Franklin Business Lawyers

Ryan Mergl is a former prosecutor and respected trial attorney. He represents clients throughout Pennsylvania and in the United States Federal Courts.

Awards & Recognition
Super Lawyers selected Mergl to their list as a Rising Star, noting his high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, he is a Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorney in Pennsylvania as named by the Association of American Trial Lawyers, and Pittsburgh Magazine named Mergl one of Western Pennsylvania’s "40 Under 40”.

Background
Mergl is admitted to practice before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the...

Attorney Eric J. Purchase represents individuals and families suffering from injury or the death of a loved one. He was born and raised in Erie County, Pennsylvania. He is a 1988 graduate of Gannon University. In 1991, he received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh, graduating with honors. While at the University of Pittsburgh, Mr. Purchase served as editor of the University of Pittsburgh Law Review. In recognition of his class standing upon graduation, Mr. Purchase was inducted into the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Order of the Coif.

Before opening his Pennsylvania personal injury practice, Mr. Purchase was...

Attorney Toohey's practice is concentrated in the areas of business and real estate law, and estate planning and administration. He was involved with the formation and initial operation of Spectrum Control, Inc., Lake Erie Institute of Rehabilitation and Growing Places, Inc. He has represented clients and been personally involved in the development of condominium projects and other real estate developments. He has also represented several municipalities and authorities. Attorney Toohey is deeply committed to civic causes and has served on the boards of several civic, educational, and religious institutions.

Attorney Kuhn has over 40 years of experience practicing in the areas of residential, commercial and investment real estate transactions, land use matters and municipal law. Mr. Kuhn's practice also focuses on estate planning, estate and trust administration, taxation, elder care planning and business formation and post formation counseling. He is admitted to practice before all Pennsylvania Courts, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Tax Court and the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Kuhn has also taught several law-related courses as an Adjunct Lecturer...

Brian J. Pulito was born in 1980 and was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 2007. Pennsylvania. While in Law school Mr. Pulito was the recipient of the Martin Luther King Internship with Northwest Legal Services, and internship awarded to only eight individuals across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. At Syracuse Law Mr. Pulito received extensive training in the development and licensing of intellectual property for start-up technology companies.

Attorney Stumpf develops estate plans for her clients and competently assists in the administration of estates of all sizes. She also provides expertise in the areas of trust administration, asset protection, elder law and guardianship issues. Attorney Stumpf's business law practice includes entity formation for both for-profit and non-profit organizations, structural questions, general counsel and the development of succession plans. Additionally, she assists in the representation of several school districts, an intermediate unit and multiple private schools.

Attorney Stumpf received her undergraduate degree from Grove City College in 2003 and her Juris Doctor from the Penn State - The Dickinson School...

Bryan focuses his practice in the areas of Oil & Gas Law, Estate Planning & Administration and Real Estate Law. Bryan has 15 years experience in private practice and working as in-house counsel for oil and gas-related companies. In the last 5 years, Bryan has acquired approximately 30,000 acres of oil and gas properties, divested some 10,000 acres of oil and gas rights and placed a 100-mile potential pipeline right-of-way for divestiture. Additionally, he has completed the transfer of more than 1,000 properties and been responsible for the performance of due diligence and title analysis on more than...

Concerto Law and Christine Jarzab Kuntz, Esq. counsel nonprofit organizations. I provide both one-time services (such as entity formation, contract drafting and negotiation, or obtaining tax-exempt status) and long-term services, such as providing on-call legal services to your organization. A concerto is a musical term for a collaboration between a soloist (your business) and the orchestra (me, your attorney). At Concerto Law I value long-term client relationships, practical advice, and sensible, manageable solutions. Sometimes, though law may be on your side, the value of my services is in designing a solution that best protects your legal...

Trent is a lawyer in Pittsburgh focusing on Personal Injury and Oil and Gas Law. Trent is known for being a versatile lawyer that goes to bat for his clients. His experience includes: whistleblower cases, class actions, labor & employment suits, estate litigation, and complex business disputes. Trent has extensive experience with personal injury cases, including numerous death lawsuits, brain injuries, death cases, burns, and industrial accidents. Trent has recovered tens of millions of dollars for his clients, with notable results including Washington v. EDMC ($95.5 Million whistleblower suit) and McLaughlin v. Phelan Hallinan & Schmieg...

Attorney Robert Kost works for technology start-ups and growing small businesses in a wide variety of areas (see website for comprehensive list). Robert has decades of experience in corporate law and practice on both sides of the attorney-client relationship. He is adept in a broad range of law related to businesses, contracts, corporate formation, policy and intellectual property. See what my firm, General Counsel Online does for business people. https://generalcounsel.online. “My goal is to provide the kind of ongoing advice that will keep your business out of lawsuits and out of the courts.” - Robert Kost.

Attorney Chad M. Ostrosky represents investors, business owners, and financial professionals nationwide with extensive experience in FINRA arbitrations, investment loss recovery, financial services employment matters, and defending against SEC, FINRA, CFP, and state investigations. Attorney Ostrosky provides straight forward, simple advice ensuring that each of his clients fully understand all available options. He is a Life Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum®, The Top Trial Lawyers in America®. Additionally, Attorney Ostrosky serves or has served as an arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the National Futures Association (NFA), and the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas.

Daniel P. Lynch, Founder and Managing Partner of The Lynch Law Group, has been a practicing attorney for more than 26 years. His areas of strength and experience include commercial litigation; securities litigation; employment law counseling and litigation; business succession planning; mergers and acquisitions and general corporate transactions.

Dan is a success-driven leader with superior organization and communication skills. He has practical business experience, a solid work ethic and brings an entrepreneurial approach to his practice of law.

Aurelius Robleto is an experienced bankruptcy lawyer, operating a law firm in downtown Pittsburgh. While bankruptcy law has always formed the core of his legal practice, Aure knows that bankruptcy is not always the ideal solution for all of his clients and will tailor a unique strategy for each of his clients. Often a debt workout or non-bankruptcy reorganization may offer more favorable results to certain clients. In other circumstances, a receivership, assignment for the benefit of creditors, deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, workout or settlement agreement or some other arrangement to address debts may generate superior results.

A particular...

Chuck Hadad is a Partner and Chair of the Estates and Trusts Practice Group. He concentrates his practice in estate administration, probate, estate planning, trust administration, corporate and business planning, and real estate transactions. Chuck counsels individuals and businesses in a variety of complex matters and enjoys working one-on-one with clients to help them reach their goals.

Chuck has broad experience in advising clients in all facets of estate planning and estate administration. He works closely with clients in the preparation of documents that fit their customized needs, including revocable and irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts and charitable gift/trust planning, and...

Krista has significant civil litigation and transactional experience in all areas of real property law. She counsels commercial and residential property owners in sales contracts, leases (retail, residential, and OGM) and civil disputes. She assists real estate investment groups with business formation, membership interest purchase agreements, and land contracts. She assists developers and landowners with zoning and land use issues. She also has vast experience representing real estate owners and real estate agents and brokers in lawsuits involving seller disclosure issues, unfair trade practices, and commission disputes across Western Pennsylvania. Krista frequently instructs Continuing Legal Education programs for the Pennsylvania Bar...

Mr. Sneath is a Shareholder and Director at Pittsburgh's Houston Harbaugh, P.C. law firm. He is a business litigation, IP and tort trial lawyer who has tried over 95 cases to verdict and specializes in business and commercial litigation, intellectual property, patent, trademark and copyright infringement, cybersecurity and data breach, employment litigation, products liability, industrial accidents, toxic torts and insurance coverage bad faith litigation. He is a Certified Mediator and Arbitrator and is currently serving as a Federal Court Special Master in patent infringement and complex matters. He received his J.D. degree in 1983 from Duquesne University School of Law...

Jamie R. Schumacher is an Associate in the Litigation Department at MacDonald Illig where she concentrates her practice in the areas of commercial litigation, employment litigation, insurance defense, and municipal/ordinance enforcement. She is also a member of the firm's Commercial/General Litigation Practice Group, Labor & Employment Practice Group, Government Services Practice Group, Marketing Committee, and the Recruitment Committee. Ms. Schumacher is licensed to practice in all Pennsylvania state courts, the United States District Courts for the Western and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

Ms. Schumacher is the former chair of the Young Lawyers Division...

Frank Botta understands the unique issues faced by companies in the transportation industry and has decades of experience counseling local, regional, national and international clients in logistics, supply chain and transportation operations. He served as the President of The Transportation Lawyers Association (2017 – 2018), an independent, international bar association whose members assist providers and/or commercial users of logistics and transportation services, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Transportation Lawyers’ Association.

In addition to his transportation practice, Frank has extensive experience in advising and assisting clients with labor and employment matters including employment discrimination, sexual harassment,...

Frank Walker is one of the most sought-after criminal defense attorneys in Western Pennsylvania. He stands by his motto of delivering real talk, real experience, and real results. Fearless in the courtroom and tenacious when fighting for his clients, Attorney Walker is highly regarded in criminal defense circles. He has handled many high-profile crimes and serious offenses, developing a proven track record of victories. In addition to criminal defense, Attorney Walker also focuses his practice on civil litigation. Attorney Walker is active in the community and frequently gives talks on education, leadership, and legal matters.

Like his late grandfather, Ryan Very is a zealous trial attorney who asserts rights and promotes justice. A fourth-generation Pittsburgher, he has represented hundreds of small businesses and consumers in a wide-variety of civil litigation and criminal defense matters. Mr. Very attended a top-twenty law school. Upon graduation he was awarded a fellowship at the American Civil Liberties Union, one of the most sophisticated legal organizations in American history. He worked at the Pennsylvania chapter, which legalized same-sex marriage state-wide. A proficient litigator, he has negotiated hundreds of thousands of dollars in civil settlements, and plea bargained for the withdrawal...

Kurt R. Nilson focuses his practice on matters of real estate, business, wills, trusts, and probate.

Attorney Nilson and his unique legal work have been cited by nationwide financial and legal authorities and have been featured in some of the world's most respected publications, including Forbes, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and CNBC.

Mr. Spoden is a senior partner at MacDonald Illig. He concentrates his practice in the area of corporate, commercial and business law, with a special emphasis on taxation and estate planning for small business owners. He is also active in the area of business formation, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures.

Mr. Spoden is experienced in small business counseling including industrial, professional and service corporations.

Mr. Spoden is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Jay Alberstadt is a senior partner with MacDonald Illig. He concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate, commercial and economic development ,and conventional and tax-exempt financing. He provides legal services to individuals, business entities, lending institutions, municipal authorities and development agencies. Mr. Alberstadt handles matters ranging from residential real estate transactions to detailed title and development issues. He also provides representation in commercial financings and tax-exempt municipal, industrial development and 501(c)(3) bond issues. He is co-chair of the Firm's real estate practice group and chair of the firm's marketing committee.

Roger H. Taft is a trial lawyer at MacDonald Illig whose primary areas of practice are employment litigation, including employment discrimination and wrongful discharge cases, and complex commercial litigation.

In his litigation practice, Mr. Taft represents clients in federal and state courts throughout Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio, as well as in federal courts throughout the United States.

Mr. Taft enjoys travel, golf, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Kenneth Gray is currently the Managing Partner at Alliance Law Firm International PLLC. His specialties include serving clients in tax matters, wealth management, estate planning, small and medium size business, venture capital, private equity, and natural resources (oil and gas). Ken previously worked for Nickel Capital LLC, a global small-cap equity fund, with responsibility for investments in communications technology, energy and basic materials companies as well as consulting on corporate finance and private equity transactions. Before Nickel, Ken spent over six years as Manager, Credit and Research with the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) in the Investment Funds Department....

I chose a career in law to satisfy my desire to help individuals and businesses in their everyday interactions. I take a results-oriented approach while being mindful of cost-effective solutions and remaining open-minded to non-traditional techniques. I recognize that there is a time for aggressive representation of my clients, and there is a time for negotiation. The client's voice is always heard, and I have the skills and experience necessary to turn my clients' aspirations into success stories.

I help businesses and individuals to solve challenging problems. Business Litigation An experienced trial lawyer, I represent businesses in all types of litigation. I work with clients on contract, environmental, product liability, and real estate disputes. I represent businesses in intellectual property disputes involving patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. When disputes arise between business owners, I help clients to understand and enforce their rights. I represent insurance companies in coverage disputes. I have researched and written many insurance coverage opinions. I have tried cases to juries with excellent results. To represent clients effectively, I enjoy learning about their businesses. For example, I completed...

Vincent J. Krawiec is a first-generation attorney whose commitment to justice drives him to achieve results for those in need. Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, Mr. Krawiec attended the Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh, and instantly felt a connection with the city’s people and culture. Mr. Krawiec possesses a wealth of legal experience from mid to large-sized law firms, where he represented commercial and corporate clients in civil litigation and real estate matters. Now, he vigorously fights for his Pittsburgh neighbors.

Michael P. Thomas is a Partner with MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP. He assists individuals, closely held companies, and larger entities on a wide variety of estate planning, estate and trust administration, wealth transfer, succession planning, tax, and business matters.

Mike routinely assists clients with the design and implementation of both basic and complex estate plans that focus on accomplishing the client's individual objectives and minimizing the related tax consequences. He works closely with individual and corporate fiduciaries throughout estate and trust administrations. Mike has experience advising clients on a wide variety of sophisticated business transactions, employee benefit plan matters,...