Attorney Profile
Brian C. Vertz
Brian Vertz
Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania (PA)
Practice Areas:
Family Law (90%), Appellate (10%)
Family Law
Appellate
Industry Groups:
Appeals, Child Support, Division Of Marital Property, Divorce, Prenuptial Agreements, Settlement, Spousal Support, Valuation Of Businesses And Professional Practices
Law School:
University of Pittsburgh School of Law
Profile
Brian C. Vertz is a Pittsburgh family lawyer experienced in resolving divorce, child support, division of marital property, alimony, spousal support, prenuptial agreements, settlements and appeals. He has dedicated his law practice to family law as a Partner of Pollock Begg Komar Glasser & Vertz LLC in Pittsburgh. Mr. Vertz is listed in the 2010, 2011 and 2012 editions of The Best Lawyers in America. In his law practice, Mr. Vertz combines big firm experience with the personal service and attention that his clients expect from a matrimonial boutique firm. He has been a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers since 2003 and a Super Lawyer for family law since 2005. He is also an Accredited Valuation Analyst, conferred by the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA) for proficiency in business valuation. He maintains legal resource on business and financial issues in divorce at Family Law Source.
Selected To
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers 2011
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers 2010
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers 2009
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers 2008
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers 2007
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers 2006
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers 2005
No Rising Stars publication in 2009
Certifications and Credentials
About Brian Vertz
Admitted: 1992, Pennsylvania
Blog: www.familylawyerspittsburgh.com/blog/
Professional Webpage: www.pollockbegg.com/team-brianvertz.html
Honors and Awards:
- In 2006, Mr. Vertz received his AVA certification from NACVA, the National Association of Valuation Analysts. To earn this designation, Mr. Vertz was required to meet the organization's education and experience requirements. He was also tested for proficiency in business valuation methods and required to submit a case study applying those methods for peer review. The requirements for an AVA designation are the same as the requirements for a CVA designation, which is reserved for certified public accountants. NACVA is the one of the leading organizations for business valuation experts in the United States., Accredited Valuation Analyst (AVA), National Assoc. of Certified Valuation Analysts, 2006
- Selected recipient, Best Lawyers in America, Naifeh and Smith, 2010
- Selected recipient, Best Lawyers In America, Naifeh and Smith, 2011
- Selected recipient, Best Lawyers in America, Naifeh and Smith, 2012
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Licensed to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, 1999
- Pennsylvania Bar Association - recognized for organizing the CLE programs for Family Law Section Summer and Winter Meetings, 2001
- Elected Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, 2003
- Licensed to practice in the State of Georgia, 2006
- Accredited Valuation Analyst (AVA) - National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA), 2006
Bar/Professional Activity:
- American Inns of Court - Treasurer/Secretary, 1994
- Allegheny County Bar Association Family Law Section - Council Member, 2000
- Pennsylvania Bar Association - Council Member, 2001
Pro bono/Community Service:
- ACLU Legal Committee, 1994
- Kiwanis Club of Pittsburgh, 2002
- Mellon Toastmasters, VP-Education, 2008
- Area 12 Governor - Toastmasters International (Pittsburgh), 2009
Scholarly Lectures and Writings:
- Mr. Vertz wrote and presented "Child Support Provisions" for this hands-on seminar teaching lawyers to write marital settlement agreements., Author, Lecturer, Drafting Marital Settlement Agreements , Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2008
- Mr. Vertz wrote and presented "Support Law Update 2008" before a live audience in Pittsburgh and more than 500 lawyers at 24 remote locations via satellite TV broadcast., Course Planner, Family Law Update 2008, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2008
- This half-day program will discuss hot topics in divorce and business valuation, with Bob Grossman CPA and Melissa Bizyak CPA, Author, Broadcast Presenter/Host, Business Valuation and Divorce, PBI, Business Valuation, Divorce, 2009
- Brian Vertz is an author of a chapter of the PBI book "Slicing the Pie: Equitable Distribution in Pennsylvania.", Author, Slicing the Pie: Equitable Distribution in Pennsylvania, 2010
- Mr. Vertz wrote and presented "Support Law Update 2011" before a live audience in Pittsburgh and more than 500 lawyers at 24 remote locations via satellite TV broadcast., Course Planner, Family Law Update 2011, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2011, Author / Lecturer, Family Law Update, 2011
- Brian C. Vertz recently spoke before the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges on the topic of “Creating Custody Orders that Meet the Developmental Needs of Children.” Judges Kathleen R. Mulligan, Lisette Shirdan-Harris (Philadelphia), and David Workman (Lancaster), and Dr. Eric Bernstein were also speakers for the conference., Lecturer, Pennsyvlania Conf. of State Trial Judges, 2011
Verdicts and Settlements:
- Mackay v. Mackay (2009) - Superior Court of Pennsylvania - college support, 2009
Educational Background:
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), AB in English Language and Literature, 1988
- MBA - University of Pittsburgh (Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business), 1991
- Juris Doctor - University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 1992
Map Location
Blog entries — Brian C. Vertz
White Papers
Divorce - Your First Legal Strategy Decisions
The initial weeks of a marital separation are probably the most turbulent, uncertain part of the divorce process. The first few choices that spouses must make when they are contemplating divorce are important legal strategy decisions that require thoughtful consideration. Your divorce lawyer can help to assess the risks and possible consequences of those initial decisions. 1. Move out or stay put? Pennsylvania doesn’t recognize a legal separation as some states do. Still, it is possible to be separated in the eyes of the law while living together under the same roof. A spouse who moves out must decide where to move, whether to take the children or property, and how the move might affect finances and custody arrangements. Spouses who stay put must be prepared to pay expenses for the marital residence during the separation period, as well as the possibility that the other spouse might refuse to move away, creating an uncomfortable standstill. 2. File divorce or wait? Filing a divorce action is important in some cases where there is a need for the court’s assistance in freezing bank accounts or credit cards, obtaining financial records, or seeking exclusive possession of the marital residence. On the other hand, there may be a financial advantage in simply collecting support during the separation period without starting a divorce battle. 3. Attempt reconciliation or stay apart? Repairing a broken marriage isn’t easy, but some have done it. Still, attempting to reconcile may have unintended legal consequences that must be considered. Reconciliation might delay the official separation date, which affects the value of marital property and the ability to finalize a divorce. The law generally does not permit spouses to have it both ways by preserving a separation date while attempting to reconcile. Some couples sign post-nuptial agreements to settle their financial disputes in case their reconciliation does not work out. 4. Withdraw funds or leave them? Joint bank accounts and credit cards are common battlegrounds in the initial phase of divorce. Making withdrawals from joint accounts or charges on joint credit cards might be viewed as a hostile tactic, but a spouse who would otherwise be penniless might have no other choice. Conversely, raiding a joint account might deplete the good will needed to work out a settlement. 5. Who to trust? Trust is one of the first casualties of divorce, so you need to find reliable allies. Consider supportive friends and family members who are able to keep your confidences and empathize with your feelings. Physical activities like exercise can reduce stress more effectively than alcohol or junk food. Hire a family lawyer that you feel comfortable with. It is important to understand what your lawyer is saying and to be heard when you speak to your lawyer. Consider lawyers who concentrate their practice in divorce and know the nuances of this complex area of legal practice.
What is Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations.
