Andy Mahon is an attorney in Barley Snyder’s Employment and Immigration practice groups with over a decade of experience. He concentrates his practice on immigration law, helping clients with a myriad of immigration related matters, including representing families and businesses seeking immigration benefits as well as defending individuals placed in removal proceedings. Andy has represented hundreds of clients before various agencies that are responsible for administering U.S. immigration laws, including the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of State. He also litigates immigration cases in federal court, filing petitions for review and submitting oral arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and preparing mandamus and habeas petitions before the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. He routinely advises attorneys from other areas of practice on immigration matters affecting their clients, often working with criminal defense counsel to structure guilty pleas to avoid future immigration consequences. Additionally, Andy has presented on immigration topics at several training courses for lawyers, paralegals and community members.
Before joining Barley Snyder, Andy worked at a Lancaster law firm focused exclusively on the practice of immigration law, becoming a partner in 2019. Prior to that, he was a staff attorney for the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center where he defended individuals in removal proceedings who were most in need due to mental illness, poverty or persecution in their country of origin. He started his legal career as a law clerk for the Honorable Penny L. Blackwell in the York County Court of Common Pleas.
Andy graduated from Fordham University with a bachelor’s degree in history and French. He then spent two years living in France and working as an English teacher. He earned his juris doctor from Widener University School of Law, graduating with honors. He was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society and Widener Law Journal.
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
- Light of Liberty Award, Pro Bono Attorney of the Year (2014)
- “Immigration Law Training,” Mennonite Central Committee, Presenter (2013-2017)
- “Model Hearing Program: Withholding-Only Proceedings,” PIRC and York Immigration Court, Presenter (May 2014)
- Former teaching assistant, Bordeaux, France
Megan is a member of Barley Snyder’s Business and Real Estate practice groups, bringing over 20 years of experience to the firm. She is dedicated to serving her clients while making a difference in the community.
In her business practice, Megan assists clients with entity formations and agreements including liability, operations and indemnification. She has experience handling liquor license matters with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) such as liquor license purchases, sales, transfers and related matters. In one instance, Megan represented a restaurant owner in a matter where PLCB would not approve a restaurant manager due to her criminal history. Megan advocated for her client and requested a hearing, and the manager was ultimately approved to act as manager. Furthermore, Megan frequently handles business sales, for both buyers and sellers, in the region. Megan’s business and liquor license experience ties in nicely with her real estate practice where she regularly handles real estate closings and sales agreements in addition to being a licensed title agent.
Megan started her law career in private practice where she gained a breadth of experience in real estate and title work, family law, criminal defense work and litigation. In addition to her years in private law firm practice, Megan previously served in the Lebanon County District Attorney’s Office as Senior Deputy District Attorney where she prosecuted felony and misdemeanor cases including child abuse, juvenile and adult sex crimes, domestic violence, homicides and robberies in both adult and juvenile criminal systems. Megan handled sensitive cases while working closely with the Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center (SARCC), conducting well over 100 jury trials. Additionally, she managed and handled all the Act 21 (civil commitments) for the office as well as developed and managed the child abuse response police advisories and multidisciplinary investigative team (MDIT). Megan was an active member of the Lebanon County Child Abuse Task Force and a board member representing Lebanon County for the Children’s Resource Center in Harrisburg. She was appointed by the Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas as a Custody Conciliator, a role which she served in from June 2003 to January 2023, resolving familial custody issues in lieu of litigation.
Megan has been recognized for many of her professional achievements. She was honored among the “Women Working for Justice” by the Lebanon County Commission for Women and received the “Children’s Hero Award” in 2014 from the Children’s Resource Center and again in 2015 from SARCC. Outside of the firm, Megan stays involved with Leadership Lebanon Valley’s Justice Day Program volunteering with its mock trial and providing a presentation about the criminal system.
A life-long resident of Lebanon County and mother of three, Megan earned her bachelor’s degree from Penn State University in Public Policy and her juris doctor degree from Widener University School of Law.
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- “Women Working for Justice” by the Lebanon County Commission for Women in 2013
- “Children’s Hero Award” from Children’s Resource Center in 2014
- “Children’s Hero Award” from Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center in 2015
- Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas, Custody Conciliator, June 2003 to January 2023
- Lebanon County Child Abuse Task Force, Former Member
Michael is an attorney in Barley Snyder’s Litigation and Trusts & Estates practice groups. He creates strategies tailored to his clients’ needs to provide them with the best possible results.
Michael concentrates his practice in civil litigation in a variety of areas including landlord/tenant law, ejectment, small claims, family law and Orphan’s Court litigation. He also has an extensive background representing clients in criminal cases – both criminal court appointed and private criminal cases.
In his estate planning practice, he counsels and advises clients on both simple and complex estate matters. He handles tasks such as administering estates, distributing assets, filing documents with the Register of Wills and probating the estate in addition to representing clients in Orphans’ Court regarding guardianships and will contests.
Michael served as Assistant Public Defender in Northampton County and as Conflict Counsel for Bradford County where he gained extensive jury trial, bench trial, and appellate trial experience. He began his legal career at his grandfather’s family practice based in New Jersey where he gained a wide range of experience.
A Lehigh Valley native and graduate of Northampton Area High School, Michael currently resides in Lebanon. Outside the firm, he serves as a soccer referee for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference’s Soccer program and other Division III Soccer programs. He also referees high school soccer for the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. Michael is a graduate of Penn State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Electrical-Mechanical Engineering Technology. He received his juris doctor degree from Western Michigan University’s Thomas M. Cooley Law School with a concentration in Intellectual Property
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- New Jersey Bar Association
- Percy J. Powers Senate, Delta Theta Phi Law School Fraternity, Member
- Northampton County Bar Association’s Fair Share Pro Bono Award in 2016
- John W. Hanks Award (for his dedication to Percy J. Powers Senate, Delta Theta Phi Law School Fraternity)
Jake is an attorney in the firm’s Business and Real Estate practice groups with vast experience in the areas of business succession and transactions, real estate, and estate and trust matters.
In his business practice, Jake represents small business and farm clients, commercial real estate investors, medical and dental professionals, and other business clients. His representation includes a wide array of legal matters including business formation and operation and asset acquisition. Jake also represents clients in various real estate transactions ranging from purchases of preserved farmland to commercial and industrial properties.
Particularly, Jake has extensive experience successfully negotiating favorable solar and other alternative energy leases on behalf of landowners across Pennsylvania. He has presented seminars and podcasts regarding solar energy development and leasing practices for various organizations. As an invited panelist before the Pennsylvania Senate Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee, he has provided testimony with respect to solar industry leasing practices and the impact of solar development on prime agricultural land.
Jake also represents clients with their estate planning needs, whether simple or complex, and has represented financial institutions serving as estate and trust fiduciaries with respect to various issues arising in trust and estate administrations.
Prior to joining Barley Snyder, Jake was a partner in a mid-sized Harrisburg law firm. Jake resides in York County with his wife and their two children. He enjoys fly fishing and fly tying, playing guitar, Penn State wrestling, and Philadelphia sports. Jake is an active member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hummelstown and is a member of the Church’s Congregation Council. Jake also serves on the Lycoming College Alumni Association Executive Committee and the LutheranHANDS Foundation Board of
Directors.
- What happens when the sun sets on a solar farm? It’s hard to say, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (April 2, 2023)
- Solar Leases: Landowners Beware, Pennsylvania Association of Realtors (February 21, 2020)
- Solar Energy and Leasing Agreements, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Farm Focus Podcast (April 23, 2021)
- Navigating the Leasing Process of Utility Scale Solar in Pennsylvania: Negotiating the Terms of a Solar Lease, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and Penn State Extension (September 8, 2021)
- Hearing on Utility Scale Solar Development and Agricultural Land in Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (September 21, 2021)
- Evaluating Key Contract Terms When Leasing Your Land for Solar Energy Development, Penn State Extension and Cornell Extension (March 16, 2022 and March 23, 2022)
- Estate Planning with Solar Leases, Penn State Extension and Cornell Extension (July 26, 2022 and August 23, 2022)
- Legal Aspects of Utility Scale Solar Leases: Lease Options and Agreements, Pennsylvania Bar Institute (November 18, 2022)
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Dauphin County Bar Association
Rachael is a member of Barley Snyder’s Real Estate and Business practice groups with a breadth of experience in business, real estate, employment and sports law.
Rachael primarily focuses her practice on business law where she acts as general counsel to her business clients. She provides advice on matters such as corporate formations, governance and a variety of other transactional matters. She has experience guiding clients through the complicated processes of mergers and acquisitions and asset sales. In her real estate practice, Rachael reviews and prepares commercial lease agreements. She also handles agreements of sale on both the commercial and residential side.
Prior to joining Barley, Rachael was working as a transactional associate attorney in Lehigh County. She also has experience in employment law, drafting and reviewing employee policies and handbooks, as well as sports law, advising athletes regarding NIL (name, image and likeness) matters.
Rachael graduated from Washington College where she received her B.A. in Political Science. She earned her J.D. from Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law where she received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award/Best Student Performance in Contract Drafting.
Outside of the firm, Rachael enjoys spending time with family, exploring the outdoors, cooking and taking part in recreational sports leagues.
Charmaine is a member of Barley Snyder’s Business and Real Estate practice groups. She brings a unique perspective to the firm through her wide variety of experiences.
A magna cum laude University of Richmond School of Law graduate, Charmaine served on the editorial board of the University of Richmond Public Interest Law Review and volunteered for numerous causes including Virginia Free Legal Answers and Wills for Veterans.
Charmaine also has an extensive background working in the legal field through various internships and externships. In these roles, she reviewed contracts, advised on contract compliance and conducted legal research. As a student attorney at the Intellectual Property and Transactional Law Clinic, she assisted businesses with entity formation and filing requirements as well as updated filing documents and maintenance of entity. She also provided copyright and trademark services, updated independent contractor agreements and prepared financial disclosure forms for non-profit entities.
Charmaine graduated from Kutztown University summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Minors in Public Administration & Paralegal Studies. Following her undergraduate education, she worked as a paralegal for two years where she drafted estate planning documents, assisted with estate administration and real estate transactions. She also worked as a judicial intern in the United States District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania, drafting orders, reports and recommendations as well as researching issues.
As a Clinton County native, Charmaine spent her childhood on a small family farm. During this time, she showed livestock in 4-H and was named 2015 Clinton County Fair Queen. She now resides in York County and enjoys spending her time away from the office reading, traveling, and spending time outdoors.
- Nominated for VA State Bar Oliver White Hill Award for Pro Bono Service (2022)
- Harry L. Carrico Center for Pro Bono Service Certification Award (2022)
- CALI Awards for Excellence in Military Law and in the Legal Business Design Challenge (2021)
- York County Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC)
Tasha is a member of Barley Snyder’s Litigation Practice Group with strong advocacy, problem-solving and leadership skills.
Before joining Barley Snyder, Tasha worked as an intern with the Lancaster County District Attorney’s office and Villanova Law’s Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE Institute). She previously worked in Lancaster city wrapping burritos at Prince Street Café before serving as a Finance/Human Resources director for six small businesses, as an Executive Director of a non-profit working alongside women affected by homelessness, and as a refugee resettlement caseworker. She relates to a broad spectrum of people and is comfortable in diverse settings. A Lancaster native with Amish roots, she currently volunteers in her hometown with various non-profit organizations including Lancaster County Conservancy, Night to Shine, Advoz and Church World Service. She is also a former volunteer of The Mix and Clare House. Tasha continues a longtime firm tradition of former Barley Snyder summer associates returning to the firm.
In law school, Tasha was a member of Villanova Law’s Moot Court Board where she won both Villanova and national competitions, including individual awards for best brief and best oralist. She was also a member of the Public Interest Fellowship Program and received her master’s in public administration from Villanova. In her spare time, Tasha enjoys anything outdoors, running, and thrift shopping at Goodwill. She lives in Lancaster with her husband and dog.
- Dorothy Day Award for Pro Bono Service
- Arthur J. Kania Prize in Professional Ethics
- Daniel F. O’Dea, Jr. Fellowship Award for Outstanding Professionalism
- Distinguished Service Award, Villanova Law Moot Court Board
- Lancaster Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
Emily is a member of our Trusts & Estates and Business practice groups. Emily is experienced at advising decision makers on complex areas of law. Her effective communication and relationship building skills make her a strategic partner for clients.
Emily received her law degree from the University of Virginia after majoring in Classics and Economics at Brown University. She then practiced for several years at the Washington, D.C. office of a large, international law firm. There, Emily provided regulatory counseling to Fortune 100 energy and telecom companies as well as representing them in administrative and judicial matters involving economic and regulatory issues.
Emily moved to Lancaster in 2016 and began working as the Associate Director of Gift Planning at Franklin & Marshall College. In this role, she worked with donors to find ways to satisfy their philanthropic intentions while advancing their financial and estate goals. Emily is a member of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners and the Planned Giving Council of Greater Philadelphia. Her experience in crafting charitable gifts enhances her estate planning practice.
Emily has a strong interest in serving the Lancaster community. She currently serves as a board member and chair of the Planned Giving Committee for The Lancaster Science Factory and as chair of Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity’s Board & Leadership Gifts Committee. Emily is also a member of the operating committee for the Neighborhoods of Old Town, where she lives.
Alex advises and guides clients through both the estate planning and the estate administration process. She identifies and implements various options and strategies to achieve clients’ objectives and utilizes combinations of different vehicles to achieve such objectives while taking into consideration clients’ unique family dynamics and interpersonal relationships. She also provides guidance and support to clients regarding their obligations and duties when acting in various fiduciary capacities. Additionally, she aids clients in navigating the estate administration process by preparing various state and federal tax returns, creating and executing family settlement agreements, and drafting, filing, and defending formal accountings before county orphans’ courts.
Her practice routinely includes aspects and elements of estate planning including:
- Transitioning family businesses
- Portability
- Gifting
- Generation skipping transfer tax
- Inheritance tax
- Medicaid planning
- Various state probate processes
- Step-up basis
Alex also counsels and represents clients in real estate transactions. She assists clients with purchasing and selling real estate by providing guidance throughout the entire process from the negotiation of the terms of the transaction through the execution of the finalized documents. She advises clients about realty transfer tax concerns, like-kind exchanges, preferential tax assessment programs such as Clean & Green, resolving title issues and financing, lending, and leasing arrangements.
Prior to joining the firm, Alex took every opportunity to focus her studies at both Dickinson School of Law and Georgetown University on not only tax, but also the interaction of tax and estate planning. She served as the student coordinator for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program at Dickinson overseeing the preparation of and helped to prepare hundreds of returns annually. She also interned for the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue briefing issues and drafting opinions on corporate tax and personal income tax cases.
Alex’s background in the areas of tax, real estate and estate planning and administration permits her to provide comprehensive services to her clients as she can preemptively identify a variety of issues that arise in these areas and appreciate the impact that aspects of these areas of law have.
In her free time, Alex enjoys running, traveling, scuba diving and spending time with her pets.
- Cumberland County Inn of the Court, former member
- Cumberland County Bar Association
Gabe is a member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. Gabe joins Barley Snyder as one of more than a dozen current attorneys at the firm who once came through as part of its summer associate program. A graduate of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, Wertz worked as a Barley Snyder summer associate in 2020.
Wertz took advantage of numerous opportunities to gain legal experience outside of the classroom while in law school. He was a certified legal intern at Villanova Law School’s Interdisciplinary Mental & Physical Health Law Clinic, successfully representing clients in appeals cases to increase or have reinstated paid personal assistance service hours that had been previously denied by their health insurers. Also at Villanova, Gabe was a quarterfinalist in the 2021 Touro Law Center’s Seventh Annual National Moot Court Competition in Law and Religion. He also coached a moot court team that reached the quarterfinals in the 2021 August A. Rendigs Jr. National Products Liability Moot Court Competition. He also worked as an intern at the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, where he assisted the Pottstown Community Prosecution Unit.
Before attending law school, the Lebanon County native attended the School of Theological Studies at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, earning his masters degree in theology. He then spent several years working for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, assisting with the process of closing and merging parishes.
Outside of the office, Gabe enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter and the rest of his family, along with reading, traveling, the outdoors, and cheering for Philadelphia sports.
