Jenny Berse

Bar / Professional Activity

• Trustee of the New Jersey State Bar Association - Women in the Profession Section , 2024
• Director on the Board of Directors of New Jersey - Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (NJ-AFCC), 2024
• New Jersey, 2004
• Ocean County Bar Association, Member
• Richard J. Hughes American Inn of Court, Member
• Ocean-Monmouth Family Law Inn of Court, Member
• Member of the Justice Virginia Long Family Law Inn of Court
• Barry Croland Family Law Inn of Court
• New Jersey Women Lawyers Association, Member
• New Jersey Association for Justice, Member
• New Jersey State Bar Association, Family Law Section, Dispute Resolution Section, Women in the Profession Section, Solo Section, and LGBT Section, Member
• New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators, Member
• Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Member
• Middlesex County Bar Association, 2017
• Essex County Bar Association, 2017
• Union County Bar Association, 2017

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)

• 4/2/20 - Amzler v. Amzler, published NJ Appellate Division case, obtained 100% reversal in client's favor and clarified part of the NJ alimony statute regarding retirement. , 2020
• 6/9/20 - C.N. v. S.R., published Family Part opinion where the Court held that, in the absence of a writing, partition of a residence remains an equitable remedy among unmarried, cohabitating intimates engaged in a joint venture., 2020
• On June 10, 2024, Berse Law prevailed in the unpublished Appellate Division opinion J.S. v. B.S., where the panel affirmed the FRO that Berse Law had obtained for our client at the trial level., 2024
• On February 7, 2024, Berse Law prevailed in the unpublished Appellate Division opinion Auslander v. Auslander, where the panel found that the family part order must be reversed and remanded because the trial court did not make any findings of fact or conclusions of law explaining the basis for its child support calculation., 2024
• May 11, 2022, Berse Law prevailed in the unpublished Appellate Division opinion Smiley v. Sheedy, where the Appellate Division reversed the family part and found that defendant had made a prima facie showing of cohabitation thereby remanding for discovery and a plenary hearing.  This was the first appellate opinion since Temple v. Temple to reverse and remand with a finding that a prima facie showing had been made., 2022
• June 9, 2020, Berse Law prevailed in the published Family Part opinion C.N. v. S.R., FD-13-928-19, where the court held that, in the absence of a writing, partition of a residence remains an equitable remedy among unmarried, cohabitating intimates engaged in a joint venture, 2020
• October 12, 2021 Berse Law prevailed in the Appellate Division opinion K.A. v. C.E. where the Appellate Division Affirmed the family court Order granting Probation wage garnishment for child's college tuition, 2021

Educational Background

• B.S. in Accounting, New York University (NYU), 1983

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

• For a family law attorney, the thought of representing a creditor-client in bankruptcy court against a debtor-spouse may seem a bit nebulous and daunting. Fortunately, with the law on your side, there is nothing to fear. This article is the first of a multipart series covering a scenario that begins with a debtor-spouse, in the midst of a divorce, filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court., Co-Author, Bankruptcy and Divorce: Exceptions to Dischargeability, New Jersey Family Lawyer, 2020
• Panelist, NJICLE’s New Attorney MCLE Family Law program, 2020
• Panelist, NJICLE’s “Top 5 Profitability Boosters for Family Firms – A Webinar, 2019
• Panelist, NJICLE’s “Mastering Management in Your Family Law Practice – A Webinar, 2019
• Panelist, NJICLE’s “Child Custody Basics: Everything You Need to Handle Child Custody Matters in 2019
• Panelist, NJICLE’s “Until Debt Due Us Part: What Every Family Lawyer Needs to Know About Bankruptcy and Divorce, 2018
• Panelist, NJICLE’s “What to do When you get that Emergency Call – Practical Tips for Lawyers in Emergency Situations, 2018
• Panelist, NJAJ’s Boardwalk Seminar “What Does a Family Lawyer do When the Client Needs a Guardian & Ethics on Guardianship, 2018
• Panelist, NJICLE’s Practice Management Challenges for Family Lawyers, 2017
• Panelist, NJSBA Leadership Academy, 2015
• Panelist, NJSBA’s Suddenly Successful, 2013
• Panelist, NJICLE’s Creating and Managing Fee Agreements that Work, 2012
• Panelist, NJICLE’s Brokering the Truce: Negotiating Family Law Settlements, 2011
• This is the third and final article of a series discussing the intersection of bankruptcy law and collections with financial awards in family court.  Part 1 ran in the February 2020 edition of New Jersey Family Lawyer.  Part II ran in the March 2020 edition of New Jersey Family Lawyer, Co-Author, Bankruptcy and Divorce: The Complexities of Collecting Counsel Fees (or any Judgment) through Wage Execution, New Jersey Family Lawyer, 2022
• Continuing the saga from the previous article, Bankruptcy & Divorce: Exceptions to Dischargeability, we begin where we left off., Co-Author, Bankruptcy and Divorce: Getting Counsel Fees Added to Probation Arrears, New Jersey Family Lawyer, 2020

Other Outstanding Achievements

• I have volunteered at NJ ICLE for the past 15 years and often facilitate NJ ICLE seminars.  I have completed over 700 continuing education classes, including NJ ICLE, Gann Law, NJAJ, Inns of Court, and Bar Association seminars

Honors

• New Jersey's Best Lawyers for Families, New Jersey Family, 2023
• New Jersey's Best Lawyers for Families, New Jersey Family, 2024
• New Jersey's Best Lawyers for Families, New Jersey Family, 2021
• New Jersey's Best Lawyers for Families, New Jersey Family, 2022
• Jenny and Samuel J. Berse are dedicated to solving family law matters in courts throughout New Jersey. Jenny opened the firm 19 years ago, and her son, Sam, joined in 2017 after completing coveted family court and appellate division clerkships. The firm fiercely advocates for their clients. “We’re not intimidated, and we think outside the box and come up with creative solutions and strategies,” says Jenny, who completed 700+ continuing education classes and is trained in mediation and collaborative law. “We’re here for our clients every step of the way and do what it takes to get them what they want". The attorneys are committed to providing the highest quality personalized service. They pride themselves on their 24-hour accessibility and responsiveness. Clients choose Berse Law because of its excellent reputation and history of successfully resolving challenging family law situations, New Jersey's Best Lawyers for Families, New Jersey Family, 2020

“Excellent attorney. Top in her field.”

“Jenny is a true dynamo! She represents her clients passionately and does not shy away from taking a case to trial if that is what is needed. She also understands and appreciates the value of mediation and compromise where appropriate. Her knowledge of matrimonial law and court rules is well known and respected by members of the NJ family law bar.”

“Jenny goes out her way to uplift other attorneys and is extremely passionate in her advocacy.”

“Jenny Berse has built a reputation as a dedicated, compassionate but fierce advocate for her clients in the family law field.”

“Jenny is extremely knowledgeable, skilled and experienced in guiding her clients even in the most complex and emotionally charged matters. Her personal, caring touch towards her clients, as well as opposing counsel, all parties, the Judge and all Court staff are noticeable.”

“very zealous and hard working attorney”

“Professional, personable and knowledgable.”

“Jenny is a dedicated family law practitioner in NJ. She is a tireless advocate for her clients. I have known Jenny for 20 years. She "is" a SuperLawyer.”

“Jenny is one of the top fmily law litigatoers in NJ. She is actively engaged in private practice and is a frequent lecturer for family law related CLE programs.”

“Jenny is a highly skilled family law attorney. She understands her client's goals and finds creative solutions to help her clients to begin anew. She is also a fantastic colleague who is always willing to share her knowledge and expertise with fellow practitioners. She achieves great results for her clients and she gives of herself to make our family bar better. She is truly deserving to be recognized as a Super Lawyer.”

“Top family law attorney”

“Ms. Berse is extremely knowledgeable and very active with ICLE. She is trustworthy and I would definitely recommend her to a family member. She is very giving of herself to colleagues and is always happy to answer legal questions as she is a wiz at procedure and court rules. She deserves to be recognized as a Super Lawyer.”

“Ms. Berse is one of the most honest and professional attorneys I have worked with as an adversary, co-panelist on the ESP, and mediator.”

“Absolutely outstanding attorney. A leader in New Jersey Family Law.”

“Jenny is a fierce, compassionate and knowledgeable advocate. She is extremely professional and will assist other attorneys. She is known for obtaining fair and beneficial results for her clients. Her analytical and advocacy skills are exemplary. She takes fair and reasonable positions guided by the law and practical considerations. I would refer matters to her and reach out to her for advice and counsel.”

“Jenny is a dedicated family law trial attorney. She is tenacious but willing to work with her adversaries to settle cases fairly. She is known throughout the state for her acumen and ability as a family law attorney.”

“Excellent, skilled attorney.”

“Excellent attorney who is wholeheartedly dedicated to her clients, colleagues, the practice and business of law.”