Law in the Family – Details, episodes & analysis

In episode 54 of Law in the Family, hosts Jen Ryan and Amanda Frett speak with licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Adam Assoian, Founder of Ally Psychological Services, about Imposter Syndrome, and how it affects attorneys. Dr. Adam sheds light on how the high-stakes, high-performance culture within the legal profession often fosters feelings of inadequacy—even among successful, competent attorneys, and shares tips and advice on how to deal with the anxieties and challenges that arise for attorneys dealing with Imposter Syndrome, so they can best represent their clients and maintain their own mental well-being. The discussion underscores that recognizing and addressing Imposter Syndrome is not just a personal benefit—it’s essential for attorneys to function at their best and serve their clients with confidence and clarity.

Ally Psychological Services of Bucks County, PA

Dr. Adam Assoian is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Owner and Clinical Director of Ally Psychological Services in Doylestown. Before opening his practice in 2019, he worked in a variety of settings, including a Community Mental Health Center for low-income individuals, a College Counseling Center, a Psychiatric Hospital, two different private practices, a Residential Treatment Facility for adolescents, and an Outpatient facility that provided therapeutic services for adults and adolescents involved in the legal system for behavioral problems. Outside of his work, Dr. Adam spent several years volunteering as the Clinical Director for Mental Health initiatives within the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania and currently serves as the President of the Central Bucks School District Education Foundation.

Host Jennifer R. Ryan is a partner at Boyd & Early Family Law, servicing Montgomery, Bucks, Chester, Philadelphia and Delaware counties.

Host Amanda Frett is an attorney at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

*audio editing, voice over & music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nick DeMatteo

In episode 53 of Law in the Family, host Alex Bondy speaks with Sarah Katz about child abuse investigations and their impact on custody litigation. With the passing of Kayden’s Law, child abuse claims are increasingly relevant in custody practice. Sarah tells us what to look for, and gives some practice tips, when faced with this issue.

Sarah Katz is a Clinical Professor of Law at Temple University Beasley School of Law and a current Senior Fellow with the Stoneleigh Foundation. She directs and teaches the newly created Family Justice Clinic at Temple Law, which advocates in partnership and solidarity with families whose family stability and integrity have been impacted by state intervention. Prior to her arrival at Temple, Katz was a supervising attorney in the Family Advocacy Unit at Community Legal Services in Philadelphia, Pa, where her responsibilities included representation of parents in civil child abuse and neglect cases.

Law in the Family host, Alex Bondy, is an associate at Hofstein Meyer Rocco Finger & Weiner, P.C. in Philadelphia.

*audio editing, voice over & music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nick DeMatteo

In episode 44 of the Law in the Family podcast, in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with Lisa Kane Brown to gain practical information about how ChildLine works and the background on Pennsylvania’s child abuse statutes.

Lisa Kane Brown, owner of The Law Offices of Lisa Kane Brown LLC in Norristown, PA, has been an active attorney in the five-county area, providing independent and objective analysis on issues surrounding child abuse and trauma. She is regularly appointed as a trusted member of the bar to conduct independent investigations, represent child survivors of sexual assault, and represent foster care children. The breadth of her experience also includes providing expert commentary both in the courtroom and in the community. Lisa is also a volunteer child advocate with the Montgomery Child Advocacy Project.

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 43 of the Law in the Family podcast, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with former podcast co-host Anthony Hoover about a variety of assets and approaches when dealing with valuations.

Anthony Hoover, Levin Hoover Family Law Firm in Lemoyne, has experience in all areas of family law, including divorce, property and debt distribution, spousal support and more. Within the PBA, he is a graduate of the Bar Leadership Institute and member of the Family Law Section and Solo and Small Firm Section. He has been selected as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star and is a frequent speaker and author on the topic of family 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 42 of the Law in the Family podcast, host Aaron D. Weems speaks with seasoned family law attorney Peter Bort about collaborative divorces, and how they offer an alternative to litigation and a holistic approach to resolving issues.

Peter Bort, principal at Bort Law in Malvern, has been practicing family law for more than 35 years and focusing on collaborative divorce since 2010. He also assists clients with alimony and support arrangements, child custody and prenuptial agreements. Bort is a member of ⁠Collaborative Law Professionals of Southeastern Pennsylvania⁠, an interdisciplinary affiliation of lawyers, financial neutrals and mental health coaches. He has practiced daily mindful meditation for 40 years. 

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 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 technology and the increasing responsibility on lawyers to be familiar with how to apply it for the benefit of their clients and the court.

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.

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 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.

Carla Schiff Donnelly is a partner with the Pittsburgh law firm of Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti LLP. For more than 20 years, she has focused her practice on divorce, custody and other complex family law issues, including prenuptial agreements.

*audio editing, voice over & music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Nick DeMatteo