Lori Shemtob Photo

Lori K. Shemtob

Partner
  • Profile
  • Credentials

Lori Shemtob is the founding partner of Shemtob Draganosky Taylor, a full-service boutique divorce and family law firm. Lori’s clients rely upon her for counsel during what is often one of the most challenging times in their lives. They know she has the knowledge and skill to provide them with strong legal advocacy, because she concentrates her practice exclusively on family law, and always has, throughout her long career. They also know that she has their best interests at heart, because she cares personally about every one of her clients and their families. She prides herself on remembering the smallest details and lives every case with her clients.

Lori focuses her practice on matters of equitable distribution, alimony, custody, child and spousal support, prenuptial agreements, property settlement agreements, and other family law matters. Her main goal in all cases is to reach a negotiated settlement. She is a strong advocate and negotiator, often hosting four-way meetings between herself and her client and the opposing party and their counsel, to try to help the parties reach agreement without the cost and emotional turmoil of going to court. However, she recognizes that not all cases can settle, and she is a thorough litigator, when necessary. Lori has handled litigation regarding hundreds of family law matters for Delaware Valley residents over the course of more than 30 years in legal practice.

Lori believes that the only way to be successful for her clients is to be ultra-prepared before every aspect of the case, whether it is before a meeting, a Master or a Judge. Her preparation is evident in the final decisions on her cases. Lori takes a practical approach and provides her clients with honest and realistic expectations. She develops strategies and works closely with her clients to navigate through the process, which is sometimes difficult.

Lori is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, (AAML) – a national honor bestowed on fewer than 75 lawyers in Pennsylvania. The process of becoming a Fellow of the AAML is extremely difficult and includes both state and national exams, peer review, judge review and recommendations. Lori has been active in this professional association for many years. She was the President of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the AAML for the 2017–2018 term, after having served as Secretary, Vice President, and President-Elect. Lori is one of only 14 lawyers in the state certified by the AAML as a family law arbitrator. She also is a family law mediator.

Lori has been listed among Pennsylvania’s Super Lawyers every year since 2006 and has been named one of the Top 50 Women Attorneys in Pennsylvania. The Super Lawyers selection process includes peer nominations, independent research of attorneys, and a panel review. Lori also is one of the Ten Leaders of Greater Philadelphia for Matrimonial and Divorce Law and has been named among The Best Lawyers in America since 2016.

She is an adjunct professor at Drexel’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law, where she developed the course and teaches Pennsylvania Family Law Practice.

Her list of other impressive accomplishments is long. A past chairperson of the Family Law Section of the Montgomery Bar Association and former member of its board of directors, Lori served as co-editor of Case Notes for the Pennsylvania Family Lawyer and is a former delegate to the Pennsylvania Bar Association. She is a director of the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation and formerly served on the Council of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section. She served on the Judiciary Committee of the Montgomery Bar Association.

Lori also is a frequent lecturer for the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Montgomery Bar Association and professional groups of psychologists, matrimonial counselors, social workers, nurses, financial planners, civic and community groups, and more. She is a sought after speaker and is dynamic and informative.

A trusted source of legal commentary, Lori has appeared on CN8 Money Matters with Mary Carriccioli, CNN Headline News and CN8’s “It’s Your Call with Lynn Doyle.” She has also been a guest on CN8’s Newsmakers, the Irv Homer Radio Show and the Philadelphia Agenda with Brad Segall explaining the ramifications of amendments to the Pennsylvania Divorce Code. Channel 10 News has also called on Lori for assistance with its Legal Hotline. Lori was featured in an issue of Newsweek’s “Nationwide Leaders in Family Law” Showcase, which highlighted her as a leader in family law in Pennsylvania. Under Lori’s leadership, her firm has been recognized among the best family law firms in Pennsylvania by the Wall Street Journal.

cum laude graduate of Temple University School of Law (J.D. 1987), Lori received her undergraduate degree, cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts (B.A. 1977).

Education

  • Temple University School of Law, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    • J.D. cum laude – 1987
  • University of Massachusetts
    • B.A. cum laude – 1977

Bar Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1987
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1991
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1993

Certified Legal Specialties

  • Family Law Arbitrator – one of only 14 in Pennsylvania, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
  • Family Law Mediator

Selected Media Presentations

  • CN8 Money Matters with Mary Carriccioli, CNN Headline News
  • “It’s Your Call” with Lynn Doyle, CN8
  • CN8’s Newsmakers
  • Irv Homer Radio Show
  • Philadelphia Agenda with Brad Segall
  • Legal Hotline, Channel 10 News

Published Works

  • Pennsylvania Family Lawyer, Co-Editor of Case Notes, Author of several articles

Selected Classes/Seminars

  • Moderator and Speaker, American Bar Association, Savannah, Georgia, May 2017
  • Adjunct Professor Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law, “Pennsylvania Family Law Practice”
  • “Hot Tips” program coordinator and moderator – January 2014, Winter 2011, and Summer 2008, AAML
  • “Navigating Through Pennsylvania Custody and Support Laws in Our Evolving Society”, Philadelphia Society of Clinical Psychologists – November 2012 and March 2011
  • “Fundamentals of Family Law”, National Association of Social Workers-PA Chapter Annual Conference October 2012; Fall Retreat of Financial Planners Association of Philadelphia Tri-State Area September 2012; and Philadelphia Society of Clinical Psychologists – November 2012, March 2011
  • “Brief Overview of Divorce Law in Pennsylvania”, Main Line Network of Clinical Professionals – March 2012
  • “What Women Should Know About Their Finances: Income, Expenses and Assets”, Presented at Woman’s Resource Centers, March 2012, March 2011, October 2010, April 2010, and December 2008; Wissahickon Valley Public Library, March 2009; Hadassah September 2012; and Audubon Women’s Club March 2013
  • “Divorce Law in Pennsylvania”, Guest speaker, Drexel University Earle Mack School of Law, Family Law Class – Spring and Fall 2015, March 2014, Spring 2013, Spring 2012, February 2011, January 2010, and April 2009
  • “Family Ties: Support and Custody in Pennsylvania Law”, Gratz College CLE Series – August 2010, 2009
  • “Marriage, Divorce and Custody: What Therapists Need to Know about Pennsylvania Laws; What Does and Could Really Happen to Your Clients”, Family Institute of Philadelphia Annual Meeting – April 2010, 2009
  • “Language to Include in Marital Settlement Agreements and Pre-Nuptial Agreements”, Family Law Meeting, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Hershey, Pennsylvania – January 2010
  • Guest Speaker, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Department of Case Management
  • Guest Speaker, American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants – January 2015
  • Guest Speaker, Lehigh Valley Psychological Association
  • Guest Speaker, Collegeville Women’s Club
  • Frequent Lecturer, Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Frequent Lecturer, Montgomery Bar Association
  • Frequent Lecturer, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
  • Frequent lecturer at various law firms to educate non-family lawyers regarding family law

Honors & Awards

  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, 2006-2019
  • Ten Leaders of Greater Philadelphia for Matrimonial & Divorce Law 2008–2019
  • Top 50 Women Attorneys in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Magazine, 2019
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2016-2019
  • Nationwide Leaders in Family Law, Newsweek, 2011

Professional Associations & Memberships

  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Past President, 2017-2018
  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, President, 2016-2017
  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, President Elect 2015-2016
  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Fellow, 2003–present
  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Board of Managers, Pennsylvania Chapter, 2009–present
  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, CLE Program Coordinator 2010–2015
  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Secretary 2012–2013
  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2nd Vice President 2013–2014
  • Montgomery Bar Association, Chair, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, 2010
  • Montgomery Bar Association, Member, Judiciary Committee, 2002–2004, 2009–2011
  • Montgomery Bar Association, Member, Bench Bar Committee, 2010–2011, 2014
  • Montgomery Bar Association, Co-Chair, Naturalization Committee, 2005
  • Montgomery Bar Association, Vice Chair, Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, 2002
  • Montgomery Bar Association, Co-Chair, Family Law Section Support Subcommittee, 2002
  • Montgomery Bar Association, Board of Directors, 1999–2001
  • Montgomery Bar Association, Chair, Family Law Section, 2000
  • Montgomery Bar Association, Vice Chair, Family Law Section, 1999
  • Montgomery Bar Association, Secretary, Family Law Section, 1998
  • Montgomery Bar Association, Co-chair, Family Law Committee Practicum, 1994–1995
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, Member, Women in the Profession Committee, 2010–present
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, Member, House of Delegates, 2005–2010
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, Co-Editor of Case Notes, Pennsylvania Family Lawyer, 2005–2015
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, Council Member, Family Law Section, 2003–2005
  • Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Family Law Advisory Council
  • Pennsylvania Bar Foundation, Previous Director

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