Philadelphia Office
1835 Market Street
- Suite 1400
Philadelphia
PA 19103West Conshohocken Office
Two Tower Bridge
- One Fayette Street, Suite 225
Conshohocken
Pennsylvania 19428215.569.4646 phone215.568.6603 faxdsteerman@klehr.com
vCard
David J. Steerman
Partner | Family Law | Litigation
A seasoned litigator, David Steerman's practice concentrates on family law exclusively. More importantly, Mr. Steerman believes the practice of law is about people - his clients. He understands dealing with family law issues such as divorce, same sex dissolution, custody and child and spousal support are complex and challenging. Mr. Steerman's goal is to have his clients and their children emerge from the issues they are confronting emotionally and financially intact while he serves their best interests both inside and outside the courtroom.
Although a strong advocate, Mr. Steerman is sensitive to the personal and important decisions his clients have to make. He offers steadfast counsel to clients in matters concerning:
- Family Law
- Child Custody
- Divorce
- Children
- Child Abuse and Neglect
- Same Sex Dissolution
- Cohabitation Agreements
- Domestic Partnerships
- Marital Agreements
- Premarital Agreements/Prenuptial Agreements/Postnuptial Agreements
- Restraining Orders
- Separation Agreements
- Child Support
- Spousal Support/Alimony Pendente Lite
- Alimony
- Protection from Abuse/Domestic Violence
Recognized by his peers for his work, Mr. Steerman is a fellow of The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and is named as one of Pennsylvania's "Super Lawyers®" as listed in both the Philadelphia Magazine (June 2005 through 2018) and the Law and Politics Magazine, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers June 2005 through 2018 editions. In addition, Mr. Steerman has also been named to The 2014 through 2020 Best Lawyers in America.©
Mr. Steerman's interest and education in psychology compliment his legal abilities in dealing with the many complex emotions inherent in family law issues. He is a member of a prominent Judges, Lawyers and Psychologists group that meets monthly to address custody issues unique to Pennsylvania and the way in which they are handled. Rounding out his abilities, Mr. Steerman is proficient in Spanish.
An active member of the community, Mr. Steerman donates his time and energy to assorted local charities, non-profit organizations, Philadelphia V.I.P., Homeless Advocacy Project and is an attorney mentor in Family Law.
Mr. Steerman writes and speaks frequently on divorce and other family law related topics. He has assumed leadership positions in the Philadelphia Divorce Bar, including chair of the Bar Association's Family Law Section. Mr. Steerman has also served as a council member of The Pennsylvania Bar Association's Family Law Section.
Mr. Steerman has been a featured speaker on family law topics for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, The Family Law Sections of the Pennsylvania, Montgomery and Philadelphia County Bar Associations, the National Business Institute, Temple University L.L.M. Program, Pennsylvania Psychological Association, Widener University Paralegal Institute, as well as other organizations. He has appeared on Comcast CN-8, Money Matters on multiple occasions.
Mr. Steerman has penned family law articles for various periodicals including Philadelphia Lawyer Magazine, The Main Line Times, and Pennsylvania Family Lawyer. His case "Schulman vs. Schulman," was featured in the Wall Street Journal and "Egelman vs. Egelman," appeared in The Philadelphia Legal Intelligencer.
Education
Temple University School of Law, J.D. (1989)
University of Pennsylvania, B.A. (1986)
Admissions
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Memberships
Fellow,
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Pennsylvania Chapter
Member,
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and Montgomery County Bar Associations Family Law Section
Chair,
Philadelphia Bar Association Family Section
(2003-2004)
Chair Elect,
Philadelphia Bar Association Family Section
(2002)
Treasurer,
Philadelphia Bar Association Family Section
(2001)
Secretary,
Philadelphia Bar Association Family Section
(2000)
Co-Chair,
Philadelphia Bar Association Family Section Special Events Committee
(1999)
Co-Chair,
Philadelphia Bar Association Family Section Custody Committee
(1993-1998)
Volunteer Attorney,
Philadelphia V.I.P. and Homeless Advocacy Project
Attorney Mentor,
Family Law
Founding Member,
Nicholas A. Cipriani Family Law American Inn of Court
Member,
Temple Law School American Inn of Court
Stakeholder,
Parenting Coordination in Pennsylvania
Council Member,
Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section
Clerkships
Law Clerk, Honorable William Witten Vogel, President Judge of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.
Awards and Honors
Named to "The Best Lawyers in America©" list for Family Law (2014-2020)
Named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer (2005-2019)
"Parenting Coordination in Philadelphia: What Attorneys Should Know," moderator of the program presented by The Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the Family Law Section of Philadelphia Bar Association, April 1, 2019
"Valuing Antiques and Collectibles," Pennsylvania Bar Institute presentation, March 20, 2019
"Parenting Coordination - Get Your Parenting Coordination and Domestic Violence Training Under The New Parenting Coordination Rule," co-course planner and moderator, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, February 11th and 12th, 2019
"Valentine's Day: Nothing says I love you like a pre-nup," co-authored with Monica Mandell, Philadelphia Business Journal, February 9, 2018
“21st Century Extended Family Law Issues: The Demographics and Fragility of Modern Families,” PBI Family Law Institute, April 2017
“How We Make Decisions: Neuroscience and Heuristics, With a Focus on Dealing With These Complex Issues in Family Law Cases,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, March 2017
"Real Estate Assets and Liabilities in Support and Equitable Distribution Proceedings,” Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants Divorce Conference, October 2015
Speaker at Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania State Trial Judges Conference, July 24, 2015
“Custody Law Updates,” Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section’s Summer Meeting, July 11, 2015
“Drafting Marital Settlement Agreements,” Pennsylvania Bar Family Law Institute, April 23, 2015
"Same marriage, Round 2," quoted in article by Richard Asa, Chicago Tribune, October 23, 2012
“Valuing Antiques and Collectibles,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, April 10, 2014, March 27, 2012
“Custody Practice in Philadelphia County,” PBI’s Philadelphia County Domestic Relations Program, November 2013
“Interview on Halle Berry Custody Relocation Case,” Fox News, Mike Jerrick, April 2013
“Fault and No-Fault Divorces,” Drexel University’s Earle Macke School of Law, February 2013
"Marital Miss: How to Protect Your Business Before You Tie the Knot," Philadelphia Smart CEO, November 2012
"I saw mommy kissing Lou from accounting; office parties and cheating," co-authored with Randi L. Rubin, Philadelphia Business Journal, December 11, 2012
“PreNup: Is It For You?” co-authored with Randi L. Rubin, prettypearbride.com, Fall 2012
“10 Practical Tips for Finding the Right Family Lawyer,” Main Line Media News online and Main Line Suburban Life, November 30, 2011
PBI/PBEC, Disasters—Planning Ahead, 2006
“Family Law Updates,” Philadelphia Bench Bar Conference, October 23, 2003
“Custody Law Update,” PBI/PBEC, June 25, 2003
“Child Custody and Visitation Issues in Pennsylvania,” National Business Institute
“Case Note on Gowdy v. Kesserling,” Pennsylvania Family Lawyer, Vol. 19, No. 2, June 1997
“Custody Relocation Update, The Burdens of a Move,” Philadelphia Bar Association Family Law Section, Fall 1996
“5 County Domestic Relations Practice,” Philadelphia Family Law Section CLE, October 16, 1996
“Practical Tips on Family Law,” PBI/PBEC, June 15, 1995
“Partial Custody—Grandparent and Third Party Rights,” PBI/PBEC
Widener Law School Paralegal Institute and American Institute for Paralegal Studies, Inc., March 8, 1995
Quoted in The Chicago Tribune, “Same Marriage, Round 2” by Richard Asa, October 23, 2012
Quoted in the TODAY Show’s NBC Website, LifeInc, regarding prenuptial agreements, by Geoff Williams, Reuters
Quoted in September issue of Little Rock Family, “Who Gets Custody of Your Child’s Education” by Blair Tidwell
“Interviewer—Custody a View from the Bench,” Philadelphia Lawyer Magazine, Vol. 57, No. 2, Summer 1994
“Family Law—The Right Moves,” Philadelphia Lawyer Magazine, Vol. 57, No. 2, Summer 1993
"Prenups aren't impossible to break, but..." quoted in article by Geoff Williams, TODAY Show's NBC Website, LifeInc
"Who gets custody of your child's education?" Quoted in article by Blair Tidwell, Little Rock Family
