Some may call her tenacious. Others may say she’s sharp as a tack. Both are true. But, what makes Judith Charny outstanding is that she’s a woman who has brought “family” into every part of her life. Whether it is personal time with her husband and three sons, profession as a family law attorney or efforts in support of charitable organizations, “family” is at the core. 

However this year, the importance of family took on even greater meaning to Judy and what may have always been in focus became even clearer. In February, Richard Charny, Judy’s husband of 27 years and father of their children, was diagnosed with salivary gland cancer. As partners in every sense of the word – both at home and at work – the impact was great.

“It was a moment when everything changed,” Judy explains. “Time is viewed so differently now.”

Over the months that followed, Judy played an integral part in directing Rick’s treatment, which included traveling back and forth to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, where they determined Rick would receive optimum care. In addition, she maintained the household with her three sons and took on the operational aspects of the couple’s law practice.  

For those who know Judy, it came as no surprise that when faced with this challenge, she would take charge but also be the compassionate woman Rick needed beside him.  She adds, “I wanted to be there for every appointment, every consultation. The boys did, too.  We grew together and I grew as a person.”

The Professional
A consummate professional and advocate for clients, Judy’s career has been filled with milestones and good choices.

Unlike many new attorneys who choose to work for a large firm upon graduation, Judy chose a different path – one that threw her right into the courtroom and right into the thick of litigation. After clerking for New Jersey Superior Court Judge Judith A. Yaskin, Judy moved to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, where she served for more than five years. While an assistant county prosecutor, she tried cases including major criminal trials and gained extensive experience with a special focus in domestic violence. Her successes in this realm lead her career path towards Divorce and Family Law.

“My mom was a very strong proponent of having a career and supported my decisions,” says Judy. “At the same time, she provided a strong sense of family – something I gladly inherited.”

After several years of caring for her family at home, Judy knew it was time to pursue her career and joined her husband, Rick, to launch Charny & Charny in 1999, which later expanded to the Law Offices of Charny, Charny & Karpousis in 2003. In addition to maintaining her own caseload, Judy manages the firm’s Divorce and Family Law Group, which consists of seven women attorneys.

Rick’s absence from the firm did add more to Judy’s professional responsibilities, and as she has done all her life, she took it in stride. Judy was now charged with the overall management of the firm, which included making decisions about employee benefits, accounts payables and general oversight of the daily routine.

“At first, I thought it might be overwhelming. OK … maybe it was,” she says with a smile. “What I found though is that I liked it and learned how to use every minute of the day in the most efficient manner.”

Judy maintains her commitment to act as mentor to the newest team members, sharing her knowledge and expertise with young women looking to build their professional careers. She adds that, “It is so important to have someone as a guide and if I can help someone succeed, I am all for it.”

The Advocate
When it comes to giving back to others, Judy is no stranger and she has a strong sense of community in her fundraising and volunteering efforts.

“Even before the events of this year, I was an advocate for the American Cancer Society. The research and resources offered through the organization helps so many families,” Judy says proudly.  “I look forward to expanding my efforts on their behalf and supporting others who may be experiencing much of the same fear and uncertainty that we did as a family.”

Judy is also an active fundraiser for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.   This year, Judy was named to the Executive Committee of the American Heart Association Go Red For Women, a movement that bands women together to wipe out heart disease and stroke.

In keeping with her family focus, Judy works with the Samost Jewish Family & Children's Service of Southern New Jersey and specifically she volunteers her time, providing complimentary consultations in the areas of domestic violence and family law.

The Woman
The challenges of this year also impacted Judy as a person and her life at home.  While being married to her law partner has afforded Judy the ability to bring family into her professional world, Judy never forgets the importance of her husband and three sons. She strikes the right balance between the two.

“Rick and I have always consulted on family issues. But until this year, I never had to handle the finances, insurance questions and the like on my own. Now, I have a new found perspective and awareness – something that everyone should have and advice I constantly give to clients,” Judy adds. 

So who is Judy Charny? Well, she is a professional, an advocate and most of all a wife and mother. In a year wrought with challenges, Judy’s strength and commitment have been unshakable. 

“This year has truly changed me and us as an entire family,” Judy shares. “I find it hard to actually put it into words but what I can say is that we all learned a lot about ourselves and each other.  Tough – yes. But we are all better because of it.”

Profile by Glori Gayster, GDG Consulting, Inc., www.gdgconsulting.com.