Villanova Real Estate Lawyers

Estate Planning & Real Estate Attorney in Philadelphia's Western Suburbs -- AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell

Seth D. Wilson is a partner and shareholder at Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, P.C. He represents individuals and businesses throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey's state and federal courts. Seth is widely regarded by legal professionals in the Greater Philadelphia region as a formidable opponent in the courtroom. Seth's reputation means he receives regular referrals from other attorneys who trust him to represent their clients based on his track record of achieving multi-million dollar jury verdicts. He is known for holding wrongdoers accountable and getting individuals maximum value for their cases. Since 2023 alone, Seth has helped achieve several multi-million dollar...

In Eric's role as Vice President of Development for Catalyst, he works collaboratively with municipal officials and stakeholders to establish public/private partnerships that fulfill community needs at no cost to taxpayers.

He is an enthusiastic team builder that draws on years of experience as a business development professional in the art and design industry, and as a transactional attorney.

Eric's commitment to the community can be noted through leadership roles in various groups and nonprofits, including as Chairman of the acclaimed Garden State Film Festival. A recent Ironman 140.6 finisher, Eric's personal interests include distance running and triathlon.

Mr. Smith's practice focuses on commercial and real estate litigation, business disputes and municipal litigation. Mr. Smith is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and practices in the five-county Philadelphia metropolitan area.

Through his commercial litigation practice, he represents clients in contract and warranty disputes, as well as construction conflicts, mechanics’ liens, contractor and subcontractor payment act claims, and unfair trade practice claims. As part of his real estate and title litigation practice, Mr. Smith handles matters concerning adverse possession, easements...

Managing partner and owner, Lance Rogers, is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Northwestern University School of Law. Rogers served as a federal law clerk during a two-year clerkship for the Honorable Clarence C. Newcomer in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He was elected to the Lower Merion Township Board of Commissioners and served for four years. Prior to starting the firm, Lance practiced law as a litigation associate at Dechert, LLP, a Philadelphia-based international law firm, and then at Pepper Hamilton LLP, a national multi-practice law firm. Lance is CEO of...

Practicing for 48 years in real estate, business organizations, partnerships, tax and financing of developments utilizing various federal and state tax credits and commercial and governmental financing programs

CHESTER COUNTY LITIGATOR, PROPERTY TAX APPEALS Ms. Kovan has a decade of "big firm" litigation experience. Now she offers that level of expertise to her clients at a more cost effective rate. Ms. Kovan’s litigation experience includes representing companies and individuals in state and federal court actions throughout the United States as well as securities matters pending before the National Association of Securities Dealers, New York Stock Exchange (collectively now known as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA“)) and the United States Securities Commission (“SEC”). Ms. Kovan has handled numerous securities related matters, including customer disputes, enforcement actions, SEC investigations...

My practice focuses on civil, criminal and family law litigation with over 20 years of tested experience throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and Maryland. I have successfully tried civil and criminal jury trials, contested family law hearings, administrative proceedings and appeals. My passion is assisting individuals and small businesses with their legal issues.

Many moons ago, I earned an Ivy League degree in philosophy from Columbia University, and then my law degree from the University of Miami. While in law school, I was involved in graduate student government and was a contributing author and editor of the University of Miami...

Mark Fischer is a business litigation attorney focusing his practice on representing businesses in breach of contract, payment collection, construction defect, and consumer protection disputes throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Mark also represents local municipalities, property owners, and individuals in zoning and land development, code enforcement, real estate disputes, business transactions, and general civil litigation. Mark’s skills as an attorney center on his ability to represent the client’s best interests while maintaining a constant-eye toward efficiency and resolution.

Mark applies a business-oriented, customer service approach toward litigation. He has developed this mindset over his several years as regional counsel to a...

William F. Kerr, Jr. has a breadth of experience in the area of real estate law, focusing on land use, land development and zoning; real estate taxation; real estate transactions; real estate title issues; eminent domain; real estate valuation; and real estate code compliance. He was previously a partner in the Philadelphia office of Blank Rome LLP.

Mr. Kerr represents developers, property managers and property owners of single and multi-family residential, hotel, shopping center, commercial, industrial, golf course, day-care, prison, utility, cell tower and airport properties. He has successfully represented these clients, in Philadelphia and throughout eastern Pennsylvania, in a variety...

Gilbert P. High, Jr. has devoted his career primarily to the practice of Municipal, Real Estate and Land Use Law and Estates & Trusts. He has extensive experience in legislative drafting, subdivision and land development, zoning litigation, public employment issues, local taxation, public contracting, and the law of easements and rights of way. He regularly speaks on issues pertaining to municipal liability, particularly regarding the maintenance of the Urban Forest, a subject on which he has lectured nationally.

Mr. High also practices in the area of estate planning, particularly in the administration of complex estates, will drafting, the creation and...

David J. Brooman has more than three decades experience in zoning and land use development, as well as environmental law. His background includes negotiating creative solutions in complex land use and environmental disputes, during project development and litigation. He has also counseled public and private companies, developers and lenders, and municipal governments on the business risks and economic impacts of federal, state and local land use and environmental regulations. Brooman is well-versed in crisis management and controversial land uses.

Brooman’s engagements include serving as special environmental and land use counsel to a Pennsylvania municipality in its acquisition and redevelopment of a...

James B. Shrimp concentrates his practice in the representation of employers in discrimination cases brought in federal court and state court, and at the administrative level (Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and Equal Employment Opportunities Commission). Mr. Shrimp also represents employers, including schools, in labor and employment issues. Mr. Shrimp also counsels and represents business in Franchise Law and Trademark issues.
Mr. Shrimp counsels and represents businesses in employment and commercial disputes, including employment discrimination, wage and hour, and restrictive covenants. Having worked on both the business and employee sides throughout his legal career, it gives Mr. Shrimp the unique ability to...

Since 1990, Mr. Ruggiero has been helping families and business owners create estate plans aimed at transferring their legacy successfully to the next generation. He is owner of Ruggiero Law Offices LLC with offices in Paoli, and Center Valley, where he practices in the area of estate planning, estate administration, elder law, business law and real estate. His planning experience includes the use of wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, IRA trusts, and life insurance trusts. From an administration perspective, he has overseen the administration of estate of varying degree of complexity including insolvent estates to those values exceeded $20...

Stephen Zaffuto concentrates his practice on real estate law, environmental law, and business and commercial law. He has extensive experience with commercial and residential tax assessment appeals, real estate title opinions, easement agreements, and environmental compliance issues. Stephen has also counseled small businesses and start-ups on various matters, including business formation, trademark issues, and fundraising.

Prior to joining High Swartz in 2018, Stephen was an associate at Tucker Arensberg in Pittsburgh. He has an interest in entrepreneurship and startup culture, and is himself a co-founder of a custom menswear brand, ModaMatters, based out of Philadelphia.

I serve as general counsel to various companies, assisting with contractual, employment, insurance, litigation, real estate and other business issues. I strive to provide prompt, sound and rational legal advice and services.

Jay M. Levin joined Eckell Sparks in February of 2012. Prior to joining the firm, Jay was a partner in the Chester County law firm of DiGiacomo, Goldberg & Levin. Jay is a licensed practitioner in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and he practices throughout Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Lehigh and Bucks Counties and throughout the State of New Jersey. For over twenty-five (25) years, Jay has focused his practice on providing exceptional service to his clientele in the areas of businesses and commercial representation and general litigation, real estate, general counsel services and family law....

I am an experienced franchise, real estate and business attorney who believes that a lawyer can take his work and his clients seriously, without having to take himself too seriously.

Mr. Hwang is a shareholder and president of the firm. He concentrates in business & corporate law, commercial & international transactions, commercial litigation, commercial real estate, banking law, bankruptcy, trusts & estates and asset protection.

He serves as corporate general counsel to numerous small and medium size corporations in United States and Korea. He is an experienced general counsel to corporations with global subsidiaries, network and transactions.

Mr. Hwang brings a unique blend of experience, insight and creativity to his clients. He has had a wealth of experience as a lawyer, leader, entrepreneur, mentor, coach, consultant and advisor to business owners...

Primarily focusing his practice on real estate, civil, and commercial litigation, Sean G. Livesey is a real estate attorney at High Swartz's Montgomery County law office. His additional areas of experience include zoning and land development, municipal code enforcement, real estate sales, and leasing. Previously, Sean was a partner in his family practice in Conshohocken, PA, where he advised Philadelphia area startup companies regarding property acquisitions, business structure, and real estate tax liability. Sean also consulted with Montgomery County businesses to analyze zoning and land development proposals. Prior to his private practice work, he was an associate at a large Philadelphia law...

Managing Partner and founder of Latoison Law, Enrique Latoison, Esq. represents a diverse portfolio of clientele, including individuals, families, businesses and working professionals, in all of their legal needs. Mr. Latoison earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the James E. Beasley School of Law at Temple University, where he received awards in class excellence and accolades in distinguished class performance and outstanding trial advocacy. He was a member of Temple University’s environmental moot court team and traveling trial team, competing in trial advocacy tournaments nationwide. In 2004, Mr. Latoison received the Wapner, Newman & Wigrizer, P.C. Award for Outstanding Trial...

Kimberly L. Russell is a principal of the firm and a member of the Commercial Litigation and Employment Departments. She devotes a significant part of her practice to real estate and construction litigation.

Early in Ms. Russell's career, she observed that the justice system favored employees, leaving business owners - particularly small and mid-sized companies - to be extremely vulnerable to employee-related claims. She has dedicated her practice to defending employers through litigation and as an employee education consultant, providing the advice and training necessary to help employers meet regulations and minimize the potential for such disputes in the first place....

Rachael is an associate in the Trusts and Estates Department of Eckell Sparks in Media, PA. Prior to joining the firm, Rachael served as Judicial Law Clerk to The Honorable John P. Capuzzi, Sr., in the Criminal Division of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas.

Rachael received her J.D. from Widener University School of Law, graduating cum laude and with pro bono distinction. While at Widener, she served on the Moot Court Honor Society Executive Board and competed in both national and regional competitions. In addition, Rachael served as Vice-President of the Public Interest Law Alliance. Rachael received the Howard...

Co-Founder, Shareholder and Department leader of major suburban-Philadelphia law firm with emphasis on skilled and passionate representation, client responsiveness and productivity, community involvement and dedication to high standards of ethical conduct. I have personally represented individuals and non-profit organizations, government and businesses that range in size and complexity from closely held to Fortune 500, in business and real estate transactions, land use entitlements, environmental and regulatory approvals and litigation.

Adjunct Professor of Law, Real Estate Transactions, Temple University Beasley School of Law

Education

LLM, Taxation, Temple University School of Law, 1986

JD, Temple University School...

Mark Wendaur serves as counsel in the firm’s Business Law & Transactions practice group. Mark maintains a broad corporate and transactional practice focusing on mergers and acquisitions, commercial agreements, corporate governance, venture capital transactions, and corporate restructurings. He also represents clients in commercial real estate and energy matters, including transactions, financing, land use, and zoning issues. Mark represents clients of all sizes, including individuals, closely held companies, investor groups, publicly traded companies, and government entities. He regularly provides strategic business counseling to these clients to help them achieve their goals and business objectives. Prior to joining Offit Kurman, Mark owned and operated...

Christopher M. Brown is a lifelong resident of the Philadelphia Area, having been born in Westbrook Park (Clifton Heights) and raised in Glen Mills. He graduated from Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware in 2004. In 2008, Chris earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies from West Chester University.

While attending law school, Chris spent a summer working as an intern for the Office of the District Attorney of Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Chris then worked as a law clerk for a private Media law firm while earning his Juris Doctorate from Widener University School of Law. Upon his graduation in...

My practice focuses on residential and commercial real estate transactions and litigation, including construction defect, seller's disclosure, zoning, land development, title matters, boundary disputes, brokerage law, association matters, builder disputes, landlord-tenant matters, etc.

Arnold Heller has more than 30 years of experience in the area of real estate transactional and real estate development law. He advises a diverse range of clients, including healthcare providers, condominium and planned community developers, and affordable housing developers on such matters as the creation and preservation of affordable housing and luxury housing; the formation and negotiation of partnership and limited liability company agreements; the drafting and negotiation of construction contracts; and purchases and sales of many different types of properties.

He has extensive experience in counseling clients with respect to various types of financing transactions, including sale/leasebacks; conventional and...

Michael Ruggieri has been practicing law as a trial attorney for over 32 years. Throughout his legal career, Michael has been guided by three principles: fight hard but fairly for his clients, be compassionate and understanding, and maintain honesty and integrity in dealings with clients, the court and other lawyers. These principles have allowed him to develop a successful and vibrant practice for over 3 decades. In fact, many of Michael’s clients are referred to him by other attorneys. This says a lot about his abilities and trustworthiness. Michael is licensed to practice in all state and federal courts and government...

KENNETH EDWARD WEST, born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1963; admitted to bar, 1988, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the U.S. District Court District of New Jersey. Education: The Pennsylvania State University (Bachelor of Science - Finance, 1985); Villanova University School of Law (Juris Doctorate, 1988). Licensed, 1995 as a Real Estate Salesperson, Pennsylvania. Member, Delaware County Bar Association, 1988 - Present. Member, Delaware County Bar Association Pro Bono Advisory Committee, 1994 - Present. Member, Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Conference, 1993 - Present. Member, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association....