New Columbia Estate Planning Lawyers

I am a graduate of the Dickinson School of Law, where I served as Editor of the Law Review. I have been in continuous practice since October of 1984. I am also a proud veteran of the United States Air Force.

Roger Mattes, JR. President - Mattes & Mattes, P.C., Scranton, PA - 5/89 to Present. Litigation Attorney in a General Practice firm with strong emphasis in Bankruptcy, Debtor/Creditor Law, Commercial Law, Personal Injury, Real Estate, Family law, and Workers’ Compensation. Trial experience in both State and Federal Courts. Realtor - Hinerfeld Realty - Scranton, PA - 12/84 to 01/89. Real Estate Broker with a strong concentration on commercial and industrial transactions, as well as residential sales. Worked on complex financing including conventional mortgages, MIDAS loans, Sale/Leaseback arrangements, SLIBCO loans, owner financing. Industrial, residential and commercial appraisals. ...

My first experience in estate planning was as a U.S. Navy Judge Advocate in 2008 providing legal assistance to active duty members, retirees, and their families. I retired in 2023 after having served in several leadership roles. Supporting our community in this very real and meaningful way is such a rewarding and exciting opportunity to continue making a positive impact in others' lives.

From Centre Hall, PA. Attended Penns Valley Area High School, the Pennsylvania State University and Ohio Northern University. Admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar on October 24, 1979.
I have been Chair of the Domestic Relations Section, Secretary and President of the Centre County Bar Association.
I have been practicing law in Central Pennsylvania for 41 years.
My practice is concentrated on family law, wills, and estates.

Kathryn L. Sullivan never backs down, even with the most difficult of cases. President Theodore Roosevelt’s famous quote — Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far — resonates with her in practice. She works as hard as possible to resolve her client’s cases efficiently and cost-effectively, bringing a willingness to work with the other party’s attorney amicably and collaboratively. However, if litigation is unavoidable, Kathryn loves nothing more than to be in the courtroom. She works relentlessly and without intimidation to protect her client’s best interests. Always the first attorney to arrive at the courthouse, Kathryn...

April M. Townsend is an attorney licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for over a decade. She handles all aspects of family law, including divorce, equitable distribution, support, custody and adoption. She also assists clients with estate planning and estate administration. April received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland in College Park, MD where she double-majored in Government & Politics and Criminal Justice and graduated with honors. She received her Juris Doctor from the James E. Beasley School of Law at Temple University, admitted as a Conwell Law Scholar. While in law school, April began...

Steven J. Fromm has been admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania since 1977. In addition to his law degree, he holds a doctorate of law degree, called an LL.M. in taxation, from the NYU Graduate Division School of Law received in 1977.

He became a C.P.A. in 1981 and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. From 1977 to 1981, he served as legal tax counsel for tax departments in Big 8 and regional accounting firms.

Since 1983, he has been admitted to practice tax law before the U.S. Tax Court.

Since 1981, he has...

John B Whalen Jr Esq • John B. Whalen, Jr., JD., LL.M., is an AV Peer Review Rated Preeminent 5.0 and Avvo Rated 10.0 Superb (obtaining over 95 client reviews and peer endorsements) premier and prestigious Attorney and Counselor at Law. • • He has amassed over 60 prestigious professional awards and over 5000 client reviews and endorsements. • Mr. Whalen concentrates his three decade career in the legal areas of Pa Probate, Pa Last Wills, Pa Estates, and Pa Estate Settlement. • Mr. Whalen provides brief free initial consults all seven days, requires a one hour ($450.00) consult fee paid in advance for...

The area of my chosen practices that I am truly the most passionate about is assisting the elderly. I have helped many clients who are facing the most financially difficult times of their lives to have certainty as they enter their golden years. I am up to speed in the latest techniques and in fact have had other lawyers refer their cases to me.