Russell J. Adkins
Attorney and Mediator
My practice is primarily focused family law, helping clients to navigate through the turmoil of divorce and custody. I also have experience in estate planning and administration, and elder law.
In May 2024, I was appointed as Chair of the Family Law Committee of the Mercer County Bar Association.
I have extensive experience in all types of family law matters and litigation, including:
Complex Divorce and simple divorce
Collaborative Practice, which provides an alternative to litigation
Pre- and post-nuptial agreements, and separation agreements
Property Division/Equitable Distribution and Alimony
Spousal and child support
Child custody
Adoption
I have often been consulted by schools and daycare providers for the establishment of policies and protocols when dealing with child custody orders, and I also receive regular judicial appointments as a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL); as a GAL, I investigate the facts of high-conflict custody disputes and issue a report and recommendation to the presiding judge in support of the best interests of the affected children.
In 2012, I was trained and certified in Collaborative Law, which is an innovative process by which parties to a legal dispute commit to resolving their differences without resorting to litigation. While Collaborative Law can be used to resolve any legal dispute, it has frequent application in disagreements involving families and business partners.
In 2015, I completed training as a Mediator, and accordingly I am qualified and able to provide mediation services to clients who wish to resolve their disputes out of court; I accept mediation cases involving family law matters, as well as civil cases and estate disputes.
Regardless of practice area, I attempt to find creative and innovative ways of resolving disputes and obtaining efficient results for my clients.
- Family Law
- Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
- Divorce
- Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
- Personal Injury
- Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
- Arbitration & Mediation
- Business - Arbitration/Mediation, Consumer - Arbitration/Mediation, Family - Arbitration/Mediation
- Estate Planning
- Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
- Elder Law
- Probate
- Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
- Collaborative Law
- Pennsylvania
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- English: Spoken, Written
- Partner
- Margaret T. Lucas, Attorney at Law, P.C.
- - Current
- Joined family law-focused law firm located at 245 W. Venango Street, Mercer, Pennsylvania.
- Partner
- Brouse McDowell, LPA
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- Ekker, Kuster, McCall & Epstein, LLP, became part of Brouse McDowell, LPA, a mid-sized regional law firm based in Akron, Ohio and with offices in Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania.
- Partner
- Ekker, Kuster, McCall & Epstein, LLP
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- Associate Attorney
- Ekker, Kuster, McCall & Epstein, LLP
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- Associate attorney for full-service law firm. My emphasis was family law and estate planning, with additional work in various other areas of law.
- Law Clerk to the Hon. John C. Reed, Judge
- Court of Common Pleas of Mercer County, Pennsylvania
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- Pennsylvania State Bar # 203493
- Member
- Current
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- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Current
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- Collaborative Professionals of Northwest Pennsylvania
- - Current
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- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
- - Current
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- Mercer County Bar Association
- - Current
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