- Our office will be closed Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. As we honor those who served, we wish you and your loved ones a safe and peaceful weekend.
I am licensed in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. With experience at all stages of trial and appellate court litigation, I can help with unique, tailored resolutions for your family law matters. I went to law school because I wanted a career that is both challenging and rewarding. Inspired by a practical family law course in my second year, I was fortunate to land a subsequent co-op position at Berner Klaw & Watson. After graduation, I gained invaluable experience as a civil litigator, but have chosen to return to family law and to the BKW family.
Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
Philadelphia, PA
J.D. 2020
University of Delaware
Newark, DE
B.A. in History, minor in Political Science 2010
Supreme Court of the United States
United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
United States District Court, District of New Jersey
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
BKW Family Law LLC/Berner Klaw & Watson LLP
Philadelphia, PA 2019; 2022-2023; 2025- Present
Attorney. Represent clients at all stages of trial and appellate court litigation, including experience before the Superior Court en banc. 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.
Drexel Kline Cooperative Program Intern (Fall 2019). Researched case law to support firm attorneys in drafting briefs and memoranda for case proceedings; assisted with litigation support, including drafting discovery responses and filing court documents; accompanied firm attorneys during initial client consultations, throughout litigation and during mediations; observed all stages of proceedings in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey family courts.
Cordell & Cordell LLP
Philadelphia, PA 2023-2025
Attorney. Wrote an Amicus Brief cited by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in Glover v. Junior. Practiced family law in Pennsylvania, including alimony/APL, child support, custody, divorce, domestic violence, grandparent disputes, LGBTQ families, order modifications, parental relocation, and spousal support.
Sweeney & Sheehan, PC
Westmont, NJ 2020-2021
Attorney. Successful in first appeal to the NJ Appellate Division to grant leave to appeal and to reverse a trial court order; managed workers’ compensation department and caseload of liability litigation; communicated with opposing counsel and reported to clients to advance litigation and reach settlements.
Graff & Associates, LLC
Jenkintown, PA 2020
Law Clerk. Drafted litigation documents including pleadings, petitions, discovery requests and settlement agreements; researched case law to support firm attorneys in active family law cases.
Law Offices of Douglas L. Dolfman, Esq.
Philadelphia, PA 2019
Certified Legal Intern. Researched, wrote and filed Amended Petitions for Post-Conviction Relief on behalf of court-appointed clients, and Finley letters when court-appointed clients did not qualify for PCRA relief. Met with clients, filed court documents, and observed and participated in Philadelphia and Montgomery County criminal court proceedings.
Honorable Lisa M. Rau
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas
Philadelphia, PA 2018
Intern. Researched, summarized and advised Judge on Motions for Summary Judgment and Motions in Limine; interviewed jurors during voir dire and managed juries throughout trials; created court documents, performed court crier duties and observed all stages of major jury trials.
Jewish Federation
Philadelphia, PA 2014-2017
Senior Development Coordinator. Planned and executed fundraising events for up to 850 attendees and managed over 120 volunteers; administrated annual campaigns, including the creation of an efficient gift reporting dashboard to streamline solicitations, gift reporting and database tracking related to volunteer participation.
Phelan Hallinan, LP
Philadelphia, PA 2011-2013
Legal Assistant. Researched title review and title resolution claims, drafted assignment documents, coordinated service of complaints and managed quality assurance casework to support office lawyers. Identified need and created training material to ensure compliance with best practices for case operations.
Treasurer, Philadelphia Bar Association, Family Law Section (current)
Executive Committee Member, Philadelphia Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division (current)
Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Family Law Section (current)
Member, New Jersey State Bar Association (current)
Member, Philadelphia LBGTQ Bar Association (current)
Member, American Bar Association, Law Student Division
Member, Montgomery County, PA Bar Association
Member, Camden County, NJ Bar Association
Member, Mercer County, NJ Bar Association
Member, Nicholas A. Cipriani American Inn of Court (current)
Board Member, Justinian Society (current)
Board Member, The Clay Studio
Board Member, University of Delaware Alumni Club, Philadelphia Chapter
Member, Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law American Inn of Court
Volunteer Lawyer, Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program
Volunteer Lawyer, Philadelphia Family Court Help Center
Volunteer Escort, Philadelphia Women’s Clinic
Volunteer Legal Observer, National Lawyers Guild
Volunteer HelpLine Intern, Senior Law Center
Member, Philadelphia Area Disc Alliance
Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
NOTE: No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
*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.