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Lisa Maria Shapson

Berner Klaw & Watson, LLP

19 years experience
Family Law, Arbitration & Mediation
New Jersey, Pennsylvania

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Claimed Lawyer Profile

Summary

I am passionate about family law issues and write about them routinely for The Legal Intelligencer’s online family law column. If you need help with adoption, custody, divorce, name change, protection from abuse or support issues in either Philadelphia or surrounding Pennsylvania counties – or Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties in New Jersey – I’m here for you, either as an advocate or mediation coach. I co-chair the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Equitable Distribution Committee, and have been named as a Super Lawyer in Pennsylvania and listed on the First Judicial District’s Pro Bono Roll of Honor for exemplary pro bono work.

Practice Areas

Family Law
Arbitration & Mediation

Fees

Credit Cards Accepted
We accept all major credit cards (Discovery, MasterCard, Visa).
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
$400 flat rate consultation $375/hour

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

New Jersey
Since 2000

Pennsylvania
Since 2000

Professional Experience

Attorney: Berner Klaw & Watson, LLP; 2007 - Current

Attorney: Stark & Stark, P.C.; 2001 - 2007

Attorney: Raffaele & Puppio, LLP; 2000 - 2001

Education

Villanova University School of Law: J.D. (2000) | Law; 1997 - 2000

Bucknell University: B.S. (1997) | Business Administration; 1993 - 1997

Awards

PA Super Lawyer: 2013-2019*: Super Lawyers®, part of Thomson Reuters; 2019

Pro Bono Publico Award 2018: Court of Common Pleas – Family Division, Domestic Relations First Judicial District of PA; 2018

Pro Bono Roll of Honor 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018 (exemplary pro bono work): First Judicial District of Pennsylvania; 2018

PA Super Lawyer: Rising Stars Edition: Super Lawyers®, part of Thomson Reuters; 2010

Professional Associations

Pennsylvania Bar Association (current) # 85896: Member; Current

Philadelphia Bar Association, Mentoring Committee, Family Law Section (current): Co-Chair; Current

Philadelphia Bar Association, Equitable Distribution Committee, Family Law Section: Co-Chair; Current

The Nicholas Cipriani American Inn of Court: Executive Committee Member; Current

Programming Committee, The Nicholas Cipriani American Inn of Court (current): Co-Chair; Current

The Nicholas Cipriani American Inn of Court (current): Executive Committee Member; Current

Programming Committee, The Nicholas Cipriani American Inn of Court: Co-Chair; Current

Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas (current): Arbitrator; Current

St. Mary Interparochial School Home & School Association (current): President; Current

The Thomas S. Forkin Family Law American Inn of Court: Member; Current

Board of Parents Anonymous of New Jersey: Secretary; Current

Philadelphia Bar Association, Family Law Section (current): Member; Current

New Jersey State Bar Association, Family Law Section (current): Member; Current

American Bar Association, Family Law Section: Member; Current

Bucks County Bar Association: Member; Current

Publications

Articles & Publications

It Should Be PC to Use a PC: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); November, 2016

Common Sense Rules for Parents During Custody Disputes: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); August, 2016

Huss v. Weaver: Berner Klaw & Watson LLP Blog; June, 2016

Great Expectations: Tips for a Healthy Family Law Practice: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); March, 2016

Some Stepparents Have to Pay Child Support in Pennsylvania: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); February, 2016

Tips to Improve Your Law Practice Next Year: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); December, 2015

Divorce: Time to Change How the Game is Played: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); November, 2015

Untying the Knot in Clients’ Lives: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); October, 2015

How to Settle a Custody at the Outset: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); August, 2015

Paternity and Parentage in Same-Sex Marriages: The Legal Intelligencer (Family Law Supplement); July, 2015

Should ‘Lost Cause’ Payor Really Have Custody of Child?: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); July, 2015

The Cost of Converting ‘I Do’ to ‘I Don’t’: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); June, 2015

Changing Custody Schedules With the Seasons: Connecticut Law Tribune (online); May, 2015

Validity of Common-Law Marriages: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); May, 2015

Modifying Custody Schedules for Child’s Changing Needs: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); April, 2015

Dealing With Unrepresented Parties in Family Law Cases: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); February, 2015

Modern Technology Can Hinder Effective Communication: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); January, 2015

What Would Your Divorce Epitaph Say?: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); November, 2014

Alimony Is Alive and Well in New Jersey: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); October, 2014

Avoiding Surprises at Trial: Preparing Your Client to Testify: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); September, 2014

Requiring Divorced Parents to Pay for Children’s Post-secondary Education: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); August, 2014

Marriage Equality Finally Arrives in Pennsylvania: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); June, 2014

Is Your Summer Parenting Schedule Ready for Summer Vacation?: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); May, 2014

Getting Referrals and Sustaining a Family Law Practice: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); March, 2014

After the Love is Gone: Settling Divorce Cases: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); February, 2014

Defining Marriage in 2013: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); October, 2013

Parenting: A Journey Without a GPS or Owner’s Manual: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); August, 2013

Disclosure of Child Abuse and Attorney-Client Privilege: The Legal Intelligencer; July, 2013

How to Rein In Emotional Clients: Law Journal Newsletters-The Matrimonial Strategist (online); June, 2013

What Does ‘Proceeding’ Really Mean?: The Legal Intelligencer; May, 2013

How to Set Rules and Rein In Emotional Clients: New Jersey Law Journal (online); April, 2013

Setting Rules and Reining in Emotional Clients: The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column); March, 2013

We Can Do Better: Staying Professional as a Family Lawyer: The Legal Intelligencer; March, 2013

Valuations Challenging in Divorce: Philadelphia Bar Reporter; June, 2011

Speaking Engagements

A Conversation with Susan Rieger, author of The Divorce Papers (panel), Dual Presentation: The Thomas S. Forkin Family Law and The Nicholas Cipriani American Inns of Court
Philadelphia County Domestic Relations Practice-Divorce Process (co-presenter), Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education
What PA Lawyers Need to Know About New Jersey Family Law Practice (panel), Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education
Seventh Annual Family Law Institute (panel), Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education
Your First Divorce Case–General Practitioners’ Update (panel), Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education
Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMCSO): What is it and Do I Need One? (moderator): Philadelphia Bar Association, Family Law Section
Slicing Up the Pie: Property Distribution in Pennsylvania-Alimony Section (co-presenter): Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education
Philadelphia County Domestic Relations Practice-Divorce Process (co-presenter): Pennsylvania Bar Institute Continuing Legal Education
New Social Security Rules Regarding Divorcing Spouses (co-presenter): Philadelphia Bar Association, Family Law Section
Anatomy of a Prenuptial Agreement (co-presenter): Philadelphia Bar Association, Family Law Section