A Little Revolutionary

Linda Shay Gardner ’74: Reuniting Families

When Linda Shay Gardner graduated from Moravian in 1974, she went on to pursue master’s degrees and a doctorate in higher education while working in adult education. Following some twists and turns in her career path, she earned her law degree at Temple University School of Law.

Today, Gardner is lead attorney at the Bethlehem-based Gardner Law Office, a family law practice, where she specializes in child abduction cases and where her experience as an educator is integral to her work.

How did you become interested in child abduction work?

I initially worked as an attorney for my college friend, Fred Rooney ’75, subsequently became a partner, and in 2005 decided to open my own family law practice. A pioneer in child abduction work, Fred was my inspiration. He urged me to take cases pro bono to get experience, and I did. My first major case required me to be admitted into the bar and the federal courts in Georgia and South Carolina. After six months of litigation, the two little children were returned to their mother in Germany. The case set precedent in the field and has served to help me establish a consulting service in my practice.

What role does your background in education play in your practice?

It’s very important for me to educate other practitioners so that the child abduction field has the knowledge base to assist clients throughout the United States. In addition, in family law, when I consult with new clients, if I can arm them with knowledge and understanding
 of the practical realities of the contentious nature of family law, they can better navigate the system.

Can you describe a case that was particularly meaningful to you; one where your successful litigation reinforced the importance and value of your work?

I recently worked with a young family whose infant fell off a sofa, and the parents were suspected of child abuse. I’ve known this family for many years and doubted the abuse charge. As I spent many sleepless nights poring over the medical reports, consulting with an expert, and working with witnesses, it became clear that the doctor who made the initial diagnosis had rushed to judgment, made an abuse finding, and then worked backwards to justify the finding. Further investigation revealed a doctor with a history of this kind of practice. His testimony was discredited, and the court determined there was no abuse.
 I am not sure that a family completely recovers from this kind of scrutiny without always looking over their shoulders, but what I do know is that this family has survived and they are now happily raising their child.