Lori Shemtob is the founding partner of Shemtob Draganosky Taylor Stein, PC, 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.
A 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).
