Berks County Lawyers

Marla Soffer is Of Counsel at Galfand Berger, LLP. Marla graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Urban Studies and Spanish. She received her J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law and has been practicing for over 30 years. Marla concentrates her practice in the areas of workers’ rights, safety, compensation and general personal injury and disability law.

Fluent in Spanish, Marla is a frequent lecturer in community programs that focus on the rights and safety of workers, product liability claims and general personal injury matters. She is a consulting attorney to the Consulate of...

I am an experienced trial attorney specializing in family and criminal law. I am frequently appointed by the court to represent children in highly litigious custody cases as a Guardian ad Litem.

Attorney Douglas Wortman has been practicing law in Eastern Pennsylvania for 10 years. While he is well-versed in a wide variety of legal issues, his main focus has been family law and bankruptcy. Efficient communication with clients is important to Mr. Wortman. He is known for promptly returning telephone messages and correspondence. Attorney Wortman is a military veteran who proudly served in the United States Air Force for 10 years.

Jeffrey A. Franklin serves clients in ways that maximize their opportunity to achieve their business goals. Jeff has more than 20 years of experience, primarily in the areas of electric, gas, telecommunication, alternative energy, transportation and water regulation. He also has extensive experience in technology, Internet and computer law and e-discovery issues. Jeff advises clients regarding compliance with regulatory requirements and the successful implementation of business strategies. Jeff has successfully conducted administrative adjudications, civil cases and appeals before various state and federal courts and administrative agencies. He has extensive experience in a variety of legal areas, including administrative law,...

Carolyn Marchesani has over fifteen years of professional experience providing individuals and families with counsel and strategies for estate planning, probate and estate administration. Ms. Marchesani has concentrated her practice in this area with the goal of ensuring that the client has a plan in place to provide for themselves and their family. This work includes helping to organize information to understand current circumstances, determine desired plans going forward and complete effective execution of this plan by helping clients gain an understanding of the related laws in this area and how these laws may impact them. Estate...

Charles D. Garner, Jr. was born on April 26, 1961. He graduated from Pottstown High School in 1979. Mr. Garner has been a lifelong resident of the Pottstown area. Mr. Garner graduated Cum Laude from Ursinus College in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts. He received his Juris Doctor from Dickinson School of Law in 1983. He joined Reynier, Crocker, Allebach & Reber as an associate in 1986. He was promoted to partner in 1992 and remained at the firm until 1998. In 1998, he joined Paul Bauer to form Garner & Bauer. Mr. Garner developed...

Reading, PA attorney James Polyak specializes in criminal defense. He is a graduate of Penn State and Widener University School of Law. After law school, he completed his internship at The Berks County District Attorney's Office in Reading, PA. In 1992, he was hired by The Berks County District Attorney as a full time Assistant District Attorney, where he prosecuted crimes including Robbery, Rape, Burglary, Drug Possession, Theft, Assault and DUI. In 1994, he was promoted to Chief Prosecutor of the Child Abuse Unit of the District Attorney's Office. After gaining valuable experience as a prosecuting attorney in Reading, PA,...

Ed Qaqish began this practice in an effort to provide efficient and competent representation to residents of the Lehigh Valley.
Attorney Qaqish was raised in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Following his graduation from Liberty High School, he went on to study at the Kutztown University of Pennsylvania where he graduated in 2006 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in History.

After college, Attorney Qaqish enrolled at Widener University’s School of Law in Harrisburg. During his three years of dedication, he excelled in the study of law, was named a Widener Merit Scholar, and served as an Internal Editor for the Widener...

I grew up in the hard-working blue color region of Western Pennsylvania, attending the small but highly regarded Grove City College -- a conservative, reformed Christian school that has managed to remain entirely independent of government aid (one of only two undergraduate institutions in world to do so) and true to intentions of its founders. It was in this cauldron that my guiding principles were shaped -- honesty, working for the best interests of others, openness to correction, and faith in the sovereign and guiding hand of the triune God of the Bible. I went on to earn...

Representing clients in all aspects of divorce, custody, support and adoption matters for 20 years.

Rick is recognized by his adversaries and opponents as an extremely skilled trial attorney who zealously represents his clients’ rights. Rick has been responsible for achieving some of the largest recoveries and verdicts in Galfand Berger’s history. Rick is a Senior Partner having been with Galfand Berger since 1984. Rick has received an “AV” rating by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating an attorney can receive. Rick is co-founder and was past President of Kids’ Chance of Pennsylvania, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to children.

Attorney Robert J Kirwan II is one of Pennsylvania's top Criminal Defense attorneys. With an extensive record of "Not Guilty" verdicts in major criminal trials. Mr. Kirwan is also a well-known Personal Injury Trial Attorney with several million dollars in settlements and verdicts for clients over the past 34 years. Mr. Kirwan is well versed in State and Federal Law and is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and before the United States Supreme Court, as well in multiple US District Courts. A former government prosecutor, Mr. Kirwan uses that training and expertise to zealously defend his clients in all...

After 20 years as a staff attorney representing victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, I have transitioned into private practice at Mogel, Speidel, Bobb & Kershner to represent my clients in broader areas of the law.
I represent clients in family law matters, including divorce, custody, support and Protection from Abuse. I also prepare estate documents and probate documents for estates. I have worked hard to build a good rapport with my fellow attorneys and our local bench and I work hard to achieve the best result possible for my clients.

Experienced defense attorney specializing in criminal matters.

I am a shareholder in the law firm of Leisawitz Heller. I am the only certified elder law attorney practicing in Berks County. I am a graduate of Bucknell University and hold a J.D. degree from the Penn State Dickinson School of Law and an LL.M in tax law from the Villanova University School of Law.
My practice is limited to trust and estate matters, including elder law, estate administration, estate planning, asset protection planning, long-term care planning, guardianships, special needs planning and fiduciary litigation.
I currently serve as a trustee of the Berks Community Trust which is a...

Stephanie Rauch-Mannino (“ROCK-muh-NEE-no”) has experience in education, estates, and family issues including adoption, custody, guardianship, and visitation. Attorney Rauch-Mannino is passionate about helping families and promoting the best outcomes for clients. She is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Before joining Cornerstone Law Firm, she advocated for Philadelphia residents with lower incomes in the areas of mortgage foreclosure, tax, and child custody. She has also pursued justice with the Pennsylvania Innocence Project. Attorney Rauch-Mannino was recognized for exemplary pro bono service by the First Judicial District of Philadelphia “Roll of Honor.” Attorney Rauch-Mannino is a Roger Williams University School Law...

30 years experience representing claimants in workers' compensation and social security disability cases throughout southeastern PA.