So, I went to Elaine in a mess of a situation and needed a divorce like 20 years before I hit her office. she was understanding, compassionate, and knew her stuff. I liked her because she was totally concerned about my wellbeing. Well 3 years later and I'M DIVORCED and was able to gain the house and all my finances. Elaine and her staff are AMAZINNNNGGGG! Though the road was long, they were patient with me and I thank you all for all of your hard work. JOANN AND SARA, YOU GIRLS ROCK!!!!!! ELAINE THANKS YOU'RE AMAZINNNNGGGG!
Elaine handled my case since 2007 through 2009.
She did excellent job.
I just came back to consult her on a different issue.
My case was very complicated, and
she did the best possible in my case.
You can trust her.
She has outstanding knowledge and experience in all the areas: divorce, custody, support, alimony.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
AMAZINNNNGGGG!
So, I went to Elaine in a mess of a situation and needed a divorce like 20 years before I hit her office. she was understanding, compassionate, and knew her stuff. I liked her because she was totally concerned about my wellbeing. Well 3 years later and I'M DIVORCED and was able to gain the house and all my finances. Elaine and her staff are AMAZINNNNGGGG! Though the road was long, they were patient with me and I thank you all for all of your hard work. JOANN AND SARA, YOU GIRLS ROCK!!!!!! ELAINE THANKS YOU'RE AMAZINNNNGGGG!
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Posted by Boris | November 15, 2012
the best Family Court attorney I met
Elaine handled my case since 2007 through 2009.
She did excellent job.
I just came back to consult her on a different issue.
My case was very complicated, and
she did the best possible in my case.
You can trust her.
She has outstanding knowledge and experience in all the areas: divorce, custody, support, alimony.
Posted by anonymous | July 29, 2012
stay at home who was in a dire situation
I was a stay at home mom and taking evening classes when my marriage of almost 7 years dissolved. I had no leverage and my ex had no mercy. He wanted me out of the marital house, to offer almost no financial support, and to take my young children to his new girlfriend's because I was the one who asked for an end to a painful relationship. I was in dire situation. Unfortunately, I had to endure a lot of heartache so I could finish my courses, clear my head of the emotional whirlwind, and gather some funds from family before I began an earnest search for a lawyer. It took me over a month of interviewing and meeting different lawyers before I found Elaine. After only a phone conversation about the details of the case, I was convinced she was the one would could represent me with compassion, turn my case around, and do it efficiently. Over the course of a month and a half she prepared me as my ex filed a trumped up PFA and continued to refuse to negotiate. She suggested filing for interim counsel fees and alimony pendite lite. The strategy worked! He settled on the day of the hearing for interim counsel fees and Elaine came prepared to draft a settlement for marital assets, alimony, counsel fees and custody. What a relief! The ordeal is almost over. Thank you Elaine. Your staff was first rate as well. I only wished I had found you earlier! You really can't skimp for a lawyer especially when your future with your children are on the line.
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Posted by cathy | June 4, 2012
new client custody, support and divorce
I was referred to Elaine Smith by a friend, I can say Elaine Smith is a life saver she took all the pressure off of me and I was able to concentrate on work, family and everyday things. I was married for 28 years. The first question Elaine ask" is what do you want her to do?" She has no time for nonsense and is asute in the courtroom. Stern, confident attorney that any female or male would be honored to say she is their attorney.. Elaine I like to thank you and your staff. Thank you!!
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Posted by Alicia | June 3, 2012
Client of 12 years, Divorce, custody and support
I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for the wonderful service Elaine Smith has provided me. I first met Elaine in 2000 at the recommendation of my personal attorney. As a divorced mom with a highly unreasonable ex with chronic argumentative behavior, I was finding it nearly impossible to resolve certain issues. Elaine truly impressed with her meticulous approach, legal knowledge, attention to detail, and her ability to address complex situations quickly. She consistently offered me the personal attention, straight forward advice, and quality representation that I was looking for. Elaine Smith did an outstanding job representing me and protecting my interests and the well being of my children.
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Posted by anonymous | December 1, 2011
Child Cutody
Ms. Smith performed with knowledge, expertise, insight and experience, to resolve a difficult child custody dispute. She cared for me as her client, but her primary interest was always the welfare of the child. I am grateful for her integrity and the result of a long, arduous, emotionally draining court experience, which was resolved to my entire satisfaction.
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Posted by Frank | August 3, 2011
Excellent Lawywer for Divorice and Child Custody From A Very Grateful Man!
Atty. Smith is extremely knowledgeable, thorough and has excellent negotiating skills. She is extremely capable and she has gotten me excellent results! I truly saw her do things and maneuver her position through the court system as I never thought a lawyer could do. Google her and after 31 pages her name finally tapers off...now that's telling something about her reputation...
Besides the Child Custody matter she also handled my Divorce...although only one choice was able to be picked from the task bar in the review.
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Posted by Aaron | July 28, 2011
Best lawyer EVER!
Elain is amazing. I had three lawyer before her and all of them were the same. Yup, they take your money and then delay to get pay. Elaine is completely different. She accomplished for me in three weeks what my other lawyers couldn't do in three years. She informs, she works, she calls, she's the best! Call her!
Posted by anonymous | December 5, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Not a good attorney
Misplaced case info. did not move in a direction to help my child who was harmed, abused. She questioned me and kept saying claims made by my child did not make since. She kept inflating charges billing. She threatened to tell the judge, she had to drop me as a client for non payment. I gave her all I had. This woman as my lawyer, was no help, to a domestic violence survivor. She acted unethically. I chose this woman because she is Chair on the Philly Bar Association. Wrong choice. Not a good burromitor of her work. The case file was empty when I sought to retrieve my docs to give to my new atty and retain for my record. Why would she Elaine dissolve key info on an active case. I handed stacks of docs to her. Don't use Elaine. One truthful customer complaint with painful consequence is enough. Child best interest, with violence not focused too much risk. It appears there is another complaint. Similar actions. Over billing. Bully behavior, minimal result. Oppositional, not compassionate. I paid Elaine a huge retainer. She kept seeking more money.
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Posted by anonymous | July 31, 2012
Poor Custody Lawyer
I hired Elaine as my attorney for my custody trial. She constantly misplaced information I had given her and never remembered my case each time I met with her. She filed one change of location for my trial and constantly sent me bills each month but she never did anything that was specified on each statement. On the trial date she showed up late and didn't have all the evidence that I had supplied her with over the course of preparation to which I supplied everything from evidence of abuse to school reports. I had to keep feeding her what to say during cross examinations. I feel like I was charged an exuberant amount of money but I was the one doing all the work.
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Posted by anonymous | April 19, 2012
NOT GOOD!!!!!!
She was not responsive, did not remember details of my case, provided improper information, antagonistic towards opposing counsel and her bills are inflated!
Posted by anonymous | March 12, 2011
NOT GOOD
She did not remember the details of my case and did not represent me in court well at all.
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Managing Family Loyalty Conflicts in Child Custody Disputes
1992
University of Pennsylvania Journal of Constitutional Law
Course Planner of Symposium on Family Law
N/A
Speaking Engagements
Temple University Alumni Association
Current Issues in Custody
1997
American Bar Association
Lawyers and Psychologists Working Together, Panel and Best Interest of the Child
1997
Philadelphia Bar Association, Family Law Section
Bench Bar Conference Program on Custody and Support Issues
1996
Philadelphia Bar Association
Ethical Issues in Family Law
1995
Philadelphia Bar Association
Ethical Issues in New Technology
1994
American Orthopsychiatric Association
Conflicts in Custody and Visitation - Who's the Client Here? How an Attorney and Therapist Resolve Ethical Issues in a Custody and Visitation Dispute (with Gail Davidoff, M.S.W.)
1994
Philadelphia Bar Association Bench Bar Conference
Memory Factors in False Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse - Evidentiary Issues (with Hon. John Braxton and Dr. Robert Tanenbaum)
1993
Pennsylvania Bar Institute
Representing Your Client and Yourself in Hard Times
1991
Philadelphia Bar Association Bench Bar Conference
Panelist, Relocation in Custody Matters
1990
Philadelphia Bar Association
VIP Training
1989
Philadelphia Bar Association
Representing the Father in Custody or Visitation Litigation When There is an Allegation of Sexual Abuse
Family Attorney | Dec 05
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known and admired Elaine Smith for the entirety of my career. Elaine is not only an excellent lawyer but has given so much of herself to the Bar and her fellow colleagues. She is a true lady and a pioneer to this profession."