James H. Richardson
E-mail:
jhrichardson@elderkinlaw.com
vCard Secretary e-mail:
laura@elderkinlaw.com
Concentration:
- Matrimonial and Family Law and Litigation, Commercial, Business Law, Bankruptcy, Estate Planning and Probate, and Real Estate
- CEO and Managing Partner of the Elderkin Law Firm for nine years
Education:
- Dickinson School of Law, Penn State University, Juris Doctor (Law Review; Abel Klaw Advocacy Award)
- Franklin & Marshall College, Bachelor of Science
Admissions and Professional Association:
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
- All Courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyer*
- American Bar Association - Family Law Section
- Pennsylvania Bar Association: Family Law Section; Code of Evidence Committee; Committee on Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility
- Pro Bono Award, May 2004, from the Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Erie County Bar Association:
- Treasurer and Executive Committee 1996-1997;
- Family Law Committee (Chair 1983, 1984, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2007)
- Bankruptcy Committee 1981 - 1998;
- Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee 1985 - 1992;
- Budget and Finance Committee 2005;
- Business Practice Committee 2005;
- CPA/Legal Committee 2005 - Outstanding Pro Bono Award, May 2004, jointly from the Erie County Bar Association and the Legal Aid Volunteer Attorneys Program
- Pennsylvania "Super Lawyer," Philadelphia Magazine, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012
- Martindale-Hubbell "AV" rating
Community Involvement:
- Shriner's Hospital for Children, Erie Unit
- Board of Directors, 1993-Present;
- Chairman 2001 to 2002;
- Vice-Chair 1999-2000;
- Treasurer 1996-1998;
- Emeritus 2003 to present - Shriners International
- Imperial Donor Relations Committee, 2007 to present
- Imperial Captain of the Guard Aide, 2009 to 2010, and 2011 to present
- Imperial Outer Guard Aide, 2009 to 2010 - Mid Atlantic Shrine Association
- Donor Relations Committee Chair, 2007 to 2011
- Parliamentarian, 2010 to 2011 - Pennsylvania Shrine Association, President 2009-2010
- Zem Zem Shrine Temple, 1977 to present;
- Potentate 2010;
- Divan 2006 to 2010;
- Membership Chair 2006;
- Donor Relations Chair, 2003 to 2009, and 2011 to present;
- Hospital Representative 1993 to present;
- Potentate's Aide 2000 to 2005; - Scottish Rite Mason, 33rd Degree, Valley of Erie
- Boy Scouts of America, French Creek Council
- Executive Committee, 1984-2009;
- Silver Beaver Award 1998;
- President's Award 1993;
- District Award of Merit 1994;
- Scout Master 1999-2002 - Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award, December 2003
- Hamot Medical Center Board of Corporators, 2010 to present
- Allied Pediatric Health of Erie Board of Directors, 2010 to present
- West Ridge Fire Dept., Volunteer Solicitor for over 10 years
- Northwestern Legal Services, Board of Directors, 1982-1992; President 1989-1992
- Legion of Honor, Order of DeMolay, Erie Chapter, 1989-Present; Secretary and Treasurer, 1993-2005
- Incorporator and Legal Counsel to Scholarship Foundation of Erie Scottish Rite Bodies, Inc., 1992-1995
- Lake Erie Ballet Company, Board of Directors, 1993-1996, Treasurer 1994-1996
- Gannon University Professional Advisory Council for paralegal program, 1989-1999
- UpJohn Healthcare Services/Home Health Care Services, Professional Advisory Committee, 1985-1996
- Presbyterian Church Elder
- Soccer Coach 1993 to 1995
- Baseball Coach 1991 to 1992
Presentations:
- Frequent author and lecturer on family law and ethic issues for the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and the Erie County Bar Association
- Frequent lecturer on Endowment, Wills, Gifts, and Estate Planning for Shriners Hospitals for Children
Publications:
- Darby v. Darby, "Lump Sum Personal Injury Settlement Constitutes Income for Support Calculations," Pennsylvania Family Lawyer, June 1997
- "The Erie County Custody Mediation Process," Pennsylvania Family Law, June 1997
- "Expert Witness Fees: Proposals for Changing Pennsylvania," 83 Dickinson Law Review 315 (1979)
- "Disqualification - 'Screening' to Rebut the Automatic Law Firm Disqualification Rule," 82 Dickinson Law Review 625 (1978)