Joni J. Berner

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.

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

United States Supreme Court

United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals

Pennsylvania

BKW Family Law LLC/Berner Klaw & Watson LLP/Berner & Klaw
Philadelphia, PA 1994-Present

• Of Counsel. Practice includes providing information gathering consultations to clients in all aspects of family law, divorce and custody mediation and arbitration, small business mediation and collaborative family law.

• Founder. Practice originally included some personal injury matters and simple estate planning for same-sex couples, but ultimately consisted of all areas of family law.

• Managing attorney of “Philadelphia Child Support Project,” a multi-faceted effort to assist unrepresented parties in navigating the child support system in Philadelphia.

• Associate in the Litigation Department with eventual assignment to the plaintiff asbestos group and family law group.

• Trial attorney, handling claims against the city for alleged personal injuries, property damage and civil rights violations.

• Intern

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

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

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)

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)

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

Best Lawyers in America 2016-2027* (Collaborative Law & Family Law)
Best Lawyers®

Best Lawyers in America 2017-2027* (Family Law Mediation)
Best Lawyers®

Best Law Firms 2017-2025 (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 2012-2026**
Super Lawyers®, part of Thomson Reuters

AV Preeminent® 2018-2025**
Martindale-Hubbell®

Top Family Law Attorneys 2023
Suburban Life Magazine

Top Women-Owned Businesses 2013-2024 (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.