Shared values and goals lead to success

Dawn Kaplan, Amy Smith & Michael Weinberg

For Michael Weinberg, joining a law firm that already included his name was a chance to continue a legacy. “My father was a partner with Dawn Kaplan and Amy Smith when he retired, so I saw this as an important opportunity to pick up and carry forward.”

The three partners now offer the full services of a family law practice, assisting clients with everything from custody issues to the division of marital assets. And Amy Smith, who previously worked as a Burlington County Prosecutor, has a passion for managing cases involving domestic violence matters.

“We have a mutual admiration and respect for each other, both personally and professionally,” Weinberg says, “and we each practice differently, which is helpful – it’s helpful to see how someone else does things, but ultimately, we tend to view things in similar fashion. Our goals are the same. We all believe in our clients, and they’re very important to us. Our common approach is we want to do the best we can for our clients.”

All three partners believe that a smart option for many family law cases is to begin with mediation and, if necessary, then move to litigation. They are also comfortable consulting with each other when needed, relying on each partner’s decades of unique experience and knowledge.

“I think that’s a really important thing for success,” Weinberg adds. “There’s a familial atmosphere that extends, not just between the three of us, but to our associates and to our staff. We know we can rely on each other. I guess you could say if we were in a boat, all our oars are paddling in the same direction. We all want to make sure we leave our clients in a better place.”

Weinberg, Kaplan & Smith