Skip to main content

Family & Criminal Law | Georgetown DE

THE BICKEL FIRM

The Bickel Firm is a boutique firm in Georgetown, Delaware dedicated exclusively to all things civil and criminal in Family Court.

Kevin Gardner Brings Extensive Criminal Legal Expertise to Family Law Firm in Georgetown

Learn More

About
The Bickel Firm

The Bickel Firm is a boutique firm in Georgetown, Delaware dedicated exclusively to all things civil and criminal in Family Court.  The founding member, Ashley Bickel esq, has been focusing her practice on family law for the past sixteen years.  She handles all civil and criminal matters including, but not limited to, divorce, custody, child support, guardianship, termination of parental rights and adoption, protection from abuse, gestational carrier, special immigration juvenile status and providing criminal defense for both juveniles and adults.  Our goal is to help our clients through what will certainly be some of the most difficult times of their life with dedication, compassionate and zealous advocacy.   Attorney Bickel has chosen experienced and caring attorneys, law clerks and paralegals to join the team in helping our clients achieve their family’s goals through the court system.

Ashley Bickel

Attorney/Owner

Ashley graduated from The Johns Hopkins University in 2001 with a double major in English and Writing Seminars. After graduation from undergraduate, Ashley went to Duke Law School where she graduated in 2004. Ashley has always been interested in family law which started with a summer internship with a solo practitioner of family law in Connecticut after her second year in law school and continued post-graduation with two years of clerking for the Judges in the Family Court of Sussex County. After her clerkship, Ashley joined The Law Office of Edward C. Gill, P.A. where she began her private practice in family law and education law. She spent almost six years representing parents whose children were in the custody of the State of Delaware which provided her insight into the various service providers in Delaware and has given her invaluable knowledge for her current criminal and civil practice. After seven years with The Law Office of Edward C. Gill, P.A., Ashley spent almost ten years as the managing attorney of the Georgetown office of Gonser and Gonser, P.A. where she expanded her family law practice to include criminal defense of both juveniles and adults in Family Court and where she added the specialty of Assisted Reproductive Technology (“ART”) litigation. After seventeen years in private practice, Ashley decided to open her own family-focused firm to support individuals in all matters in Family Court and throughout the most difficult times of their lives. She is delighted with the dedication, compassion and work ethic of the members of her firm and hopes to use this opportunity to mentor new attorneys in a field of law she loves. In her free time, Ashley spends time at Kal-El Crossfit, in nature with her family and at home relaxing with her ever-supportive husband and adorable children.

Zachary Berl, Esq.

Attorney

Zach is a devoted family law attorney, whose roots are deeply entwined with Delaware, the state of his birth and upbringing. His legal ambitions began at the University of Delaware, where he studied Criminal Justice and Philosophy, graduating in 2006. His interest in family law brought Zach to The Delaware Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 2014. Upon graduation, Zach gained invaluable experience and insight as a law clerk in the Sussex County Family Court. Over the subsequent six years, Zach has expanded his practice to cover a broad spectrum of family law matters from custody disputes, child support, and alimony, to protection from abuse cases, guardianship, adoption, termination of parental rights, prenuptial and antenuptial agreements, and criminal matters in the family court for both juveniles and adults. A member of the Delaware Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Terry-Carey Inns of Court, Zach’s commitment extends to the families he serves in Delaware, combining professionalism and compassionate advocacy that defines his approach to family law.

Clara O'Flynn O'Brien

Attorney

Clara O’Flynn O’Brien completed her undergraduate studies in psychology and art history at the University of Delaware in 2016, after which she spent time working as a realtor and assisting her mother in her mother’s legal practice. Clara then graduated cum laude from Widener University, Delaware Law School in 2023. Upon graduation from law school, Clara was excited to join The Bickel Firm, where she looks forward to learning all aspects of family law, both civil and criminal. Clara looks forward to specializing in Qualified Domestic Relations Orders in order to help divorced parties appropriately divide their retirement assets and to honing an appellate practice. Clara is a dual citizen of the United States and Ireland and in her free time, enjoys hosting events with her significant other and spending time with friends and family.

Kevin Gardner

Attorney

Kevin is a native to Sussex County. He was raised on a chicken farm in Laurel, DE. His father was a farmer and business owner, and his mother was a nurse. His Poppop was also a local farmer. Kevin graduated from Laurel High School in 2004. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Delaware in 2008. After graduation from undergraduate, Kevin went to Penn State Law School where he graduated in 2011. He began his legal career handling personal injury cases at a local firm. In 2012, Kevin joined the Delaware Department of Justice as a Deputy Attorney General. Over the next 12 years, Kevin prosecuted everything from speeding tickets to homicide cases. The most common cases that Kevin prosecuted were DUIs and fatal collisions. In 2015, Kevin was the recipient of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety Award for Excellence in the Prosecution of Impaired Drivers. Kevin has handled and reviewed thousands of DUI cases. During his tenure with the Department of Justice, Kevin also spent a year as one of the DAGs responsible for child support enforcement. In addition, Kevin was a supervisor in the Misdemeanor Trial Unit. In that position, one of his tasks was to mentor and train prosecutors in how to handle cases. With his many years of litigation experience, Kevin intends on helping the citizens of Delaware with their family law matters as well as criminal defense. In his free time, Kevin enjoys spending time with his family, riding his motorcycle, watching dirt racing (he used to drive a big block modified), hunting, fishing, coaching high school lacrosse and wrestling, restoring cars and motorcycles. If you have any litigation needs, feel free to ask for Kevin.

Mia Koot

Paralegal

Born and raised in Delaware, Mia began her career in the legal field in 1989 as the Office Manager for Barros, McNamara & Scanlon in Dover where she assisted the firm partners with all aspects of firm administration. After a career in State government at DNREC and DelDOT, Mia moved to Rehoboth Beach and after owning and operating “Nonna’s”, a small dessert shop on Rehoboth Avenue for three years, re-joined the legal field in 2016 working with Ashley in the field of family law. Mia enjoys helping clients in all aspects of family law, but her passion is guiding clients in their golden years through what can often be a complicated and exhausting process. Mia also especially enjoys assisting clients utilizing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to expand their families and providing them individualized attention in order to meet their specific family-building needs. Mia loves living in coastal Delaware and enjoys traveling, the beach, and spending time with family and friends

Laine Dickerson

Administrative Assistant

After graduating from Sussex Central High School, Laine enrolled in the Paralegal Studies Program at the Delaware Technical and Community College. After working as a file clerk with Ashley at a prior law firm, Laine joined Ashley at The Bickel Firm where she is a legal receptionist responsible for being the face of the firm, greeting clients both in person and by phone, opening files, handling office work and once she graduates from her Paralegal Studies Program, The Bickel Firm hopes she will commit to sharing her experience and skill set with the Bickel Firm as a full-time paralegal.

Julie Schirmer

Paralegal

After graduating from University of Delaware with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Julie worked for the Division of Family Services for twenty years as a social worker, supervisor, and administrator. In 2021, Julie was ready for a new career and happened to overhead Ashley talking at the gym about needing a paralegal. After much careful thought and consideration, Julie took the plunge and found her second career where she is able to bring her passion for helping others to the Bickel Firm where she supports youth through the criminal justice system in Family Court, helps adults navigate the services they need to resolve their pending charges in Family Court, and works closely with parents and ex-spouses as they navigate through difficult civil matters in Family Court.

David Bickel

Operations Manager

David grew up in the Philadelphia area. He attended the University of Delaware and graduated with a computer science major and economics minor. After college, David moved to Rehoboth Beach and met the love of his life. After twenty years in the restaurant industry, he joined Ashley in her dream to open her own firm. With much hard work and support from family and friends, they turned that dream into a reality. David loves road tripping with Ashley and their two boys.

Kim Coverdale

Law Clerk

Kim obtained her Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York at Cortland, her Master of Legal Studies and Criminal Law from Drexel University, and her Juris Doctorate from the Duncan School of Law in Knoxville, Tennessee. In her free time, Kim enjoys traveling, attending sporting events, and spending time with her family, friends, and Yorkipoo, Raven. Kim interned with the Department of Justice working on adult misdemeanor cases in Family Court. Kim then decided she was more interested in the civil side of family law and has joined the Bickel Firm eager to expend her repertoire of experience in all civil Family Court matters.

Keila Soto

Paralegal

Keila was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, but has been living in Delaware since she was seven years old. She learned English quickly and has been speaking both languages since. Throughout her career, she’s translated for Spanish speaking clients in sales, and for the last ten years, in the Law industry. Keila enjoys being able to assist the family members of undocumented minors secure guardianship of these minors, so they have support in their immigration matters and are in safe homes. She is also immeasurably helpful to the rest of the firm in helping us bridge the language barrier in all areas of family law matters and is able to help us give all clients, regardless of first language, get the excellent customer service they deserve.

Our Services

Criminal Law
When you’re facing criminal charges, you need a lawyer who understands not only the law but also the community.
Divorce
The Bickel Firm is able to help with every step of the way from the filing of the Petition for Divorce, through financial discovery and disclosure, settlement negotiations, and, if necessary, a contested ancillary hearing.
Child custody matters
When a couple separates and there are children it becomes difficult. No one starts a family thinking one day they won’t be able to see their child every day. There can be a struggle understanding the interplay between the cause of the parents’ separation and whether or not each parent is able to effectively care for the child/children at issue. The Bickel Firm is here to help parents work with the best interest factors to determine what truly is in the best interests of their child/children.
Financial Support
If your concern is child support, The Bickel Firm is well-versed in the Melson formula. If it is spousal support or alimony, The Bickel Firm is aware of the economic factors the Court must consider in determining if spousal support or alimony is appropriate and will be able to help you prepare both your case and your expectations for Court.
Division of property
Has the Division of Family Services removed your child from your custody and placed him or her or them with relatives or in foster care? Ashley Bickel spent almost six years representing parents whose children were in foster care and is well-versed in both the law and the process of the same. Be sure your parental rights are protected and contact us to help you be reunified with your children.
Domestic violence
Violence is real and brings with it a lot of complex emotions from fear to embarrassment to anger. The Bickel Firm is here to guide you through the process of filing litigation to protect yourself, your property and your home from an abusive family member.
Substantiation Matters
If the State of Delaware is attempting to place you on the Child Abuse Registry, you should protect your rights with legal representation. The Bickel Firm is very knowledgeable regarding the various levels of the Child Abuse Registry, the implications of the same and what the State would need to prove to substantiate you on the same.
Paternity
The Bickel Firm can assist you in confirming or disproving paternity of a child through genetic testing and the adjudication process through Family Court.
Prenuptial agreements
If you are looking to define the rights and responsibilities of you and your fiancé if your marriage should end in death or divorce, The Bickel firm legal team has extensive experience drafting prenuptial and postnuptial agreements to ease the stress of the parties in the event of the termination of their marriage.
Guardianship
There are circumstances in which a child or children may be dependent, neglected or abused in the care of his/her/their parents. In these instances, a relative or non-relative is able to file for guardianship to be given legal custody of the child/children to protect the children from their prior home lives.
Assisted Reproductive Technology
From sperm, egg and embryo donorship to gestational carrier agreements, The Bickel Firm works hard to complete the necessary legal paperwork to ensure that individuals and couples are able to grow their families using assisted reproductive technology. As someone who grew her own family through ART, Ashley is invested in helping other families be able to do the same and has an intimate knowledge of the terminology, process, and struggles that accompany this journey.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
When unaccompanied minors from other countries travel to the United States and are taken into the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, they are regularly placed with relatives.
Criminal Matters in Family Court
Whether you are a juvenile or an adult with criminal charges pending in Family Court, The Bickel Firm is here to ensure your rights are protected and to help you navigate the criminal justice system from arraignment, through discovery, case reviews and to eventual resolution of your charges.

Get In Touch with Us

9 N Front Street Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone: (302) 500-4130
Fax: (302) 500-4128
Email: contact_us@thebickelfirm.com

    Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean.

    A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia. It is a paradisematic country, in which roasted parts of sentences