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Lisa Maria Shapson

Lisa Maria Shapson

BKW Family Law LLC
  • Family Law, Arbitration & Mediation
  • New Jersey, Pennsylvania
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Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Biography

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
    Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
    Arbitration & Mediation
    Business - Arbitration/Mediation, Consumer - Arbitration/Mediation, Family - Arbitration/Mediation
Fees
  • Free Consultation
  • Credit Cards Accepted
    We accept all major credit cards (Discovery, MasterCard, Visa).
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    $500 flat rate consultation $425/hour
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
New Jersey
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Pennsylvania
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Languages
  • English
Professional Experience
Partner
BKW Family Law LLC
- Current
Formerly Berner Klaw and Watson LLP
Attorney
Berner Klaw & Watson, LLP
-
Attorney
Stark & Stark, P.C.
-
Attorney
Raffaele & Puppio, LLP
-
Education
Villanova University School of Law
J.D. (2000) | Law
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Bucknell University
B.S. (1997) | Business Administration
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Awards
Best Lawyers in America 2016-2024* (Family Law)
Best Lawyers
Philadelphia – Family Law & Family Law Mediation – Tier 1 U.S. News & World Report-Best Lawyers
Best Law Firms 2017-2024 (BKW Family Law LLC fka Berner Klaw & Watson LLP)
Top Women-Owned Businesses 2016-2023 (BKW Family Law LLC fka Berner Klaw & Watson LLP)
Philadelphia Business Journal
PA Super Lawyer: 2013-2013*
Super Lawyers®, part of Thomson Reuters
Bar Star 2022
Philadelphia Bar Association
Most Non-CLE Programming as Co-Chair of the Family Law Section ADR Committee
Pro Bono Publico Award 2018
Court of Common Pleas – Family Division, Domestic Relations First Judicial District of PA
Pro Bono Roll of Honor 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018 (exemplary pro bono work)
First Judicial District of Pennsylvania
PA Super Lawyer: Rising Stars Edition
Super Lawyers®, part of Thomson Reuters
Professional Associations
Pennsylvania Bar Association (current)  # 85896
Member
Current
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Philadelphia Bar Association, Mentoring Committee, Family Law Section (current)
Co-Chair
Current
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Philadelphia Bar Association, Equitable Distribution Committee, Family Law Section
Co-Chair
Current
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The Nicholas Cipriani American Inn of Court
Executive Committee Member
Current
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Programming Committee, The Nicholas Cipriani American Inn of Court (current)
Co-Chair
Current
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The Nicholas Cipriani American Inn of Court (current)
Executive Committee Member
Current
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Programming Committee, The Nicholas Cipriani American Inn of Court
Co-Chair
Current
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Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas (current)
Arbitrator
Current
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St. Mary Interparochial School Home & School Association (current)
President
Current
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The Thomas S. Forkin Family Law American Inn of Court
Member
Current
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Board of Parents Anonymous of New Jersey
Secretary
Current
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Philadelphia Bar Association, Family Law Section (current)
Member
Current
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New Jersey State Bar Association, Family Law Section (current)
Member
Current
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American Bar Association, Family Law Section
Member
Current
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Bucks County Bar Association
Member
Current
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Publications
Articles & Publications
It Should Be PC to Use a PC
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Common Sense Rules for Parents During Custody Disputes
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Huss v. Weaver
Berner Klaw & Watson LLP Blog
Great Expectations: Tips for a Healthy Family Law Practice
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Some Stepparents Have to Pay Child Support in Pennsylvania
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Tips to Improve Your Law Practice Next Year
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Divorce: Time to Change How the Game is Played
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Untying the Knot in Clients’ Lives
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
How to Settle a Custody at the Outset
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Paternity and Parentage in Same-Sex Marriages
The Legal Intelligencer (Family Law Supplement)
Should ‘Lost Cause’ Payor Really Have Custody of Child?
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
The Cost of Converting ‘I Do’ to ‘I Don’t’
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Changing Custody Schedules With the Seasons
Connecticut Law Tribune (online)
Validity of Common-Law Marriages
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Modifying Custody Schedules for Child’s Changing Needs
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Dealing With Unrepresented Parties in Family Law Cases
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Modern Technology Can Hinder Effective Communication
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
What Would Your Divorce Epitaph Say?
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Alimony Is Alive and Well in New Jersey
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Avoiding Surprises at Trial: Preparing Your Client to Testify
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Requiring Divorced Parents to Pay for Children’s Post-secondary Education
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Marriage Equality Finally Arrives in Pennsylvania
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Is Your Summer Parenting Schedule Ready for Summer Vacation?
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Getting Referrals and Sustaining a Family Law Practice
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
After the Love is Gone: Settling Divorce Cases
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Defining Marriage in 2013
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Parenting: A Journey Without a GPS or Owner’s Manual
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
Disclosure of Child Abuse and Attorney-Client Privilege
The Legal Intelligencer
How to Rein In Emotional Clients
Law Journal Newsletters-The Matrimonial Strategist (online)
What Does ‘Proceeding’ Really Mean?
The Legal Intelligencer
How to Set Rules and Rein In Emotional Clients
New Jersey Law Journal (online)
Setting Rules and Reining in Emotional Clients
The Legal Intelligencer (online Family Law column)
We Can Do Better: Staying Professional as a Family Lawyer
The Legal Intelligencer
Valuations Challenging in Divorce
Philadelphia Bar Reporter
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
Websites & Blogs
Website
Contact & Map
BKW Family Law LLC
1528 Walnut Street
Suite 1100
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Telephone: (215) 790-8800
Fax: (877) 790-1421