About Diane
Diane Fenner trained first as a social scientist and later as a lawyer. She earned a Ph.D. in social psychology at Columbia University before returning to study law. She later completed a law degree at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Those two advanced degrees set a shape for a career that mixes analysis and practice.
Her legal career began in private practice. In 1983 she joined Pepper Hamilton as an associate. Four years later she moved to Adler & Kops, continuing in associate roles while building courtroom and client-side experience. Over the next two decades she shifted into partnership positions and the responsibilities that come with them. In 1999 she became a partner at Fenner & Quinn. That partnership led to a move in 2004 to Fenner & Boles as a partner. She joined Williams Cedar as a partner in 2018 and in 2021 launched Fenner Law, where she is a partner.
Fenner’s work has been anchored in Pennsylvania. She holds current membership in the Pennsylvania State Bar and has spent her practice life working in the state’s legal community. Her progression from associate to founding partner reflects sustained involvement in private law firm practice and firm leadership over many years.
Colleagues describe her as methodical and exacting in the office, and clients have noted a steady, workmanlike approach in difficult matters. She brings the perspective of a social psychologist to interactions with witnesses, clients and juries. That background informs how she prepares cases and manages disputes, particularly in settings where human behavior and incentives matter.
Her career shows a pattern: early training and staff roles, then partnership and firm-building. She has repeatedly taken on partner responsibilities at small and midsize firms before forming her own practice. The moves suggest an interest in shaping firm practices and client service models rather than a purely transactional path.
Fenner remains based in Pennsylvania and continues to practice from Fenner Law. Her current work focuses on representing clients in matters arising in Pennsylvania and running the operations of her firm.
