Valley Forge Business Lawyers

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...

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...

Nancy has decades of experience as both a nationally recognized franchise attorney and general business attorney. Nancy started her franchise legal career as an in-house attorney for the #1 weight-loss company in the US with over 1300 franchised locations. From there Nancy formed her own law firm growing it to over 5 attorneys at its peak. Nancy is Senior Partner at Lanard and Associates. Nancy has received awards from leading franchise periodicals naming her one of the top franchise attorneys in the U.S. Nancy is recognized by both her peers and her clients as a premier franchise attorney...

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...

High Swartz Managing Partner Joel Rosen’s areas of practice include franchise law, business and commercial law, employment law, trademark/copyright law and commercial leasing. Mr. Rosen has counseled numerous businesses with regard to general corporate and commercial transactions, including formation, mergers & acquisitions, licensing, sales, and financing projects. Mr. Rosen’s corporate client base spans a broad spectrum of industries, including biotechnology, franchise, weight-loss, food and restaurant, consumer products, media and entertainment, software and technology, and nonprofit organizations.

Mr. Rosen presently serves on the Board of Directors of several nonprofit organizations, including The Hepatitis B Foundation, The Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, The Baruch S....

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...

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...

Karim P. Husain concentrates his practice in the areas of Wills, Trusts & Estates, Bankruptcy, Business Consulting & Commercial Litigation and Tax Controversies & Tax Litigation. Formerly a senior associate with a private law firm and a Big 4 accounting firm, he also served as a judicial law clerk to the Hon. Charles A. Lord of the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania and to the Hon. Robert A. Latrone of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. A long-time resident of the Philadelphia area, Mr. Husain received his Master of Laws in Taxation from the Villanova University School of Law, Juris Doctorate...

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...

Kevin Cornish focuses his practice on commercial, civil, and contract & business litigation. His clients include individuals as well as local, regional, and national businesses. Kevin has handled cases involving contract disputes, the Mechanic’s Lien Law, the Contractor Subcontractor Payment Act, the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Real Estate Seller Disclosure Law, and the Landlord Tenant Act. Kevin’s experience includes resolving cases through trial, arbitration, and negotiation.

Prior to joining High Swartz LLP in November 2012, Kevin represented clients as a litigation associate for a prominent Montgomery County law...

Josh Rudolph is a creative problem solver thriving in the dynamic legal environment. Mr. Rudolph focuses his career on criminal defense and civil litigation.
Known for honesty and integrity, Mr. Rudolph prides himself on his ability to help navigate the complex legal world. He takes the time to get to know his clients, understand their challenges, and passionately fight for them; always keeping client’s best interest in mind even if it means a less favorable outcome for the firm.
A skilled negotiator, Mr. Rudolph is equally comfortable negotiating or in trial. He is highly effective at developing creative strategies. Outside experiences...

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.

Joshua J. Knepp is a partner and shareholder at the law firm of Morris Wilson Knepp Jacquette, P.C., which has offices located in both Philadelphia and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Mr. Knepp is an experienced trial attorney who handles medical malpractice, personal injury, products liability, automobile accidents, and complex commercial litigation. He represents clients in Pennsylvania state and federal courts. He uses his past experience as a defense attorney for hospitals and doctors to inform his strategy as a Plaintiffs' attorney when suing healthcare providers on behalf of his clients.

Rich Sokorai is a Partner at High Swartz LLP. Rich concentrates his practice in trials, appeals and related advice on behalf of business entities, municipalities and individuals in municipal, commercial, and tort matters. Significant cases that Rich has handled include disputes over control of closely held corporations, franchise disputes, claims for breach of fiduciary duty for both non-profit and for profit corporations, construction disputes, ordinance validity challenges, and large tort cases.

Rich has tried cases in state courts, federal courts and boards of view, as well as administrative courts such as the Environmental Hearing Board and the Public Utility Commission. He...

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 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.

I concentrate my practice on the litigation, arbitration and trial of commercial and contract disputes in the state and federal courts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I also serve as a neutral arbitrator for commercial and consumer disputes. Over the course of my more than 25 years of litigation experience, I have represented businesses, organizations and individuals in lawsuits involving a broad range of substantive areas, including: * contract law; * the Uniform Commercial Code; * partnership disputes; * disputes among shareholders in closely held companies; * disputes among members of limited liability companies; * disputes involving commercial real estate and equipment leases; * claims involving trusts...

Chris Erb is a corporate attorney focusing primarily on small and mid-sized international companies doing business in the United States, particularly in the areas of computer, internet, and privacy/data security law. Chris also assists with the structuring and formation of corporations, negotiation of contracts and agreements, and with the transfer of personnel to support the new US corporation. With his knowledge of European, particularly German, business practices and law, Chris can assist clients in understanding the similarities and differences between the European and US business environment, and with recognizing and avoiding the risks associated with the often litigious US market.

For...

Business litigation lawyer, Nik Zitev focuses his practice on complex commercial, business and international matters. His experience includes large scale business control disputes, fiduciary and director liability, arbitration, and international disputes involving individuals and corporations. Nik’s international background provides a foundation to quickly adapt to diverse teams and shifting circumstances to provide a broad and deep understanding of critical issues in resolving disputes and efficiently promoting client’s business interests.

Prior to joining High Swartz in November 2018, Nik represented clients as a litigation attorney at a prominent international law firm with offices in Philadelphia, Pa., and Moscow, Russia. Nik obtained his...

E. Nego Pile, the managing attorney and founder of Pennsylvania’s Pile Law Firm and an active member of the Pennsylvania and Montgomery Bar Associations. I provide legitimate advice to clients all through Pennsylvania and New Jersey, essentially in issues comparative to Estate Planning, Elder law, Special needs planning, Personal injury law, Medicaid planning, Estate Administration, and Real estate law.

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...

After finishing law school, Geoff began his career with the U.S. Department of Justice at the Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys. He later worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in both New Orleans and Philadelphia for several years. In Philadelphia, he played a significant role as the lead trial lawyer in a notable international fraud case in the Special Prosecutions Division. During his time in New Orleans, Geoff was actively involved in a grand jury investigation related to a major organized crime case and served as the lead trial lawyer in the prosecution of an international drug cartel. Following his...

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...

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....

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...

Peter A. Lennon is an experienced attorney and forensic accountant with over 25 years of experience in Whistleblower and Class Action lawsuits. He has used his extensive knowledge in law, accounting, auditing, and finance to defend victims of fraud under federal and state laws. Peter has handled high-profile cases against major public companies involving accounting, auditing scandals, and disclosure violations. He has faced companies such as Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Bank of America – Merrill Lynch, Citigroup, Xerox Corporation, and others. Peter has also played a pivotal role in several successful IRS Whistleblower cases on behalf of Young Law Group, with a focus...

Pamela Crowther is an experienced attorney whose practice involves criminal and civil litigation including family law, business litigation, constitutional challenges, securities enforcement and government compliance, health care fraud, criminal defense, and civil and criminal appeals. With over twenty years of experience, she is a seasoned litigator with clients who run the gamut from the individual seeking advice on custody to a large corporation facing product liability claim. Her practice covers a wide-range of civil and criminal matters in federal and state courts and before administrative tribunals. She has represented numerous corporations and individuals in product liability cases; complex commercial and...

As founder and principal of Bagby & Associates, LLC, John Bagby has over thirty years of experience in federal and state courts throughout the region. He is directly responsible for the firm’s client relationships, including the supervision of all aspects of the firm’s professional services. A graduate of the University of Virginia and the Dickinson School of Law, John has prepared and tried complex, multiple party litigation throughout the country. He currently represents individuals, businesses, and corporate entities in complex business matters and litigation. His practice has been varied, with an emphasis on technical and engineering issues in the area...

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...

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

Seasoned business attorney advising corporations, LLCs and individuals in commercial transactions, acquisitions, and business contracts. Graduated with honors from the University of Pittsburgh Law School in 1984 and served as Editor-in-Chief of the University of Pittsburgh Law Review. Philadelphia: 215-546-0700 Pittsburgh: 412-635-9000 www.maston.com