This year, the Montgomery County Bar Association Family Law Section has a new leader, Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP partner Stephanie H. Winegrad. For anyone who knows Winegrad, it probably comes as no surprise that this reserved yet proactive lawyer now leads one of the largest family law bars in the state. After working her way up the ranks of the Family Law Section, this January, Winegrad took the reins.
As chair of the Family Law Section of the Montgomery County Bar, Winegrad is charged with organizing monthly meetings that address timely topics and serve as forums for communication between bar members, masters and the family court judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County. She is also responsible for overseeing the section’s subcommittees that involve practically every area of family law, including support, equitable distribution and custody, to name a few.
“Family law is different from any other area of the law,” Winegrad says. “First and foremost, we’re focusing on resolving problems in our clients’ personal lives. This year, I want to focus on how to assist the Family Bench in making the process more efficient. I also want to help educate the Family Bar as to the evolving issues relating to family law such as social media and same-sex marriage.”
Also on her agenda this year are topics dealing other technology that impact cases of people dealing with custody and divorce matters. She also will address the pending legislation in Pennsylvania that will reduce the date of separation required in a no-fault divorce from two years to one year.
The Family Law Section is a very active section. Members interact and communicate with each other outside the courtroom on a listserv and in person during meetings and social events. According to Winegrad, such relationships “really matter in aiding your clients’ cases.” Winegrad, who is touted by other lawyers for her excellent people skills and tact, wants to keep the communication going as it benefits everyone involved, especially the people going through divorces and custody cases.
In 2013, Winegrad achieved another crowning career moment when she was admitted to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, becoming one of 1,600 fellows in the United States and one of fewer than 80 in Pennsylvania. She also distinguishes herself by being admitted to the Ten Leaders list of distinguished young professionals under 45. She was also selected to the 2015 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers® list. Her career accomplishments are rivaled by her commitment to the legal community. In addition to her work in the Family Law Section of the Montgomery County Bar, she is a member of the Bar’s Board of Directors and sits on its Judiciary Committee.
Winegrad, who practices out of Obermayer’s Conshohocken office, is a no-nonsense attorney who always advocates for what’s best for her clients. “I believe in being direct and upfront with my clients,” she says. “I tell them that if I need to be aggressive, I will—but not because they want me to. I don't encourage litigation for litigation’s sake; it just doesn’t help anybody, especially the children.”
Winegrad became interested in family law while she clerked for Judge Calvin S. Drayer Jr., whose Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas heard primarily domestic relations cases. Eighteen years later, Winegrad has built a thriving law practice and a reputation for being ethical and honest. Her practice extends into the five-county area of the Greater Philadelphia region, where she is both well known and well respected amongst her peers and members of the court. Winegrad has earned a higher profile serving in the Family Law Sections of both the state and county bars. She’s likely to be a positive representative of the Pennsylvania divorce bar for years to come.
“Being well known—and well liked—in legal circles in the region, including courthouse personnel, is important in order to have a successful legal practice. Steph has that,” says David L. Ladov, chair of Obermayer’s Family Law Group. “Such relationships really matter in aiding your clients’ cases.”
“Family law really has different nuances even from county to county,” Winegrad explains. “I want clients to know I’m very familiar with the courts and the judges in the counties where I practice. All of that is much more important than many realize. One county’s judge will view alimony one way, while another will take a totally different position. Shared physical custody may be preferable by one judge, but not by another.”
Winegrad has deep local roots in Montgomery County. Raised in Lafayette Hill, she now lives in Maple Glen with her husband and two daughters.
In addition to Winegrad, Obermayer’s Family Law Group includes attorneys Ladov, Robert I. Whitelaw, Michael E. Bertin, Cara A. Boyanowski, Teleicia J.R. Dambreville, Samantha J. Evian, Amanda W. Figland, Scott A. Matison, Michelle L. Ringel, Amy L. Rokuson, Shari B. Veisblatt and Maris J. Weiner. Their clients reside primarily throughout eastern Pennsylvania, including Montgomery County, Chester County, Berks County, Bucks County and Delaware County, as well as New Jersey and Delaware.
The group produces a weekly blog, Obermayer Family Matters (www.obermayerfamilymatters.com), which is an online resource covering timely news and information about all issues relating to divorce and custody issues. They also have several videos dealing with family law on their YouTube Channel, which is Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel.
For more information about Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP locations throughout the area visit www.obermayer.com.
Photograph by Jeff Anderson
