Pittsburgh Family Law Attorney Brian C. Vertz Assumes Presidency of AAML Foundation

PITTSBURGH — Leading Pittsburgh divorce lawyer and Pollock Begg Partner Brian C. Vertz was named president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Foundation for a two-year term, beginning this afternoon.

Vertz will lead the AAML Foundation in making grants to agencies that assist needy families and children facing domestic violence, parental conflict and barriers to legal services. The Foundation makes annual charitable grants from the donations of fellows of the AAML, a national group of 1,600 top family lawyers. An AAML fellow since 2003, Vertz has been a partner in Pollock Begg since 2001.

Vertz was voted AAML Foundation president-elect two years ago. He previously served on the AAML Foundation’s board of directors and as secretary, in addition to chairing its Fundraising and Social Media committees and participating in its Long Range Planning and Sponsorship committees. In May he became acting president following the untimely death of President Anne Lamkin Durward.

The AAML Foundation made 45 grants totaling $225,000 in 23 states plus the District of Columbia in 2022 and will make 47 grants totaling $241,000 in 2023. Since its founding by the AAML in 1990, the Foundation has given more than $2.4 million in grants to over 140 nonprofit organizations in 34 states.

“Helping to further the good work of the AAML Foundation has been one of the highlights of my legal career,” Vertz said. “It’s so gratifying to see family law attorneys across the nation embrace our mission, contribute generously and work together to make a meaningful impact for charitable organizations that help children and families.”

Grants are funded by fellows of the AAML who pledge to donate one billable hour of their time to the Foundation annually. Attorneys have raised more than $239,000 in donations via the Billable Hour Campaign so far in 2023, the highest amount in its history.

In addition to his work with the Foundation, Vertz has worked to cultivate excellence in the practice of family law as chair of the AAML’s Chapter Leaders, Practice & Technology and Amicus committees. He’s also past president and treasurer of AAML’s Pennsylvania chapter.

Blending compassion for clients and their children with practical strategies, Vertz is a powerful ally for clients going through divorce, child support and custody litigation, family law settlements and appeals up to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

He is a skilled negotiator certified in mediation, arbitration and collaborative law, and his courtroom successes garnered him designation as 2019 Pittsburgh “Lawyer of the Year” for Family Law by Best Lawyers. He earned certification in cross-border international family law mediation from the UC Hastings School of Law in 2021, establishing himself as a resource in this uniquely challenging niche of family law.

An MBA degree and business valuation certification uniquely equip Vertz for cases involving advanced financial issues, and he’s recognized as an expert on divorce tax law, having co-authored the go-to reference, “Divorce Taxation.”

About Pollock Begg

A progressive and powerful influencer in the legal marketplace, Pittsburgh-based Pollock Begg focuses on innovative, team-oriented solutions to resolve domestic relations matters. Driving legal expectations in the industry, the family law attorneys at Pollock Begg serve in numerous leadership positions within local, state and national matrimonial law organizations and are encouraged to participate in pro bono work, volunteer initiatives and community endeavors. Founded in 2001, Pollock Begg has been recognized more than a dozen times as a top-tier law firm by Best Law Firms. For more information, visit pollockbegg.com.

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