Meredith Brennan
Family Law
Philadelphia Office

Background
I graduated from Georgetown University in 1998, majoring in Women's Studies and Psychology. I then attended New York University School of Law, graduating in 2001. I live in Collingswood and have a short commute into Philadelphia on the PATCO Speedline.

Family Law
One of the reasons I was drawn to Schnader was its Family Law Department. The issues we deal with are extremely diverse, ranging from the enforceability of Islamic marriage contracts to the torts claims involved when one spouse taps the phone or intercepts the email of the other, from alternative insemination and paternity issues, to who keeps the engagement ring if the couple decides to cancel the wedding. As a more senior associate, I have handled hearings, arguments, arbitrations, and depositions, as well as numerous support, custody and equitable distribution proceedings before masters and hearing officers. I have argued several appellate cases before the Pennsylvania Superior Court. The Department has instituted its own training program (in addition to the training offered to all first year associates) to help develop expertise in the area of family law and to encourage as many observations as possible to get a feel for the various types of proceedings and how they are handled in each of the major counties where we practice.

Pro Bono
Schnader has a policy that up to 10% of an attorney's billable hours requirement can be met through pro bono work. Last year I took full advantage of that 10%, and I expect to do the same this year. The Firm not only permits attorneys to work on pro bono matters, but actively encourages it. I have had the opportunity to work on a matter where Schnader successfully argued the first appellate case in the country to hold that former domestic partners could be held liable for child support. I also worked on Hague Convention case where Schnader represented an Israeli father whose children had been taken to Philadelphia without his consent, providing me with my first experience in federal court. It is not an exaggeration to say that I've worked on dozens of other pro bono cases in my years at Schnader. Pro bono cases have offered me a great opportunity to work with attorneys outside my Department.

Associate Life
The Firm has several committees that focus on associate issues and training, and holds an annual associate retreat. The Firm also arranges for quarterly lunch meetings with the associates and the Chairperson and Managing Partner of the Firm to answer questions and discuss developments within the Firm and legal community.

Five years after joining the Firm, I feel that my instinct that Schnader was a "different" kind of Firm has been confirmed, and I am happy with my decision to join Schnader. I'd be happy to answer any questions about Schnader or the Family Law Department.

If you would like to get in touch with me with any questions about Schnader, please click here.