Waverly Lawyers

Timothy J. Prendergast, Esquire is one of the seven children born to Anne and the Honorable James F. Prendergast, Esquire, a long time member of the Northampton County Bar Association and Democratic State Representative from Northampton County for over 20 years. Tim grew up in the tradition of pursuing justice and advocating on behalf of others. Prior to attending Law School, Tim spent many years as a Restaurant Manager/Chef. As an example of Tim’s commitment to justice, while attending the Dickinson School of Law; he founded the Penn State Criminal Justice Project, a member organization of the Innocence Project Network, whose...

Specializing in commercial real estate transactions and development.

Tim Brennan was raised in the coal region working in his family’s well known mom and pop restaurant. He began his legal career in the Lehigh Valley as a Bethlehem and Northampton County Solicitor. He currently lives in Doylestown and, in addition to his legal work, serves as a member of the Doylestown Borough Council.

Mr. Brennan graduated from Ursinus College in 2000, receiving his Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English and Politics and a double minor in International Relations and American Studies. During this period he served two United States Congressional Internships with Congressman Joe Hoeffel and...

James Madsen was born in Flemington, New Jersey, but spent most of his adult life in Easton, Pennsylvania. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from The American University in Washington, D.C. and a Juris Doctor from Drexel University School of Law where he attended under a Law Trustees' Scholarship.

Before partnering with Spitale, Vargo, Madsen & Blair, he operated a solo practice from 2011 to 2015. He has been employed by the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender, the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office, The Philadelphia Defenders' Association and Community Legal Services of Philadelphia.
...

Mary Beier graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and then co-founded the law firm of Beier, Beier & Beier with her husband Bart Beier. She is an experienced litigator with particular emphasis on personal injury and equine litigation. Mrs. Beier also works in the firm’s family law practice. She focuses on client communication and understanding throughout the course of a client’s legal problem. She is adept at working out creative and cost-effective solutions that clients can be happy with.

Bart has extensive litigation experience in a wide range of personal injury cases including slip and falls, auto accidents, and defective products. He provides clients with special insight into insurance practices, having worked for two major insurers before practicing law. Bart also has developed considerable real estate expertise with 35 years of experience. He has personally done over 2,000 real estate closings and has been a real estate title agent for over 20 years. Bart works with both residential and commercial real estate clients throughout Pennsylvania. In addition, Bart is extremely active in his firm’s specialized equine practice...

I am a litigation attorney practicing primarily in the Reading area, and the editor of www.SCOPAreview.com, a website providing coverage of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. In my free time, I enjoy creating media, watching classic movies and everything about college football. During my law school career, I worked for Justice McClanahan of the Virginia Supreme Court, helped author an amicus brief to the Supreme Court of the United States, obtained Regent Law’s “Eagle Award” for the top class grade from a former US Attorney-General on the law of war, and graduated in the top 10 of my class....

As a Berks County native, Daniel Emkey understands its citizens and truly cares for their well-being. He believes strongly in the legal system and pursued his career in defending the people’s rights. Daniel earned his Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law where he was a member of the Harrisburg Civil Law Clinic and participated in the Intensive Trial Advocacy Program. He went on to work at the Berks County District Attorney’s office as the Assistant District attorney. His time as a prosecutor gave Daniel special insight that he uses to help his current clients. He now heads his...

Bruce L. Baldwin was born June 6, 1959 in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Souderton Area High School in 1977. Mr. Baldwin attended West Chester University, graduating in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, Summa Cum Laude. Following his undergraduate work, Mr. Baldwin studied at Villanova University School of Law, where he was active in the Moot Court Board, and earned his Juris Doctor in 1984. Mr. Baldwin began his practice of law in Collegeville before coming to Pottstown in 1987, where he has practiced law with firm founder Jack Wolf ever since. Mr. Baldwin...

As one of the firm’s two founding attorneys, Jeff Drake practices in the areas of real estate, tax assessment appeals, zoning, municipal law, estate administration, family law, and personal injury law. He also represents non-profit corporations such as churches, Christian schools and mission boards, in addition to handling cases involving the preservation of religious liberties.

Jeff received his law degree in 1980 from Capital University Law School and his undergraduate degree from Gordon College in 1977. He has been an adjunct professor at Philadelphia Biblical University (now Cairn University).

Beau A. Hoffman is an attorney with AxRunkle, P.C. and has been practicing law in central Pennsylvania since January 2015. Mr. Hoffman practices in the areas of business and estate planning, municipal law, contract review, estate administration, real estate and civil litigation. Mr. Hoffman has legal experience with the Union County District Attorney’s office in Lewisburg, PA under District Attorney Pete Johnson. Mr. Hoffman graduated Cum Laude from Shippensburg University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Sciences in Criminal Justice. At Shippensburg, Mr. Hoffman was a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and the football program. In May 2014,...

Attorney Jeremiah D. Runkle was born and raised in Snyder and Union Counties. Jeremiah graduated from Meadowbrook Christian School in Milton, PA and then completed his undergraduate degree in Business Administration at Messiah College. Following college, Jeremiah worked in business management for a group of small businesses near Harrisburg, PA. In that capacity, he gained wide exposure to financial, human resource and property management before deciding to attend law school at night at Widener University School of Law. Jeremiah graduated from Widener in 2008 and was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in October of 2008. After nearly 10 years in...

Attorney Kessler has been practicing law in Southeastern Pennsylvania since 1998 and was the founder of the Law Offices of Matthew R. Kessler, L.L.C., located in Douglassville, PA, in 2005.

Mrs. Doleva-Lecher is a long time resident of Pennsylvania, and has practiced law in central PA the majority of her professional career. She has established a reputation for being a fair, honest and strong attorney. Mrs. Doleva-Lecher has resided in Berks County the majority of her life and is a 1993 graduate of Wyomissing Area High School. Mrs. Doleva-Lecher attended the University of Pittsburgh where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree (major in Political Science and dual minors in Psychology and English Literature) in 1997. During her time at the University of Pittsburgh, Mrs. Doleva-Lecher was a...

Marla Soffer is Of Counsel at Galfand Berger, LLP. Marla graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Urban Studies and Spanish. She received her J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law and has been practicing for over 30 years. Marla concentrates her practice in the areas of workers’ rights, safety, compensation and general personal injury and disability law.

Fluent in Spanish, Marla is a frequent lecturer in community programs that focus on the rights and safety of workers, product liability claims and general personal injury matters. She is a consulting attorney to the Consulate of...

Have you been accused of a crime in Reading? Are you considering the option of filing for bankruptcy? Do you need help in a family law case? You should contact Attorney Curtis Barnes and his team to learn how he could help you. Curtis is a graduate of the Florida State University in Tallahassee where he studied Criminology. As a student, he worked at the Florida State Attorney General’s Office where he was able to gain experience in investigating criminal offenses. He then went on to attend the Delaware Law School of Widener University where he graduated with his law...

Matthew M. Setley, Esq. joined the firm that would become Georgeadis||Setley in 2010. He focuses his practice on family law (divorce and custody) and civil litigation. Mr. Setley has extensive experience representing businesses and individuals in connection with a wide range of matters in Pennsylvania’s state and federal courts. He primarily focuses his practice in the legal fields of divorce, child custody, personal and business litigation matters, and select criminal defense work.

Mr. Setley earned his undergraduate degree in political science from The George Washington University (Washington, DC); thereafter, he earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude (with honors), from...

Allan J. Ray was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania and continues to reside there to this day. Al Graduated from Phoenixville Area High School, and relocated to Idaho to attend the University of Idaho. After graduating with honors, Al returned back to Pennsylvania and attended law school at the Penn State Dickinson School of Law where he was a member of the editorial board of the Penn State Environmental Law Review. During law school, Al volunteered at Legal Aid of Southeast Pennsylvania in Pottstown where he helped indigent individuals through civil and family law matters including child custody and support.

Al...

William E. Moore, is a Partner with the law firm of Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg and Gifford, joined the firm in 1995. Mr. Moore is a past member of the Pennsylvania Advisory Committee on Probation, having been nominated by Gov. Tom Ridge with his appointment confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate in May of 2000. He was a Parole Agent with the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole for eleven years. Prior to joining Rubin, Glickman and Steinberg, he was chief deputy district attorney with the Bucks County District Attorney's Office for eight years heading up the Drug Prosecution Team, trying many...

Carolyn Marchesani has over fifteen years of professional experience providing individuals and families with counsel and strategies for estate planning, probate and estate administration. Ms. Marchesani has concentrated her practice in this area with the goal of ensuring that the client has a plan in place to provide for themselves and their family. This work includes helping to organize information to understand current circumstances, determine desired plans going forward and complete effective execution of this plan by helping clients gain an understanding of the related laws in this area and how these laws may impact them. Estate...

Reading, PA attorney James Polyak specializes in criminal defense. He is a graduate of Penn State and Widener University School of Law. After law school, he completed his internship at The Berks County District Attorney's Office in Reading, PA. In 1992, he was hired by The Berks County District Attorney as a full time Assistant District Attorney, where he prosecuted crimes including Robbery, Rape, Burglary, Drug Possession, Theft, Assault and DUI. In 1994, he was promoted to Chief Prosecutor of the Child Abuse Unit of the District Attorney's Office. After gaining valuable experience as a prosecuting attorney in Reading, PA,...

Attorney in private practice since 1981 focusing primarily on elder law and estate planning, real estate investment and transactions, including zoning, and general business matters.

John F. Cordisco concentrates his practice in the representation of serious personal injury claims in both State and Federal Court. At the age of 22 he was elected to the school board. Mr. Cordisco received his degree in law from Temple University and was elected to the 140th legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1980 at the age of 25. Mr. Cordisco established the firm, Cordisco and Bradway in his hometown of Bristol Pennsylvania serving the very community that made him the success that he is today. After building his client base in his small firm,...

Born and raised in Levittown, Pennsylvania; a strong connection remains with Bucks County. Centered in Philadelphia PA since practicing law.

I will come to court focused, prepared and ready to defend you.

Michelle A. Winter left a career as a health professional in the early 1990’s to pursue a life-long dream of becoming an attorney. Upon graduating from Temple Law School in 1996, she worked two years as in house counsel with a major medical malpractice insurance firm. In early 1998, she opened her own law practice where she has focused on the needs of families and businesses in her community. Michelle’s practice currently encompasses several areas of law with a focus on Family Law, including adoptions, divorce, custody, support, Power of Attorney, Wills and Living Wills. The office also stays...

Attorney Douglas Wortman has been practicing law in Eastern Pennsylvania for 10 years. While he is well-versed in a wide variety of legal issues, his main focus has been family law and bankruptcy. Efficient communication with clients is important to Mr. Wortman. He is known for promptly returning telephone messages and correspondence. Attorney Wortman is a military veteran who proudly served in the United States Air Force for 10 years.

Joshua joined the Young Law Group in March 2024 as an associate. He specializes in whistleblower and retaliation cases under federal and state False Claims Act (FCA) statutes, as well as the SEC and CFTC Whistleblower Programs, the IRS Whistleblower Program, and similar programs. As a litigator, Joshua is dedicated to assisting individuals harmed by powerful institutions and those who uncover and report misuse of taxpayer funds. He considers it a privilege to work towards correcting these injustices. 

DawnMarie Schulz focuses her practice on Employee Benefits and Employment Law. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Schulz worked for an employee benefits software management company, where she was Vice President of Administration and Compliance. She has counseled clients (large and small, public and private) on various matters related to Health and Welfare plans, COBRA administration and compliance, HIPAA and HITECH compliance, as well as, employment discrimination, FLSA, FMLA, and employee relations. Ms. Schulz is a graduate of Drexel University and Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law. While attending law school, Ms. Schulz served as the Director...

Ms. Lippy focuses her practice on Criminal Defense and Civil Litigation. She has successfully tried numerous cases before a Judge and Jury. She has a love and passion for the law that she puts to use in the courtroom and prides herself in her ability to relate to clients and jurors alike. She was born and raised locally and attended the Norristown Area High School. She was a member of the Schreyer Honors Program at the Pennsylvania State University, where she graduated in 2000 with a major in Speech Communication and a minor in German. ...

Laura McGarry was most recently a Lancaster County Assistant County Solicitor representing the Lancaster County Children and Youth Social Service Agency and Office of Aging. Prior to that, Laura was Legislative Counsel at the Pennsylvania Bar Association advising PBA sections and committees on pertinent legislation and advocating the position of the PBA membership to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Laura began her legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Maria Musti Cook of the York County Court of Common Pleas.

Laura is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. A 2013 graduate of Penn State Law, she was awarded...

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....

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...

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...

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...

Chelsey A. Christiansen is barred in Pennsylvania and most recently barred in New Jersey. Chelsey joins High Swartz after completing her clerkship with the Honorable David R. Workman of the Lancaster Court of Common Pleas.
Prior to her Clerkship, Ms. Christiansen clerked at Rubin Glickman P.C. of Lansdale Pennsylvania where she drafted motions and also shared her legal knowledge on Legally Speaking, a local radio show. Prior to this position, Chelsey was a certified legal intern at Community Legal Services, Family/Child Advocacy Unit where she drafted an appellate brief and the Bucks County Public Defender, Juvenile Unit.

A graduate of the Thomas...