Left to right: Sarah Martine, Jamie Galemba and Shira Katz Scanlon

The umbrella of family law is large. It encompasses divorce, custody, child support, prenuptial agreements, civil unions, domestic violence and more. Each of the attorneys has extensive experience in various areas of family law. For example, Martine has dealt with the evolving civil union laws; Katz Scanlon has in-depth understanding of domestic violence cases, while Galemba has trial experience including contested custody issues. Clients seeking assistance with any of these have the ability to decide which partner is best suited for their needs. The knowledge that each of us has is something that sets us apart, says Katz Scanlon. We are able to help [clients] using each other as a resource to bounce ideas off of and make sure that every angle is being considered for your case. Galemba adds, Were a team and that means we are all going to lean on each other. When you come to us, its going to be us working on your case. You get what you see in front of you and thats something clients are looking for. Family law carries with it an emotional connotation because the subject matter can be sensitive. Some people think family law is strictly emotional and that there isnt actual law being followed, but in reality there is a lot to know as far as procedure and court rules, and what to do in the case of an appeal, says Galemba. Having attorneys that know what they are doing and know what should be happening makes all the difference. For instance, domestic violence matters are something an experi-

Katz Scanlon, Martine and Galemba participate in a Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K in Ocean City.

cases are coming down every day and setting precedent that we can use to help our clients. Martine and Galemba also lend their time as Matrimonial Early Settlement Panelists, for the Court Systems Matrimonial Early Settlement Program in multiple counties in South Jersey. This program consists of a group of local matrimonial attorneys that volunteer to

Experienced family law attorneys with deep roots branch out at new firm
By Liz Hunter

The partners at Martine, Galemba & Katz Scanlon, P .A., are not one-size-fits-all attorneys. At their new firm in Voorhees, Sarah Martine, Jamie Galemba and Shira Katz Scanlon dedicate themselves to practicing family law. At this firm, clients can feel confident they will receive individual attention from the partners themselves each one having years of experience handling the many facets of family lawto efficiently meet their clients goals. Having worked together for a number of years, Martine, Galemba and Katz Scanlon knew that opening their own practice would be the ideal way to serve their family law clients. While this law firm is new to the South Jersey landscape, the attorneys are not. All three women were born and raised in the area and have been practicing law in the community for several years. Martine received her degree from Villanova University School of Law in 2004. She was a judicial law clerk in Gloucester County for one year and began practicing law in 2005. Just last month, Martine was honored by this magazine as an Awesome Attorney in the Appellate Law category. She was featured in South Jersey Women in Business by South Jersey Mag82 SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE VOLUME 9 ISSUE 10 SouthJersey.com

azine in 2009, and was also recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine for 2008-2012. Before graduating from Rutgers School of Law in Camden in 2007, Galemba volunteered with its domestic violence pro bono program and completed the Rutgers Small Business Clinic. A South Jersey Magazine 2012 Awesome Attorney in the Divorce and Family Law category, Galemba is admitted to practice law in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania and has worked on multiple appellate matters, including drafting extensive briefs and pleadings. Katz Scanlon earned her law degree from the Earle Mack School of Law at Drexel University in 2009, where she graduated magna cum laude. She received the Excellence in Service Award for her work with the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project, as well as the Exceptional Service Honors Pro Bono Award. Last month, she was also featured as a South Jersey Magazine Awesome Attorney for Domestic Violence Law. Admitted to the bar in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Katz Scanlon is a member of the Burlington County Bar Association.

enced attorney should be consulted on. New Jersey is broad with its definition of domestic violenceit doesnt always have to be two parties in a relationship together to be considered domestic violence, says Katz Scanlon. The implications of domestic violence are far-reaching and serious. If youre on the receiving end of a frivolous domestic violence case, a restraining order can impact your employment. This is where experience matters to protect the client. Martine keeps herself in-tune to civil union laws. Its such a new area of the law and its important to have counsel who knows about it, she says. If youre looking to enter into a civil union or dissolve one, talk to an attorney because certain areas of the law apply and others dont. For instance, unlike a traditional divorce, civil unions in New Jersey cannot be dissolved on the grounds of irreconcilable differences. Martine adds, This is why continuing education is so important to us also. Were required to meet a certain number of credits with the state, and for a topic like civil unionswhich are often in the newsnew

review the settlement positions of divorcing litigants and provide their recommendations as to how these cases should resolve. Its just one of the ways these attorneys are giving back to the community. The three recently participated in a Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K in Ocean City with their families, and in the spring they plan to play a big role in Stevens Walk, an annual fundraiser benefitting a child suffering from spinal muscular atrophy. In November, Martine was invited to speak at a the National Honor Society induction ceremony at her former high school in Vineland, which she says was a great honor. The three of us have deep roots in South Jersey, being raised here and now starting our own families here, say Katz Scanlon. Its our goal to be active and make a difference in all aspects of the community. n

MARTINE, GALEMBA & KATZ SCANLON, P.A.

2301 E. Evesham Road, Pavilion 800, Suite 218, Voorhees (856) 396-9500 | FamilyLawMGKS.com
SouthJersey.com VOLUME 9 ISSUE 10 SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE 83