Henry S. Gornbein

Biography

Henry S. Gornbein is the founding and managing partner in the law firm of Gornbein Smith Peskin-Shepherd PLLC, of Bloomfield Hills, specializing in the areas of matrimonial law, including divorce, child custody, prenuptial agreements, divorce mediation, arbitration, and paternity.

Practice

Henry Gornbein is a specialist in all areas of family law including divorce, child custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, interstate custody issues, domicile issues, as well as mediation and arbitration of all family law matters.

Guiding Philosophy

Henry Gornbein believes that every case is different and the role of an attorney is to educate, guide the clients through the legal system, look for the best possible solution, and try and handle every case in a manner that leads toward healing and not needless confrontation or unnecessary court battles. He has tried many cases, and believes that trials should be the last resort because of the economic and psychological costs involved, along with the fact that when you get to trial, you lose control of your life because the Judge is deciding what happens to you and your children.

Background

Henry received his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School and a PHB from Monteith College, Wayne State University where he was President of the Monteith College Student Faculty Council and Member of the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honorary Society.

Memberships & Community Involvement

He is a former chairperson of the Family Law Section and a current council member of the Law Practice Management Section of the State Bar of Michigan. Mr. Gornbein is a fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and a past president of its Michigan chapter. He is Chairperson of the Long Range Planning Committee of the national American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Mr. Gornbein has served as president of the Michigan Inter-Professional Association on Marriage, Divorce, and the Family; is a member of the Family Law Sections of the American Bar Association and the Oakland County Bar Association. He has lectured extensively for ICLE, the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, and numerous other organizations. Mr. Gornbein is a monthly contributor to the Michigan Family Law Journal, with a column entitled, Case of the Issue, and he has also written numerous divorce-related articles for the "Michigan Family Law Journal," "Laches," "Law Practice, the Business of Practicing Law" -- a magazine published by the ABA Law Practice Management Section, and the "Michigan Bar Journal." He is frequently appointed to mediate and arbitrate domestic relations matters. Mr. Gornbein is the founder, owner, and legal editor of the Web site "Divorce Online" (http://www.divorceonline.com), which is an electronic journal covering numerous family law issues. He is also the creator and host of the award winning cable television show "Practical Law."

Professional Honors

• Named as Super Lawyer 2007 and 2008 in Super Lawyers Magazine


• Recipient of the Oakland County Bar Association 2004 Professionalism Award


• Member and former President of the Michigan Inter Professional Association on Marriage, Divorce and the Family


• Member of the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association


• Member of the Oakland County Bar Association


• Member of the Law Practice Management Council of the State Bar of Michigan


• Member of the Board of Directors and Executive Board of Catholic Social Services of Oakland County


• Member of the Board of Directors of Jewish Family Service


• Member of the Board of Directors of the Fresh Air Society


• Member of the Board of Directors and former President of the Sanctuary


• Member of the Board of Directors of Dads Empowered


• Legal columnist for the Oakland Press 1974-1980.

University of Michigan Law School
Juris Doctor, 0

Monteith College, Wayne State University
PHB, 0