Charny Karpousis Altieri & Donoian, P.A., a boutique South Jersey firm concentrating in divorce and family law, is pleased to announce Melissa R. Knoerzer, Esq. has joined the firm as a Senior Associate. After a decade of practicing civil, commercial and estate litigation, Ms. Knoerzer has focused her practice on all aspects of family law, including divorce, custody disputes, child support, adoptions, equitable distribution, alimony and domestic violence matters since2014. She has also expanded her expertise and concentrates on families with special needs children and the unique nature of these relationships. Her experience in estate litigation and legal needs for small privately owned businesses adds to Ms. Knoerzer’s understanding in complex family law cases.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Knoerzer was an associate attorney with Adinolfi, Lieberman, Burick, Roberto & Molotsky, P.A. and other practices in South Jersey and Philadelphia. The New Jersey native attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick for her undergraduate studies before attending Rutgers Law School in Camden, receiving a Dean’s Merit Scholarship and the Pro Bono Award for Significant Service. Upon graduation from law school, Ms. Knoerzer clerked for the Honorable Ronald E. Bookbinder, A.J.S.C. (ret.), in the Chancery Division of Burlington County. Today she is a member of the Camden County Bar Association and admitted to practice in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania as well as the U.S. District Courts for the District of New Jersey, Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Middle District of Pennsylvania.
“Family law is as unique as the individuals involved and no two cases are the same,” says Ms. Knoerzer, a mother of two and advocate for children, parents, step-parents and grandparents. “Listening is key to understanding the family dynamics and the first step in providing the creative solutions to achieve the best results – physically, psychologically and financially.” Ms. Knoerzer is active in the community, including her personal efforts as president of the Van Sciver PTA and member and former scholarship chair of the Haddon Township Zone PTA. An animal advocate, she is a former member of the Haddon Township Backyard Chicken Advisory Board and supports other animal welfare organizations throughout South Jersey.
“Melissa’s reputation as a client advocate and legal advisor precedes her. She is skilled, compassionate and hard working – all tenets of an attorney who is committed to providing the best possible representation,” the firm partners, Karen Rose Karpousis, Michelle Altieri and Nicole Donoian-Pody, said in a joint statement. “For this reason and many others, including her ties to the community, makes Melissa a tremendous asset to our firm, team and clients. She is one of us.”
Of note, JoAnne O’Connor, Esq. has also joined the firm as Of Counsel and will assist in representing clients in all areas of divorce and family law. While attending Rutgers Law School – Camden, Ms. O’Connor interned for the Honorable Rudolph Rossetti, in Superior Court, Camden County before receiving her law degree in May 1991. Since that time, she has honed her legal acumen working for the Law Firm of Delany and O’Brien and the Law Offices of Peter C. Lange.
Charny Karpousis Altieri & Donoian, P.A. is a boutique family law firm with highly regarded attorneys who provide assertive and efficient representation to clients in all types of family law matters. This includes divorce, custody, alimony, child support, college contribution and equitable distribution. The firm’s attorneys are also skilled in cases involving domestic violence, prenuptial agreements, property settlement agreements and adoptions. While the attorneys are seasoned litigators, the firm also offers Alternate Dispute Resolution alternatives such as mediation and arbitration. In addition to the legal services provided to clients, the firm is strongly committed to the community. All of the firm’s attorneys participate in the region’s professional associations, provide pro bono legal services to indigent clients and support local and statewide charitable organizations. For more information, visit the firm’s website at CharnyLaw.com or call (856) 574-4343.
