Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
4.2 /5.0
26 Client Reviews
PRO
Karen Ann Ulmer
also known as Karen Pendergast
Virtual Consultation Available
About Karen
Biography
Ms. Karen Ulmer is an experienced family law attorney who has been helping clients through divorces, custody, support and other family law matters since 1997. She is licensed in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey and has represented clients in both states and various counties throughout both states. She handles cases involving closely held businesses, professional practices, divison of stock options, real estate, retirement accounts and other assets as well as relocation both locally and internationally. Ms. Ulmer is a a child advocate and volunteers her time to represent children who have been abused and in need of legal representation in Montgomery County.
Ms. Ulmer is a graduate of Duke University with a B.S. in Psychology, a graduate of Widener Law as well as a graduate of Georgetown Law Center where she earned a Master's in Law in the area of Securties Regulation. In addition, she has received certificates for over forty hours of training in mediation the area of family law. She has taught other lawyers how to handle custody and divorce cases by teaching seminars for the National Business Institute. She wrote a book on Divorce entitled, "Divorce in Pennsylvania" which is listed on Amazon.
Ms. Ulmer has been actively involved throughout her career in various organizations, assuming leadership roles. During the early part of her career, she was an officer in the Young Lawyer's Divison of the Bucks County Bar Assocation. She has been the regional coordinator for the High School Mock Trial competition for Chester, Bucks and Delaware Counties for over 20 years. She was a former Second Vice President of the Peace Center, a non-profit organization that educates the community on non-conflict resolution. She has served as President of the YWCA in Lower Bucks County for 2018-2019 and 2018-2020 and has been a board member since 2016. She was appointed to the Bucks County Women's Advisory Council as well as the Council Rock Financial Advisory Committee. She currently serves on the board of the Widener University Alumni Board and has been on the board for over ten years. She is has served on the board of the condo association where her office is located and has been the Board President from 2016- 2019. In addition, she has actively participated in her local community as a coach of soccer and baseball and soccer coordinator.
Ms. Ulmer is a member of the Pennyslvania Bar Association, Montgomery County Bar Association, Bucks County Bar Association and American Bar Association and is a member of the Family Law Section of each organization.
Ms. Ulmer resides in Bucks County with her two sons and yellow lab.
"We are on Your Side" when you need an attorney. We handle custody, divorce, support, domestic violence, prenuptial agreements, adoption, probate, real estate, wills and other legal matters in PA and in NJ. We are caring, compassionate, and experienced.
We are a law firm handling divorce, custody, support, domestic violence, prenuptials, property division, probate, adoption, real estate and other matters both in PA and in NJ. Our team cares about you, your family and your case and represent you with compassion.
We handle custody relocations, new filings, modifications and paternity cases. It is our goal to make sure your children live successful lives with a parenting plan that is in their best interest.
We help make sure the child support amount is accurate and fair and will explain the process to you so that you can determine whether you want to go to court or come to an agreement.
We explain the process, information needed, expectations without promising unrealistic outcomes. Divorce and separation are painful but we help you think clearly by making rational decisions when emotions may otherwise make you make decisions that you may otherwise regret. We are on your Side.
When you are going through the loss of a loved one you can turn to our firm to guide you. We he. lp you understand what needs to be done and help you through the process.
We believe planning is vital and encourage everyone to have a will and POA before they need it.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Child Custody
20%
Child Support
20%
Divorce and Separation
20%
Family
20%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2014
2014 2012
Licenses
Licensed in Pennsylvania for 29 years
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 1996
No misconduct found
Licensed in New Jersey for 30 years
State: New Jersey
Acquired: 1996
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Karen online.
Karen Ann Ulmer's Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by anonymous | April 02, 2022 | Domestic Violence
Very helpful
I called the firm in error, thinking I was calling the Montgomery County PFA office. The receptionist, Marge, didn't just dismiss my call as a wrong number. She took the time to look up the correct number for me, and let me know that the firm could assist me with the PFA and that they do a free con...
Posted by Melissa | August 24, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Personal and Professional
I got the great opportunity of working with Karen and April for my custody modification issues. Karen and her firm were very professional, knowledgeable and treated me like a human being instead of just a paycheck. All the way down to her staff working hard filing and collecting things for my case. T...
Posted by anonymous | April 17, 2014 | Divorce & Separation
EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND REASSURING!!
I was very anxious about my separation, and filing for divorce. Right from the start, Karen made me feel at ease, and calmed my fears. She communicated with me through every step of the divorce process--I always knew what was going on. When it came time to go to court, she definitely made me feel ...
Posted by Jim O | March 02, 2014 | Child Custody
Karen is a god send
Going through a custody dispute is a scary nerve wrecking experience but you don't have to go through it alone. I made the mistake of opening up the phone book and hiring the attorney with the biggest ad, BIG MISTAKE. After realizing my mistake by hiring the wrong attorney at first, I went online an...
Posted by Elisa | February 01, 2023 | Hired Attorney
Look elsewhere
If you hire this firm you will have to do most of the work. They lose paperwork, change your lawyer in the middle of your case, and then ask you to resubmit everything, they are rude, unprofessional, and extremely unorganized.
Karen Ann Ulmer's Lawyer Endorsements
"I wonderful person and a formattable advocate, I have heard nothing but good things."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of her clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Ulmer is well respected in the legal community. She has impressive credentials, including a wealth of experience in Family Law. I would highly recommend her to anyone dealing with divorce, child custody, or other family law matters."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I highly recommend this attorney. Very intelligent and very thorough when analyzing legal issues! Compassionate with clients and aggressive with legal issues! 5 STARS!!"
"I endorse this lawyer. Her answers and insight prove that she is able to offer clear and concise advice and to move her clients in the best direction based on her knowledge of the law."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Ulmer is one of the finest family law attorneys in New Jersey. She is a strong and zealous advocate for her clients and a credit to the legal profession. I highly recommend her legal services."
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Experience
Honors
2026
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Superlawyer, Findlaw
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Awesome Attorney, Suburban Life Magazine
2014
Top Attorney, Philadelphia Life
2013
Awesome Attorney, Suburban Life Magazine
Work Experience
2001 - Present
Principal, Karen Ann Ulmer Attorney at Law P.C.
1997 - 2000
Attorney, Law Office of Jennifer Courtney
Associations
2022 - Present
New Jersey State Bar Association
2022 - Present
Chester County Bar AssociationMember
2021 - Present
Bucks County Bar FoundationBoard of Trustees
2009 - Present
Montgomery County Bar AssociationMember
1997 - Present
Bucks County Bar AssociationMember
1996 - Present
Pennsylvania Bar AssociationMember
American Bar Association
Sample of Legal Cases
Lekkas v. Lekkas
Relocation Granted
Education
1996
Georgetown University Law Center
MA - Masters
1995
Widener University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1993
Duke University
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2023
NBI
Discovery and Evidence in Family Law Cases
2011
Divorce Law from A to Z
Divorce Law from A to Z
2010
Custody from A to Z
Custody, Mediation, Collaborative Law and Advanced Tools
Publications
2023
NBI
Discovery and Evidence in Family Law Cases
2011
NBI
Divorce Law from A to Z
2010
Child Custody from A to Z
Going Beyond the Basics
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
Karen earned significant contribution points in 2014.
Legal Answers
Q&A
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27 Feb 2024
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Q&A
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Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Do's and Don'ts of Custody
30 Apr 2010
Legal Guide
Navigating the Protection from Abuse (PFA) system in Pennsylvania
20 Apr 2010
Legal Guide
Requirements for a Divorce in PA
09 Apr 2010