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Michelle Lee Sommer
About Michelle
Biography
Michelle L. Sommer
Michelle is the Founding Member with Sommer & O'Donnell, L.L.C. Her primary focus is in the area of family law. However, she also practices in the area of estate planning and administration.
Michelle represents clients in all aspects of family law; such as, divorce, separation, custody, support, grandparent’s rights, pre-marital agreements, adoption, involuntary termination of parental rights, protection from abuse issues, paternity issues, name change, dependency and legal guardianship.
Michelle is also a member of the Collaborative Professionals of Central Pennsylvania (CPCP), where she assists clients in solving sensitive problems with an approach that is individually tailored to place the interests of the family first to minimize destruction and the need for long-term litigation.
While practicing in the area of estate planning and administration she represents clients in the areas of wills and trusts, livings wills, powers of attorneys, general estate planning, guardianship, estate litigation; as well as, probate and estate administration.
Michelle’s family law practice takes her to multiple counties from Chester to Fulton; as well as, Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, York, Lancaster, Lebanon, Franklin and Adams Counties.
Upon graduating from Widener University School of Law in 2004, she accepted a position as an Assistant District Attorney with York County. As a Deputy Prosecutor she had the opportunity to argue before the Pennsylvania Superior Court. Prior to joining the firm, Michelle was Special Assistant to the Minority Whip of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1994 to 2001. Michelle accepted a position with Abom & Kutulakis, L.L.P., in 2006 and became Partner with the firm in just three years. She opened her own boutique family law firm with Brandon O'Donnell, Esquire in 2016.
Education:
J.D. – Widener University School of Law
B.A. – West Chester University
Admissions:
All Pennsylvania Courts; U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Membership Affiliations:
Pennsylvania Bar Association; Family Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association; Cumberland County Bar Association; Family Law Section of the Cumberland County Bar Association; Dauphin County Bar Association; Franklin County Bar Association; Collaborative Professionals of Central Pennsylvania (CPCP)
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Child Custody
25%
21 years
Child Support
25%
21 years
Divorce and Separation
25%
21 years
Adoption
20%
21 years
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Pennsylvania for 21 years
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 2004
No misconduct found
Location
Sommer & O'Donnell
36 South Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA, 17013
Sommer & O'Donnell
35 S. Duke Street, York, PA, 17401
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Michelle Lee Sommer's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
49 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by Nicole | April 15, 2015 | Divorce & Separation
Extremely impressed
I have known and worked with Michelle Sommer for a long time and would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone. She understands the laws inside and out and works with her clients to figure out the best course of action to take. Divorces and child custody arrangements are not always pretty, but by fol...
Posted by Tammy | August 07, 2014 | Litigation
Awesome
Michelle is the best lawyer I have ever had! I have had some in the past and she is by far the best. we still have another court hearing but i have complete faith in her. she is very straight forward and tells you exactly how it is. she knows her stuff and knows how to do her job!
Posted by Nicole | May 15, 2013 | Child Custody
Would use her again in a heartbeat
Michelle is a fantastic attorney. I had a VERY complex and complicated case but Michelle took the time to do research on all of the new (outrageous) laws that had been recently passed in the year before my case started. She gave me all the facts and never gave me false hope. She fought hard for not j...
Posted by Adam | January 15, 2013 | Child Custody
Great Child Custody Attorney!!!!
When I was looking for an attorney to assist me in obtaining custody of my child, I met with 6 attorneys prior to Michelle. She was the only one who genuinely seemed interested in helping me gain custody of my child. She knew the laws, other attorneys in the case, and the judges we encountered and ...
Posted by Lindsay | October 01, 2012 | Child Custody
Excellent lawyer
Michelle handles all of my custody issues. She is very knowledgeable and helpful. Michelle always responds to my inquiries promptly. Michelle exceeded my expectations with her knowledge about child custody laws and strategies we used in my cases. I would recommend Michelle to anyone who wants an ex...
Michelle Lee Sommer's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have worked with Michelle on a number of difficult cases. I respect her tenacity and her understanding of the law. She is very skilled at analyzing issues and advocating but is very practical about finding solutions that reflect the likely outcomes that litigation would produce, without the delay and the cost to her client. It is easy to endorse Michelle."
"I have had numerous divorce cases with Michelle and she is an excellent attorney to work with. She is tough but balanced and is extremely effective at advocating for her client. I strongly recommend her on any family law matter."
"Michelle is a fierce family law attorney who will handle all of your cases with concern, skill and integrity. Michelle strives for positive resolutions for your family and your future. Kelso Law, LLC, endorses this attorney."
"Atty Sommer and I have represented opposing parties in cases. She has always been professional and courteous. She returns calls promptly and represents her clients zealously."
"Michelle and I were opposing counsel on a case and I have since referred business to her. She has integrity, she is easy to work with, and she is extremely knowledgeable. Unlike many family law attorneys, Michelle is willing to fight for her clients even if it means hard work."
"Michelle is a skilled attorney and effective advocate for her clients. She is well-organized and well-prepared any time she enters the courtroom, and serves her clients' interests well. I have the privilege of working for, and learning from, Michelle."
"Michelle is an exceptional lawyer and mentor. I have worked under her tutelage for many years now; and the skills and knowledge I have gained from her are immeasurable! She has prepared me to strongly advocate for my clients in the family law arena with confidence."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"I have been in full-time practice for 46 years. I merged my law firm with Abom & Kutulakis well over 1 1/2 years ago and I am Senior Counsel with the Firm. Attorney Sommer is truly one of the best all around family law attorneys I have ever encountered. All of the clients who come to me for all areas of family law, I have referred to Attorney Sommer. In every "single" case, they were extremely pleased with her tremendous knowledge and her very personal representation on their behalf. If I personally had a family law matter, I would want her to represent me."
"Michelle is an experienced lawyer who works vigorously to obtain the best possible result for her clients. Her legal knowledge and practical approach make her an extremely effective advocate in matters of divorce, custody, and adoption. Especially in an arena where emotions can run high, Michelle's balanced and straightforward style is an invaluable asset that many lawyers can only hope to attain. I endorse this attorney."
"A tireless advocate for her clients"
"It is a privilege to work with Michelle. Michelle is a talented attorney and a zealous advocate for her clients."
"Michelle is an experienced attorney and a zealous advocate for both parents and children in her family law cases."
"Attorney Sommer and I worked together as prosecutors in the York County District Attorney's Office. She is an extremely strong litigator with excellent courtoom advocacy skills. She is dedicated to her work, her cases, and, most importantly, her clients. Working with Attorney Sommer was truly a pleasure."
"I have known Ms. Sommer for over 5 years, since the time when she joined our law firm. Her attention to detail and professionalism are beyond reproach. A reflection of one's character can readily be observed through one's interactions with colleagues and office staff. I am very honored to have Michelle as a member of our law firm and proud that she has recently accepted her new role as my law partner."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Michelle is an excellent attorney and works very hard for her clients"
"I endorse this lawyer's work."
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Experience
Honors
2018
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2017
Top 10% in the United States Divorce and Family Law, Lawyers of Distinction
2012
Certified in Communication and Conflict Resolution Training, Lancaster Mediation Center
Work Experience
2016 - Present
Founding Member, Sommer & O'Donnell, LLC
2006 - 2016
Partner, Abom & Kutulakis, L.L.P.
2004 - 2006
Assistant District Attorney, York County District Attorneys Office
2002 - 2003
Certified Legal Intern, Weidner School of Law Family Law Clinic
1994 - 2001
Special Assistant to the Minority Whip, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Associations
2016 - Present
Dauphin County Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember
2015 - Present
Franklin County Bar Association Family Law DivisionMember
2012 - Present
International Academy of Collaborative ProfessionalsMember
2012 - Present
Independent Collaborative Professionals of Central Pennsylvania (CPCP)Member
2010 - Present
CLE Committee of the Cumberland County Bar AssociationMember
2010 - Present
Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign WarsMember
2010 - Present
American Legion AuxilaryMember
2007 - Present
Franklin County Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
Family Law Section of the Cumberland County Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
Dauphin County Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
Cumberland County Bar AssociationMember
2006 - Present
Family Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar AssociationMember
2004 - Present
Pennsylvania Bar AssociationMember
2016 - 2017
Independent Collaborative Professionals of Central PennsylvaniaExecutive Committee Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Commonwealth of PA v. Padilla
Affirmed.
Education
2004
Widener School of Law - Harrisburg
Juris Doctor
1994
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2012
Cumberland County CLE
Business Valuations in Divorce
Publications
2013
Central Penn Parent
When the marriage ends before “death do us part”
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers