Julie Owsik Ackerman
Attorney
Sherr Law Group, LLP
(484) 591-3003
jackerman@sherrlawgroup.com
Areas of Practice
- Litigation
- Employment Law
- Municipal Law
- Insurance Defense
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
- 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals
Julie Owsik Ackerman
Attorney at Sherr Law Group
Julie Owsik Ackerman loves solving problems and always has. At Sherr Law Group, she represents municipalities and businesses, using her writing, analytic, and strategic skills to guide clients through the litigation process. Her calm and steady presence helps lessen the stress and confusion that often accompany lawsuits.
From multifaceted contract disputes to emotional employment claims and personal injury matters, Julie enjoys diving in to thorny legal issues. She has won motions for summary judgment and motions in limine in state and federal courts in Pennsylvania, and has represented clients at all stages of litigation, from preliminary objections through appeals.
Julie’s path to law began in working with immigrant communities, where she discovered the joy of using her analytic and writing talents to advocate for tangible solutions for individuals and families as they navigated asylum applications, naturalization, and family-based immigration petitions.
Wanting to make a greater impact, Julie pursued a law degree from Temple Law, interning at the Philadelphia Defenders Association and the U.S. Immigration Court. After graduation, she joined Blank Rome, where she helped clients comply with employment regulations and navigate immigration issues. More recently, Julie clerked for the Honorable Diana L. Anhalt in the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania, conducting legal research and drafting written opinions for homicide and major jury trial appeals.
Today, Julie brings her decades of professional and life experience to each matter, and continues to find satisfaction in using her skills to investigate and find resolutions to a variety of complex disputes.
Outside of work, you can often find Julie surrounded by her husband, two sons, pug, and any number of family or friends, preferably waterside. A third-generation Philly sports fan, she loves her Eagles and Phillies. Still and always, Julie pursues her passion for writing, currently drafting her second novel.
Education
- Temple University – James E. Beasley School of Law, Doctor of Law, cum laude
- Fordham University, BA in Anthropology and Spanish
- Center for Global Education, Cuernavaca, Mexico
Associations
- Member, Pro Bono Committee, Montgomery County Bar Association
- Member, Montgomery Bar Association
- Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Member, Defense Research Institute
Honors
- Keystone Pro Bono Award, 2024
- Phi Beta Kappa
- National Security Education Program, fellowship recipient for international study
Publications
- Use of AI in Employment Practice, CLE presented at the Montgomery Bar Association
- How to Start Using AI, co-authored with Daniel Martin, Law Practice Today, publication of the American Bar Association
- Op-Ed: It’s hard to live like Marie Condo when I hate the things that ‘spark joy’ in my spouse, Los Angeles Times
Articles
The Role of Documentation in Defending Employment Claims: Best Practices for Pennsylvania Employers
Why Is Documentation So Important in Employment Litigation? When an employment dispute arises, one of the first things attorneys examine is the employer's documentation. Well-maintained records can help demonstrate that employment decisions were made fairly,...
When Is Litigation the Right Choice? How Pennsylvania Organizations Should Evaluate Legal Risk Before a Dispute Escalates
Should You Settle a Dispute or Move Forward with Litigation? When a legal dispute arises, one of the first questions organizations ask is whether litigation is the right path. The answer depends on the facts, the legal issues, the potential risks, and the...
How Pennsylvania Municipalities Can Prepare Employees for Depositions and Testimony
What Should Municipal Employees Expect During a Deposition? For many municipal employees and public officials, a deposition is an unfamiliar experience. Whether the lawsuit involves a civil rights claim, employment dispute, zoning matter, or personal injury action,...
What Every Pennsylvania Employer Should Know About Preserving Electronic Evidence During Workplace Disputes
When Should a Pennsylvania Employer Preserve Electronic Evidence? The short answer: as soon as you reasonably anticipate a workplace dispute or potential litigation. Many employers assume they only need to preserve emails, text messages, or electronic documents after...
Get to Know Julie Owsik Ackerman
At Sherr Law Group, attorney Julie Owsik Ackerman represents municipalities and businesses in complex litigation matters across Pennsylvania. From employment disputes and municipal litigation to appellate work in federal court, Julie brings a thoughtful, strategic,...
Why the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act Still Matters 45 Years Later
More than four decades after its enactment, Pennsylvania’s Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act (PSTCA) remains one of the most important, and most misunderstood, statutes governing municipal liability. Enacted to restore balance after the collapse of absolute...