Meet the Team
It’s all about the attorneys in Archer’s Matrimonial and Family Law Group—they are impacting lives and making a difference. Meet the members of this team who guide their clients with compassion and understanding, while still aggressively protecting their rights.
For over 95 years, Archer has been providing full-service litigation and transactional legal services to Fortune 100 corporations, small and middle-market companies, closely held and family-owned businesses and individuals. Among the firm’s services is matrimonial and family law. These Archer attorneys handle all aspects of family law, including adoption, domestic violence, divorce, prenuptial agreements, gestational carrier agreements, cohabitation agreements and alimony. Clients find a dedicated team to help guide them through challenging life decisions. Their goal is to always make their clients feel comfortable and empowered to make informed decisions that are best for their family.
Stephanie J. Zane, Partner
With Archer for more than 24 years, Zane is the chair of the Matrimonial & Family Law Group and centers her practice on complex matrimonial litigation for divorce, custody, parenting time, child support, relocation, adoption and domestic violence. Zane is also trained in mediation.
Having an exceptional amount of experience gives Zane the extraordinary ability to truly hear her clients’ needs, identify problems and create solutions while managing their expectations. She strives to be the reassuring voice helping them through a difficult time. Frequent communication with her clients is important. “I want my clients to feel heard and be able to make educated and informed decisions,” she says.
Zane served as the past president of the Thomas S. Forkin Family Law American Inn of Court, where she is a Master member and served on the executive committee for over 10 years. She was also the national treasurer and trustee for the American Inns of Court. She has served four 3-year terms as a member of the State of New Jersey Committee on Character, appointed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. She currently serves as the treasurer and a trustee for the Camden County Bar Foundation. Zane is involved in organizations supporting youth sports and the betterment of the community.
What advice would you give someone going through a major life transition?
“My advice is that while it is important to have the support of friends and family, decisions about your future must be made by you without comparison to someone else’s situation. Having an attorney you trust to guide you through the process is key to making informed decisions to help achieve your goals without unnecessary stress and anxiety.”
Drew A. Burach, Partner
Firmly dedicated to family law practice for more than 20 years, Burach represents clients in all areas of family law, including divorce, child custody, parenting time, alimony and spousal support, child support, relocation, adoption, distribution of assets and liabilities, pre-nuptial agreements, and enforcement and modification of existing agreements. Burach is also a mediator.
Burach has spent his entire career with Archer, where he has built strong working relationships with clients. He is skilled at guiding his clients through the legal process with compassion and understanding. Whether through negotiation, mediation, arbitration or litigation, Burach is always focused on achieving this clients’ goals in an efficient manner. He is committed to obtaining the best and most meaningful solutions for his clients, consistent with their needs and expectations.
As a former professor at Rutgers School of Law, he taught on family law motion practice. Following law school, he clerked for the Honorable Vincent D. Segal, then presiding judge for the Family Part for Atlantic and Camp May counties.
What motivates you on the toughest of days?
“Motivation can be found in the opportunities this career offers to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. This does not happen by chance but rather comes about through gratifying hard work and preparation on behalf of clients who place trust in you as an advocate.”
Jennie A. Owens, Partner
Owens represents clients in all aspects of family law, including divorce, custody, support, domestic violence and adoption. “Understanding a client’s goals from the outset while providing them with a plan to accomplish those goals is vital in divorce matters,” Owens says. “I have to be able to pivot at any time to put out fires, meet deadlines and deal with time constraints. Helping people through a difficult time and helping them meet their goals is very rewarding.”
Owens is a Master member of the Thomas S. Forkin Family Law American Inn of Court and serves as its vice president. She is currently the vice-chair of the District IV Fee Arbitration Committee, and serves on the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Character, which reviews applications to the New Jersey State Bar. She has also served as an adjunct professor at Rutgers School of Law in Camden, teaching family law motion practice and at the Honors College of Rutgers-Camden. She previously served as president of the Camden County Library Commission.
What motivates you on the toughest days?
“Practicing family law allows me to help everyday people through a particularly rough period in their life. Setting them up for success in the future motivates me on the toughest of days.”
Olivia E. Mendler, Associate
Mendler concentrates her practice in all areas of family law, including divorce, child custody, parenting time, alimony and spousal support, child support, relocation, adoption, domestic violence and cyber harassment. She is a passionate advocate for her clients committed to achieving the best possible outcomes on their behalf. “I take a compassionate and thoughtful approach to cases while remaining focused on delivering results for clients,” she says.
While guiding clients through the legal process with care and understanding Mendler still aggressively protects their rights. She prioritizes honest and clear communication and strives to ensure her clients feel comfortable and empowered to make informed decisions.
Prior to joining Archer, Mendler was an associate at a national law firm, where she focused on family law. She served as a law clerk to the Honorable Joseph Marcryk, formerly the P.J.Cv., in Atlantic City. She was also an intern for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and the Lycoming County Public Defender’s Office in Williamsport, Pa.
What motivates you on the toughest days?
“Knowing that our work truly serves a purpose and helps people during some of the most difficult times in their lives. I chose family law with the understanding that no matter how challenging my own day may be, the work I do has a meaningful impact on someone else’s life.”
Marie E. Lihotz, Of Counsel
Judge Lihotz joined Archer as Of Counsel after serving 20 years as a member of the New Jersey Judiciary, including more than 11 years in the Appellate Division. She concentrates her practice in resolving legal disputes through mediation and arbitration, including family, business, estate, employment, discrimination (civil rights and LAD), whistleblower (CEPA), civil sexual abuse suits and appellate arbitration matters.
“It is my job to work as a neutral facilitator and get parties to calmly consider resolutions without expending the time and emotions associated with litigation,” she says. “It is important to understand both sides in order to make realistic assessments on what course of action is best for all.”
Judge Lihotz enjoys working with both parties and recognizes the need to give a voice to their concerns to resolve their legal disagreements. She understands the many sides of a problem and offers creative solutions.
Among her many accomplishments, Judge Lihotz led the Supreme Court’s Family Practice Committee for a decade. She is past president and a founding member of the Thomas S. Forkin Family Law American Inn of Court. She also is a member of the Justice Marie L. Garibaldi ADR Inn of Court.
What do you wish more people understood about family law?
“The divorce litigation process is detailed, expensive, time consuming and lengthy. In hindsight, most people wish it had unfolded differently—instead of going to court, reaching an agreed resolution through mediation presents an easier and more beneficial alternative.
Archer & Greiner, P.C.
Voorhees
(856) 795-2121
