Triquetra Law Founder

Andrea is a principal founder and shareholder of Triquetra Law.  She is a 1990 cum laude graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and a contributing editor of the University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform.  Andrea holds a B.A. with high honors from Oberlin College, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.  She is a member of the Lancaster Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and the National Employment Lawyers Association.  With the LBA, Andrea serves on the Employment and Labor Law Committee and the Diversity Committee.  With the PBA, Andrea serves on the Legal Services to Persons with Disabilities Committee and the Community and Public Relations Committee.  She is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and the U.S. Supreme Court. 

Economic Justice and Domestic Violence Movement Attorney

Before joining Triquetra Law in 2006, Andrea concentrated her efforts on advocacy strategies to further economic opportunity, resource enhancement and justice for battered women as a Policy Analyst with the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV).  At the NRCDV from 2003 to 2006, Andrea developed special collections on economic policy issues for the National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women (VAWnet) and supported a growing national network of advocates striving to provide comprehensive solutions to domestic violence.  From 1998 to 2003, Andrea held multiple positions within the Legal Department of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), including Managing Attorney, Senior Attorney and Counsel to the Civil Justice Center of the Battered Women’s Justice Project.  As Managing Attorney of PCADV, Andrea managed the coalition’s legal offices in Harrisburg, PA and Washington, DC.  In this position, Andrea supervised senior staff attorneys directing national civil justice work and Pennsylvania-based statewide legal advocacy.  She also oversaw and gave technical assistance to criminal and civil legal system personnel, domestic violence advocates, and public policymakers on domestic violence and economic justice issues. 

Legal Services Attorney.

Andrea began her legal career in 1990 as a staff attorney with Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) in Winona, Minnesota.  For nearly eight years, Andrea practiced family law with an emphasis on domestic violence representation.  Her primary work involved contested child support, custody, civil protection orders, divorce, paternity, and alimony cases.  While at SMRLS, Andrea co-authored a state-wide form book for family law practitioners and developed legal curriculum for court-sponsored divorce education programs.  Andrea also represented clients in Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income matters, as well as general consumer law.  In 1993, Andrea received the Outstanding Volunteer Attorney award for Winona County, MN.  Andrea was an elected attorney representative to SMRLS’ Sexual Harassment Committee and also served on SMRLS’ Diversity Committee. 

Educator & Author

Andrea’s extensive training experience is multifaceted, across topic and audience type.  Her presentations and workshop topics include economic justice, responding to the lack of civil representation for battered women, custody and visitation, child support, ethics, and domestic violence law and advocacy.  Andrea has facilitated educational sessions for domestic violence advocates and lawyers at national conferences sponsored by both the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the U.S. Department of Justice.  She has taught workshops for battered women’s advocates, judges, lawyers and paralegals, social workers, and high school students.  Andrea’s published works include articles for the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and the Minnesota medical community. 

Striving to be a Catalyst for Social Change

Asked why she decided to join Triquetra Law, Andrea describes the firm as a business that could support her desire to work for social change.  “Triquetra Law is a firm built to address equal access to justice,” she says.  “Too often, there is a disconnect between the rights people have under the law, and their ability to access those rights.  This injustice gap is particularly acute in the area of employment protections and civil rights. As a Triquetra Law lawyer I can directly address this systemic inequity by providing legal advice and representation where it would not otherwise be available.  Simultaneously, I can work with communities and individuals striving to realize equal opportunity and meeting basic human needs.  I am blessed because Triquetra Law creates yet another venue for me to be a catalyst for social change.” 

When not practicing law, Andrea can be found in the percussion section of the Keystone Concert Band of Harrisburg, PA. 

Contact Andrea at:  Farney@TriquetraLaw.com and/or 717-299-6300.