Julia G. Vanasse (known as “Julie”) joined the firm in 2019 to practice in the area of Family Law. She came to Russell, Krafft & Gruber, LLP after serving for almost 20 years as a Lancaster County Divorce Master, where she presided over numerous divorce cases during her tenure. Prior to being appointed by the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas as a Divorce Master, she practiced family law for ten years with a local firm.

With her over 30 years of combined experience in Family Law, Julie brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. She represents clients in all areas of Family Law, including divorce, equitable distribution, alimony, custody, and support. As a long time Divorce Master, Julie distinguished herself for her particular expertise in handling complex and high asset divorce cases.  She is well versed in dealing with the unique complexities that these cases often present such as business and professional practice asset values, pension values, and self-employment and business income issues.

Julie firmly believes that the key to serving clients well in the family law matters is with a comprehensive and compassionate approach. She works with each client personally to understand their concerns and goals.   As a litigator, Julie’s style is thorough and tenacious – as anyone who practiced before her can attest, she leaves no stone unturned.  As a prior Divorce Master, she has a first-hand understanding of the court process and what strategies get results in litigation.  Julie also understands that sometimes the best results are achieved outside of the courtroom and, as a Master, she aided in resolving many cases without a hearing. She brings those same skills in negotiating fair resolutions for clients without the expense, delay and emotional toll of court proceedings.

Julie has called Lancaster her home for over 30 years. She and her husband Mike (also a local attorney) live in East Hempfield where they raised three children. They are now empty nesters unless you count two golden retrievers.

Did you know? Julie grew up outside Washington, DC as one of the very few urban kids who knew about shoofly pie and scrapple, thanks to her Dad who grew up in a small town in Berks County. On trips to visit her grandparents she traveled through Lancaster, fell in love with the farmland, and always imagined what it would be like to live here. The rest, as they say, is history.