Law in the Family

In episode 59 of Law in the Family, hosts Aaron Weems speaks with attorney Andrew Taylor aboutr recent revisions to the Support Guidelines that went into effect January 1st.

Andrew D. Taylor joined Shemtob Draganosky Taylor Stein, PC in 2014. Drew has practiced family law exclusively since 2005. He is experienced in all aspects of family law, including equitable distribution, alimony, child support, child custody and abuse matters. He regularly argues appeals before the Pennsylvania Superior Court involving complex family law issues and argued before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Host Aaron D. Weems, is a partner and family law attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell, Pa.

In episode 58 of Law in the Family, hosts Aaron Weems and Jennifer Ryan speak with current chair Jerry Shoemaker. He speaks about his goals and initiatives for his year and the upcoming Winter Meeting in Philadelphia and the Summer Section meeting in Chicago.

Jerry Shoemaker is a Shareholder in the Plymouth Meeting office of Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller PC. He focuses his practice on all areas of domestic relations law.

Host Aaron D. Weems, is a partner and family law attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell, Pa.

Host Jennifer R. Ryan is a partner at Boyd & Early Family Law, servicing Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Philadelphia and Delaware counties.

In episode 57 of Law in the Family, hosts Aaron Weems and Jen Ryan speak with attorneys Helen Casale and Rebecca Levin Nayak about a potential attack on marriage equality from a familiar source, and what if any risks there are now and in the future to marriage equality on the state and federal level.

Helen Casale is an advocate for her clients, often taking on the most complicated cases in domestic relations law. She concentrates her practice on all aspects of family law, including divorce, child support, custody, spousal support, asset protection, complex property division, date of separation issues, protection from abuse matters, and more.

Rebecca Levin Nayak guides her clients through the complexities of adoption, assisted reproduction, surrogacy, and other means of creating and protecting families. Particularly experienced in parentage law, she strives to ensure that the legal relationships between children and the adults who love and provide for them are secure.

Host Aaron D. Weems, is a partner and family law attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell, Pa.

Host Jennifer R. Ryan is a partner at Boyd & Early Family Law, servicing Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Philadelphia and Delaware counties.

In episode 56 of Law in the Family, host Amanda Frett speaks with Brian S. Quinn, Esquire, who currently serves as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc. (“LCL”). LCL is a Lawyers Assistance program established in 1988 for the purpose of helping lawyers, judges, and law students recover from alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health disorders. Brian discusses the many stresses of the legal practice, while injecting his own personal experiences and unique perspective, and how LCL can help those in the legal profession and their family members in distress.

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In episode 55 of Law in the Family, host Jen Ryan sits down with Maria Testa and Kimberly Dudick to explore their vital work as Guardian Ad Litems (GALs). Together, they discuss the responsibilities, challenges, and emotional impact of advocating for children and vulnerable individuals within the legal system. The conversation also offers practical insights for attorneys representing parents—highlighting how collaboration and clear communication with GALs can lead to better outcomes for families. This episode is a must-listen for family law attorneys looking to strengthen their working relationships with GALs and better serve their clients.

Maria N. Testa is the Founding Partner of Testa & Pagnanelli, LLC. With nearly two decades of Family Law experience, Maria has consistently been named a Super Lawyer in this practice area. Ms. Testa is dedicated to providing quality and effective representation for her clients.

Kimberly A. Dudick is a dedicated family law attorney at Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld, LLC. She has been a family law attorney for nearly 16 years and focuses her practice in Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Philadelphia Counties.

In episode 54 of Law in the Family, hosts Jen Ryan and Amanda Frett speak with licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Adam Assoian, Founder of Ally Psychological Services, about Imposter Syndrome, and how it affects attorneys. Dr. Adam sheds light on how the high-stakes, high-performance culture within the legal profession often fosters feelings of inadequacy—even among successful, competent attorneys, and shares tips and advice on how to deal with the anxieties and challenges that arise for attorneys dealing with Imposter Syndrome, so they can best represent their clients and maintain their own mental well-being. The discussion underscores that recognizing and addressing Imposter Syndrome is not just a personal benefit—it’s essential for attorneys to function at their best and serve their clients with confidence and clarity.

In episode 53 of Law in the Family, host Alex Bondy speaks with Sarah Katz about child abuse investigations and their impact on custody litigation. With the passing of Kayden’s Law, child abuse claims are increasingly relevant in custody practice. Sarah tells us what to look for, and gives some practice tips, when faced with this issue.

Sarah Katz is a Clinical Professor of Law at Temple University Beasley School of Law and a current Senior Fellow with the Stoneleigh Foundation. She directs and teaches the newly created Family Justice Clinic at Temple Law, which advocates in partnership and solidarity with families whose family stability and integrity have been impacted by state intervention. Prior to her arrival at Temple, Katz was a supervising attorney in the Family Advocacy Unit at Community Legal Services in Philadelphia, Pa, where her responsibilities included representation of parents in civil child abuse and neglect cases.

Law in the Family host, Alex Bondy, is an associate at Hofstein Meyer Rocco Finger & Weiner, P.C. in Philadelphia.

In episode 52 of Law in the Family, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with Fox Rothschild family law partner Jessica Kitain about tax tips and considerations family law attorneys should make regarding their clients' tax filings.

Jessica began her legal career in the litigation department at Fox Rothschild and focuses her practice exclusively on family law matters. She has experience representing high net worth clients in all family law matters and effectively addressing their unique and complex financial needs. Her clients have included professional athletes, business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, physicians, members of the judiciary and lawyers. Jessica has advised parents, grandparents, parents of special needs children and third-party caregivers in custody matters.

Law in the Family podcast host, Aaron D. Weems, is a partner and family law attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell, Pa.

In episode 50 of the Law in the Family podcast, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with Andrew Kelly from RSM about the ins and outs of business valuations, and how lawyers can maximize the value of the work product, the process, and how to collaborate with your expert.

Andrew Kelly is a Director on RSM US LLP’s Financial Investigations and Dispute Advisory Services team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In his current role, Andrew serves as a financial forensics expert witness and litigation consultant with concentrations on valuation, financial analysis, and forensic accounting services. His services include valuing privately owned businesses for family law matters. He has provided expert witness testimony in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, State of New Jersey, State of Delaware, and State of Texas.

The Law in the Family podcast host, Aaron D. Weems, is a partner and family law attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell, Pa.

In episode 49 of the Law in the Family podcast, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with attorney Bob Salzer about issues he has encountered with older litigants, and the unique challenges facing the Baby Boomer generation in divorces.

Robert Salzer, Esquire is a partner with Williams Family Law in Doylestown, Bucks County. Bob is a fellow with the American Academy of Matrimonial Attorneys and frequent speaker on family law issues, when he’s not playing hockey or spending time with his family.

The Law in the Family podcast host, Aaron D. Weems, is a partner and family law attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell, Pa.

In episode 46 of the Law in the Family podcast, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with Matthew Rogers about Kayden's Law. Kayden’s Law was signed in as a new law by Gov. Josh Shapiro on April 15, 2024. This law, drafted and passed in the aftermath of the murder of Kayden Mancuso, is intended to create greater safeguards for children by placing a greater emphasis on considering a party’s history of abuse or convictions of certain crimes. This law creates a rebuttable presumption where a history of abuse exists, and introduces a greater reliance on supervised custody arrangements and supervised custody providers.

Rogers and Weems discuss the broader changes Kayden’s Law brings to the custody code, and what we should expect as it becomes integrated into custody cases.

Matthew Rogers is a partner at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel and is located in the firm’s Pittsburgh office. He concentrates his practice on all aspects of family law and estate planning and administration. Rogers is experienced in navigating the complexities of family law, ensuring that emotions are appropriately addressed while focusing on achieving favorable outcomes.

The Law in the Family podcast host, Aaron D. Weems, is a partner and family law attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell, Pa.

In episode 45 of the Law in the Family podcast, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with attorneys Carolyn Zack and Robb Bunde about Pennsylvania’s Family Law Arbitration Act, which provides clear guidance and rules for arbitrating family law cases. They co-chaired the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s ARD committee, which was instrumental in creating and shepherding the FLAA into law over a number of years.

Carolyn Moran Zack is a partner at Momjian Anderer LLC, a Philadelphia-based law firm focusing exclusively on family law. She is an arbitrator certified by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a mediator, and a parenting coordinator.

Robb Bunde is a founding shareholder of the Pittsburgh family law firm of Bunde & Roberts PC. Bunde has practiced exclusively in family law since his admission to the bar in 1990. He has been a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers since 2007. He is certified in Family Law Arbitration by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

The Law in the Family podcast host, Aaron D. Weems, is a partner and family law attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell, Pa.

In episode 44 of the Law in the Family podcast, in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with Lisa Kane Brown to gain practical information about how ChildLine works and the background on Pennsylvania’s child abuse statutes.

Lisa Kane Brown, owner of The Law Offices of Lisa Kane Brown LLC in Norristown, PA, has been an active attorney in the five-county area, providing independent and objective analysis on issues surrounding child abuse and trauma. She is regularly appointed as a trusted member of the bar to conduct independent investigations, represent child survivors of sexual assault, and represent foster care children. The breadth of her experience also includes providing expert commentary both in the courtroom and in the community. Lisa is also a volunteer child advocate with the Montgomery Child Advocacy Project.

The Law in the Family podcast host, Aaron D. Weems, is a partner and family law attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell, Pa.

In episode 43 of the Law in the Family podcast, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with former podcast co-host Anthony Hoover about a variety of assets and approaches when dealing with valuations.

Anthony Hoover, Levin Hoover Family Law Firm in Lemoyne, has experience in all areas of family law, including divorce, property and debt distribution, spousal support and more. Within the PBA, he is a graduate of the Bar Leadership Institute and member of the Family Law Section and Solo and Small Firm Section. He has been selected as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star and is a frequent speaker and author on the topic of family law.

The Law in the Family podcast host, Aaron D. Weems, is a partner and family law attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell, Pa.

In episode 42 of the Law in the Family podcast, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with seasoned family law attorney Peter Bort about collaborative divorces, and how they offer an alternative to litigation and a holistic approach to resolving issues.

In episode 41 of the Law in the Family podcast, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with Kate O'Connor about notable domestic relations rule changes in 2023 and proposed rules for 2024 that will impact the practice of family law in Pennsylvania.

Kathleen O’Connor, partner at Sweeney & Neary LLP in Media, has practiced family law for over 16 years. She represents clients in all areas of family law, including child custody, divorce, equitable distribution, prenuptial agreements and restraining orders. O'Connor serves as co-chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section Rules Committee and is a past chair of the Delaware County Bar Association Family Law Section. She earned her bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and psychology from the University of Maryland and her Juris Doctor from Penn State Dickinson School of Law.

The Law in the Family podcast host, Aaron D. Weems, is a partner and family law attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell, Pa.

In episode 40 of the Law in the Family podcast, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with Bill Rookstool about the mortgage industry, impact of interest rates and the hidden opportunities for divorce clients in what could be a challenging real estate market. They also discuss how the market could provide the foundation for long-term financial success.

Bill Rookstool has worked in the mortgage industry for 20 years. Based in Doylestown, he is the regional vice president for CrossCountry Mortgage, which is a top-ranked purchase lender in Pennsylvania. As a Certified Divorce Lending Professional, Rookstool assists clients, divorce attorneys and financial planners to help them make informed decisions regarding their home equity solutions. He is also a real estate investor and developer in residential, multifamily and commercial real estate throughout the Philadelphia area.

Aaron D. Weems is a partner and family law attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell, Pa., and a member of the PBA Family Law Section.

In episode 39 of the Law in the Family podcast, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with Gregory Gilston about the social media influencer industry and the forms of compensation personalities may receive through their social media platforms.

Gregory Gilston is a family law and estate planning attorney and co-managing partner at Gilston Lintzeris PLLC in Plymouth Meeting, Pa. Gilston has a master’s degree in counseling and served as a mental health counselor, facilitator and consultant with Philadelphia-based public service organizations.

Aaron D. Weems is a partner and family law attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell, Pa., and a member of the PBA Family Law Section.

In Episode 38 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems speaks with lawyer and Temple Law professor Elizabeth Lippy, about the utility of courtroom technology and the increasing responsibility on lawyers to be familiar with how to apply it for the benefit of their clients and the court.

Elizabeth Lippy is the Director of Trial Advocacy at Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia. She also maintains a private practice as a founding member of the law firm of Fairlie & Lippy, P.C., where she focuses her practice on criminal defense and civil litigation.

Aaron D. Weems is a partner and family law attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell, Pa., and a member of the PBA Family Law Section.

In Episode 37 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems speaks to Carla Schiff Donnelly, a Pittsburgh family law attorney about the initial meetings and discussions with a prenuptial agreement client.

In episode 36 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with Hillary Moonay, chair of the PBA Family Law Section, about her goals and agenda for the year.

Hillary Moonay is a partner at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel, LLP, in Doylestown, PA, where she serves as co-chair of the Family Law Department. She specializes in several areas of alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration, mediation and collaborative law.

In addition to her role as chair of the PBA Family Law Section, Moonay is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and co-chair of the Bucks County Bar Association Family Law Section. Moonay earned her Juris Doctor from University of Michigan Law School and her bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminal justice, graduating cum laude, from the University of Maryland.  

In episode 35 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with Melissa Kucinski of MK Family Law. She provides insight into the remedies and prevention measures clients can take to avoid parental abduction cases.

In episode 34 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with Jonathan Cramer of Conrad Siegel. They discuss four (of 90) important changes in the recent SECURE 2.0 Act dealing with American retirement accounts.

In episode 33 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with PBA Law Practice Management Coordinator Ellen Freedman. They discuss the issues, concerns and recommendations involved with establishing a surrogacy plan that protects your clients (and you), and how to approach the day you close out your career.

In episode 32 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks withAdam H. Tanker, a partner at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP in Doylestown. They discuss recent swings in the cryptocurrencies market, how the industry continues to evolve and what changes he expects next.

In episode 31 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with family law attorney Eliana Baer, a partner at Fox Rothschild in New Jersey. Eliana is an expert on the rabbinical court system, and discusses the nuance of this niche form of seeking resolutions within the Jewish faith, and the risks associated with it.

In episode 30 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with Mark Momjian. They discuss the evolving views of animal law and pets in divorce cases, as framed by the 20 year old case of DeSanctis v. Pritchard, whose decision and appeal have often been misunderstood when dealing with pets in family law cases.

In episode 28 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with Helen Casale. They discuss the Pennsylvania Superior Court decision in Glover v. Junior, which addresses issues of asserting parentage and assisted reproductive technology contracts.

Helen Casale is a shareholder at Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller in Norristown. She concentrates her practice on all aspects of family law, including divorce, child support, custody, spousal support, asset protection and more. Casale is an American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Fellow. She has been listed among the top 50 female attorneys in Pennsylvania every year since 2011 by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, received the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award and was named a Lawyer on the Fast Track by The Legal Intelligencer. 

In episode 27 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with Mark McCreary. Mark gives an overview of the legal and ethical issues surrounding artificial intelligence, including privacy, liability, and intellectual property. He explains how AI can impact the legal profession, especially regarding its potential for automation and its use in the decision-making process, how the ethical considerations intersect with the law, and how the law is adapting to these issues.

Co-Chair of the Privacy & Data Security Practice, Mark focuses on helping clients to comply with privacy-related laws, rules and regulations and respond effectively in the event of a data breach.

He is CIPP/US and CIPT certified by the International Association of Privacy Professionals and is the founder of the firm’s 45+ attorney Privacy & Data Security group.

Mark writes for numerous legal and technology publications and is a frequent media source on data privacy and cybersecurity issues.

In episode 26 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with psychologist Christina Carson-Sacco. They discuss how to manage challenging personalities in divorce cases.

Dr. Carson-Sacco is a clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience, co-founder of The Center for Neuropsychology and Counseling, a consultant to clinicians and other professionals, and a professional public speaker.

Currently, she works as an individual, couples, group, and family therapist for children, adolescents and adults, as well as an educational and legal consultant. In addition, Dr. Carson-Sacco devotes time to managing and growing the private group practice she created with her business partner in 2008.

Dr. Carson-Sacco has served on a number of non-profit boards that support the educational and mental health needs of children and families. In her role as a wellness consultant, she brings her decades of experience as a teacher, lecturer, and therapist to businesses with the goal of providing practical information to support employees’ well-being.

In episode 25 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with seasoned estate attorney Mary Kay Kelm. They discuss the common crossover of issues between estate litigation and family law, and what concepts family law attorneys need to be aware of for their clients.

Mary Kay Kelm practices with Kilcoyne & Kelm, LLC in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania. She concentrates her practice in civil litigation, zoning, and estate planning & administration. Ms. Kelm also forms small businesses and provides ongoing counsel in corporate matters.

Ms. Kelm is a proud graduate of St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and is a past President of the St. Joseph’s Law Alumni. She is a graduate of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law where she served on the Law Review and represented the school in a national moot court competition. She volunteers as an alumni judge for Villanova’s Moot Court program every year.

Ms. Kelm is the current Solicitor to the Montgomery Township Zoning Hearing Board and has served as a Montgomery Township volunteer in various capacities for many years. She is a former civics instructor in the Montgomery Township schools, and a former PA Bar Association mock trial coach for Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School.

Ms. Kelm considers herself fortunate to be a thirty-year member of the Montgomery Bar Association and currently serves on its Board of Directors. She also serves as a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s House of Delegates.

In episode 24 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with family law attorney Elizabeth Billies and constitutional law professor Randy Lee. They discuss how family law attorneys may not realize they are applying principles of constitutional law all the time. They also examine the recent Dobbs decision and other family law/constitutional law crossover issues.

Randy Lee teaches constitutional law, professional responsibility, torts and various writing and advocacy courses. Professor Lee has taught previously at the Villanova and University of Pittsburgh Law Schools and in the Harvard University Summer Program. The moot court teams Professor Lee has co-coached with Professor Kearney have advanced to the National Appellate Advocacy Championship three times, and their 1993 team was recognized for the third best brief in the nation. Professor Lee is a frequent speaker for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and has also done programs for the Pennsylvania Office of General Counsel, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Elizabeth Billies is a Partner at Dischell, Bartle & Dooley, PC, in Lansdale, PA, and concentrates her practice in all aspects of family law. Prior to her current position, she was law clerk for the Honorable Susan Devlin Scott of the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas, the former President Judge and Administrative Judge of Family Court. She has contributed articles to the Pennsylvania Family Lawyer and has presented on various family law topics at the Pennsylvania Bar Association, PBI as well as on family law related podcasts and webinars. You can also find her writings on her blog, The Divorce Lawyer Life. Ms. Billies received her B.A. from University of Wisconsin-Madison and her J.D. from Villanova University School of Law.

In episode 23 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with Philadelphia Councilmember Isaiah Thomas. NIL deals are still making waves in high school sports. Isaiah is already looking to support high school students who have NIL opportunities, to help them avoid pitfalls and predatory financial behavior. Isaiah speaks about his efforts, and why attorneys should be paying attention to this issue.

Councilmember Isaiah Thomas has put the success of young people at the forefront of his work. Whether in the classroom, on the basketball court, or in City Hall - he believes that education, opportunity and coalition building is the way to make a Philadelphia that works for all of us.

Councilmember Thomas has non-profit, government and private sector experience which allows him to hear multiple sides of an issue and receive input from a variety of stakeholders. He has helped young people get the best possible education, provided out-of-school time (OST) programming, strengthened communities of color and worked to improve civic education across the city.

In his freshman year on Council, Councilmember Thomas was named Chair of the Streets Committee and Vice Chair of the Children and Youth Committee. He also sits on the Appropriations, Disabled and Persons with Special Needs, Education, Creative Economy, Legislative Oversight, Parks and Recreation, Public Health, Public Safety, and Technology Committees.

A proud graduate of Philadelphia public schools, Councilmember Thomas has a Bachelor of Arts from Penn State and a Master of Education from Lincoln University, the oldest degree-granting historically Black college in the nation. He still actively coaches basketball at Sankofa Freedom Academy and is President of the Coaches Association. Thomas lives in Oak Lane with his wife Klissa and their sons, Isaiah Jr. and Isaac.

In episode 22 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with Katherine Norton and Morgan Grey of Duquesne University’s School of Law. They're leveraging their experience in the law, and artificial intelligence/machine learning, to create a program that allows pro se custody litigants to bring better crafted custody appeals to the Superior Court. This program hopes to be an example of how technology can serve the dual purpose of giving access to justice for pro se litigants, while also providing pro bono counsel an effective intake and preparation program that will allow them to maximize their time and expertise when accepting a custody appeal.

Katherine L.W. Norton, is an assistant professor and director of clinical and international programs at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University. Within the clinical legal education program, she teaches and acts as the supervising attorney for the Family Law Clinic. The Family Law Clinic provides limited legal services to low-income individuals needing assistance in the areas of child custody, divorce, family support, and domestic violence. Norton focuses her research on issues relating to access to justice and the role that technology and artificial intelligence have in this arena. Most recently Norton received an American Bar Endowment Grant for the project, Utilizing Technology to Enhance Access to Custody Appeals. This research will result in the development of an online tool to assist low-income individuals access the custody appellate process.

Morgan A. Gray is an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, where he teaches programming for lawyers. He is also a Doctorate Student in the University of Pittsburgh’s Intelligent Systems Program.  His main area of research is Legal Text Analytics, which focuses on using Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing to analyze and learn information from legal text.  Aside from this, his research interests include access to justice.  In this vein, he is currently researching the development of a tool to increase access justice for low-income individuals with respect to custody appeals. This research has been enabled by the American Bar Endowment Grant for Utilizing Technology to Enhance Access to Custody Appeals.

In episode 21 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with attorney Elizabeth Vaysman. Reproductive technologies and the law are both evolving at a rapid pace. Elizabeth helps decipher some of the concepts that make up the contracts that help people have families.

In episode 20 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with Michelle “Elle” Barr. She brings her deep knowledge of the use of Our Family Wizard as both a practicing attorney and as an education director for OFW. Elle’s insight is a must-hear for attorneys and clients alike who use OFW.

Elle is an experienced court attorney with a demonstrated history of working in the legal services industry, and with a deep commitment to children and families. She also serves as a Judicial Education Coordinator for OurFamilyWizard.

In episode 19 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with Mark Ashton. Mark has been a presence in family law for decades. He brings his analysis to the Seagraves case, a PFA that resulted in an indirect criminal contempt sentence of over 10 years, and discusses with us the unintended consequences a PFA can create in many areas of the law.

Mark practices in the area of civil litigation with a particular emphasis on family law. He has lectured throughout the Commonwealth and has written extensively on family law. After serving as judicial clerk to the Honorable Mason Avrigian on the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, Mark was associated with Abrahams and Loewenstein, and later chaired the Domestic Relations Group at Riley, Riper, Hollin & Colagreco. A longtime officer in the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Mark served as the 2016 Family Law Section chair. He is the former president of the Doris J. Freed American Inn of Court, a group of 60 attorneys in the Philadelphia area concentrating in family law. Additionally, he served as a board member of the Montgomery Bar Association and Historic Yellow Springs, Inc. where he also was President from 2009-2012.

In episode 18 of the Law in the Family podcast, cohosts and family law attorneys Aaron Weems & Anthony Hoover talk with Chelsey Christiansen. She was court-appointed to a contested adoption case, and ended up arguing before the Supreme Court on her birthday. Chelsey shares with us the unusual procedural and factual background of a contested trial and the impact of a party seeking custody of a child.

Chelsey A. Christiansen focuses her practice on family and juvenile law, litigation, child custody, divorce, child support, and child advocacy. Ms. Christiansen has experience representing clients in family law matters at the mediation, arbitration, trial, and appellate level. She also has experience providing litigation support to commercial clients, including drafting pleadings and representing the interests of commercial clients in small claims court.

In episode 17 of the Law in the Family podcast, cohosts and family law attorneys Aaron Weems & Anthony Hoover talk with incoming chair of the PBA Family Law Section, Darren Holst. They discuss his goals and plans for his year as section chair, and ways attorneys across the state can benefit from being involved in the section.

Darren Holst is a partner with the Pennsylvania family law firm of Howett, Kissinger & Holst PC. He focuses his practice on matrimonial law. Darren handles cases including complex divorce, child custody, and child support. He frequently finds himself in trial and appellate courts protecting the rights of his clients. Previously, Darren served as the clerk to Judge Samuel A. Kline of the Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Harrisburg Area Community College, where he instructs paralegals on areas including legal research, writing, ethics and core substantive law such as contracts, torts, criminal law, real property, business law and family law.

In episode 16 of the Law in the Family podcast, cohosts and family law attorneys Aaron Weems & Anthony Hoover talk with Section Chair Helen Casale. They discuss the release of a co-parenting video created and produced by the Section, as a resource for parents and attorneys to help develop better co-parenting relationships and better outcomes for children.

Helen Casale is the 2021-22 chair of the PBA Family Law Section and a shareholder at Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller in Norristown. She concentrates her practice on all aspects of family law, often taking on the most complicated cases. Helen is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She has ranked as one of the top 50 female attorneys in Pennsylvania every year since 2011 by Pennsylvania Super Lawyermagazine, received the Philadelphia Busines Journal’s 40 Under 40 award and was named a Lawyer on the Fast Track by The Legal Intelligencer and Philadelphia Law Weekly.

In episode 15 of the Law in the Family podcast, cohosts and family law attorneys Aaron Weems & Anthony Hoover talk with Janine Dunlap Kiah from the SeniorLAW Center. The SeniorLAW Center is the only pro bono organization specializing in grandparent custody cases. Volunteer opportunities exist across the state from in-person pro bono representation to serving on the Center’s hotline to advise and assist parties in need.

In episode 14 of the Law in the Family podcast, cohosts and family law attorneys Aaron Weems & Anthony Hoover talk with Skip Persick about steps that family law attorneys can take in dealing with repetitive custody litigants.

Lawrence J. “Skip” Persick focuses his practice on adoption, divorce, custody, support, dependency, and guardianship. Skip's experience also includes cases dealing with school discipline and the termination of parental rights. He has represented the prevailing party in many notable cases, including a Berks County decision granting compensatory and punitive damages on tort claims raised in the context of a divorce action. A former assistant public defender for Chester County, Skip has remained active within the county and also delivers annual talks on young people and the law to various secondary schools. Skip was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2022 edition of Best Lawyers in America for Family Law. He was also recognized among Suburban Life magazine’s 2022 Five-Star Attorneys for Divorce/Family Law.

In episode 13 of the Law in the Family podcast, cohosts and family law attorneys Aaron Weems & Anthony Hoover talk with Shelly Grossman & Carolyn Zack, about the Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act: HB 1366. The bill was unanimously passed by the state House last year and is currently awaiting action by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Shelly Grossman is a partner with Potts, Shoemaker, & Grossman in West Chester, PA. She has dedicated her time and efforts to improving the practice of family law by authoring articles for the American Bar Association’s Family Advocate and Pennsylvania Family Lawyer. She, along with Alita Rovito, Esquire, co-authored the chapter on the Equitable Distribution Trial in Slicing Up the Pie, published by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. Shelly is a frequent lecturer on divorce, equitable distribution, and other family law issues.

Carolyn Zack is a partner with Momjian Anderer in Philadelphia, PA. She serves regularly as a mediator and binding arbitrator for divorce matters, as well as a parenting coordinator for high-conflict custody matters. Ms. Zack works to improve the practice of family law by writing and teaching, as well as by actively participating in the state and local professional associations.

In episode 12 of the Law in the Family podcast, cohosts and family law attorneys Aaron Weems & Anthony Hoover talk with Michael Chilcot, about the new Pennsylvania Support Guidelines that went into effect this year. They discuss some of the important changes to the guidelines, and some changes that might not be immediately obvious, but may have serious impacts on cases.

Michael R. Chilcot, Jr. is an associate with Leech Tishman and a member of the Litigation Practice Group, where he focuses on family law. Michael is based in the State College office where he regularly advises clients on family and collaborative law and real estate law.

In episode 11 of the Law in the Family podcast, cohosts and family law attorneys Aaron Weems & Anthony Hoover talk with Jill Scheidt, a veteran family law attorney. She recently experienced one of the starkest examples of parental alienation. Jill takes us through the trial as we discuss the concept of parental alienation and how it can be approached in a custody case.

Since 1992, Jill has practiced in Berks County with current concentrations in family law including custody, support and divorce. Over the past 26 years, Jill has litigated a variety of cases to verdict, including premises liability, medical malpractice, motor vehicle negligence, assault, DUI and three murder cases, including one capital case. She has also taught courses in the paralegal program at the Pennsylvania State University in legal research, legal writing, civil procedure, criminal law and torts. She taught Introduction to Business as an adjunct instructor at Reading Area Community College.

CITATION:

In episode 10 of the Law in the Family podcast, cohosts and family law attorneys Aaron Weems & Anthony Hoover talk with Christina DeMatteo. Christina's career as a family law attorney has afforded her the opportunity to practice law in a range of law firms, from large firms to her current role as a solo/small firm. She shares with us her experience in building a thriving practice from scratch, and tips that are helpful to attorneys no matter how or where they practice.

Christina has been focused solely on family law since 1999. She is experienced in all areas of family law, including equitable distribution, alimony, alimony pendente lite, spousal support, child support, custody and abuse matters.