Ask Attorney Jennifer B.: What does it mean to be a family lawyer?

Early in my career, a colleague gave me a piece of advice that has always remained with me: When introducing yourself to someone new, don’t just say you’re a lawyer—say you’re a family lawyer. From a business and marketing standpoint, this distinction matters. Family lawyers work with individuals, and nearly everyone, at some point, will either need one or know someone who does. Once people know you practice family law, you can be sure they’ll have a story to share about a friend’s or loved one’s divorce—or they’ll have a legal question for you or even a referral.

But what does it actually mean to call yourself a family lawyer? Does it mean you only handle divorce cases? What about child custody? Do you take on adoptions? Domestic violence cases? Family law is a broad field, encompassing a wide range of legal issues that affect families and children. The question then arises: If you identify as a family lawyer, are you expected to handle every issue related to families?

Being a family lawyer does not mean you have to take on every case that falls under the umbrella of family law. Each area—divorce, custody, child support, alimony, guardianship, adoption, domestic violence—has its own distinct body of law, procedures, and best practices. Additionally, family law is state-specific, and even within a state, practices and procedures can vary by county or jurisdiction. Because of these complexities, it’s nearly impossible to be a generalist in family law without some limitations.

More importantly, lawyers have an ethical duty to recognize their own professional boundaries. Taking on cases beyond one’s experience or expertise can have serious consequences for clients, particularly in family law, where legal outcomes can significantly impact finances, relationships, and overall well-being. No client wants to be a test case while an attorney figures out whether they’re equipped to handle the matter.

There’s absolutely no issue with limiting your family law practice to specific areas, such as divorce, custody, and support, while referring out cases involving guardianship, adoption, or other matters outside your scope. In fact, having a strong referral network of competent, specialized attorneys can benefit both you and your clients. Some lawyers also choose to limit their practice geographically, working only in jurisdictions where they are familiar with the courts, judges, and other practitioners. Others take a more widespread approach, practicing across multiple counties—or even in multiple states. For example, I practice in two states, while many of my colleagues prefer to stay within a single county, and others would not envision practicing outside their state.

Ultimately, being a family lawyer means different things to different people. The key is finding a practice scope and structure that aligns with your skills, comfort level, and ability to provide excellent service. Whether you handle a wide range of family law matters or focus on just a few, what is most critical is ensuring that clients receive competent, knowledgeable representation—even if that sometimes means referring them to someone else.

With more than 25 years of experience in the industry, Jennifer Brandt’s practice includes all aspects of family law including divorce, custody, support, alimony, adoption, and guardianship matters in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In addition to family law litigation, she also negotiates prenuptial, post-nuptial and cohabitation agreements on behalf of clients. In addition to her busy practice, she’s a well-known legal commentator on national news networks including CNN, CNN Headline News, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, ABC News, Court TV and local and regional television and radio.

If you have a family law issue or would like her to speak about legal issues, you can connect with Ms. Brandt at www.cozen.com.