Sweet, Stevens, Katz & Williams LLP has announced that attorneys Christopher A. Bambach and Jason D. Fortenberry have been named partners of the firm and Suzanne Pontious and Tammy J. Schmitt have been promoted to senior associates. The new titles mark the firm’s ongoing efforts to recognize and cultivate talent within its ranks, and reflect the dedication and contributions of these lawyers to the firm’s clients’ successes. Bambach guides the firm’s presence in the Northeast region of Pennsylvania as resident attorney of its Pittston, PA office. He represents school districts and related entities in special education matters on both administrative

On January 22, 2025, Hillary J. Moonay, Partner at Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP and co-chair of the Family Law Group, was appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to the Domestic Relations Procedural Rules Committee. Her six-year term will begin on April 1, 2025. As a committee member, Moonay will advise the Supreme Court in developing and revising procedural rules for family law matters, including divorce, custody, support, paternity, and protection from abuse. The committee’s mission is to simplify family law practice by recommending new rules or amendments to existing ones. It reviews legislation and monitors court decisions to

With heavy hearts, the law firm of Sweet, Stevens, Katz & Williams LLP announces the passing of one of the firm’s founding partners, Charles N. “Chuck” Sweet. A pioneer of public sector labor law in Pennsylvania, Sweet dedicated more than 40 years to advancing the legal practice of public education and labor relations before retiring in 2015. He was 80 years old. In 1995, Sweet and eight colleagues established one of Pennsylvania’s first private law firms wholly dedicated to education law. His contributions were instrumental in terms of “firsts” for Pennsylvania and helped establish his firm as a leading practice

Jordan B. Yeager, a judge on the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas, has been appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to serve on the Pennsylvania Commission on Judicial Independence. According to its mission statement, the Commission: is dedicated to fostering a better understanding of the role of the courts. Created in response to a nationwide pattern of attacks on the courts and judicial rulings, the commission raises public awareness of the importance of a strong, independent judiciary in a free society. It promotes the teaching of civics and monitors threats on judicial independence in Pennsylvania and around the nation. The charge of the Commission is to further

Vince brings a significant Bucks County presence with over three decades of legal experience, practicing in construction law, corporate law, civil litigation—such as personal injury—estate planning and administration, and real estate transactions. Vince will practice out of High Swartz’s Feasterville-Trevose office at 412 East Street Road. The move allows High Swartz to expand its presence in Lower Bucks County and into Northeast Philadelphia. “I’m excited to join High Swartz and collaborate with a talented team that shares my client-focused philosophy. With the firm’s broad, general practice experience, I can provide more comprehensive solutions while expanding my practice,” says Vince. Before

Attorney Maris J. Weiner of Williams Family Law, P.C. has been appointed a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), an honor reserved solely for skilled negotiators and experienced litigators who represent individuals in family law matters. With her selection, Weiner joins firm founder Jeffrey M. Williams and partner Robert J. Salzer in holding this prestigious designation. Williams Family Law is now one of the largest AAML firms in Pennsylvania, and the only Bucks County law firm with three AAML fellows. Membership in the AAML is highly selective, with only about 1,600 fellows nationwide. To qualify, attorneys must

Partner and Family Law attorney Jessica Pritchard of Antheil Maslow & MacMinn, LLP joined a panel of presenters at a continuing legal education program hosted by the Bucks County Bar Association on January 9th, 2025. The program, entitled “PFA Practice – The Facilitators’ Perspective,” covered all aspects of PFA proceedings.  PFA Court Facilitators are volunteers who provide a vital service to the Court on PFA hearing days in Bucks County. The panel included several facilitators and a Family Law Judge speaking on  PFA practice from their unique perspectives including a Q&A about being an effective and efficient advocate in PFA

On Thursday, December 12th, AMM Law Partners Melanie J. Wender and Elaine T. Yandrisevits were elected to Board Offices at the Bucks County Bar Association’s Annual Meeting. Melanie J. Wender was named President-elect of the BCBA Board.  As President-elect, she will serve with current BCBA Board President Jeremy Puglia in 2025, and will assume the President’s office in 2026.  Melanie has served in several roles at the BCBA, including as Secretary/Executive Board member, member of the board of directors, Member Services Committee chair, Bench Bar Committee chair, and as Editor of their “Writs” quarterly magazine.   Melanie Wender is a Partner

H. Jeffrey Brahin presented a seminar on Representing Commercial Tenants in Lease Negotiations at the Bucks County Bar Association. Mr. Brahin covered a wide range of topics including options to renew, landlord representations and warranties, landlord and tenant fit-outs, relocation clauses, landlord’s work and certifications prior to possession, percentage rent, CAM charges, force majeure clauses, exclusive use clauses, co-tenancy clauses, landlord and tenant remedies, and confessions of judgment. Mr. Brahin focuses his practice on complex commercial and real estate litigation, as well as real estate and corporate transactional work. Mr. Brahin represents a wide variety of landlords, tenants, companies and

AMM Law Partner and Family Law attorney Melanie J. Wender will serve as moderator for a Continuing Legal Education program, “The Real Lawyers of Arbitration: A Day in the Life of a Family Law Arbitration” at the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Family Law Section Winter Meeting, January 17 – 19, 2025.  The Winter Meeting will be held at The Omni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA, and registrations are now open. This session occurs on Saturday, January 18th at 11:00 am, and explores the reality of family law arbitration under the new rules,  and offers 1.5 Substantive CLE credits.  Attendees will receive