A Strong Advocate When It Matters Most
A trusted family law attorney for more than 30 years, Sheryl R. Rentz offers a path forward for families in the middle of some of life’s toughest transitions.
by Bill Donahue

Sheryl R. Rentz has been standing at the crossroads of love and loss for more than three decades. An attorney who specializes in family law, Rentz helps people who are struggling to navigate some of life’s most difficult transitions—namely, divorce and disputes over custody and support, among others.
 
Rentz, the founder of The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz P.C. in Bryn Mawr, has become known for her dedication, empathy, and keen legal insight. Although her profession has more than its share of demands, she remains as passionate about her work as the day she started her legal career in the early 1990s. 
 
“Family law isn’t just about divorce or custody battles,” she says. “It’s about people, and helping them find peace when they are in knee deep in chaos.”
 
Rentz make sense of the chaos by delving deep into each client’s story. She does so by gaining an understanding of the circumstances that led each client to her office and, more importantly, learning how the individual hopes to move forward after the proverbial dust has settled. 
 
“When someone comes to see me, I usually ask them to tell me their story at a high level,” she says. “Then, when I ask about things at a more detailed level, the story tends to change significantly. They have their story, which is fine, but I have to understand what the full story is. Getting to that point is a long and detailed process, because if we’re going into court, I need to know it all—good, bad, and ugly. 
 
“You have to prepare to go into the courtroom from day one,” she continues. “A good attorney always has to be ready to fight on their client’s behalf. I need to know what we’re fighting, how we’re fighting, and what are our weaknesses—and if we can somehow change those weaknesses into strengths.”
 
While Rentz is no stranger to the courtroom, she is also a proponent of potentially less traumatic alternatives, if and when appropriate. Litigation may still be the primary means of dissolving a marriage, but some clients opt for mediation, arbitration, and collaborative divorce. Regardless of which avenue a client chooses, Rentz says most clients want the same result: “a fair outcome, especially when it relates to custody of the children; people want to see their kids and be part of their lives.”
 
“Besides divorce, I spend a lot of time on custody, support, and protection from abuse orders,” she adds. “Custody issues tend to be more difficult because it’s personal, whereas divorce is about money. You have to do a lot of balancing and always keep in mind what is best for the child, while being as fair as possible to all parties involved.”
 
Rebuilding Lives
Rentz didn’t always plan on being a lawyer. She has an MBA in economics from Temple’s Fox School of Business, and she spent years working as a globe-trotting executive in the telecommunications industry. She saw a career in the law as way to have stability in her daily life and spend more time with friends and family—the people closest to her. 
 
She went on to earn her Juris Doctor from Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law, focusing on family law. Since opening her own practice in 1992, she has handled thousands of cases—ranging from straightforward divorces to complex custody disputes and high-asset separations. Her approach is grounded in clear communication, education, and accessibility.  
 
“Your clients are often in crisis, and you have to be there to help them,” she says. “Maybe they are low on money, maybe they are bored or anxious, and maybe they are just sitting around on a weekend afternoon thinking about their case. I have literally had to tell clients on a Sunday that I’ll be in a theater in New York from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and at 5:01, I have texts from them asking if I’m available now. It’s a demanding job, and I still love doing it.”
 
When asked what advice she would give to anyone who might be considering a divorce or separation, Rentz does not hesitate: “If you don’t have an attorney, find someone you feel comfortable with, and someone who will be honest with you. You want someone who will be straight with you about what they can fight for and what they can’t.”
 
Thirty years is a long time to work in any profession, yet Rentz has no plans to step away from the spotlight anytime soon. She has too many people to help. 
 
“I still love the courtroom,” she says. “I love helping children by serving as a guardian ad litem [a court-appointed representative who acts to protect the best interests of a child or other person in a legal case] and working for MCAP, the Montgomery Child Advocacy Project. And I like helping people get a second chance. Just because you’re in a bad marriage, it doesn’t mean your life should be over.”
 
With every case she takes on, Rentz strives to not only resolve legal issues, but also to guide families toward a place of healing. She’s a testament to the fact that skilled family law attorneys are much more than experts in their particular areas of the law; they are also counselors, advocates, and, above all, human beings who approach their work with compassion.
 
As she puts it, “I practice family law, but I see myself as someone who can help people rebuild their lives after periods of pain and upheaval. That’s the part of the work that matters most.”
 
Sheryl R. Rentz, Esquire
The Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz P.C.
615 Old Lancaster Road
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
(610) 645-0100
srrentzlaw.com
 
Photography by Phil Kramer
@philkramerphoto
 
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life, September 2025.
 

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