Business Counseling
Guiding small businesses and the people that own and operate them is central to my law practice. You should have assistance with contracts, employees, corporate structure (corporations, partnerships, and LLCs), ownership transfers, borrowing, collecting receivables, buying or selling real estate and negotiating leases, construction, intellectual property, and many other projects. If you are buying or selling a business, you’ll need direction and coordination with lenders, due diligence professionals, and others to ensure closing, and to be protected. I frequently serve as general counsel, skilled and experienced enough to handle most legal affairs, but humble enough to engage more narrowly focused experts, where needed. Whether you are a professional practice, wholesaler, retailer, manufacturer, distributor, or other business, you are entitled to a lawyer who you can trust for planning, when opportunities are present, and when difficulties arise. I am able to provide stability and guidance, and am not afraid to take immediate action when necessary. Your business deserves it.
Estate Planning & Administration
Counseling individuals and families to plan their estates, draft the documents, and to take such other measures so that they have a peace of mind that their wishes will happen, their assets will be protected, and that favorable tax benefits are obtained is among the most enjoyable work. I draft Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorneys, Healthcare Directives and Living Wills, and Insurance and Retirement Plan beneficiary designations. Your plan may be simplified if you prefer, or sophisticated for those whose situation warrants it, but it will always be carefully considered, comprehensive, and cost effective. This work is important for everyone, no matter how big or small your estate may be. Executors, Trustees, and Agents under Powers of Attorney need representation to comply with requirements of the law, including tax obligations, and to administer or distribute assets, probate and non-probate. Estate planning and administration is an arena particularly conducive to flat fees for those who prefer them to hourly charges. I am receptive to flat fees.
Real Estate
There are so many ways to make money and be successful in Real Estate! I represent owners, contractors, landlords, lenders and investors. I will counsel you through buying, selling, managing, improving, financing, and leasing, whether it be commercial, industrial or residential property, new construction, condominiums, vacation homes or more. To accomplish your goal, you’ll want experience with all of the issues that may be present or may develop, and a partner to trust and guide you in the process. Every paragraph in an Agreement of Sale, Lease, Note, Operating or Shareholder Agreement, Construction Contract or other document means something. You deserve to understand your options when creating or negotiating these documents, and to have an experienced professional do it for you. Contingencies must be established, title reviewed, due diligence conducted, financing obtained, and, even in the smoothest of transactions, the process should be guided and coordinated through closing. If you are financing or developing, I am well versed and able to assist you there also.
Litigation
In my career, I have litigated so many types of disputes that it is a challenge to list them. They include sales, contracts, real estate and partnership disputes, construction cases, UCC and other commercial matters, estate and probate matters in the Orphans’ Court and before the Register of Wills, fraud cases, insurance claims, guardianships, employment litigation, restrictive covenant cases and injunctions, wage payment, injury and professional malpractice, corporate shareholder and LLC member disputes, and commercial and bank litigation. I am admitted to practice before the courts of Pennsylvania and in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. My approach is to be aggressive, but to do so with integrity and professionalism, and to keep focus on the big picture and a successful result.
Estate, Trust and Probate Litigation
Disputes involving Wills, Assets, Powers of Attorney and Trusts require not just particular knowledge and experience, but a lawyer well versed in the specific law who is also a seasoned litigator. I am experienced in the Orphans’ Court, where we litigate these matters, and familiar with the Orphans’ Court judges. Many estate lawyers are detail oriented, but not comfortable in court. Many litigators are aggressive, but don’t know the details and nuances required to properly address a probate or administration dispute. I like to think that I have a good bit of both. If a beneficiary is challenging your work or giving you difficulty, I will guide and defend you. If an estate is not being handled properly and you are not being given information or receiving what is yours, I know how to address it. I have the experience required to succeed in this arena. At stake is your money and, and sometime, your family relationships.
Creditors Rights
My practice has always included significant creditors’ rights work. I’ve represented trade creditors, banks, professional practices, landlords and insurance companies, among others. I have handled large, sophisticated cases and served as coordinator of client’s ongoing accounts receivables portfolios. I have handled the collection of secured and unsecured loans for institutional lenders and managed garnishment and other operational matters for a sizable bank. I am experienced with secured credit, loan or lease workouts and understand bankruptcy. I’ve lectured on Pennsylvania’s Confession of Judgment law, on organizing receivables, and on related topics. With these tasks, the goal is to collect money, not to “win” in the customary way.
Continuing Care Facilities. Some time back, I developed a niche representing Continuing Care Retirement Communities, particularly some of the larger respected, non-profit institutions locally. These cases sometimes begin with a family member of a resident at a facility failing or refusing to pay a bill. Often a resolution may be found by navigating the health care processes, working with a resident’s Power of Attorney, or government agencies. If not resolved, we might proceed with a Petition for Guardianship, to compel an executor of a deceased resident to file an account, or to prosecute a claim in the Orphans’ Court. Practicality really governs our work here.