David J. Steerman

David is a seasoned litigator whose practice concentrates on family law exclusively. He strongly believes that the practice of law is about people – his clients. He understands that dealing with family law issues such as divorce, same sex dissolution, custody and child and spousal support are complex and challenging. David’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.

While being a strong advocate, David is also 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

David 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. He has also served as a council member of The Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Family Law Section. David 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.

An active member of the community, David 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.

Moderator, “Prenuptial Agreements,” American Academy Of Matrimonial Lawyers CLE program, The Pennsylvania Bar Association Summer Meeting, July 14, 2022 

Profiled, “Philadelphia’s Legal Eagles,” Philadelphia Style, December 2021

Profiled, “Pandemic-proof Family Lawyers,” Suburban Life Magazine, December 2020

Author, “Holidays 2020: Custody, COVID-19 and Holiday Travel Do’s and Don’ts,” December 17, 2020.

Profiled, “A Balanced Approach,” Suburban Life Magazine, July 2020

Author, “Navigating Covid-19: Quarantine questions that every married couple may face,” Philadelphia Business Journal, May 6, 2020

Quoted, “Split families make pacts, duel over custody amid virus,” AP News, April 7, 2020

Moderator, “Parenting Coordination in Philadelphia: What Attorneys Should Know,” The Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the Family Law Section of Philadelphia Bar Association, April 1, 2019

Presenter, “Valuing Antiques and Collectibles,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute presentation, March 20, 2019

Co-course planner and moderator, “Parenting Coordination – Get Your Parenting Coordination and Domestic Violence Training Under The New Parenting Coordination Rule,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, February 11th and 12th, 2019

Co-author, “Valentine’s Day: Nothing says I love you like a pre-nup,” with Monica Mandell, Philadelphia Business Journal, February 9, 2018

Presenter, “21st Century Extended Family Law Issues: The Demographics and Fragility of Modern Families,” PBI Family Law Institute, April 2017

Presenter, “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

Presenter, “Real Estate Assets and Liabilities in Support and Equitable Distribution Proceedings,” Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants Divorce Conference, October 2015

Presenter, Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania State Trial Judges Conference, July 24, 2015

Presenter, “Custody Law Updates,” Pennsylvania Bar Association Family Law Section’s Summer Meeting, July 11, 2015

Presenter, “Drafting Marital Settlement Agreements,” Pennsylvania Bar Family Law Institute, April 23, 2015

Quoted, “Same marriage, Round 2,” Chicago Tribune, October 23, 2012

Presenter, “Valuing Antiques and Collectibles,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute, April 10, 2014, March 27, 2012

Presenter, “Custody Practice in Philadelphia County,” PBI’s Philadelphia County Domestic Relations Program, November 2013

Guest, “Interview on Halle Berry Custody Relocation Case,” Fox News, Mike Jerrick, April 2013

Author, “Get Divorced: What Family Lawyers Need to Know About Jewish Divorce,” Pennsylvania Family Lawyer, Volume 35, Issue No. 1, March 2013

Presenter, “Fault and No-Fault Divorces,” Drexel University’s Earle Macke School of Law, February 2013

Author, “Marital Miss: How to Protect Your Business Before You Tie the Knot,” Philadelphia Smart CEO, November 2012

Author, “I saw mommy kissing Lou from accounting; office parties and cheating,” Philadelphia Business Journal, December 11, 2012

Author, “PreNup: Is It For You?,” prettypearbride.com, Fall 2012

Author, “10 Practical Tips for Finding the Right Family Lawyer,” Main Line Media News online and Main Line Suburban Life, November 30, 2011

Presenter, PBI/PBEC, Disasters—Planning Ahead, 2006

Presenter, “Family Law Updates,” Philadelphia Bench Bar Conference, October 23, 2003

Presenter, “Custody Law Update,” PBI/PBEC, June 25, 2003

Presenter, “Child Custody and Visitation Issues in Pennsylvania,” National Business Institute

Author, “Case Note on Gowdy v. Kesserling,” Pennsylvania Family Lawyer, Vol. 19, No. 2, June 1997

Presenter, “Custody Relocation Update, The Burdens of a Move,” Philadelphia Bar Association Family Law Section, Fall 1996

Presenter, “5 County Domestic Relations Practice,” Philadelphia Family Law Section CLE, October 16, 1996

Presenter, “Practical Tips on Family Law,” PBI/PBEC, June 15, 1995

Presenter, “Partial Custody—Grandparent and Third Party Rights,” PBI/PBEC

Presenter, Widener Law School Paralegal Institute and American Institute for Paralegal Studies, Inc., March 8, 1995

Quoted, “Same Marriage, Round 2,” The Chicago Tribune, October 23, 2012

Quoted, TODAY Show’s NBC Website, LifeInc, regarding prenuptial agreements, by Geoff Williams, Reuters

Quoted, “Who Gets Custody of Your Child’s Education,” Little Rock Family, September 1994

Author, “Interviewer—Custody a View from the Bench,” Philadelphia Lawyer Magazine, Vol. 57, No. 2, Summer 1994

Author, “Family Law—The Right Moves,” Philadelphia Lawyer Magazine, Vol. 57, No. 2, Summer 1993

Quoted, “Prenups aren’t impossible to break, but…” TODAY Show’s NBC Website, LifeInc