Family Law 101 (2025)

The entirety of Attorney Schaffranek’s practice has been in the family law field: first at a number of family law firms in and around the Pittsburgh area, then setting out and opening his own firm in Spring 2021. His practice includes all aspects of divorce/custody and their related matters, as well as estate planning and administration. He currently practices in all of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Attorney Schaffranek served as the Vice-Chair of the PBA LGBTQ Rights Committee from 2020 until 2025, and previously served as the editor of that committee’s newsletter, Open Court. He has been a council member of the Family Law Sections of both the PBA and the Allegheny County Bar Association since 2022.

Melanie J. Wender is an experienced and passionate family law litigator practicing in Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Ms. Wender handles family law matters with the compassion and sensitivity required, and provides creative solutions when complexities arise. Ms. Wender’s practice is dedicated solely to family law, including custody, child and spousal support, alimony issues, divorce, equitable distribution, Protection from Abuse, and adoptions. Adoptions are a special part of Ms. Wender’s practice as she has a personal understanding of the magic that adoption can bring to families. Ms. Wender has also been appointed as a Guadian Ad Litem in both custody and dependency court cases and enjoys the challenges that comes with assisting people who are unable to help themselves. While Ms. Wender is a litigator and truly enjoys the challenges of the courtroom, her goal with every client is to settle the matter as efficiently as possible. In line with that goal, Ms. Wender is experienced in alternative dispute resolutions, such as mediation and arbitration. Ms. Wender is actively engaged in the community. She currently serves as the President-Elect of the Bucks County Bar Association and has been an active member of that organization for several years. In 2026, Ms. Wender will be president of the Bucks County Bar Association, which is an opportunity to further engage with both the legal and local Bucks County community. Ms. Wender is on council for the Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section, where she has assisted with developing programing for the two meetings that the section has each year. Ms. Wender served as a moderator for a continuing learning education program regarding real property and divorce, as well as a program regarding arbitration for divorce matters. Currently, Ms. Wender is assisting in developing a continuing learning education program regarding the complexities that arise with special needs children in custody matters. Ms. Wender also enjoys dedicating her time to philanthropic work, as she currently serves on the board of directors for Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Through Legal Aid, Ms. Wender volunteers to assist litigants in Protection from Abuse matters, as well as in other family law matters. When Ms. Wender is not working, she is enjoying the company of her husband, Alex, and her two adorable Shih Tzus, Pancakes and Donuts. Ms. Wender can also be found doing Pilates and barre, though she does not consider herself a expert at either. It is also possible to find Ms. Wender on the other side of Pennsylvania, where four out of five of Ms. Wender’s sisters live, as well as her nieces and nephews. When Ms. Wender is able to, spending time with her family is a priority.

Eileen Murphy is a partner with Momjian Anderer LLP, where she represents families in divorce, support, and custody matters. She practices in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties, both in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. A graduate of Temple University Beasley School of Law and Furman University, Eileen is well versed in both litigation and less adversarial cooperative resolutions. She is active with the Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section in the membership committee, the Cipriani Inn of Court, and in the Philadelphia Bar Association Family Law Section, where she served as chair of the Section in 2021. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and two sons.

Shawnee S. Burton is a founding partner of Lancaster Law Group. She received her B.A. from the Pennsylvania State University and worked as a legal assistant for two years before attending law school in Boston. Ms. Burton received her Juris Doctor from the New England School of Law (now known as New England Law÷ Boston). Ms. Burton is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Ms. Burton’s entire career spanning more than two decades has been entirely focused on complex Family Law litigation. In 2025, Ms. Burton was accepted as a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She belongs to the Family Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Lancaster Bar Association where she is the former chair of the Family Law Section. Ms. Burton has served the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas as a guardian ad litem and as a parenting coordinator; she is also certified in collaborative law.

Teresa
C. Marino is a shareholder and co-chair of the Family Law group at Saxton & Stump, leading the
firm’s family law practice across Pennsylvania. With nearly 20 years of
experience in and out of the courtroom, she provides strategic leadership for
the firm’s family law team while guiding clients through complex and often
deeply personal legal matters with experience, compassion, and practical
insight. Teresa brings a thoughtful and personalized approach to every case,
working closely with clients to establish individualized goals and navigate the
long-term legal and personal implications of family law matters. Teresa’s
practice encompasses all aspects of family law, including divorce, equitable
distribution, child and spousal support, alimony, prenuptial and postnuptial
agreements, child custody, grandparents’ rights, and stepparent adoptions. She
is particularly experienced in handling high-conflict and high-net-worth
matters, including cases involving business ownership, stock options, and other
complex assets. Teresa also manages appellate matters for the family law
practice. Teresa develops strategies tailored to each client’s personal and
financial priorities, whether through litigation, negotiated settlement, or
alternative dispute resolution. She has practiced collaborative law since 2017
and is a certified mediator in family law matters. She is active in the
Collaborative Professionals of Central Pennsylvania, where she previously
served as co-president. Prior to joining Saxton & Stump, she practiced
family law at both large regional and smaller private practice settings,
representing clients across Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania. Prior to
entering private practice, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable David R.
Workman of the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas, where she worked on
family law and juvenile delinquency matters. She is a graduate of the
University of Baltimore School of Law, J.D. and The Catholic University of
America, B.A., magna cum laude. She is admitted to practice in
Pennsylvania and Maryland.