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Education
Northeastern University
School of Law, Boston, MA
J.D. 1984
Boston University, Boston,
MA
B.A. in Political Science
1980 (magna cum laude)
London School of Economics,
London, England
Program in political science
through the Institute of European Studies 1979
Oberlin Conservatory,
Oberlin, OH
1975-1976
Bar Admissions
Pennsylvania
New York
Work Experience
Berner Klaw & Watson
LLP/Berner & Klaw, Philadelphia, PA 1994-Present
Founding partner.
Practice includes all aspects of family law, divorce and custody mediation,
and representation of plaintiffs in personal injury cases arising from
domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.
Law Offices of Joni J.
Berner, Philadelphia, PA 1991-1993
Associate to solo practitioner.
Practice included all aspects of family law.
Women Against Abuse Legal
Center, Philadelphia, PA 1988-1991
Litigation Coordinator.
Staff attorney in charge of protection from abuse, custody and appellate
litigation for public interest organization serving victims of domestic
violence.
Victim Services Agency,
New York, NY 1986-1988
Assistant General Counsel.
In-house counsel in charge of training, legislative and policy work on
issues of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse.
Law Offices of Phyllis
Gelman, New York, NY 1984-1986
Associate to solo practitioner.
Practice included employment discrimination, civil rights and family law.
Bar Association
Activities
Member,
Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section
Philadelphia
Bar Association Activities
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| Co-Chair,
Family Law Section Committee on the Legal Rights of Unmarried Cohabitants |
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| Member,
Board of Governors |
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| Chair,
Family Law Section |
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| Officer,
Family Law Section |
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| Co-Chair,
Women's Rights Committee |
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| Co-Chair,
Family Law Section Domestic Violence Committee |
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| Member,
Commission of Judicial Selection |
Court Appointments
| Guardian
Ad Litem |
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| Pro
Bono Counsel |
Lectures/Trainings/Consulting/Publications
| Temple University, Beasley
School of Law, Adjunct Professor |
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| The Earle Mack School of
Law at Drexel University |
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| Villanova University School
of Law |
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| Habitat for Humanity |
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| American Bar Association
Pro Bono Conference |
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| Economics of Justice Conference |
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| University of Pennsylvania
School of Social Work |
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| Philadelphia Volunteers
for the Indigent Program |
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| Homeless Advocacy Project |
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| Chestnut Hill Hospital Parenting
Program |
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| Philadelphia Probation Department |
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| Temple University School
of Law |
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| Pennsylvania Coalition Against
Domestic Violence |
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| Pennsylvania Bar Institute
Continuing Legal Education |
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| Fundamentals of Family
Law, Family Law Updates, Philadelphia Domestic Relations Practice, Family
Law Potpourri, Symposium on the Family in the 21st Century, Bench-Bar Conference,
Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section Conference, Primer on Family
Law, General Practitioner’s Update, Government Intervention in Parenting
Decisions |
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| Joni J. Berner & Margaret
Klaw, “Prenuptial Agreements.” |
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| The Impact of Domestic
Violence on Your Legal Practice: A Lawyer’s Handbook, Eds. Margaret
Drew, et al. (American Bar Association 1996, 2004). |
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| Margaret Klaw, "Family
Law Unraveled." |
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| The Philadelphia Lawyer
Magazine (Spring 2011). |
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| Margaret Klaw, “Relationship
Between Distribition of Assets and Award of Alimony.” |
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| Slicing Up the Pie:
Property Distribution in Pennsylvania, Ed. David L. Ladov (Pennsylvania
Bar Institute Press 2010). |
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| Margaret Klaw, "A
New Direction for Private Contracts Regarding Child Support and Care?" |
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| Upon Further Review,
Philadelphia
Bar Association (December 2008). |
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| Margaret Klaw & Mary
A. Scherf, Philadelphia Bar Association: "Grandparent
Custody Rights: Best Interest of the Child or Interference with a Parent's
Prerogative," |
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| The Philadelphia Lawyer
Magazine (Spring 2000). |
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| Margaret Klaw & Megan
Watson, Philadelphia Bar Association, Cover Story: "Whose
Child is This? Second-Parent Adoption in Pennsylvania," |
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| The Philadelphia Lawyer
Magazine (Fall 2001). |
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Board Memberships/Community
Service
Awards
| First Judicial District
of Pennsylvania's 2012 Pro Bono Roll of Honor for exemplary pro bono work |
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| Martindale-Hubbell®
Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™, Inaugural Edition 2011 |
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| Super
Lawyer 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011* |
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Citizens Bank Pro Bono Award
(to Berner, Klaw & Watson LLP) 2009
Philadelphia Bar Foundation |
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Brennan Award (to Berner
& Klaw) 2004 and 2005
Philadelphia Volunteers
for the Indigent Program |
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Chancellor’s Award (to Berner
& Klaw) 2002
Philadelphia Volunteers
for the Indigent Program |
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Philadelphia Family-Friendly
Award (to Berner & Klaw) 2000
Philadelphia Bar Association |
*Chosen
by nominations from PA lawyers, research of periodicals, databases and
interviews. All nominees' background and experience are researched
as well. |
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