Law in the Family

In episode 61 of Law in the Family , hosts and family law attorneys Effie Alexander and Carla Schiff Donnelly interview incoming chair of the PBA Family Law Section, Candice Komar, about her goals and agenda for the upcoming year, including educating the section about alternative dispute resolution, her legislative priorities, and the benefits of PBA Family Law Section membership. Candice Komar is...

In episode 60 of Law in the Family , host Jen Ryan speaks with Shelly Grossman and Candice Komar about the growing use of arbitration as an alternative to traditional court proceedings in Pennsylvania family law matters. Attorneys Grossman, Komar and Ryan provide firsthand insights into the arbitration process, common misconceptions, and best practices for attorneys representing clients in arbitra...

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 suppo...

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 practic...

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 domest...

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 disor...

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—high...

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 attorney...

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 Universi...

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 hig...

In episode 51 of the Law in the Family podcast, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with Parenting coordinators Elizabeth Early of Boyd & Early Family Law, and David Melchiorre of the Law Offices of David Melchiorre, about how the effectiveness of the current iteration of parenting coordination, some of the challenges and trends they’re confronting, and parenting coordinators, can best be utilized. Eli...

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, Pennsylvani...

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 spe...

In episode 48 of the Law in the Family podcast, co-hosts Aaron D. Weems and Jennifer Ryan speak with current Chair of the PBA Family Law Section Missy Boyd. She talks about her goals for her tenure, and the upcoming Winter and Summer Section meetings. Missy Boyd is a founding partner of Boyd & Early Family Law. She is the current Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section, as...

In episode 47 of the Law in the Family podcast, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with attorney William Phelan about US v. Rahimi, the recent US Supreme Court case, and how it may impact existing gun laws and restrictions related to Protection from Abuse Orders (PFAs). William J. (Bill) Phelan, IV is a partner at Cordell & Cordell, where he handles all manner of family law cases and appeals. He obtai...

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 ab...

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....

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...

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 o...

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. Peter Bort, principal at  Bort Law  in Malvern, has been practicing family law for more than 35 years and focusing on collaborative divorce since 2010. He al...

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,...

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 2...

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 i...

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....

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. Carla Schiff Donnelly  is a partner with the Pittsburgh law firm of Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti LLP. For more than 20 years, she has focused her p...