In episode 41 of the Law in the Family podcast, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with Kate O'Connor about notable domestic relations rule changes in 2023 and proposed rules for 2024 that will impact the practice of family law in Pennsylvania.

Kathleen O’Connor, partner at Sweeney & Neary LLP in Media, has practiced family law for over 16 years. She represents clients in all areas of family law, including child custody, divorce, equitable distribution, prenuptial agreements and restraining orders. O'Connor serves as co-chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section Rules Committee and is a past chair of the Delaware County Bar Association Family Law Section. She earned her bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and psychology from the University of Maryland and her Juris Doctor from Penn State Dickinson School of Law.

The Law in the Family podcast host, Aaron D. Weems, is a partner and family law attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell, Pa.

*audio editing, voice over & music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nick DeMatteo

In episode 40 of the Law in the Family podcast, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with Bill Rookstool about the mortgage industry, impact of interest rates and the hidden opportunities for divorce clients in what could be a challenging real estate market. They also discuss how the market could provide the foundation for long-term financial success.

Bill Rookstool has worked in the mortgage industry for 20 years. Based in Doylestown, he is the regional vice president for CrossCountry Mortgage, which is a top-ranked purchase lender in Pennsylvania. As a Certified Divorce Lending Professional, Rookstool assists clients, divorce attorneys and financial planners to help them make informed decisions regarding their home equity solutions. He is also a real estate investor and developer in residential, multifamily and commercial real estate throughout the Philadelphia area.

Aaron D. Weems is a partner and family law attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell, Pa., and a member of the PBA Family Law Section.

*audio editing, voice over & music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nick DeMatteo

In episode 39 of the Law in the Family podcast, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with Gregory Gilston about the social media influencer industry and the forms of compensation personalities may receive through their social media platforms.

Gregory Gilston is a family law and estate planning attorney and co-managing partner at Gilston Lintzeris PLLC in Plymouth Meeting, Pa. Gilston has a master’s degree in counseling and served as a mental health counselor, facilitator and consultant with Philadelphia-based public service organizations.

Aaron D. Weems is a partner and family law attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP in Blue Bell, Pa., and a member of the PBA Family Law Section.

*audio editing, voice over & music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nick DeMatteo

In Episode 38 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems speaks with lawyer and Temple Law professor Elizabeth Lippy, about the utility of courtroom

Elizabeth Lippy is the Director of Trial Advocacy at Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia. She also maintains a private practice as a founding member of the law firm of Fairlie & Lippy, P.C., where she focuses her practice on criminal defense and civil litigation.

*audio editing, voice over & music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nick DeMatteo

In Episode 37 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems speaks to Carla Schiff Donnelly, a Pittsburgh family law attorney about the initial meetings and discussions with a prenuptial agreement client.

*audio editing, voice over & music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nick DeMatteo

In episode 36 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with Hillary Moonay, chair of the PBA Family Law Section, about her goals and agenda for the year.

Hillary Moonay is a partner at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel, LLP, in Doylestown, PA, where she serves as co-chair of the Family Law Department. She specializes in several areas of alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration, mediation and collaborative law.

In addition to her role as chair of the PBA Family Law Section, Moonay is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and co-chair of the Bucks County Bar Association Family Law Section. Moonay earned her Juris Doctor from University of Michigan Law School and her bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminal justice, graduating cum laude, from the University of Maryland.  

*audio editing, voice over & music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nick DeMatteo

In episode 35 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with Melissa Kucinski of MK Family Law. She provides insight into the remedies and prevention measures clients can take to avoid parental abduction cases.

Melissa Kucinski, founder of MK Family Law in Washington, D.C., focuses on international family law cases and specializes in high-conflict, cross-cultural mediation and negotiation. She is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation, co-chair of the International Family Law committees for the American Bar Association International Law Section and New York State Bar Association, and consultant for the Hague Conference on Private International Law. Kucinski is a member of the U.S. Department of State Advisory Committee on Private International Law and Uniform Law Commission Joint Editorial Board for Uniform Family Law. Learn more about Kucinski: https://mkfamily.law/about/

In episode 34 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with Jonathan Cramer of Conrad Siegel. They discuss four (of 90) important changes in the recent SECURE 2.0 Act dealing with American retirement accounts.

Jonathan Cramer is a partner and consulting actuary at Conrad Siegel in Harrisburg. With a focus on retirement consulting, Cramer assists family law attorneys with valuations and division of retirement benefits in marital dissolution situations. He has prepared defined benefit and defined contribution plans for employers in the private and public sector. Cramer has lectured at PBA, PBI and county bar association events.

In episode 33 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks with PBA Law Practice Management Coordinator Ellen Freedman. They discuss the issues, concerns and recommendations involved with establishing a surrogacy plan that protects your clients (and you), and how to approach the day you close out your career.

Freedman assists PBA members with management issues and decisions on the business side of their practice, including technology, financial management and profitability, human resources, marketing, risk management, setting up a practice and more. PBA members can contact her at [email protected] or 800-932-0311, ext. 2228.

In episode 32 of the Law in the Family podcast, host and family law attorney Aaron Weems talks withAdam H. Tanker, a partner at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP in Doylestown. They discuss recent swings in the cryptocurrencies market, how the industry continues to evolve and what changes he expects next.

⁠https://www.obermayerfamilymatters.com/2023/01/uncovering-hidden-digital-assets-in-divorce/

Tanker focuses his practice on family law litigation, including child and spousal support, custody, divorce, domestic abuse and mediation. He is a former deputy district attorney for the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, where he served as chief of the Asset Forfeiture Unit; member of the Gangs, Guns and Drug Unit; and community liaison for gang violence.

*audio editing, voice over & music by ⁠⁠⁠Nick DeMatteo