2015

Panelist, Practice of Family Law
Temple University Beasley School of Law, April 2014

Presenter, Paternity and Custody Case Law Updates
Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section, January 2014

Co-Presenter, What Pennsylvania Lawyers Need to Know About New Jersey Family Law Practice
The Nicholas A. Cipriani American Inn of Court, September 2013

Co-Presenter, Dependency 101
The Nicholas A. Cipriani American Inn of Court, February 2013

Boards / Memberships / Community Service

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

Member, Friends Board (current)
Co-Chair, Crescendo Club

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

Temple University Beasley School of Law

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

Awards

Best Lawyers in America 2020-2022* (Family Law)
Best Lawyers®

PA Super Lawyers: Rising Stars Edition 2020-2021**
Super Lawyers®, part of Thomson Reuters

Pro Bono Roll of Honor 2013-2015, 2017-2019 (exemplary pro bono work) First Judicial District of Pennsylvania

Eric D. Turner Award 2010
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

*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.

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