Working third shift at the William Penn Hotel by night and cramming in the rigorous curriculum of a JD/MBA education by day, Brian Vertz never dreamed that he would become a divorce lawyer. Corporate law seemed like the logical destiny for someone with an aptitude for economics and financial analysis. Yet, his first year on the job proved that equitable distribution wasn't far from mergers and acquisitions. Complex financial issues became the watchword of Brian's legal career.
Writing briefs for the Superior Court and Supreme Court appeals was one of Brian's first legal tasks. He soon proved himself to be as effective in the courtroom as he was in written advocacy. The financial concentration he brought to family law raised the bar for effective legal representation. But the real reason why Brian has stayed in family law for nearly two decades is his compassion for the clients and children who are affected by divorce and the profound change it can bring to their lives - change that he helps them to embrace with financial stability and renewed control over their lives and futures.
Brian's accomplishments have not gone unnoticed in the legal community. In 2003, he was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, one of the most prestigious honors among divorce lawyers. He is rated AV Pre-eminent by Martindale-Hubble/Lawyers.com. He has been listed in every edition of The Best Lawyers in America since 2010 and has been regularly honored in the annual listings of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. His commitment to public service is unwavering; he volunteers for Neighborhood Legal Services and donates to the Fellows Program of the Allegheny County Bar Foundation.
Brian is a prolific writer whose articles appear in legal publications for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. Brian is a broadcast presenter and author for the annual Family Law Update, one of the most-watched family law programs statewide. He has written legal education materials on business valuation, tax, child support, executive compensation, equitable distribution, and marital settlement agreements.
To balance a sedentary work life, Brian remains physically active and participates in a wide range of outdoors and fitness activities, including golf, mountain hiking, and going to the gym. He loves travel and makes an annual pilgrimage to the California wine country. He's served in leadership positions with Toastmasters International, and founded ACBA Toastmasters in 2012, the only chapter devoted to improving public speaking skills of lawyers. He has enjoyed living in the city of Pittsburgh itself and is delighted with the small suburb where he's lived for the last few years.
Education
Brian was educated at the University of Michigan (B.A., 1988), the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (J.D., 1992), and the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business (MBA, 1991). He is admitted to practice law in the state and federal courts of Pennsylvania and the Supreme Court of the United States.
“Family law was serendipity for me at first, but I quickly learned that my aptitude for numbers was a big asset in this field. Every day we're dealing with calculating our clients' incomes for support hearings, dealing with the value of business interests they may own, and tracing transactions involving their investments and assets. Having the MBA has been a great asset.”
Awards
Brian has been listed in every edition of The Best Lawyers in America since 2010 for family law, as well as the Ten Leaders-site for top divorce and matrimonial lawyers under age 45. In 2011, Brian also received Martindale-Hubbell's top Peer Review ranking, AV Preeminent, for exceptional ethics and professional ability in the legal field. He has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer® for family law every year since 2005.
Brian was elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in 2003. In 2006, he also became a Certified Valuation Analyst through the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts.
CV
“Family law was serendipity for me at first, but I quickly learned that my aptitude for numbers was a big asset in this field. Every day we're dealing with calculating our clients' incomes for support hearings, dealing with the value of business interests they may own, and tracing transactions involving their investments and assets. Having the MBA has been a great asset.”
News
July 24, 2012 — Brian C. Vertz, a partner at Downtown-based family law firm Pollock Begg Komar Glasser & Vertz LLC, will present at an upcoming Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI) seminar. The continuing legal education seminar, “Tax Consequences and Estate Issues in Divorce,” will take place Friday, August 3. View Full Release (PDF).
June 7, 2012 — Brian C. Vertz, partner at Downtown-based, family law firm Pollock Begg Komar Glasser & Vertz LLC, will present at a Pennsylvania Bar Institute (PBI) continuing legal education seminar entitled “Valuing the Small Business in Divorce: Practice - Pointers - Pitfalls” on Monday, June 11, 2012.
The half-day seminar for lawyers and legal professionals will explore the role of experts in business valuation during divorce and the issues associated with valuing a business without use of an evaluator. Vertz is one of eight attorneys from around the state who will speak during the presentation. View Full Release (PDF).
March 26, 2012 — Pollock Begg Komar Glasser & Vertz LLC partner Brian C. Vertz was elected treasurer of the board of trustees of the Crafton Public Library, a member of the Allegheny County Library Association. Vertz resides in Crafton and has served on the library’s board since 2010. Vertz also volunteers for Neighborhood Legal Services, supports the Fellows Program of the Allegheny County Bar Foundation, and recently launched a new chapter of Toastmasters for Allegheny County Bar Association members. View full release (PDF).
January 10, 2012 — David S. Pollock and Brian C. Vertz will speak at the 2012 Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) Family Law Section Winter Meeting this month. Vertz will present in a session, “Difficult Cases – Difficult Issues,” addressing issues that arise in high-profile cases. Pollock and Vertz will each speak as part of the American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers Program entitled “Hot Tips Regarding Ethical Dilemmas for the Family Law Attorney.” The meeting will be held in St. Petersburg, Fla., from January 13-16, 2012. For more information, visit www.pabar.org or call the PBA.
Pollock and Vertz are both partners at Pollock Begg Komar Glasser & Vertz LLC, a Pittsburgh-based firm dedicated to family law. With 14 attorneys, Pollock Begg is the largest boutique firm focusing solely on family law in Pennsylvania. Both Pollock and Vertz are requested frequently to lecture on issues such as child custody, spousal support, equitable distribution and other family law and divorce litigation issues.
Select Publications and Presentations
- Author, Pennsylvania Family Lawyer, Volume XXXIV, No. 3. “Restrictive Custody Order Does Not Terminate Child Support Obligation.” 2012.
- Lecturer, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Family Law Section Winter Meeting, “Hot Tips Regarding Ethical Dilemmas for the Family Law Attorney,” and “Difficult Cases - Difficult Issues.” 2012.
- Speaker, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, “Tax Consequences and Estate Issues in Divorce.” 2012.
- Speaker, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, “Valuing the Small Business in Divorce: Practice - Pointers – Pitfalls.” 2012.
- Author/Lecturer/Co-Course Planner, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, “Family Law Update,” Pittsburgh, Mechanicsburg and state-wide satellite broadcast. 2007 – 2011.
- Author/Lecturer, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, “Slicing the Pie: Equitable Distribution in Pennsylvania.” 2010.
- Co-Author, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, "Child Support and Spousal Support," in Fundamentals of Family Law. 2009, 2006, 2004, 2002, 1996, 1994.
- Author, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, "Equitable Distribution," in Fundamentals of Family Law. 2009, 2006, 2004.
- Author/Lecturer, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, “Business Valuation and Divorce.” 2009.
- Author/Lecturer, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, “Drafting Martial Settlement Agreements.” 2008, 2003.
Other Media Appearances
- The Lawyers Journal, “ACBA annual elections and retention referendum open from April 23 to May 7,” by ACBA Staff, April 19, 2013.
- Pittsburgh Business Times, “Working on public speaking can help your business,” by Carl Knoblock, March 22, 2013.
- Pittsburgh Business Times, “What types of features do you require in a car?” by Louis A. Corsaro, Jan. 25, 2013.
- The Lawyers Journal, “ACBA Toastmasters Club to offer forum to hone public speaking skills,” by Susan Jacobs Jablow, March 9, 2012
- Pittsburgh Business Times, “Law firm adds partner, amends name,” by Patty Tascarella, Dec. 2, 2011.
“I have the ability to feel compassion toward people who are going through really tough times, but at the same time I'm able to maintain an objective attitude toward the litigation that allows me to develop an effective strategy. I enjoy going to work every morning and having the feeling that I may be helping clients overcome those challenges and obstacles they face.”
Affiliations & Memberships
Board of Examiners,
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (Penna. Chapter)
Founded in 1962, the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) is committed to encouraging the study, improving the practice, elevating the standards, and advancing the cause of matrimonial law, in order to better protect the welfare of American families. Comprised of the top 1,600 matrimonial attorneys throughout the nation, members are recognized experts in the specialized areas of matrimonial law, including divorce, prenuptial agreements, legal separation, annulment, custody, property valuation and division, support, and the rights of unmarried couples.
Fellow,
Allegheny County Bar Fellows
The mission of the Allegheny County Bar Foundation is to be a driving force in promoting justice for all and to improve the community through public service law-related programs as the charitable arm of the Allegheny County Bar Association. To fulfill this mission, the foundation raises, manages, and distributes funds, encourages and assists lawyers to provide pro bono legal services, and develops and supports public information initiatives.
Treasurer, Board of Trustees,
Crafton Public Library
The Crafton Public Library, a member of the Allegheny County Library Association, offers learning and recreational resources for children, seniors, and residents of Crafton, Pennsylvania, including reference materials, fiction and nonfiction books, large print books, periodicals, audiovisual materials, and free web-connected computers. The CPL provides programs and services including children's story times and summer reading programs, book discussion club for adults, chess club, and intra-library loan services. The Children's Wing, which expanded from 2,000 square feet to 5,000 square feet, was completed in 2009 and features a multipurpose room and child-friendly facilities.
Club Founder and Former Area Governor,
Toastmasters International
The mission of a Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth. From a humble beginning in 1924 at the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, Toastmasters International has grown to become a world leader in helping people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience.
“I have the ability to feel compassion toward people who are going through really tough times, but at the same time I'm able to maintain an objective attitude toward the litigation that allows me to develop an effective strategy. I enjoy going to work every morning and having the feeling that I may be helping clients overcome those challenges and obstacles they face.”
On A Personal Note
My clients might be surprised when they receive a call from me after hours or on weekends, but I'm not bound to my desk chair all the time. In addition to a commitment to staying physically active, I have a wide range of interests that keep me on the go. In the summer, I enjoy kayaking on the Allegheny River, biking the trails around the Three Rivers, and taking hiking trips. In between those events, I’m often doing strength training to stay in shape and avoid injuries. . In the past few years, I’ve devoted some of my leisure time to learning golf. Every golfer will tell you that improvement comes in fits and starts, but I love it -- and it gives me time to enjoy the outdoors with friends, family, colleagues and clients. I also love to travel and enjoy the world’s treasures and festivals, like Oktoberfest in Munich, the grape harvest in Tuscany, and Christmas in England. I am an active uncle to my niece and nephew. My brother and his wife had their second child in the summer of 2011, so I take every opportunity to visit with them in San Diego and when the whole family gets together in Michigan.
“I'm a great believer in preparation. When you go to court you're establishing a record on which all the decisions in your case will be made, so it's important to establish a really good record.”