Attorney Elizabeth Bennett, Bennett & Associates, Wayne, Pennsylvania

Elizabeth L. Bennett Esq.
Wayne, Pennsylvania


phone	(610) 254-9060
fax	(610) 254-8304
email	Email Me Email Me

Elizabeth Bennett is recognized as a leader in Pennsylvania, and nationwide, in the field of family law. In particular, she broke new ground with her practice in collaborative law. Practicing family law since 1978, she has established a reputation for excellence in advocacy and innovation in managing family law matters.

Libby's leadership and many contributions have led to the betterment of family law in America. Her work includes advocating for reforms for the family court processes. These reforms have been adopted in numerous jurisdictions. She has continuously been visible speaking and writing articles for publishing on the now hot topic of hidden assets. Libby was also a regular lecturer for Surgeant & Associates, the largest purveyor of tax information for accountants related to the tax aspects of family law. Another highlight of Libby's experience is her authorship of ABA resolutions intended to provide divorced women and children with medical insurance.

Libby has built a successful family law practice working in large firms as an Associate and rising to Partner, all while being a single mother and active member of her community. Her practice offers big firm experience provided in a comfortable atmosphere. She has assembled a dedicated staff of professional attorneys and support personnel to enable her to provide her successful brand of family law representation to clients throughout Pennsylvania.

Click here to read Elizabeth Bennett's CV

Areas of Practice:: Family Law; Collaborative Family Law; Mediation

Bar Admissions:: Pennsylvania, 1978; U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Education:: Villanova University School of Law, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 1977
J.D.; Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, 1969
B.A.
Major: Art History; San Francisco State College, 1964
Honors: Spring Semester, Dean's List

Published Works:: "Collaborative Divorce Comes To Pennsylvania", The Philadelphia Lawyer, Winter, 2000; "Asset Sequestration in Divorce Cases", Fair Share, 1999; "Alternative Dispute Resolution in Family Law", Pennsylvania Law Weekly, March, 1999; "Welfare and the Environment - A Single Bullet Solution", Philadelphia Inquirer, March, 1997; "Court May Reverse Hostility Toward Children", The Patriot-News, December, 1995; "Lost in the Legal Maze of Family Courts", Commentary, Philadelphia Inquirer, July, 1995; "Divorce, Older Women and Alimony", American Journal of Family Law, Winter, 1994; "Divorce, Older Women and Alimony", Pennsylvania Family Lawyer, December, 1994; "Guaranteeing Medical Insurance Coverage After Separation or Divorce", American Bar Association's Family Law, Quarterly, 1994; "Lost in the Shuffle: Ensuring Medical Care for Children After Divorce", ACE Magazine, April, 1994; "Guaranteeing Medical Care for Women, Children: The Gaping Federal Loophole", Legal Intelligencer, June, 1992; "Lost in Family Court", MetroKid, March, 1992; "The Discovery Rule and Child Abuse", Pennsylvania Family Lawyer, February, 1991; "Courting Disaster", Swarthmore College Bulletin, August, 1989; "Determining the Real Cost of Supporting Children in Single Parent Homes", Philadelphia Bar Association, Family Law Section Newsletter, August, 1989; "The Indigent Spouse: Making Litigation Claims Affordable", Philadelphia Bar Association, Family Law Section Newsletter, February, 1989; "Sexual Abuse: Minimizing the Pain", Legal Intelligencer, November , 1988; "Divorce Court: Not a Soap Opera", Legal Intelligencer, October, 1988; "Child Support: Is Shared Custody a Threat?", Legal Intelligencer, July , 1986; "Divorce: Men May Lose Money Under Tax Reform Act of 1986", Legal Intelligencer, November, 1986; "Divorce: Men May Lose Money Under Tax Reform Act of 1986", Focus Magazine, January, 1987; "Pitfalls and Potential of Being a Woman", Swarthmore College Bulletin, November, 1985; Organizing Committee - ABA Summit on Unified Family Court: Exploring Solutions for Families, Women, and Children, 1998

Representative Cases:: Lambert v. Lambert, 422 Pa. Super. 444, 619 A 2d 761 (Pa. Super 1993)

Classes/Seminars Taught:: Presenter, "Collaborative Procedures", Collaborative Family Law Affiliates, 2008; Presenter, "The Second Season: Issues for Divorce Over Fifty", Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2008; Presenter, "Shared Custody: Issues and Considerations", Sterling Education Service, 2008; Presenter, "Collaborative Divorce", Montgomery County, Family Law Section, 2008; Presenter, "Collaborative Family Law", Rotary Club, Chesterbrook, 2006; Presenter, "Collaborative Family Law", Rotary Club, Ardmore, 2006; Presenter, "Ethical Consideration in Collaborative Family Law", Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2004; Presenter, Annual Training of the Collaborative Family Law Affiliates, 2003 - 2007; Presenter, "Basics of Divorce and Support Law", Women's Resource Center, 1994 - 2007; Presenter, "Collaborative Divorce", Regional Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1999; Presenter, "Law as a Career", Swarthmore College, 1999; Presenter, "A Day in The Life", American Bar Association Summit on Unified Family Court, Plenary Session, 1998; Presenter, "Welfare Reform", League of Women Voters, 1998; Presenter, "Tax Tips: the 1997 Tax Relief Act", Delaware County Bar Association, 1997; Presenter, "Divorce and Taxation", Surgeant & Associates, Continuing Professional Education for Accountants, Massachusetts and Philadelphia, 1997; Presenter, Testimony, Pennsylvania Senate, Domestic Relations Committee; Moderator, "Barriers to Women's Self-Sufficiency", Forum of Executive Women, 1997; Presenter, "Managed Care, Sixth Annual Colloquium", Regional Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1997; Presenter, "Fundamentals of Family Law", Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 1997 - 1998; Lecturer, Villanova Law School Family Law Class, 1992; Lecturer, Villanova Law School Family Law Class, 1994; Lecturer, Villanova Law School Family Law Class, 1996; Lecturer, Villanova Law School Family Law Class, 1997; Lecturer, Villanova Law School Law and Psychology Class, 1994; Lecturer, Villanova Law School Law and Psychology Class, 1996 - 1997; Presenter, Philadelphia Bench Bar Unified Family Court, 1996; Presenter, "Divorce Tax", Northwestern Tax Institute, Nevada, 1996; Presenter, "Sequestering Assets - Off Shore Trusts", Family Law Institute, 1996; Presenter, "Women and Managed Care", Delaware County Women's Commission Conference, 1996; Presenter, "Job Rights, Medical Insurance Options and Credit Opportunities", Living Beyond Breast Cancer Program, 1996; "Divorce Conference: Conference Chair and Participant", Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, 1993 - 1995; Presenter, "Forensic Accounting Seminar", Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, 1995; Presenter, Cohabitation, WCAU - TV, 1995; Presenter, "Divorcing the Elderly: Medical Insurance, Ethics and Bifurcation", Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 1995; Presenter, "Child Support", WCAU-TV, 1994; Presenter, "Date Rape", Suburban Cable, 1994; Presenter, "Domestic Violence and Insurance Underwriting", WCAU-TV, 1994; Presenter, "Practical Tips: Medical Insurance", Philadelphia Bar Association, 1994; Presenter, "Financial Planning for Women", Women's Resource Center, 1994; Presenter, "Fundamentals of Family Law", Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 1994; Presenter, "Medical Benefits", Pennsylvania Bar Association Winter Meeting, 1994; Presenter, "Sexual Harassment and Women in the Legal Profession", WCAU-TV Sunday Focus; Presenter, "Insurance Benefits", Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section Workshop, 1993; Presenter, "The Medical and Family Leave Act", Society for Human Resource Development Workshop, 1993; Presenter, "Gender Bias", Conference of County Bar Leaders, Pennsylvania Bar Association, 1993; Presenter, "Health Insurance", Herron Cable Channel 2, 1993; Presenter, "Women and Health Insurance Coverage", Women's Resource Center, 1993; Presenter, Unitarian Church of Delaware County, Womens' Service, 1993; Co-Sponsor and Presenter, Women's Way Breakfast, 1992; Moderator, Philadelphia Bar Association Family Law Section Health Insurance Workshop, 1992; Presenter, "Trusts & Divorce", Mellon Bank, 1992; Panelist, "Women at the Crossroads", World Affairs Council, Philadelphia, 1992; Presenter, "Mock Support Conference", Domestic Relations Association of Pennsylvania, 1991; Presenter, "Staff on Divorce Practice", Marriage Council of Philadelphia, Inc, 1986; Presenter, "Staff on Divorce Practice", Marriage Council of Philadelphia, Inc, 1991; Presenter, "Conference on Divorce", Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, 1991; Presenter, "Lessons in Life From Eastern Europe", Interview with Darrell Sifford, Philadelphia Inquirer, 1991; Presenter, "Divorce: the U.S. and Eastern Europe", Swarthmore League of Women Voters, 1991; Presenter, "Insurance", Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section Workshop, 1991; Instructor, Adult School, Cheltenham High School, 1990 - 1991; Speaker, "Equitable Distribution", Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, 1990; Presenter, "Divorce Update", Elkins Park Rotary Club, 1990; Presenter, "Divorce Overview", Women's Resource Center, 1990; Presenter, "Divorce", WWDB Talk Radio, 1989; Panelist, "Bridging Cultures", Pennsylvania Council of Mediators, 1989; Presenter, "Mediating Domestic Violence", Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution, 1989; Presenter, "Sexual Abuse Allegations", WWDB Talk Radio, 1989; Presenter, "Mediation Skills", Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section Workshop, 1989; Presenter, "Choosing a Professional", Consumer Watch, WCAU AM, 1988; Presenter, "False Sexual Abuse Allegations", WDVT Talk Radio, 1988; Presenter, "Sex with Clients", What You Should Know, WYSP, 1988; Presenter, "Women and the Bill of Rights", Womens Conference of Delaware County; Panelist, "The Issue of Gender", Philadelphia Bar Association, 1987; Presenter, "Equitable Distribution", Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 1987; Presenter, "Pre-Marital Agreements", Mary Mason Show, WWDB, 1987; Presenter, "Pre-Marital Agreements", Reggie Lavong Show, WHAT, 1987; Presenter, "Pre-Marital Agreements", We Can't Stop Now, WIOQ, 1987; "Women and the Constitution" Sermon, The Media Rose Tree Unitarian Church, 1987; Presenter, "Women and the Constitution", Womens Conference of Delaware County, 1986; Presenter, People Are Talking KYW/TV: "Divorce Mediation", 1986; Panelist, "Mock Custody Trial", Philadelphia Bench Bar Conference, Family Law Section, 1986; Presenter, "Divorce Law in Pennsylvania", Womens Conference of Delaware County, Workshop, 1984; Speaker, Parents Without Partners: "The New Divorce Law", 1982; Presenter, "Injunctive Relief under the New Divorce Code", Delaware County Trial Seminar, 1981; Presenter, "Women and the Law", Women's Conference of Delaware County, Workshop, 1980; "Real Estate Transactions Under the Divorce Code of 1980", Delaware County Bar Association, Seminar; "Civil Liberties" Sermon , The Media Rose Tree Unitarian Church, 1980; Speaker, "Capital Punishment", The Lions Club of Springfield, 1975; Panelist, Widener College Women and the Law Conference; Panelist, Melting Pot, KYW/TV: "Criminal Justice System", 1973; Speaker, "Civil Liberties", The Rotary Club of Springfield, 1973; Trainer & Organizer, Collaborative Family Law Affiliates Training for Collaborative Professionals, 2000 - Present; Conestoga High School Senior Internship Program, 2004; Co-Chair, Fractured Families, Fragmented Courts, Women in the Profession Commission Conference, Pennsylvania Bar Association, 1997; Chair, Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants - Divorce Conference, 1992 - 1994; Chair, Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants - Divorce Conference, 1996; Organizer, Seminar - "Real Estate Practices & Divorce", 1981; Organizer, Delaware Law School Trial School, 1980; Citizens for Corrections, Citizens Advisory Board to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Bureau of Corrections, 1974 - 1976; Coordinator, "Citizens for Justice" Conference, Widener College, 1973; Testimony, Pennsylvania Senate, Domestic Relations Committee, 1997; Unified Family Courts, Delaware, Chester, Philadelphia, Bucks, and York County Bar Associations, the Family Law Committees, 1995; Testimony before Joint State Government Task Force on Domestic Relations Law, 1995; QDROs and QMSCOs, Delaware County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Committee, 1994; Forensic Accounting Seminar, Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, 1994; Womens Resource Center: Single Mothers Group, 1993; Testimony in Opposition to Senate Bills Nos. 229, 419 & 1100, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee, 1989; Instructor, Surgeant & Associates, 1997 - 2000

Honors and Awards:: Pennsylvania Honor Roll of Women, 1996; Who's Who in America, 1998; Phebe Novakovic Award, 2008

Professional Associations and Memberships:: American Bar Association, Family Law Section, 1994 - 1998; Ad Hoc Committee on Unified Family Courts; American Bar Association, Family Law Section, 1981 - Present; Pennsylvania Bar Association, 1993 - Present; Women in the Profession Commission; Pennsylvania Bar Association, 1993 - 1996; Children's Rights Committee; Pennsylvania Bar Association, Family Law Section, 1978 - Present; Pennsylvania Bar Association, 1992 - 1994; Equal Rights Committee; Philadelphia Bar Association, 1993 - Present; Women in the Profession Committee; Philadelphia Bar Association, Family Law Section, 1981 - Present; Delaware County Bar Association, 1992 - Present; Family Law Committee; Delaware County Bar Association, 1978 - 1981; Family Law, Real Estate Practices and Legal Journal Committees; Collaborative Family Law Affiliates, 2000 - Present; Women's Resource Center, 1992 - Present; Forum of Executive Women, 1993 - 2001; American Association of Family Conciliation Courts, 1984 - 1987; Business Women's Network, 1983 - 1987; Family Mediation Association of Delaware Valley, 1983 - 1985; TIAAW, 2008 - Present; Women International Leaders of Greater Philadelphia, 2006 - Present; Philadelphia Visiting Nurses Association, 2004 - 2005; Member, Ethics Committee; Board of the Condominium Association for Greythorne Woods, 2004 - 2007; Member; Collaborative Family Law Affiliates, 2003 - 2005; Chair; Women's Law Project - Advisory Board, 1995; Member; Pennsylvania Bar Association, 1994; Organizer, Women in the Profession Commission - Conference Committee; Suburban Philadelphia Fair Housing Council, 1994; Member, Advisory Committee; Pennsylvania Bar Association, 1994 - 1998; Co-Chair, Children's Rights Committee; Pennsylvania Bar Association, 1993; Member, Women in the Profession Commission - Conference Committee; Philadelphia Bar Association, 1993; Co-Chair, Women and the Profession Committee; Civil Service Commission - Borough of Swarthmore, 1992 - 2003; Member; Pennsylvania Bar Association, Family Law Section, 1991 - 1994; Co-Chair, Insurance Committee; Pennsylvania Bar Association, Family Law Section, 1989 - 1990; Co-Chair, Children Rights SubCommittee; Executive Committee Philadelphia, Family Law Section, 1989 - 1990; Member; Pennsylvania Bar Association, Family Law Section, 1989 - 1990; Member, Uniform Status of Children of Assisted Conception Act; Pennsylvania Bar Association, Family Law Section, 1989 - 1990; Member, Model Surrogacy Act Committee; Marriage Council, Inc. (Now Penn Council for Relationships), 1985 - 1993; Director; Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware Co., 1984 - 1988; Director; Child Support Project of Philadelphia, 1987 - 1988; Board Member; Child Support Task Force of Delaware Co., 1986 - 1987; Member; Greater Philadelphia ACLU, 1984 - 1985; Co-Chair, Children's Rights Committee; Greater Philadelphia American Civil Liberties Union, 1974 - 1987; Director; Pennsylvania American Civil Liberties Union, 1977 - 1985; Director

Past Employment Positions:: Dilworth, Paxson, Kalish & Kauffman, Associate, 1990 - 1991; Dilworth, Paxson, Kalish & Kauffman, Associate, 1986 - 1989; Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, Associate, 1981 - 1986; Beagon, Gannon & Barnard, Associate, 1980 - 1981; Beagon, Gannon & Barnard, Clerk, 1977 - 1978

Pro Bono Activities:: Volunteers, Indigent: Family Law Supervisor, Pro Bono Project, 1989

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