Julie R. Colton

Pittsburgh Family Law Attorney

Julie focuses her practice on family law matters including divorce, child custody, support, asset division, prenuptial agreements, and international custody. Julie also has experience in family law mediation and collaborative law in the Pittsburgh area.

Julie believes that clear, open communication with her clients regarding expectations and outcomes is one of her most important duties as a family lawyer and mediator. She helps her clients sort out the legal aspects of a case from the emotions that are invariably involved so they are able to make the best decisions for themselves and their families. When necessary, Julie will fight on behalf of her clients to achieve the best possible legal outcome in court.

In her free time, Julie enjoys baking, craft beer, and spending time with her family. A baseball fan, Julie’s idea of the perfect vacation is heading to Florida for the Pittsburgh Pirates spring training camp with a little beach time thrown in for good measure.

Julie has represented clients in family law, mediation, litigation and collaborative matters and has argued cases before the Pennsylvania Superior Court. Some of Julie’s more notable cases include:

• Litigating family law matters comprising of; custody, support and divorce cases involving multiple states, including cases involving questions of jurisdiction and application of law;
• Representing parents from different countries in international custody cases, including which country has jurisdiction to decide the case and what the custody schedule should be;
• Successfully litigating a complex divorce matter so that the dependent spouse received the assets needed to maintain the marital residence and pursue a career in the arts; and
• Family law mediation including complex divorce and custody matters so that both parties felt as though their needs were met throughout the process and the parties were able to avoid litigation.

Prior to joining Obermayer, Julie worked for boutique family law firms and clerked for the Honorable Kim D. Eaton in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, Family Division.

Julie is an Adjunct Professor teaching family law at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. She chairs the Family Law Section of the Allegheny County Bar Association (ACBA) and is a member of both its Court Relations and Guidelines Committees. Additionally, she is a Fellow of the Allegheny County Bar Foundation. Julie also holds the position of Treasurer for the Family Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and serves on its Section Council.

Julie has published articles relating to a variety of family law topics in the Legal Intelligencer, Pennsylvania Family Lawyer, The Journal of the Allegheny County Bar Association, and Jurist. She has also appeared on “Dealing with Divorce” on KDKA Radio, discussing divorce and custody issues.

Julie is a member of the board of the Neighborhood Legal Services Association, where she also volunteers time as a pro bono advocate representing plaintiffs in Protection From Abuse (PFA) cases and providing consultations and service recommendations to low-income custody litigants. She is also a member of the Chatham University Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship.

Julie is a Fellow with the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and currently serves as co-chair of its Domestic Violence Taskforce. She has also been selected for:

• Pennsylvania’s Rising Stars® in 2019 and 2020;
• Pennsylvania Super Lawyers® – 2021, 2024;
• and was recognized by Best Lawyers® (2019-2025).

Additionally, she was selected by Best Lawyers® as the 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” in Pittsburgh, PA. 

Julie was recognized as a Top Author for JD Supra’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards, as one of the leading ten authors in the United States, covering family law and related matters on JD Supra. 

Awards Won*

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