Family law attorney Gerald (Jerry) Shoemaker concentrates his practice in domestic relations issues including equitable distribution, alimony, custody, and complex support matters. He has also handled a variety of issues arising out of same-sex relationships. Sensitive to his clients’ needs, Jerry is settlement-oriented but ready to litigate when necessary.
He has been repeatedly recognized as a leader in family law, including most recently being named one of the Greater Philadelphia Region’s Ten Leaders in Divorce Law, 45 & Under, by the Ten Leaders Cooperative. In addition, he has earned multiple recognitions by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers magazine as a top Family Law attorney.
Jerry is committed to the practice of family law, which is evident by his active participation in the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA), which chose him as one of 10 members to participate in its prestigious leadership program. He serves in the PBA House of Delegates (HOD) as a Zone 9 delegate and was appointed to the Credentials and Admissions Committee of the HOD. Jerry is Chair of the PBA GLBT Rights Committee. He is also active in the PBA Family Law Section, where he sits on its Council and also serves as co-chair of its Programming Committee. In addition, he is a frequent lecturer on family law topics for both the PBA and the Pennsylvania Bar Institute.
Jerry is also active in the ABA Family Law Section. He was recently selected to be one of 11 editors of its quarterly publication, Family Advocate. Jerry has spoken at several ABA Family Law Section meetings on topics such as finding foreign assets in divorce and dealing with third parties in divorce actions.
He serves on the Board of Directors of the Montgomery County Bar Association (MBA) and is also a member of its Executive Committee. Jerry is Co-chair of the MBA’s Diversity Committee. He is a member of the Family Law Section and Chair of the Section’s Support Committee, which focuses on educating attorneys regarding child and spousal support matters.
He offers free legal clinics at the Women’s Center of Montgomery County, an organization that focuses on freedom from domestic violence and other forms of abuse. He also volunteers as a child advocate for the Montgomery Child Advocacy Program, representing children in various types of actions within the court system. Jerry volunteers his time sitting on the Board of Directors of the Regional Center for Women in the Arts.
A graduate of University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Jerry received his BA from Duquesne University.