$ 250-350 per hour
Heather Schmidt Bresnahan
also known as Heather Lynn Schmidt
About Heather
Biography
Managing Attorney Heather Schmidt Bresnahan has practiced law in Pennsylvania since 2001. Throughout her 20-year legal career, she has focused on providing comprehensive legal representation in various areas of the law including, divorce mediation, child custody, child support, estate planning, and more. She is recognized as an effective negotiator and a relentless trial lawyer. She works tirelessly to protect her clients’ rights and interests – no matter how complex the legal matter.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Pennsylvania for 24 years
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 2001
No misconduct found
Location
Schmidt Bresnahan Law Group, LLC
750 Washington Road, Suite 14, Pittsburgh, PA, 15228
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Heather Schmidt Bresnahan's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
29 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 11 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by Joni | July 08, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
divorce
I hired this firm for a divorce matter. They went above and beyond my expectations! Dana Turk provided me with realistic advice as soon as I requested it. She was very thorough in explaining how the process would occur and was very considerate of my requests to the best that the law allows. My time t...
Posted by anonymous | June 01, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
She is a great lawyer.
I hired Heather for my divorce and child custody issues. Heather is knowledgeable and fearless in the courtroom. Heather and her staff were professional and kind throughout my difficult times. I googled best family law attorney in Pittsburgh and her name came up. I am very happy for that.
Posted by Corey | May 31, 2019 | Hired Attorney
Great attorney and one who actually cares
Heather was a great help in one of the most trying times of my life. She was with me through the whole process and was always willing to answer any question or concern, trust me I had a lot, that I had. You couldn't ask for a more knowledgeable or understanding attorney.
Posted by anonymous | May 15, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Not worth the money
I hired this firm to handle a custody situation with my son in which I moved to a different city than his father but was still in the same county. I initially had primary custody and did all of the work as the primary parent- none the less my ex filed for full custody. It was supposed to be a hearing...
Heather Schmidt Bresnahan
Replied last May 15, 2019It is unfortunate that this client feels this way and I am sorry for that. Many times in custody situations, when clients do not contact their attorneys before moving 40+ minutes from the other parent, it looks bad in the courts eyes especially when the other parent lives in the better school district. I always tell my clients that if they are planning on moving that they need to move to an area that does not hinder the other parents custodial time and that if possible to stay in the same school district or if moving to a better school district to keep travel time within 20 minutes in traffic. Pennsylvania Courts feel that shared custody is in the children's best interest whenever it is possible. The courts frown upon parents who unilaterally move to an area where time of travel interferes with the other parents custodial rights. I would never tell a client that they would be in danger of losing their parental rights unless they were putting the child in danger, certainly not for moving. Many times, it is the case that a parent is only going to receive 50% custody because that is what Pennsylvania believes is in the child's best interest if there are no issues with either parent that hinders their ability to care for their child. It is not what clients want to hear but I only tell my clients the truth. Part of my responsibility is to give my client reasonable expectations of what the outcome of a trial would be once we have conciliated with the Judge and they have spoken their opinion on the case. I fight for my clients 100% but I do not want to simply take peoples money and take the case to trial if it is a case that is going to end 50/50 - that would be doing my client a disservice.
Posted by Jeff | October 06, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Child Custody
I would highly recommend you hire Heather Schmidt. She is tough and smart. She fought for me and won. I now have shared custody of my son even though his mother tried every trick in the book to try to discredit me, even filing false charges against me. Heather was able to convince the judge that thes...
Heather Schmidt Bresnahan's Lawyer Endorsements
"I cannot say enough about the civility of Heather and her associate in court. Very impressive and a pleasure to deal with."
"I endorse this lawyer. Heather is very knowledgeable and professional and has been pleasant to deal with."
"I endorse this lawyer. Heather is an excellent family law attorney. She is a pleasure to work with."
"I endorse this lawyer. Honest, works hard, does what it takes to get case to a conclusion, while advocating for her clients. I would recommend clients to her."
"I endorse this lawyer. Heather takes a practical approach to resolving family law matters, in a manner that avoids unnecessary conflict and litigation. In doing so she remains a diligent and effective advocate for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is professional, thorough and always does what is needed for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Heather is an excellent advocate for her clients. She works diligently on their behalf. She is knowledgable of the law, and is not afraid to make novel arguments that will impact the interpretation of family law statutes and case law. Heather is always very professional."
"Heather is a tremendous advocate and a real problem solver. I have known her for 15 years and recommend her without reservation."
"She is very knowledgeable and a very good trial attorney."
"Heather is a preeminent lawyer in her field. She is respected by both her peers and the Bench. I regularly refer my clients to her and I've never heard anything but glowing reviews. She's hard working, smart, tuff and a great lawyer! A litigant who's lucky enough to have Heather has a huge advantage over their opponent!!!!"
"I endorse this lawyer. Heather makes time for the client to meet and discuss the situation. I have and continue to refer cases to her."
"I endorse this lawyer. Heather is extremely knowledgeable and easy to talk to. She knows the law and has excellent relationships with the judges of the family division. An easy choice to guide families through difficult times."
"Heather is hard-working, diligent, and passionate about her work. I regularly recommend her to clients seeking a family law specialist."
Lisa Standish
Family lawyer
Christopher Welch
Family lawyer
John Zagari
Family lawyer
Abby De Blassio
Family lawyer
Jeffrey Pollock
General practice lawyer
Experience
Honors
2022
Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
BV Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
Rising Star, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
2006
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers "Rising Star" 2006, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
2006
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2005
Pittsburgh's "50 Finest" Young Professionals, Pittsburgh Magazine
Work Experience
2016 - Present
Owner, Schmidt Bresnahan Law Group, LLC
2010 - Present
Shareholder, Fiscus & Ball, P.C.
2009 - 2010
Partner, Voelker, Gricks & Schmidt, L.L.P.
2002 - 2006
Associate, Goldberg, Gruener, Gentile, Horoho & Avalli, P.C.
1992 - 1998
Law Clerk to Head of Homicide, District Attorney's Office
Associations
2009 - Present
Brehon Law SocietySecretary
Education
2001
Duquesne University School of Law
Juris Doctorate
Speaking Engagements
2012
Pennsylvania Bar Institute
Your First Divorce Case
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
How do I file for exclusive possession of the marital home with divorce pending in Allegheny County?
09 Oct 2019
Q&A
How does my Daughter's Father owing $25,000 in arrears continuously walk away from contempt hearings with no consequences?
02 May 2019