How would others describe me?

I am passionate with my clients and support them during their journey through divorce.  I listen and create a safe place to allow them to speak from their heart.  I am known as The Peacemaker and demonstrate that in my practice. I am compassionate with those going through pain and am grateful to guide them to the life they desire and deserve.

Why choose me as your Private Judge? 

I have been a family law attorney and certified family law mediator for almost 20 years.  In my previous career, I was a CPA for many years.  My compassion allows you to speak from your heart and allows me to help you in creating a fair and peaceful resolution.

What are my top values? 

Truth and honesty are my guideposts.  Communication and integrity are critical in how I live my life.  My mantra is say what you mean, mean what you say, just don’t say it mean.

What are some fun facts about me? 

I love to ballroom dance after thinking it would only be a fleeting fad for me. I danced in my first competition and found it very exciting. I am a baseball nerd and played until high school.  I have spoken around the country and internationally as well and have participated in Toastmaster competitions. I love to binge watch new TV series.

How would others describe me?

A calming influence who cares deeply about others and finding a way towards happiness. A passionate and empathetic communicator who untangles complex circumstances. He is unflappable and doesn't rest until the job is done, no matter how big or small! 

Why choose me as your Private Judge?

Dana has over 20 years of neuroscience experience in building, dissolving, and establishing new relationships. He is highly skilled at Divorce Coaching to ensure the family remains intact, no matter the outcome of their separation or divorce. 

What are my top values?

People: let's celebrate our differences and move towards happiness, whether together or apart; tenacity: it's not always easy but with perseverance, we'll find a solution; and collaboration: teamwork is the only way to ensure we are successful. 

What are some fun facts about Dana?

Dana is a health nut and adventure seeker who now lives in Boise, Idaho. He spends any free time river rafting, skiing, motocross riding, teaching yoga, and encouraging his family to join him in the pursuit of silly sports. "Life is a banquet. Enjoy every moment!"

How would others describe me?

Ed is patient and compassionate, an empathic listener. He is a great facilitator and able to hold space for others and multiple perspectives. He creates a space for voices to be heard and clarity to be reached.

Why choose me as your Private Judge? 

My parents divorced when I was in my twenties and I was summoned to appear in court with two of my brothers to testify. The experience left its scars and I knew there had to be a better way. When I went through my own divorce, my former wife and I agreed to do it differently and put the needs of our children ahead of our own. While it wasn’t easy, I am extremely grateful we made our divorce amicable. Ten years later we still share birthdays and holidays together and I know my kids and I are healthier for it. 

What are my top values? 

Compassion - which means to suffer with, to truly be able to be in another’s shoes
Respect - honoring another person and their experiences
Fairness - seeking justice and equity
Collaboration - working together to create something bigger than ourselves

What are some fun facts about me? 

I have four grown (almost - two still in college) kids. I enjoy the outdoors, playing ultimate frisbee or disc golf or hiking in the woods with my dog, Whitney.

Joni Berner has practiced family law in Philadelphia and the surrounding area since her graduation from law school in 1978.  She left a large Philadelphia law firm in 1987 to pursue solo practice and work-life balance while adjusting to motherhood. She founded her Center City boutique family law firm, Berner Klaw & Watson LLP, on those principles. Ms. Berner is a trained divorce and custody mediator, arbitrator and collaborative law attorney. She has a bachelor’s degree in international politics from Cedar Crest College and a juris doctorate from Villanova University School of Law. Ms. Berner has served as chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association Family Law Section and as co-chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service and Solo-Small Firm Practice Committees. Ms. Berner has lectured regularly on a wide variety of family law topics and has been an adjunct professor at Villanova Law School, Temple Law School and Peirce College. She has a keen interest in the intersection of mental health and family law, in small firm management, in practical education for the next generation of family law attorneys and paralegals and in alternative dispute resolution. Ms. Berner has served on the boards of a number of organizations including the Women’s Law Project, Philadelphia Volunteers for the Indigent Program, Good Shepherd Mediation Program, Women’s Therapy Center (now Therapy Center of Philadelphia) (2012 president) and the Villanova Law School Alumnae Advisory Board (2013-2014 president). She has been a Trustee of Cedar Crest College since 2012 and served as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Cedar Crest College for the past five years.  She also serves as Vice President of the Radnor Fire Company. Ms. Berner has been consistently named to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers® since 2012 and to Best Lawyers® in America in 2016-20. In 2016, she was named the inaugural “emerging icon” in law by The Philadelphia Inquirer as it established its first “Business Hall of Fame.”

How would others describe me?

Because of my time as a judge and professor for over 13 years, I have much practice at clearly explaining the law. I have an unassuming disposition and put people at ease.

Why choose me as a private judge?

I am an empathetic, balanced advocate that seeks to help others take ownership over their decisions. I pledge to do my best so that we reach a fair settlement that has allowed for each person involved to participate fully. A university student in my class wrote, “being a part of her classroom I felt like I was in a club, where everyone was equal, no question was dumb, and we all had each other’s back. She facilitated a classroom environment in which constructive debate could happen, yet there was always a foundation of respect and professionalism.” I use this exact platform in divorce settlements. My goal is to make this difficult time a team effort that is civil, constructive, and efficient.

What are my top values?

I value honesty, transparency, civility, and integrity, especially when collaborating on a divorce. My goal is to make a very difficult and personal life transition as smooth as possible. I also value the self-determination of the people who become my clients.

What are some fun facts about me?

I live in Montana so that means that when I have free time, I am skiing (nordic and alpine), backpacking, cycling (mountain or road), or fly fishing with my dog Nelson and when I’m extremely lucky, my spouse and children join in the fun too.

Marc has worked with families throughout his career. A father of five grown children, he is committed to supporting children to thrive in the face of all of life’s challenges, including divorce. He was a program director at the University of Massachusetts’ Child Development Laboratory School prior to attending law school. As a lawyer, he has focused his practice on mediation, facilitation and arbitration, and has served the courts as guardian ad litem, representing children’s interests in contentious family cases.

Marc is sensitive to the needs of families in evolving circumstances. He raised his first son as a single father and is proud of all of his children and the loving contributions they are making.

As Director of Mediation, for both the Penquis Community Action Program and for the Massachusetts Bureau of Special Education Appeals, he trained and supervised mediators and facilitators to help families of students with special needs and school departments to arrive at peaceful, fair and reasonable solutions that put the needs of children first. 

Marc has a reassuring and calm presence that supports people to find adaptive solutions to difficult conflicts. He is an outstanding listener and extends empathy to all parties. He has a strong commitment to restoring peace.

He takes his role as a private judge to heart, giving the best of himself to divorcing couples so that they can create new family structures that will allow all family members to thrive.  

How would others describe me?

I create a safe place and allow the clients to talk.  I help clients create financial plans that will help them in the future.  I am passionate and support my clients going through this difficult time in their life. I challenge them to look at the future.  I do not like to give up.  I enjoy helping clients map out their future.

Why choose me as your Private Judge?

I have over 35 years of financial experience working with couples going through divorce.  I believe in educating clients as to the financial issues they are looking at currently and in the future.  I always want to put the best interest of the children first.

What are my top values?

Honesty and compassion are very important to me.  I want couples to come through a very hard situation and be able to be friends and be able to communicate with each other.  Making sure we have uncovered all the issues and answered all of their questions.

What are some fun facts about me?

I currently reside in Atlanta, Ga and have a home in Palm Beach Gardens. I have 2 grown children and spend most of my weekends with my 2 grandchildren.  When I am in Florida, I enjoy the beach life as much as possible.

How would others describe me?

During the four decades I have worked as a family mediator, clients have thanked me for providing a calm, wise, and positive presence in the midst of the storms they were experiencing. Perhaps the best description from a client was:  “You were a perfect guide dog.  After asking us where we wanted to go, we told you we wanted a peaceful divorce, that did not hurt our children, and you got us there, without forcing us, without taking sides, but with compassion and clear direction.  We’re still not sure how you did it, but it worked and we are still friends.”

Why choose me as a private judge?

I left the practice of family law in 1980 to build a full time divorce mediation practice because I realized that as a gladiator for one side, I was helping the legal contest hurt families by keeping them mired in the conflict of the past, when they instead need to begin building new plans for the future. I have co-authored five books on family mediation and am excited about my most recent one that puts child support decisions in the hands of both parents, not the court or government.  As a Private Judge I help ensure that fair agreements are reached and owned by those who participate in the process.  I ease the pain of divorce by efficiently and compassionately helping people through one of the most difficult times of their lives. 

What are my top values?

I believe that families who divorce are trying to make things better, not worse.  I will be honest and compassionate in the way I lead people to their desired end point. I try to always carry with me these values: empathy for others, listening to understand, and an ability to be honest when explaining alternative paths.  Most importantly, I value the self-determination of the people who become my clients, because they know best about what they need.

What are some fun facts about me?

Had I not gone to law school, I would have likely followed the advice of my creative writing professor who urged me to attend the Iowa Writers Workshop at the University of Iowa. These days, I love helping my grandchildren write papers and book reports for school.  In 1968, I married my wife Marilyn and we travelled to New York were I attended Union Seminary and Marilyn worked as a social worker in Harlem.  Now, I live in northern Minnesota on the state’s second deepest lake where I conduct training workshops and do my work with families exclusively by Zoom.  I am wondering that if I ever retire, would they still accept me at the Iowa Writers Workshop?