Joni Berner

Joni Berner

Berner Klaw & Watson LLP
  • Arbitration & Mediation, Divorce, Family Law
  • Pennsylvania
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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.

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
Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    $400 flat rate for consultation; $400/hour for representation
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Pennsylvania
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U.S. Supreme Court
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
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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Education
Villanova University School of Law
J.D. (1978)
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Villanova University School of Law Logo
Cedar Crest College
B.A. (1975) | Political Science and International Affairs
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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
PA Super Lawyer 2012-2018**
Super Lawyers®, part of Thomson Reuters
Business Integrity Award 2017 (Berner Klaw & Watson LLP)
Independence Business Alliance
Top 50 Women-Owned Businesses 2016-2017 (Berner Klaw & Watson LLP)
Philadelphia Business Journal
Brennan Award 2004, 2005 (Berner & Klaw); 2013-2015; 2017 (Berner Klaw & Watson LLP)
Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program
Top 25 Law Firms by Pro Bono Hours 2016-2017 (Berner Klaw & Watson LLP)
Philadelphia Business Journal
Inaugural Industry Icon Award – Legal 2016
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Client Choice – Boutique Family Law Firm of the Year in Pennsylvania
CorporateINTL
Top 100 Women-Owned Businesses 2013-2015*
Philadelphia Business Journal
Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™, Inaugural Edition
Martindale-Hubbell®
Citizens Bank Pro Bono Award 2009 (Berner, Klaw & Watson LLP)
Philadelphia Bar Foundation
Chancellor’s Award 2002 (Berner & Klaw)
Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program
Philadelphia Family-Friendly Award 2000 (Berner & Klaw)
Philadelphia Bar Association
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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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
Perspectives on Building a Women-Owned Law Firm
The Legal Intelligencer (Women in the Profession Supplement, April 2014)
Reflections on My First IACP Conference
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Collaborative Law Committee (Fall 2013)
Training the Next Generation of Family Law Attorneys
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column, April 2013)
Follow Rules With Funds, Avoid Discipline
Nicole Edwards Philadelphia Bar Reporter
Two Philadelphia Law Firms . . . to Receive Prestigious Philadelphia Bar Foundation Awards
Philadelphia Bar Association
Prenuptial Agreements (Chapter) The Impact of Domestic Violence on Your Legal Practice: A Lawyer’s Handbook
American Bar Association (1996, 2004)
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
Websites & Blogs
Website
Berner Klaw & Watson LLP
Contact & Map
1528 Walnut Street
Suite 1100
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Telephone: (215) 790-8800
Fax: (877) 790-1421