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Joni Berner
Berner Klaw & Watson LLP
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Claimed Lawyer Profile
Biography
I became a lawyer because I like helping people resolve their differences. Although I practiced family law with a large Center City firm early in my career, I went out on my own in 1988 and never looked back. I founded our firm on the principle of providing superior service at reasonable rates for our clients while providing a flexible and supportive work environment for our employees. For twenty years and counting, we are proud to have maintained this model. While handling many custody, divorce, protection from abuse and support trials throughout my career, my practice now focuses on collaborative law and mediation. I also serve as an adjunct family law professor at Villanova.
Education
- Villanova University School of Law
- J.D. (1978)
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- Cedar Crest College
- B.A. (1975) | Political Science and International Affairs
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Professional Experience
- Managing Partner
- Berner Klaw & Watson LLP
- - Current
- Managing Partner
- Law Offices of Joni J. Berner
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- Managing Attorney
- Women’s Law Project
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- Trial Attorney
- City of Philadelphia Law Department
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- Associate
- Blank Rome
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- Intern
- Juvenile Law Center
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Publications
Articles & Publications
- Unbundled Legal Services
- Pennsylvania Bar Association (Quarterly, April 2019)
- Transforming a Family Law Practice to a Peacemaking Practice
- The Legal Intelligencer (Family Law Supplement, July 2018)
- Women in Law: Those who made a big move share the lessons learned John George
- Philadelphia Business Journal
- A ‘See You in Court’ Mentality May Stifle Good Lawyering
- The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column, June 2017)
- Emerging Icons: Recognized as having ‘the potential to become legends’ Diane Mastrull
- The Philadelphia Inquirer
Speaking Engagements
- Co-Presenter, Avoiding Malpractice with Technology
- Philadelphia Bar Association
- Co-Presenter, Developing a Collaborative Process for Pro Bono or Modest Means Cases
- Pennsylvania Bar Association, Collaborative Law Committee
- Co-Panelist, Alternate Dispute Resolution in Family Law
- Family Law Society, Villanova University School of Law
- Co-Panelist, Considerations Before Starting Your Own Solo Practice or Small Firm
- Philadelphia Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
- Co-Panelist, Women in Law on the Frontlines of Change
- Philadelphia Business Journal
Awards
- Best Lawyers in America 2016-2020* (Collaborative Law & Family Law)
- Best Lawyers®
- Best Lawyers in America 2017-2020* (Family Law Mediation)
- Best Lawyers®
- Best Law Firms 2017-2019 (Berner Klaw & Watson LLP) Philadelphia – Family Law & Family Law Mediation – Tier 1
- U.S. News & World Report-Best Lawyers®
- AV Preeminent® 2018***
- Martindale-Hubbell®
- Pro Bono Roll of Honor 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018 (exemplary pro bono work)
- First Judicial District of Pennsylvania
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association
- Member
- Current
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- Pennsylvania Bar Association, Family Law Section (current)
- Member
- Current
- Activities: Member (and past co-chair), Lawyer Referral & Information Service Committee (current) Chair, Family Law Section’s Web Page Coordinator Committee Co-Chair, Solo and Small Firm Management Committee Member/Family Law Section representative, Board of Governors Member, Judicial Selection Committee Chair, Family Law Section Officer, Family Law Section
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- Pennsylvania Bar Association, Collaborative Law Committee (current)
- Member/Law School Liaison
- Current
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- Pennsylvania Bar Association, Family Law Section (current)
- Council Member
- Current
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- Philadelphia Bar Association, Lawyer Referral & Information Service Committee (current)
- Member (and past co-chair)
- Current
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- Philadelphia Bar Association, Family Law Section’s Web Page Coordinator Committee
- Chair
- Current
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- Philadelphia Bar Association, Solo and Small Firm Management Committee
- Co-Chair
- Current
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- Philadelphia Bar Association, Board of Governors
- Member/Family Law Section representative
- Current
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- Philadelphia Bar Association, Judicial Selection Committee
- Member
- Current
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- Philadelphia Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Chair
- Current
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- Philadelphia Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Officer
- Current
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- Cedar Crest College (current)
- Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees
- Current
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- Radnor Fire Company (current)
- Vice President
- Current
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- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (current)
- Member
- Current
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- Collaborative Law Affiliates of Southeastern Pennsylvania (current)
- Member
- Current
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- Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas (current)
- Arbitrator
- Current
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- Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program (current)
- Volunteer
- Current
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- USPS REDRESS (Postal Service Employee Mediation Program) (current)
- Mediator
- Current
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- Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Volunteer Mediation Program
- Volunteer
- Current
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- Villanova University School of Law Alumnae Advisory Board
- Board Member and Past President (2013-14)
- Current
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- Women’s Therapy Center of Philadelphia (now Therapy Center of Philadelphia)
- Board Member and Past President (2012)
- Current
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- Good Shepherd Mediation Program
- Board Member
- Current
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- Women’s Law Project; Founding Member, Myra Bradwell Society
- Board Member
- Current
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- Family Mediation Association of Delaware Valley
- Chairperson
- Current
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- American Immigration Lawyers Association Bedford Hills Program
- Member
- Current
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- Delaware County Bar Association, Family Law Section (current)
- Member
- Current
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- Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, Cedar Crest College
- Current
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- Radnor Fire Company
- Vice President,
- Current
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- Philadelphia Bar Association, Family Law Section (current)
- Member
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Pennsylvania
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- U.S. Supreme Court
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Fees
- Credit Cards Accepted
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Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
$400 flat rate for consultation; $400/hour for representation
Practice Areas
- Arbitration & Mediation
- Business Arbitration, Consumer Arbitration, Family Arbitration
- Divorce
- Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
- Family Law
- Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
Additional Practice Area
- Collaborative Law
Languages
- English: Spoken, Written
Social Media
Websites & Blogs
- Website
- Berner Klaw & Watson LLP
Joni J. Berner
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