With over 30 years of litigation experience, Walter P. Eells concentrates his practice in the Family and Orphans’ Courts, offering focused and timely advice to clients involving adoptions, guardianships, divorce, custody, support, pre- and postnuptial agreements, and all related litigation and mediation. He previously served as the Chairperson appointed by the Chester County Court of Common Pleas to review and revise the Local Family Court Rules. A former winner of the Chester County Bar Association Public Service Award, Walter has worked closely over the years with Legal Aid of Chester County and the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County as pro bono counsel.

A former Managing Partner of Gawthrop Greenwood, and past chair of the Family Law Group, Walter is a member of the American Bar Association, Family Law Section and Chester County Bar Association, having served for a number of years as the Chairman of the Continuing Legal Education and Naturalization Committees. Named one of The Best Lawyers in America^® each year since 2019, he also has been recognized as one of the Philadelphia region’s Top Lawyers by Main Line Today every year since 2011.

Walter was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1985 and the New Jersey Bar in 1989. He received his law degree from Ohio Northern University and his undergraduate degree from Villanova University. Walter is a Barrister of the Honorable John E. Stively, Jr., American Inn of Court.

Walter has shared his extensive knowledge of family law through teaching Continuing Legal Education classes with the Chester County Bar Association. Courses he has taught include “Support in Chester County” and “New Chester County Court rules in a Nutshell.” Prior to joining Gawthrop Greenwood, Walter served as a Captain in the United States Army Judge Advocate General Corps.

COURT ADMISSIONS

• Pennsylvania, 1985
• New Jersey, 1989
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1989
• U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals, 1986

EDUCATION

• Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law, Ada, Ohio, J.D.
• Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, B.A., English

MEMBERSHIPS & SERVICE

• American Bar Association – Family Law Section
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• New Jersey Bar Association
• Chester County Bar Association
• Honorable John E. Stively, Jr., American Inn of Court
• Legal Aid of Chester County
• Domestic Violence Center of Chester County

ADDITIONAL DISTINCTIONS

• Super Lawyers, 2023-present
• The Best Lawyers in America^®, 2019-present
• Top Lawyers, Main Line Today, 2009, 2011-present
• Top Lawyers, Daily Local News, 2022-present, Readers Choice Awards
• Chester County Bar Association Public Service Award, 1999
• Legal Aid of Chester County, Volunteer Attorney Program, 5 Years of Service Award
• Philadelphia Life Top Attorney