Month: November 2018

High Swartz | November 28, 2018

Today, Marlyn Smith is celebrating 90 years of life and 63 years with High Swartz

Happy 90th Birthday, Marlyn!

Loyal, dedicated, and hard working are only a few ways to describe Marlyn Smith.

Marlyn joined the High Swartz law firm as an associate in 1956 when he began his work in estate planning, probate, and real estate law. In 1978, he bravely took on the responsibility as the first Managing Partner, a title which he held for fifteen years until 1993. After 1993, Marlyn served as a Senior Partner until 2004, after which he transitioned to Of Counsel—his current status with the firm.

During his time as Managing Partner, the Firm grew significantly. From 1989 to 1991, Marlyn supervised a total renovation of the two existing buildings, a newly acquired building, and upgrades to the Airy Street properties as well. The result is the office plan we have today, which has been instrumental in allowing the Firm to grow.

Marlyn has served the Firm and his community with skill and dedication. He has been counsel to and a board member of many organizations, particularly those connected with the Swedenborg Foundation and the Bryn Athyn Church. Marlyn has been an active member and usher of the Bryn Athyn Church for 50 years and was also an active singer in the church choir. He served 19 years on the Board of Directors of the Swedenborg Foundation and four years as President of the Foundation Board.

Marlyn and his late wife, Barbara, raised 5 wonderful children who presented them with 19 grand children, and 30 great grand children. Family pride extends to his very core, as well it should.

Marlyn’s character, forged by loyalty, dedication, and hard work is fully displayed in a life of commitment to his family, his faith, and his firm. High Swartz has been greatly enriched by him, our colleague and our friend.

Marlyn Smith timeline:

1954—Marlyn graduates from Penn Law School

1955—Marlyn was admitted to the Bar

1954-1956—Marlyn clerked with Judge George Corson of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas

1956 (January)—Marlyn joined the High Swartz law firm as an Associate

1967—Marlyn was made Partner at High Swartz law firm

1978—Marlyn becomes the firm’s first Managing Partner

1989-1991—Marlyn supervises renovations, making High Swartz a competitor for years to come

1993—Marlyn steps down as Managing Partner and continues work as a Senior Partner in the Firm

2004—Marlyn says, “I’ll retire, but I won’t stop working.” Marlyn’s work continues as Of Counsel.

2018—Marlyn Smith turns 90. Happy Birthday, Marlyn!

High Swartz | November 19, 2018

High Swartz sponsors Montgomery Child Advocacy Project with a “Salute to Heroes”

High Swartz, a law firm located in the Greater Philadelphia Area, proudly sponsors a local Montgomery County organization—Montgomery Child Advocacy Project (MCAP).

On Saturday, November, 17, 2018, MCAP held its’ 8th annual Salute to Heroes Dinner Dance & Silent Auction, which honored Sarah Klein, the first known gymnast victim of former Olympics Women’s Gymnastics Team doctor Larry Nassar.

MCAP fights to end and prevent child abuse and neglect in Montgomery County through legal services, advocacy, and education. Volunteer attorneys, called “MCAPs”, represent children and are trained by the organization to meet with them, investigate their case, explain the process, and so much more, but most importantly, making sure their voices are heard.

One of these attorneys is our very own, Melissa Boyd, who has been a child advocate for MCAP since 2011 and currently serves on the MCAP Board of Directors after her 2015 nomination.

Boyd is a family law attorney in our Norristown, PA office that focus on multiple areas of practice within family law, but has dedicated much of her professional career to preserving the rights of children and their families.

High Swartz | November 12, 2018

Melissa Boyd discussed family law at the Montgomery County Bar Association

November 13, 2018

Melissa Boyd, a family law lawyer at High Swartz in Norristown, Pennsylvania.Melissa Boyd (Norristown, PA), a family law Partner at High Swartz, was a speaker at the 11th annual Montgomery Bar Association Family Law Section Toby L. Dickman Seminar on November, 9, 2018.

The seminar, entitled “Family Law 2.0: A Child Centered and User Friendly Approach,” focused on divorces and separations that may lead to child custody battles. The seminar focused on the legal steps to make it through the custody battle process as efficiently as possible, with the main goal being the relief of any unnecessary suffering for the child involved.

Melissa Boyd spoke with Judge Daniel J. Clifford and Gary Kline, the head of the Montgomery County Domestic Relations Section.

Boyd concentrates her practice on family law with a focus on, but not limited to, divorce, pre-nuptial and post-divorce agreements, child custody and child support, equitable distribution, alimony and adoptions. She has dedicated much of her professional career to preserving the rights of children and their families.

Boyd has been certified as a Family Law Arbitrator by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and was named among the 10 Leaders of Matrimonial Law in Philadelphia.

The Toby L. Dickman Seminar is held each year in honor of the late Toby L. Dickman, a former family law attorney and family court judge who passed away in 2007.

 

High Swartz | November 1, 2018

High Swartz named among 2019 ‘Best Law Firms’ by U.S. News – Best Lawyers

Full-service law firm in Bucks and Montgomery counties recognized for prowess in Family Law, Municipal Law, Real Estate Law and Litigation - Real Estate, Land Use and Zoning

High Swartz LLP, a full-service law firm with offices in Norristown and Doylestown, Pennsylvania, is pleased to announce that it has been named a “Best Law Firm” for 2019 by U.S. News – Best Lawyers®, achieving a Tier 1 ranking in the Philadelphia Metropolitan area in the practice areas of Family Law, Municipal Law, Real Estate Law and Litigation - Real Estate, Land Use and Zoning and National Tier 2 ranking for Land Use and Zoning Law.

To be eligible for a Best Law Firm ranking, a firm must have at least one lawyer included in The Best Lawyers in America©. Attorneys are neither required nor allowed to pay a fee to be listed. For 2019, 9 High Swartz attorneys were named among Best Lawyers:

Best Law Firm rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process.

The highest honor, a Tier 1 ranking, is based on a firm's overall evaluation, which is derived from a combination of its clients' impressive feedback, the regard that lawyers in other firms in the same practice areas have for the firm, and information that the firm provided to Best Lawyers via a survey.