Our History
Mr. Forkin was married to Syvonne Keffer Forkin. He had three children, Keith, John and Tracey.
Mr. Forkin was widely recognized as a leading matrimonial attorney specializing in complex matrimonial litigation and tax-related issues. He was a pioneer in equitable distribution of marital assets. He authored and published many articles on divorce law, and particularly on the tax issues relating to alimony and distribution of assets. In addition to his contributions to the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education, Mr. Forkin was a contributing author and editor of the New Jersey Family Lawyer. He co-authored a reference book for lawyers entitled Tax Strategies and Divorce, and was a contributing author to the New Jersey Family Law Practice, where he wrote the chapter entitled “Basic Tax Rules and Their Application,” dealing with tax-related issues in matrimonial matters.
Mr. Forkin was a founding member of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, for which he served in the position of National Vice-President. He was a member of its national organization, as well as the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
Mr. Forkin was a member of the American, New Jersey, Camden and Burlington County Bar Associations, and was also an officer at both the state and national levels. He was a former Chairman of the Family Law Section of the New Jersey Bar Association, and, until the time of his death, Mr. Forkin served on a number of State Supreme Court Committees and Marital Law Study Committees.
On a personal level, Mr. Forkin regularly gave of his time for the furtherance of legal education. He was frequently contacted by other attorneys seeking informal advice and help on complex matrimonial matters, especially as it related to tax issues. He would regularly take time out of a day to help another lawyer, and even a judge, with a unique or interesting problem. He frequently made time to provide assistance to younger, less experienced practitioners. Mr. Forkin was giving of his time at Villanova University and Villanova Law School where he served as a life member on the Board of Consultors at Villanova Law School.
Birth of Our Founder
Thomas S. Forkin, Esquire, was born on December 20, 1937 in Berkeley Township, New Jersey.
Graduated Villanova
Mr Forkin earns his Juris Doctor at Villanova School of Law in 1962.
Practicing Law
Mr. Forkin was admitted to the Bar of the State of New Jersey in 1963.
After serving in the United States Army, Mr. Forkin began the active practice of law in 1963 at the Camden law firm of Brown and Connery.
The beginning of our core
Mr. Forkin founded his own law firm in 1972, which became Forkin, McShane, Manos & Rotz, P.A., a practice limited to family law, where he practiced law for the next 24 years.
His Legacy Lives on
Tom’s passing on October 3, 1996 was a loss to both the legal community as a whole and to the South Jersey Family Law American Inn of Court. As a tribute to Mr. Forkin’s outstanding legal career, the South Jersey Family Law American Inn of Court proudly bears the name of “Thomas S. Forkin Family Law American Inn of Court.”
The Legacy Continues…
The law firm of Forkin, McShane, Manos & Rotz, P.A. proudly offers legal service and guidance to families throughout Southern New Jersey. If you are dealing with a family law matter, we recognize that you need reliable and skilled legal representation.