Butler Estate Planning Lawyers

Michael H. Marks, Esq. has been a practicing attorney since 1979. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (Juris Doctor Degree, 1979) and the University of Pittsburgh School of Business, (MBA Degree, 1994). Member of the Allegheny County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations; Member, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Won $17,001 and prizes as a contestant on the TV game show "Jeopardy!"

I am an estate planning and personal injury lawyer with deep roots in Westmoreland County. I specialize in safeguarding legacies through estate planning and advocating for personal injury cases. When you choose me as your attorney, you're partnering with a dedicated member of this community who will stand by your side every step of the way. Let's work together to protect your future and ensure your rights are upheld.

John B. Payne, Attorney, established his practice in 1983, becoming a full-service general practice and litigation firm in 1988, when John received his LL.M. in Taxation. John lectures on estate planning and other topics to groups interested in legal issues. He is the author of Michigan Probate and Counseling the Elderly Client in Michigan, plus numerous articles and seminar manuals. Experienced in appellate matters John has appealed many criminal, civil rights and tax cases in state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

The great-grandson of Eastern European immigrants, Michael takes great pride in being the first attorney in both his mother and his father's sides of his family. Born and raised in Mercer County, Michael T. Muha came home after years of schooling to make a difference to the area he loves, Western Pennsylvania. Attorney Muha was born in Greenville, raised in Hermitage, and was educated in the schools of the Hermitage School District, where he became the first Academic Games Leagues of America National Champion in Hickory High School history, winning a National Title in the game World Events in his sophomore...

Attorney Merwin grew up in New Bethlehem Pennsylvania. He received his high school diploma from Redbank Valley High School, his Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and his Doctorate of Juris Prudence from the Massachusetts School of Law. Attorney Merwin's areas of practice include, but are not limited to, Divorce, Bankruptcy, Estates/Probate, Criminal Defense, DUI, Family Law, Landlord/Tenant and Civil Litigation. Attorney Merwin is admitted to the bar of: Pennsylvania Massachusetts Federal District of Massachusetts Federal Western District of Pennsylvania

Practice includes all phases of estate planning and estate administration.

Dean Phillips is an attorney that focuses his practice in corporate and business representation, real estate, and civil litigation. Dean prides himself on his responsiveness and attention to detail. Dean is a 2019 graduate of Allegheny College where he received a bachelor's degree in History, with honors. In 2022, Dean graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar later that year. Dean is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Attorney Jeffrey Weinberg is a native Pittsburgher who has successfully defended clients in front of judges and juries in multiple counties across Western Pennsylvania and in Federal Court. He attended law school at Duquesne University where upon graduation he was admitted to practice in Pennsylvania as well as all Federal Courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

He has been in practice for 37 years.

Areas of Practice
Criminal Law
Civil Ligitation
Personal Injury
Workman's Compensation
Immigration Law
Estates/Contracts Law

Bar Admissions
Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania

Education
Washington and Jefferson College
B.A. 1977?
Duquesne University School of Law, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
J.D. 1980

Professional Associations and Memberships
Allegheny County Bar Association, Member

Nate is a lifelong resident of the Erie area. After graduating from Girard High School, Nate attended Cornell University where he earned his undergraduate degree in Industrial & Labor Relations. Afterward, he attended the Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. While at Penn State Law, Nate was a senior editor of the Yearbook on Arbitration and Mediation. Since joining Bernard Stuczynski Barnett & Lager, Nate has focused his practice on Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Estate Administration, and Workers’ Compensation.

Attorney Benjamin F. Goodwin, Esquire was born, raised, and educated in Southwestern Pennsylvania. For nearly a decade, Attorney Goodwin has strived to practice law with the same virtues that Southwestern Pennsylvania and its people have come to embody- integrity, tenacity, and above all things hard work. Attorney Goodwin has represented countless individuals and has a proven track record of excellence successfully trying numerous cases to a jury verdict. He is a partner of Goodwin Como, P.C.

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...

David T. Leake is the owner of the Law Office of David T. Leake, Esq. located in downtown Somerset. Attorney Leake opened his office after working for Joseph B. Policicchio, an attorney with 40 years of experience in Somerset, who transferred his law practice to Attorney Leake. His office occupies an entire building on Center Street and he has a full time paralegal/secretary/public notary on staff with over twenty years of experience to assist him as well as an assistant paralegal. Attorney Leake has extensive courtroom experience as his practice focuses mainly on courtroom litigation. He has presented countless cases before...

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...

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.

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.

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,...