Cynthia Weiss Stein
About
Cynthia Weiss Stein is a skilled negotiator and advocate who offers practical, solution-oriented legal advice to guide her clients through the difficult issues involved in family law matters. Cynthia believes it is important to get to know her clients and understand what is important to them. She works with her clients to explore their options, thinking creatively to develop solutions in order to obtain the best outcome to meet their individual concerns and circumstances. In addition to many years of litigation practice, Cynthia practices in alternative forms of dispute resolution including collaborative divorce and mediation.
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in English, Cynthia obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Following her graduation from law school, she was a judicial clerk and staff attorney for The Superior Court of Pennsylvania, serving the Honorable Vincent A. Cirillo, President Judge. In 1989, she joined the law firm, McTighe Weiss, where she practiced both civil litigation and family law. In 2000, she moved her growing family law practice to Masterson Braunfeld, where she joined as a partner. During her years at these firms, she gained significant civil trial and family law experience. She also received training and certification as a family law mediator while developing a significant collaborative family law practice. She later opened her own law office, practicing exclusively in the area of family law, before joining Shemtob Draganosky Taylor Stein, PC in 2011. Today, she puts her wide-ranging legal experience to excellent use on behalf of the firm’s family law clients.
In her free time, Cynthia is a devoted community volunteer with non-profit organizations, both law-related and community-related. She is a co-chair of the Collaborative Law Committee of the Montgomery Bar Association and a longtime board member of Mitzvah Circle, having served on that board since its inception. She was also recently elected to serve as the first woman President of Golden Slipper Camp, which provides an overnight camping experience in the Poconos with scholarships for campers in need.
Education
Education
- University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- J.D. – 1988
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- B.A. – 1985
- Major: English
- Germantown Academy, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
- 1981
Bar Admissions
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1989
- U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, 1989
- U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 1989
- Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1988
- Supreme Court of New Jersey, 1988
Certifications
- Family Mediation, Montgomery County Mediation Center
- Interdisciplinary Collaborative Practice, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
Published Works
- “Divorce Preparedness Plan,” Montgomery County Women’s Journal, April/May 2018
- “Kropf v. Kropf, Venue and Forum Non-Conveniens in Divorce,” Pennsylvania Family Lawyer, 2011
Selected Classes/Seminars
- Second Saturday Workshops, providing general legal information about divorce
- Equitable Distribution Masters’ Forum, 2012
- Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office D.A.R.E., providing legal and general inspiration to school-age children to be drug-free
Honors and Awards
- Named to Best Lawyers® in the field of Family Law, published in U.S. News & World Report
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyer
- “BV Distinguished®” rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Named “One of the Best” Family Law Attorneys in Montgomery County by The Times Herald
- Named a “Top Family Lawyer” in Main Line Today Magazine
- The National Advocates: Top 100 Lawyers in Pennsylvania
- Avvo Rating of “Superb”
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Family Law Section, Member
- Collaborative Law Committee, Member
- Commission for Women in the Law, Former Member
- Montgomery Bar Association
- Family Law Section, Member
- Collaborative Law Committee, Co-Chair 2024 –
- Diversity Committee, Member
- Women in Law Committee, Member
- Family Law Section, Custody Committee, Chair, 2013
- Family Law Section, Distribution and Alimony Committee, Chair, 2012
- Law Reporter Committee, Chair, 2000
- Women in the Law Committee, Former Chair
- Law Day Committee, Former Chair
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
- Collaborative Law Professionals of Southeastern Pennsylvania
- Amicable Divorce Network
Past Employment Positions
- Cynthia Weiss Stein, Attorney at Law, Plymouth Meeting, PA, Owner, 2002–2011
- Masterson, Braunfeld, LLP, Norristown, PA, Partner, 2000–2001
- McTighe, Weiss, P.C., Norristown, PA, Partner, 1994–2000, Associate, 1989–1994
- Superior Court of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, Judicial Clerk and Staff Attorney, 1988–1989
Pro Bono Activities
- Golden Slipper Camp, Vice President
- Mitzvah Circle Foundation, Secretary, Board Member
- Camp Ramah in the Poconos, Former Board Member
- Ramah Day Camp Committee, Former Chair
- Golden Slipper Club and Charities, Former Board Member
- Laurel House, Former Board Member
Choose Experience & Success
Over 100 Years of Combined Experience
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We Know the Law & Learn the Facts
We learn your story and we live it. Our team prides themselves on listening and learning every fine detail. More importantly, we remember those details in court and at the negotiation table. When you put your case in our hands, we provide you with the personal attention and commitment you and your case deserve.
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Information Powers OutcomesOur attorneys believe it is their duty to empower and educate people about their rights in divorce. Propelled by a responsibility to give back to the community, several divorce lawyers within the firm regularly speak and teach at civic groups and bar associations.
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Reputable & Trusted Family Law AttorneysNamed as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer each year since 2006, the firm’s founder, Lori K. Shemtob, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) — an esteemed honor held by only 74 family law lawyers in all of Pennsylvania. She served as AAML’s President of the Pennsylvania Chapter from July 2016 through July 2017.
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From Big Firm to Boutique Firm
Our story begins with a group of lawyers who came from big firms with a passion to create a better experience for our clients. Each lawyer's knowledge and experience contribute to innovative strategies in court and settlement negotiations. Our commitment to excellence takes our divorce and family law firm well beyond the ordinary.