​Meet Our Legal Team

One of the founding shareholders of Dolchin, Slotkin & Todd, P.C. (DS&T), Mr. Dolchin currently serves as the firm’s managing shareholder. He spent three years as an associate, then a partner, with a large Philadelphia law firm before founding DS&T. 

Mr. Dolchin was awarded a J.D. from Boston University School of Law and an LL.M. in taxation from New York University School of Law. He majored in Political Science and English at Pennsylvania State University, for which he earned a B.A.

Mr. Dolchin is a member of the Real Estate and Probate Law and Tax Law sections of the Philadelphia Bar Association, the Tax Law section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and the Section on Taxation of the American Bar Association. He is also a member of the American Academy of Healthcare Lawyers. His Martindale-Hubbell ®  rating of AV indicates both very high legal ability and ethical standards. He is admitted to the bar in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, as well as the U.S. Tax Court; the U.S. Court of Appeals, the 3rd Circuit; and the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Email: jdolchin@dolchin.com

Arlan Mintz Kardon is a family law attorney, concentrating on the management, strategic direction and litigation of high net-worth matrimonial cases, many of which have private family offices. Her practice includes complicated premarital agreements, cohabitation agreements, equitable distribution, custody, domestic violence, alimony, support and asset protection. Ms. Kardon was recently recognized in the 2021 and 2022 editions of Chambers High Net Worth, a guide to the leading lawyers and law firms for international private wealth.

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Ms. Kardon came to Dolchin, Slotkin & Todd, P.C. in 1990, with a decade of private practice experience in criminal and divorce work. Prior to that, she put in four years as a tough Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia, honing her aggressive attitude with extensive courtroom experience in drug offenses, major felony trials and homicide trials.

Ms. Kardon received her J.D. from Temple University School of Law and her B.A. in history from Temple University, where she was a Presidential Scholar. She is a member of the Family Law Section of the Philadelphia, Montgomery and Pennsylvania Bar Associations, a member of the State Bar Association of New York and a Charter Member of the Lawyers and Psychologists Group of Pennsylvania. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Artreach, a nonprofit organization that joins the performing and visual arts with special needs audiences.

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Ms. Kardon is admitted to the bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; the State of New York; and the U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd and 11th Circuits. Her Martindale-Hubble® rating of AV indicates very high to preeminent legal ability and very high ethical standards.

Email: akardon@dolchin.com

Wendy graduated cum laude from Bryn Mawr College with a degree in History of Art. She obtained both her J.D. and LL.M. in Taxation in the evening division of Temple University Law School while working full time, first as a paralegal and then as an attorney. At Temple, she was honored with a Bertram K. Wolfe Award, two American Jurisprudence Awards for Excellence, and three honors awards, in Taxation, Trusts & Estates and Remedies.

Wendy joined Dolchin, Slotkin and Todd, P.C.  in 1987.  In her tenure with the firm, her estate planning,  and tax planning and estate administration practice has expanded to include health law, elder law, business, professional and non-profit corporations. She also works closely with the firm's domestic relations department, preparing pre-nuptial and property settlement agreements, and the estate plans to implement them.

She is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and before the U.S. Court of Claims; the U.S. Tax Court; and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

An active member of the Philadelphia Bar Association Probate Section and a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Wendy has lectured on tax issues for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute.  She has received the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards from LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell ®  Peer Review Rating.

Wendy is a Trustee and Vice President of the Jewish Publication Society and serves on the Board of Directors of Congregation Adath Jeshurun. She previously served on the Planned Giving Committee of the Alzheimer's Association Delaware Valley Chapter, the local Florence Melton Adult Mini-School Advisory Committee and the Cheltenham Township Economic Restructuring Committee.  She provided pro bono counsel to The Philadelphia Festival Theatre for New Plays, of which she was also an officer and Director, and represented The Elizabeth Blackwell Heath Center for Women, both from their inception.

A lifelong musician who has performed with numerous choirs and orchestras, Wendy is also a theater and film aficionado.  She and her husband Leonard, also an attorney, live in Laverock, Pennsylvania. 

 Email: wcooper@dolchin.com 

Ellis Eisen views himself as a problem solver who can cut to the heart of a matter to communicate his understanding of, and solution to legal issues posed by his clients.

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Mr. Eisen joined the firm more than two decades ago to represent clients in all aspects of their personal and business lives, including the acquisition and sale of businesses and real estate, tax litigation, and estate planning and administration. Mr. Eisen is recognized for his knowledge of local and state tax matters, having previously served as Deputy City Solicitor for Enforcement in the City of Philadelphia Law Department.

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Mr. Eisen was noted for distinguished classroom performance at Temple University School of Law, where he earned both his J.D. and LL.M. (taxation) degrees. Mr. Eisen graduated cum laude with a B.A. degree from Pennsylvania State University.

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Mr. Eisen is a member of the Tax Law and Healthcare sections of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations. He is admitted to practice before the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Bars; the U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit; the U.S. Tax Court; and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

 Email: eeisen@dolchin.com 

As a trial attorney, Mr. Krengel’s practice is split between commercial litigation and personal injury litigation.

He has been with Dolchin, Slotkin & Todd, P.C.  since 1989. Prior to private practice, Mr. Krengel served as a law clerk to the Honorable Bernard J. Goodheart, in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County. Mr. Krengel has shared his professional knowledge in seminars for business groups and through writing for The Barrister. Martindale-Hubbell ®  has given him a BV rating for his very high legal abilities and ethical standards.

Mr. Krengel received his J.D. from Temple University School of Law and his B.A., magna cum laude, in political science from Villanova University. He is admitted to the bar in Pennsylvania; the U.S. Court of Appeals, the 3rd Circuit; and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Philadelphia Bar Association.

 Email: bkrengel@dolchin.com 

Michael litigates business disputes including commercial, technology and employment matters.  He also handles personal injury and real estate cases.

In addition to litigation, he provides comprehensive legal counsel and services in a diverse range of corporate matters.

Michael previously worked in the District Attorney’s Office of Philadelphia where he prosecuted numerous jury trials and non-jury trials to verdict.

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He was awarded his J.D. from Widener University School of Law and his B.S. from Pennsylvania State University.  He is admitted to the bar in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Email: mdolchin@dolchin.com 

Elizabeth Gardiner is a bit of a pioneer. Like a pioneer, she brought a passion and determination to the highly specialized practice of Reproductive Law when the field was just emerging, playing a role in its growth and development. More than a decade of experience in this complex area of Domestic Relations has made Gardiner a leader in this highly specialized field which focuses on gestational and traditional surrogacy, sperm and egg donation, and embryo donation.

Gardiner’s keen interest in Domestic Relations dates back to law school, where she was immediately drawn to its drama. Says Ms. Gardiner, “Domestic relations is emotionally charged. You’re dealing with people through one of the toughest times of their life, when they are often at their worst. It’s important to keep them focused and on track, and help them understand their options.”

Ms. Gardiner joined  Dolchin, Slotkin & Todd, P.C. (DS&T) in 2003 specifically to work with the firm’s Department Chair, Arlan Kardon. Ms. Gardiner’s demeanor of quiet strength is the perfect complement for Ms. Kardon’s dynamic intensity.

At DS&T, Ms. Gardiner found the thriving domestic relations practice she sought when leaving the small Philadelphia law firm at which she honed her civil litigation skills.

Ms. Gardiner earned her J.D. at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law. She earned a B.S. in business administration and international business at Villanova University. Her legal abilities and high ethical standards have earned her an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell ® .  

Ms. Gardiner is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Email: egardiner@dolchin.com 

Ira has been an active trial lawyer concentrating his practice on major civil litigation matters since 1982.  His areas of specialization include medical negligence on behalf of defendants as well as plaintiffs and serious personal injury claims.  He has enjoyed representing physicians and hospitals at one of Philadelphia’s premier health systems for three decades, and has achieved successful results on behalf of his clients in jurisdictions throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as well as in New Jersey, New York and Delaware.  He has tried numerous cases to verdict and has had extraordinary success arguing at the appellate level in Pennsylvania.

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Education

J.D., Temple University School of Law, 1982
B.A., Pennsylvania State University, 1979

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Bar and Court Admissions

Admitted to practice before all of the Courts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Third Circuit Court of Appeals.  Mr. Bushman has been admitted pro hoc vice on selected matters in New Jersey, New York and Delaware.

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Points of Distinction

In addition to a very active medical negligence defense practice, Ira has successfully represented adults and children in cases of cancer misdiagnosis, obstetrical and birth trauma, gynecological injury, as well as surgical and anesthesia management. He has extensive experience in cases involving governmental agencies, premises liability and dram shop activities.

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Ira has been selected a “Super Lawyer” by his peers having been considered among the top five percent of practicing attorneys in Pennsylvania. He is also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum recognizing exceptional skill, experience and excellence in advocacy and has obtained numerous settlements and verdicts in excess of one million dollars.

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Ira has served as a Judge Pro Tem of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and was also appointed by the Court to serve as a Settlement Master. He has been invited to lecture various professional organizations and students on topics involving civil litigation, medical malpractice and risk management.

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Ira has been awarded an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell ® .

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Activities

Legal:

• Judge Pro Tem - Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County
• Settlement Master - Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Litigation Counsel of America
• Pennsylvania Bar Association - Civil Litigation Committee
• Pennsylvania Bar Association – Civil Litigation Committee
• Philadelphia Bar Association
  • Medical Legal Committee
  • Federal Courts Committee
  • State Civil Rules Committee
• American Association for Justice

Civic:

Ira has taken an active role in community and charitable causes and has served on several boards. He has also been actively involved in youth sporting activities as a coach, mentor and board member.

 Email: ibushman@dolchin.com 

Zachary Dolchin is an associate attorney in the Tax department of Dolchin, Slotkin and Todd. He concentrates his practice on all aspects of tax planning helping clients develop strategies to protect their hard-earned assets, plan for the future, and ultimately, keep their minds at ease. His experience includes preparing estate plans, guiding clients through estate administration, and advising businesses in various corporate matters.

Zachary was awarded a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law in 2014. Prior to law school, Mr. Dolchin attended Pennsylvania State University where he earned a B.A. in political science.   Zachary is a member of the Probate and Trust Section and the Tax Section of the Philadelphia Bar association as well as the corresponding Sections in the New Jersey and Florida Bar Associations.

He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida.

 Email: zdolchin@dolchin.com  

Matthew Mantell is an associate in the Family Law Department of Dolchin, Slotkin & Todd, P.C. Matthew’s practice concentrates on all matters involving child custody, support, and equitable distribution of marital property in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Chester, and Bucks counties. Matthew’s interest in family law was sparked during his clerkship in the Family Division of the Camden County Superior Court with the Honorable Sherri L. Schweitzer.
 

During law school Matthew clerked for the Honorable Daniel J. Anders of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas. He also interned with the Philadelphia City Law Department in its Tax & Revenue Unit. For his law school co-op, Matthew interned for the global legal department of the corporate finance arm of a multinational financial institution. Matthew is an active member of the Philadelphia, Montgomery, and Pennsylvania bar associations. He previously chaired a subcommittee on the ABA Business Law Section’s Young Lawyer Committee.
 

Matthew’s education includes B.A. degrees in Government & Politics and History from the University of Maryland, College Park where he graduated with honors in 2018. In 2021, Matthew graduated cum laude from Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline’s School of Law where he was the recipient of the Firstrust Bank Award in Transactional Lawyering as well as the CALI Excellence for the Future Award/Best Student Performance in Transactional Lawyering. Matthew is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Matthew currently resides in Philadelphia and enjoys running, traveling, and watching the Eagles win on Sundays. 

 Email: mmantell@dolchin.com

Stephen H. Frishberg has extensive experience in the areas of estate and tax planning and trust and estate administration including corporate and real estate matters.

His clients include high net worth individuals, with a special emphasis on those in the sport industry, financial institutions, closely held businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

In addition, Mr. Frishberg has planned and administered estates and trusts of varying values and degrees of complexity for his entire career. 

He also advises on business entity creation, drafts marital agreements and assists clients on real estate matters. In addition, he serves as trustee of a number of trusts, requiring a wide range of fiduciary functions.

In 2012 and 2013, Mr. Frishberg has been recognized as one of Philadelphia’s Top Rated Lawyers and has achieved AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating in Martindale Hubbell.

Publications:

“End-of-Year Estate & Tax Planning: ‘Checklist’ for a Successful 2013 & Beyond,” Anderson Kill Estate Planning & Tax Alert (December 2013) (with Carole B. Sheffield)

Speaking Engagements:

Mr. Frishberg is a highly regarded lecturer who has delivered talks on various aspects of estate planning to the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, the Temple University School of Business Administration, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, the Montgomery County Estate Planning Council, the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs, the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council, the National Business Institute, and the Paralegal Institute.

Bar Admissions:

· Pennsylvania, State and Federal Court;

· District of Columbia Court;

· Florida, State and Federal Courts

Professional Memberships:

· Pennsylvania Bar Association;

· Chair, Montgomery County Orphans’ Court Rules Committee

Association Memberships:

Member, Beta Alpha Psi Honor Accounting Fraternity; Board of Managers of Temple University’s School of Business (Past President); Vice Chairman, The Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia; Chairman of the Board, Golden Slipper Club and Charities; President, Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame; Center For Emerging Visual Arts (Past Treasurer); Golden Slipper Center for Seniors (Past President)

Board Memberships:

Legal Basic Practice Course of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (Past Chairman); Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s Probate and Tax Section (Past Chair); Philadelphia Estate Planning Council (Past Board Member)

Education:

· Temple University, LL.M. (trial advocacy) (1996)

· New York University, LL.M. (taxation) (1973) 

· Temple University, J.D. (1971)

Temple University, B.S. (1967) 

Bernice J. Koplin has extensive experience over the past 35 years in the areas of estate and tax planning as well as trust and estate administration including corporate and real estate matters.

She clerked in the Orphans’ Court Division of Philadelphia Common Pleas as well as the U.S.Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and achieved the AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating in Martindale Hubbell early in her career.

She received two Masters In Law Degrees – one in Taxation and one in Trial Advocacy.

On the personal side, Bernice has been active in various local charitable and non-profit organizations, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, Cosmopolitan Club of Philadelphia, Pop Warner Little Scholars (Youth Football), Morris Animal Refuge, American Society for Technion, Myer H. Goldman Foundation, the Probate and Trust Section of the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Bar Associations, and the Tax Section of the American Bar Association.

Five of her court cases resulted in published appellate court decisions, and another dozen resulted in published trial court decisions.

She is also a trained mediator and a certified Elder Law Attorney.