Zanita Ann Zacks-Gabriel
About Zanita
Biography
For over 40 years I have dedicated my practice to ably and effectively representing families in conflict and/or in crisis. My goal has always been to provide effective, thorough, caring, and creative divorce and family law solutions. My primary aim is to resolve cases favorably for clients without the costly necessity for Court intervention, and thus a full range of collaborative and mediation services are provided. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods are now the wave of the future, as they provide both a respectful and dignified way to resolve emotionally charged family issues without court intervention.
The collaborative model allows the parties to advocate their needs and interests, and allows them to participate directly in the restructuring of their families. The process is extremely child centered and is a healthier more holistic method of resolving parenting issues. I am passionately committed to the collaborative process, since I believe that this ADR model best supports families and keeps children'sneeds and concerns paramount.
I also provide collaborative and mediation services in other civil areas, including labor disputes, employment disputes, estate disputes and the like.
I graduated from Brandeis University, magna cum laude, and from Temple Law School in 1975. I began practicing under rule 11 in 1974 and was the first woman to practice law in Erie. I founded the Collaborative Professionals of Northwest PA (CPNWPA) and was its President for a number of years. I am now chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Collaborative Law Committee and the chair of the subcommittee on Legislation, including the Pennsylvania Collaborative Law Act (PCLA). I have also searved for several years on the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP) UCLA Advisory Panel. I am a member of the PBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee and drafter of the Pennsylvania Collaborative Law Act. I have also been published and train widely in collaborative practice matters as well as mediation matters.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
50 years
50 years
50 years
50 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Pennsylvania for 50 years
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 1975
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of Zanita Ann Zacks-Gabriel
402 W 6th St, Erie, PA, 16507-1216
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Zanita Ann Zacks-Gabriel's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 12 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Caitlyn | March 1, 2021 | Hired Attorney
Excellent representation in difficult custody case
Zanita was a tremendous asset during a very tumultuous time for my family. She took the time to understand my situation and she provided good practical advice, beyond just legal advice, through the entire process. In a rapid exchange with another lawyer, Zanita demonstrated knowledge of the law that ...
Posted by Sarah | June 27, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Compassionate yet tough a good combination
Zanita or Z as she likes to be called, took me through my divorce with a great deal of concern for me as well as for my children. Z didn't let my "hurry up, I just want it over" emotional responses to the divorce proceedings cost me in my sanity or in my settlement. She certainly is not the stereotyp...
Posted by Karen | June 21, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Awesome, Knowledgeable, Thoughful, Understanding expert Divorce Attorney
From my first consultation, through my many questions to the final meeting, Zanita was understanding, caring, knowledgeable and had my best interest in mind. Divorce is never an easy undertaking and Zanita was sure to listen to my specific needs and wants. She led me through areas that were difficul...
Posted by anonymous | June 21, 2017 | Hired Attorney
The best!!!!!
Everyone who has ever needed to file for divorce knows that things usually aren't pleasant. When it came time to get matters in order it ended up being the most pleasant legal experience of my life thanks to Zanita. One of the most professional, hard working, and knowledgeable lawyers anyone could as...
Posted by Heather | June 21, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Divorce Attorney
I could not have been more pleased with Zanita. She was very professional and made me feel very comfortable and secure. She helped to guide me through the entire process and made a not so desirable thing to have to go through very, very manageable. She put together an absolutely fabulous collabora...
Zanita Ann Zacks-Gabriel's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer without any reservation. Zanita is an excellent attorney. She is very thorough and always has her client's best interests at heart."
"Zanita is an experienced family attorney who cares about her clients. She seeks to be a peacemaker and to ensure that the family unit is not harmed in the divorce process. She is thorough and has a vast knowledge of family law including traditional litigation, mediation, and collaborative law."
"I endorse this lawyer as someone well informed and passionately commitment to the mediation process"
"Zanita Is an aggressive litigator and also an excellent collaborative attorney as well. I have worked with and against her for many years."
Divorce and separation lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Experience
Honors
2019
PBA Special Achievement, Pennsylvania Bar Association
Work Experience
1977 - Present
Sole Practitioner, Zanita A. Zacks-Gabriel, Esquire - Erie, PA
1976 - 1982
Public Defender, Erie County Public Defenders Office - Erie, PA
1976 - 1977
Associate, Silin, Eckert, Burke & Siegel - Erie, PA
1975 - 1976
Staff Attorney, Legal Services of Northwestern Pennsylvania - Erie, PA
1974 - 1975
Associate, Cornelius O'Brien & G. Sander Davis - Philadelphia, PA
1971 - 1971
Associate, Sesler & Roseman - Erie, PA
Associations
2019 - Present
PBA Editorial CommitteeCommittee member
2012 - Present
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Submommittee and Advisory Panel on UCLAMember
2012 - Present
International Academy of Collaborative ProfessionalsCollaborative Lawyer, Mediator and Teacher
2010 - Present
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution CommitteeMember
2010 - Present
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Collaborative Law Act (PCLA)Drafter
2010 - Present
Academy of Professional Family MediatorsMember
2010 - Present
Pennsylvania Council of MediatorsMember
2006 - Present
Erie County Bar Association, Solo/Small Firm SectionMember
2006 - Present
Erie County Bar Association, Fee Dispute CommitteeMember
1975 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
1975 - Present
Erie County Bar Association, Estate & Trust SectionMember
1975 - Present
Erie County Bar Association, Family Law CommitteeMember
1975 - Present
Pennsylvania Bar AssociationMember
2017 - 2020
International Academy of Collaborative ProfessionalsBoard of Directors
2016 - 2019
Pennsylvania Bar Association, State Collaborative Law CommitteePast Chair
2012 - 2019
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Collaborative Law CommitteePast Chair of Legislative Subcommittee
2010 - 2016
Pennsylvania Bar Association, State Collaborative Law CommitteeVice Chair
Education
1975
Juris Doctor Degree awarded 1975 Dean’s Honor List
1972
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
1971
Valedictorian
Speaking Engagements
2019
(Hope) The Essence of Resolving Family Disputes
2018
Hope - The Essence of Resolving Family Disputes
2018
New IACP Standards and Ethics
2018
Hope - The Essence of Resolving Family Disputes
2018
UCLA - Not Just a School in California, Part II
2018
Creating & Maintaining a Successful Practice Group: Leadership Skills for Practice Group Leaders
2018
Hope - The Essence of Resolving Family Disputes
2018
Pennsylvania's Collaborative Law Act
2018
Building a Profitable Peacemaking Practice
2018
Hope is Possible for Your Clients and for You!
2018
Addressing Collaborative Team Dysfunction
2018
The Prospering Practice: Collaborative Practitioners from the U.S. and Canda Share Secrets of Success
2018
Hope - The Essence of Resolving Family Disputes
2017
Collaborative Law: Resolution with Dignity, Changing the World One Case at a Time
2017
Peacemaking in the Workplace: Mediation and Collaborative Services in the Workplace
2017
Best Practices in Diversity and Inclusion
2017
Hot Tips in Labor and Employment Law
2017
Table Facilitator
2017
Hope -- The Essence of Resolving Family Disputes
2017
Building a Profitable Peacemaking Practice
2017
Hope -- The Essence of Resolving Family Disputes
2016
Growing Your Collaborative Practice: Management, Ethics and Image
2016
Collaborative Groups on Interdisciplinary Teams
2016
Collaborative Law: Settle Your Disputes Respectfully
2016
Using Your Collaborative Training to Offer a Consumer Friendly Approach to Your Practice
2016
Developing Functional Collaborative Teams: Avoiding the Five Dysfunctions
2016
Uniform Collaborative Law Act / Rules
2015
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team II
2015
Add Collaborative Practice to Your Toolbox
2015
The Challenge of Teams
2015
Fostering Trusting Relationships in Your Practice Groups
2015
IACP 16th Annual Networking and Education Forum
2015
Speaking Engagement
2015
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
2015
Closing the Deal: Getting to Yes (and Evading No!)
2015
Exploring New Client/Party Centered Models
2014
Presenter of PCLA
2014
The Passionate Initial Client Consultation
2014
How to Build Your Collaborative Practice
2014
The Role of the Financial Professional in Collaborative Practice
2014
What Every Advisor Should Know About Collaborative Divorce - Preserving Client Assets and Relationships
2014
Navigating the Waters of Divorce - A Practitioner's View
2014
Collaborative Practice Dispute Resolution Without Going to Court
2014
Financial Neutral and Clients Grapple with "Who Gets the House?"
2014
Innovative Problem-Solving Model Moves Clients Through Impasse
2014
Attorney De-Briefs with Client
2014
Challenging Meeting: "Wife Wants to Introduce Son to Boyfriend"
2014
Coach Conducting an Initial Interview with Client
2014
How to Talk with Prospective Client About Collaborative Law
2014
Team De-Briefs After Initial Five-Way Meeting
2014
Initial Five-Way Meeting
2014
Building the Collaborative Team
2014
Creating Cohesive Teams
2013
PICPA Erie Chapter Networking Mentorship Panel
2013
ECBA Collaborative Law Training, Basic Parts 1 and 2 and Advanced Training
2013
CPNWPA Retreat
2011
ABC's of Networking Luncheon
2011
Collaborative Law: Resolving Disputes Respectfully
Publications
2019
2019
2019
2018
2017
2015
2014
2013
2013
2013
2012
Languages
English