John T. Reed

John is a member of the firm’s Business Practice Group and chair of the Family Owned Business Group. John’s primary practice comprises two separate but related areas: (i) counseling family-owned and closely held businesses and (ii) buying and selling businesses and, in many cases, acting as a general counselor for the business on an ongoing basis after the transaction is completed.

Counseling Family Owned and Closely Held Businesses
John’s work in this area is extremely varied and from the broadest standpoint, John acts as a virtual in-house counsel to these businesses. In this “in-house counsel” role, John learns about the business, the owners, the objectives, and the outlook of the owners, and then combines this information with his legal knowledge and the expertise of his colleagues at Barley Snyder to provide comprehensive counsel to the business on legal and business-related issues. 

John has been involved in specific family-related matters such as succession planning, developing both advisory boards and boards of directors with outside directors, developing family councils, facilitating family meetings, mediating owner disputes, and negotiating and implementing Shareholder Agreements (Buy-Sell Agreements). With nearly 30 years of experience working with family businesses, John has a deep understanding of the unique dynamics that come into play and how to effectively navigate them with care and expertise. Of course, John also advises on general business issues such as contract review and negotiation, real estate purchases or sales, employment issues, strategic planning, and general business strategy. 

Barley Snyder is one of the founding members and a corporate sponsor of the S. Dale High Family Business Center at Elizabethtown College – a cornerstone for family and privately held businesses in the region, offering executive peer groups, leadership development, succession planning, and best practice education. John leads the firm’s efforts at the Center and is a frequent speaker and a regular resource for the Center, currently serving as the lead facilitator for a CEO Peer Group and previously as a member of the Sponsors Advisory Group. His dedication and leadership at the Center underscores his commitment to the long-term success of family enterprises throughout the region.

Buying and Selling Businesses
John regularly represents clients buying or selling businesses. This representation can include very complicated transactions involving mergers of entities, multi-level financing and equity arrangements, earn-out provisions, and floating purchase prices or straightforward deals. Further, he advises clients on the proper entity to form for a purchase, negotiating and drafting letters of intent and term sheets, guiding the due diligence portion of the investigation, negotiating and securing financing, analyzing financing options, determining value, and leading the team of advisors in the negotiation of the deal. His practical, business-minded approach helps clients navigate the complexities of transactions while positioning them for long-term success.

Outlook
John finds working with family businesses and their owners extremely rewarding. Barley Snyder has a tradition of representing generation after generation of family businesses. Family business owners have a very different outlook and approach to business than the Fortune 500s. The family business owner does not base his or her decisions on what will maximize profits for the next month (and his or her bonus) but rather makes decisions keeping in mind that he or she is merely holding the business in trust for the generations to follow. These owners view themselves as stewards of a legacy, making decisions with future generations in mind to ensure the business’s longevity and continuity. John understands this approach and acts as a partner and strategic advisor with his family business clients. 

In addition to his legal work and when he is not spending time with his family, John is actively involved in the community. Since settling in Lancaster many years ago, he has made community involvement a high priority. He believes the community is made stronger through dedicated volunteers and that a stronger community results in a stronger and more stable business environment. The central Pennsylvania region is proof of that reasoning. John’s long-standing commitment to civic engagement reflects the same values he champions in his legal practice: responsibility, sustainability and leadership.

RECOGNITIONS
  • Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in Harrisburg metro area, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law (2020, 2025)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Closely Held Companies and Family Business Law (2013-2026)
  • Lancaster Family YMCA “Volunteer of the Year” (2004)
  • Pennsylvania Rising Stars
  • Inaugural recipient of “Wall of Fame” of The High Center for Family Business
MEMBERSHIP
  • American, Pennsylvania and Lancaster County Bar Associations
PUBLICATION
  • Family Business Center Webcast – Succession Planning for Family Businesses
PRESENTATIONS
  • “Succession Planning Insights,” Panel Discussion Moderator, Barley Snyder Business Seminar (October 2024)
  • “Looking at the Future of the Business Climate,” Panel Discussion Moderator, Barley Snyder Business Seminar (May 2022)
  • “Choose Your Direction,” The High Center’s On the Road Series (September 2021)
  • “The Expected Impact of COVID-19 on M&A: A Look at the ‘New Normal’,” Barley Snyder Webinar Series (June 2020)
  • “Recent Developments in the M&A Market,” Barley Snyder Business Seminar (October 2016)
  • “Succession Planning,” The High Center for Family Business (May 2016)
  • “Business Succession & Wealth Transfer: Considerations of Death, Taxes and Achieving Family Harmony,” Barley Snyder Business Seminar (October 2014)
  • “Diamonds in the Rough: Working With Troubled Borrowers,” Barley Snyder LendiCon Seminar (May 2014)
  • “Is an M&A the Right Course for Your Business?,” Mergers and Acquisitions Panel, The High Center for Family Business (January 2013)
  • “Guiding Wealth through Generations – Keeping it in the Family,” The High Center for Family Business (November 2011)
  • “Succession Planning: Today’s Planning, Tomorrow’s Success,” Barley Snyder Business Seminar (October 2011)
  • “Who’s in Charge Here: Succession Planning for Business,” Barley Snyder Business Seminar (May 2006)
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
  • Director, The Wenger Group Board of Directors
  • Captain, U.S. Air Force (1986-1992)

Reilly S. Noetzel

Reilly is a partner in the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group and the Construction, Environment, Land Use, and Municipal industry groups in addition to being a licensed title agent. He also serves as Chair of the Real Estate Practice Group. Reilly dedicates his practice to the representation of clients in all aspects of their real estate transactions and developments with a particular focus on condominium and planned community law, land use and development, construction and regulatory matters as well as leasing.  

Condominium & Planned Community Law 
As a large part of his practice, Reilly helps clients navigate the Pennsylvania Planned Community and Condominium Acts, and provides creative and efficient advice on structuring these types of developments.  He is familiar with the requirements of the Acts, and establishes the framework for each community to facilitate a smooth transition of the development at turnover.  Reilly recognizes this area of the law can be complex and routinely gives educational presentations to homebuilders, developers, and other professionals on condominium and planned community law compliance.  He has prepared and reviewed homeowners’ association and condominium documents for developments of all types and sizes, including building conversions, shopping centers, residential planned communities, master-planned developments, and site condominiums.  He also advises developers in completing lot takedowns within these types of communities.

Land Use & Development
Reilly’s zoning and land development work includes representation of clients in the submissions of and hearings for text amendment, rezoning, variance, special exception, conditional use, land development and condition modification applications. He understands the complexities of the Municipalities Planning Code and the requirements that municipalities and developers must follow throughout the land development process in Pennsylvania. Reilly’s experience in this area includes assistance with the development of mixed-use, commercial/industrial buildings and complexes as well as residential neighborhoods. 

Construction
In his construction practice, Reilly advises owners, contractors, subcontractors and design professionals on all facets of construction law and procurement matters, with a particular focus on negotiating contracts for uniquely funded projects, such as RACP and ARPA, as well as other state and private grant programs. This includes the review and negotiation of the American Institute for Architects (AIA) form agreements, updates to form purchase orders and agreements, and assistance with mechanics’ liens, prevailing wage, and Contractor and Subcontractor Payment Act issues. Reilly also has specific experience with engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for renewable energy projects. In addition, Reilly represents developers with respect to building code and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) enforcement issues and appeals as well as Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) approvals.  

Regulatory & Permitting
In connection with his land use and development practice, Reilly helps clients navigate the regulatory and permitting requirements associated with real estate projects including the rules and regulations of various Pennsylvania state agencies such as the Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and the Pennsylvania Utility Commission. He regularly assists clients with issues related to permits for public infrastructure as well as highway occupancy, NPDES, post-construction stormwater management and building permits.

Leasing
Reilly devotes a significant portion of his practice to the representation of landlords and tenants in various leasing matters. He frequently negotiates retail, industrial, office, and ground leases and advises clients on ancillary leasing issues such as financing and construction matters. Through his experience in lease negotiations, Reilly is well-versed in standard commercial leasing clauses in central Pennsylvania. He often guides clients through the process of understanding lease provisions, including complex CAM clauses. Reilly also assists clients in the negotiation of energy and utility leases, including solar farm and cell tower leases.

Reilly prides himself on providing practical advice and delivering efficient results for his clients. He especially enjoys the tangible nature of real estate law and appreciates the ability to see a project through from beginning to end. His well-rounded experience in the areas above allows him to be the point person for developers throughout all stages of their projects.

In his spare time, Reilly enjoys biking, hiking, reading, astronomy, Revolutionary and Civil War history, and spending time with his family outdoors. 

View some of Reilly’s representative matters:

  • Represented a regional funeral home in the acquisition and development, including permitting, land development, and zoning approvals, for a new, approximately 14,000-square-foot funeral home and crematory. 
  • Represented a farm equipment and machinery sales and repair business in the sale of its existing building, the acquisition of raw land, and the development of a multi-phased, 300,000 square foot vehicle retail, service, and repair center. Reilly’s work on this matter included obtaining conditional use, variance, and land development plan approvals for the new building as well as assistance in obtaining a PIDA loan to finance the development.
  • Counseled a large retailer in the development of a multi-phased, 250,000-square-foot manufacturing, office, and warehousing center, including navigation of permitting and land development issues, sewer and water capacity matters, and special exception approvals for the use.
  • Represented landowners in obtaining variances and special exception approvals to convert existing buildings into an apartment building and an Airbnb building.
  • Represented a large church in the conversion of its existing building into a condominium, and the sale of a condominium unit to a buyer.
  • Counseled a residential developer in rezoning several tracts of land, obtaining text amendments for higher density, and development of townhome, single-family and mixed-use buildings.
  • Served as counsel for a one-of-a-kind stream restoration and walking trail project in Lancaster County, which included preparation of easements, construction documents, and municipal intergovernmental agreements related to stormwater and MS4 permitting.  
  • Served as landlord’s counsel on various lease negotiations for a new retail shopping center, which included advising the client on sophisticated CAM, exclusive use, and other specific retail leasing issues.
  • Obtained text amendment and conditional use approvals for a large-scale multifamily and townhome development in Lebanon County, and advised the developer on planned community structuring issues for the community.
  • Prepared condominium/planned community documents for a shopping center redevelopment, single-family and townhome developments throughout central Pennsylvania as well as building conversions in urban settings including Lancaster and Harrisburg.
RECOGNITIONS
  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, Land Use and Zoning Law (2024, 2025, 2026), Construction Law (2026), Real Estate Law (2026)
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star (2023, 2024, 2025)
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section Trailblazer Award (2020)
MEMBERSHIPS
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Lancaster County Bar Association
PRESENTATION
  • “Land Development 101”, Lancaster Bar Association 2026 Real Estate & Municipal Summit (March 2026)
  • “Navigating NPDES Permitting – Changes, Challenges, & Pitfalls”, ULI Philadelphia Central PA Regional Council (November 2025)
  • “Understanding Operating Expenses & CAM: Impacts on Transactions and Future Buyers “, Wake Up With Barley: A Morning on Real Estate Seminar (June 2025)
  • Training on Title Insurance, Mid Penn Bank (July 2024)
  • “Guilty by ‘Association’ – Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls in the Formation and Operation of HOAs”, Building Industry Association of Lancaster County (April 2024)
  • “Trends in Zoning and Development,” – Moderator, Wake Up With Barley: A Morning on Real Estate Seminar (June 2023)
  • “What Residential Builders Need to Know About Construction and Land Development”,  Building Industry Association of Lancaster County Morning Mingle (Sept. 2022)
  • “Exploring and Negotiating Key Clauses in Construction Contracts”, ABC Keystone’s Fall Regional Construction Wake-up Call Series (Fall 2022)
  • “Construction Agreements & Payments: Understanding the Construction Process”, ABC Keystone (October 2020
LANGUAGES
  • German
  • French
  • Arabic

Joseph E. Erb Jr.

Joseph Erb is part of Barley Snyder’s Real Estate and Litigation practice groups. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and the York County Bar Association. He clerked for the Honorable John T. Miller of the York County Court of Common Pleas. Attorney Erb is member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Hanover; a past board member of the Hanover Red Cross; a past board member of the Battlefield Preservation Society of Gettysburg, and a past board member of the York County S.P.C.A. 

Prior to law school and the practice of law, Joseph worked as a mixed gas tender/diver offshore throughout the oilfields of the Gulf of Mexico. He still continues nautical pursuits enjoying recreational scuba diving and sailing with friends. 

MEMBERSHIPS
  • York County Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • American Bar Association

Robert J. Tribeck

Rob is counsel at the firm and serves as Chief Legal Officer of PAM Heath, a central Pennsylvania-based health care system that owns and operates more than 80 hospitals throughout the United States. He is responsible for all legal operations associated with PAM Health including compliance and regulatory, litigation, business development and contracting, and employment issues.

Rob has served as lead counsel in business litigation of all types, from small corporate claims to “bet-the-company” litigation. He regularly represented clients in complex litigation, including employment, intellectual property and corporate governance disputes.  In addition, he has represented business and governmental entities in all aspects of employment law, from day-to-day human resource issues to drafting handbooks and employment agreements to litigating all aspects of employment discrimination, wage and hour, and FMLA claims.

RECOGNITIONS
  • Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” in Harrisburg, 2020, Litigation – Intellectual Property
  • Federal Bar Association, Middle District of Pennsylvania, president (2017-2018)
  • The Best Lawyers in America©, Litigation – Intellectual Property (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, Rising Star
  • Central Penn Business Journal, “40 Under 40” (2008)
MEMBERSHIPS
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Dauphin County Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association, Middle District Chapter, board of directors
  • American Health Lawyers Association
PUBLICATIONS
  • “The Impact of Cyberculture on Administrative Litigation,” 6th Annual Administrative Law Symposium for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute (2001)
  • “The Practitioner’s Guide to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,” co-author, Recent Developments in Federal Practice (1995, 1998)
  • “Rule 68: Awakening a Sleeping Giant,” co-author, 65 Geo. Wash. L. Rev. 379 (1997)
  • “Practice Tips for Litigating in Federal Court,” co-author, 68 Pennsylvania Bar Association Q.1 (January 1997)
  • “Rule 11: Focus on Sanctions,” co-author, Vol. 2, No. 3, The Middle District Reporter 6 (Fall 1996)
  • “The Nuances of Rule 26,” co-author, Vol. 2, No.3, The Middle District Reporter 5 (Summer 1996)
  • “Cracking the Doctrinal Wall of Chapman v. Barney: A New Diversity Test for Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies,” 5 Widener J. Pub. L. 89 (1995)
  • “Franklin v. Gwinnett County Public Schools: Bursting the Bubble of Sexual Discrimination in Education,” 19 Ohio No. U.L. Rev. 817 (1993)

Maria Di Stravolo Elliott

Maria is a member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group and chairs the Construction Industry Group. She counsels international, national, regional and local businesses and individuals on complex real estate and construction transactions. She takes the time to understand her clients’ business so she can design legal and business solutions to best meet their needs. 

Real Estate Law
Much of her real estate work involves commercial, residential and mixed use projects, including hospitals, banks, colleges, water and sewer treatment plants, apartment buildings, shopping centers, nursing homes and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). She prepares documentation for developers for a variety of condominium and planned communities (commercial, residential, mixed use and site condos) and has also represented homeowner’s associations.

She collaborates with her clients through every step of the real estate matter, including:

– negotiating and preparing sales agreements

– assisting clients with due diligence

– obtaining any zoning and land development approvals

– obtaining liquor license approvals

– forming entities for real estate ownership

– reviewing title commitments and resolving any title matters

– reviewing and negotiating loan documents from banks and state agencies

– closing the deal by preparing settlement documents and attending settlement

– paying attention to any post-closing matters, such as tax assessment appeals or in the case of non-profits and educational institutions, tax exemption appeals

Maria has successfully negotiated leases and related documents for all types of commercial and residential properties, including college campuses, medical office buildings, health campuses, professional office buildings, retail and shopping centers, cell towers, apartment buildings, banks, farms, parking lots, hotels, and industrial, manufacturing and warehouse buildings. She represents both landlords and tenants on a regular basis.

She also handles various agricultural real estate matters for clients, including Clean and Green (Act 319), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and agricultural preservation easements.

Real Estate Portfolio Services
Maria enjoys working with investors, developers, buyers and sellers with extensive real estate portfolios, bringing expertise and personalized service to each transaction. She focuses on assisting clients with acquiring, selling, and managing their properties. With an in-depth understanding of industry trends and a commitment to achieving the best outcomes, Maria builds strong relationships with her clients.

Construction Law
Maria’s construction law practice involves issues during all phases of the construction process, including drafting and negotiating construction contracts, providing advice on claims avoidance and handling bond claims. She also counsels clients on various alternative dispute resolutions for construction matters, including mediation, arbitration and litigation.

She regularly addresses general construction matters involving liquidated damages, change orders, performance and payment bonds, termination of contracts, and mechanics’ liens waivers and releases. She has extensive experience with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) construction contracts, including creating standard changes for clients working on multiple construction projects. Maria is familiar with the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act, having assisted clients with ensuring their construction contracts meet the requirements of the act. She advises clients on the amendments to the Pennsylvania Mechanics’ Lien Law and how the changes affect their construction projects. Maria is familiar with an amendment to the Mechanic’s Lien Law to address the Pennsylvania Construction Notices Directory, which was implemented in 2017 for construction projects over $1.5 million. She is also knowledgeable with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code and the International Building Code. In 2020, Maria was named a Fellow at the Construction Lawyers Society of America, joining the invitation-only international honorary association composed of preeminent lawyers specializing in construction law and related fields.

Examples of her real estate and construction experience include:

– Successfully handled the purchase of a $5 million corporate headquarters site for a food manufacturer including the preparation of condominium documents in connection with Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) financing and handling a Machinery and Equipment Loan Fund (MELF) loan for equipment financing.

– Was instrumental in the purchase and partial lease-back of a $10 million industrial building along with obtaining successful zoning approval for a special exception to allow the client to manufacture its recycled rubber surface and flooring products at the site.

– Created condominium documents for a hospital pavilion, a shopping center, a studio complex, an industrial/business site condo and a mixed use urban building condo.

– Obtained successful zoning approvals for a sewer authority to install a pumping station and sewer lines in existing residential development and worked on sewer line easement agreements.

– Negotiated a warehouse lease for an international manufacturer of fishing equipment and construction documents for the tenant fit-out as well as resolving a change order dispute for the client.

– Handled the purchase of a warehouse facility that was transformed into a large sports facility, where she negotiated leases, liquor licensing, and rental facility agreements.

Maria regularly presents on real estate and construction matters. She has given presentations before Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. – Keystone Chapter, Building Industry Association of Lancaster County and the Commercial & Industrial Real Estate Council of the Lancaster County Association of Realtors. In addition, she has taught continuing legal education classes for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and the Lancaster Bar Association. She is conversational in Italian and speaks Spanish.

Maria has three active kids and lives in Lititz. She sings as a cantor at St. James Catholic Church in Lititz and can be found doing karaoke now and then. She loves theatre and has performed in musicals and comedies when she was younger. Now, she can often be found playing pickleball at the Lititz recCenter.

MEMBERSHIPS
  • Construction Lawyers Society of America
  • Associated Builders and Contractors Keystone Chapter
  • Building Industry Association of Lancaster County
  • St. Thomas More Society
  • Lancaster Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
PRESENTATIONS
  • “Construction Agreements & Payments,” ABC Keystone’s Construction 101 Series (April 2026)
  • “Understanding Complex Lease Provisions,” – Moderator, “Wake Up With Barley: A Morning on Real Estate” Seminar (2023)
  • “What Residential Builders Need to Know About Construction and Land Development”,  Building Industry Association of Lancaster County Morning Mingle (Sept. 2022)
  • “Exploring and Negotiating Key Clauses in Construction Contracts”, ABC Keystone’s Fall Regional Construction Wake-up Call Series (Fall 2022)
  • “Doing Business with Coronavirus: Managing Tenant Relationships and Protecting Landlord Interests”, CCIM Webinar (May 2020)
  • “Condos in the City”, Wake up with Barley: A Morning on Real Estate (June 2019)
  • Moderator: “Structuring & Financing Real Estate Deals”, Barley Snyder LendiCon (March 2019)
  • “Managing & Protecting Your Online Reputation”, ABC Keystone Seminar (October 2018)
  • “Ever-Changing Challenges of Construction & Development in PA”, Wake up with Barley: A Morning on Real Estate (June 2018)
  • Featured speaker, Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s “The Year in Review for the General Practitioner 2017” (December 2017)
  • “Planning and Sales Considerations for Condominiums and Planned Communities”, Wake up with Barley: A Morning on Real Estate (September 2017)
  • “Construction Risk Management: From Contract to Completion”, Wake up with Barley: A Morning on Real Estate (September 2017)
  • “Understanding the Construction Process – From Inception to Completion”, ABC Keystone Seminar (April 2017)
  • “Current Trends in Commercial Lending”, Lendicon 2017 (March 2017)
  • Right to Repair Act, BIA Morning Mingle (April, 2016)
  • Symposium on New Federal Closing Requirements, TRID – Making It Work For You (May 2015)
  • “Leasehold Mortgages”, Barley Snyder LendiCon Seminar (March 2015)
  • “Buying, Leasing and Owning: What is Best for Your Business?”, Barley Snyder Business Seminar, (October 2014)
  • “Facing Land Development and Construction Issues”, Barley Snyder LendiCon Seminar, (November 2012)
RECOGNITIONS
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, “Lawyer of the Year” in Real Estate Law (2026)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Real Estate Law (2024, 2025, 2026)
  • Central Penn Business Journal’s Women of Influence List (2022)
LANGUAGE
  • Italian

Robert M. Frankhouser

Bob Frankhouser is a member of the firm’s Education, Employment and Labor Law practice groups. He provides advice and representation to educational entities both as a general solicitor and as special counsel. In addition, Bob counsels employers on employment issues with special emphasis on labor union matters.

Bob’s legal career has been fueled by a dedication to creating innovative solutions for the unique challenges his clients encounter. During his nearly 50 years in practice, he has represented school districts in many employment and construction matters. In addition, Bob serves as the solicitor of record for a variety of educational entities, providing guidance on governance, general business issues and labor relations matters.

He also has years of experience in labor/management relations, negotiating for and providing counsel to the firm’s public school district clients on collective bargaining agreements. Furthermore, he has litigated a wide variety of labor disputes for both the public and private employers he has represented.

MEMBERSHIPS
  • Lancaster Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
RECOGNITIONS
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Construction Law (2024, 2025, 2026)

Lori McElroy

Government tax regulations are constantly changing, and Lori McElroy’s experience as a member of Barley Snyder’s Tax Practice Group has given her an intimate understanding of the financial restrictions that can slow a business down, and how to rectify them. She works to solve complex governmental regulations and restrictions for qualified retirement plans from both an implementation and operation standpoint, and has experience with corporate and individual tax issues surrounding business formations and reorganizations. Lori also has experience in working with the Internal Revenue Service in defense of qualified plans as well as for individual clients and entities in tax controversies.

Lori has helped the firm carve out the niche of working with companies in converting to the very popular but also very complex employee stock ownership plans (ESOP). She also works in the areas of employees benefits when it comes to nonqualified deferred compensation, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), executive compensation, qualified plan audits from the U.S. Department of Labor as well as charitable giving.

Lori is also fundamentally involved in various aspects of estate planning and wealth management, as well as the implementation and operation of a variety of charitable trusts, as well as helping individuals in other areas of charitable giving. She also regularly advises public charities and private foundations on corporate and tax matters.

MEMBERSHIPS
  • Estate Planning Council of Central Pennsylvania
  • Dauphin County Bar Association
RECOGNITIONS
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) (2024, 2026), Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law (2025, 2026)

Jennifer Craighead Carey

Jennifer serves as both Managing Partner and CEO of Barley Snyder, guiding the firm’s overall strategy and growth. In addition to her leadership role, she is an experienced member of the Employment Practice Group, where she provides proactive counsel to employers and defends them in complex employment litigation.

Employment Counseling & Workplace Investigations
In her role as employment counselor, Jennifer provides advice to employers on a myriad of employment issues, including counseling on performance and conduct related issues, reasonable accommodation obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), FMLA compliance and management, sexual and other harassment, workplace violence, and many other issues. Jennifer has worked with clients in investigations involving harassment, misappropriation of funds and other areas of misconduct, including conducting investigations of executive and high-level management employees. Furthermore, Jennifer reviews personnel policies for employers and has reviewed hundreds of employee handbooks for legal compliance.

Workplace Training
Jennifer believes in a strategy of prevention for her employer clients, and in this role not only provides counseling and investigation services to employers, but also conducts a variety of on-site, workplace training in the areas of sexual and other harassment prevention, documentation strategies in the context of discipline and discharge as well as performance evaluations, FMLA/ADA/workers’ compensation interplay and management, workplace violence, NLRB/union organizing strategies for managers and supervisors, and the nuts and bolts of workplace management to prevent litigation. Jennifer is accustomed to conducting training at all levels to include employees, supervisors and managers, and executives and directors.

Employment Litigation
In her litigation role, Jennifer has handled cases at both the administrative level and in state and federal court. She regularly practices before the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) as well as administrative agencies throughout the country, handling all manner of discrimination and retaliation claims. Jennifer routinely handles litigation in the Federal District Courts in both the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania. She has obtained summary judgment and successful verdicts on behalf of her employer clients in numerous cases involving discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. In addition to defending discrimination cases involving sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, Veteran’s or military leave status, and other legally protected classes, Jennifer has also handled litigation for employers both at the administrative level and in state and federal courts involving claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA, the False Claims Act, the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), and comparable state and local ordinances.

Crisis Management
With over 30 years of experience in employment law, Jennifer is particularly adept at guiding clients through high-stakes situations. She brings this depth of experience to her role as chair of the firm’s Crisis Management Service Team, delivering prompt, strategic counsel to help organizations manage risk, contain damage, and respond effectively during critical moments.

Higher Education
Jennifer also provides representation to universities and colleges on labor and employment matters, student discipline, sexual assault and other sensitive issues, and on compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Jennifer regularly presents on FERPA issues, including the interplay between FERPA and HIPAA. In addition, Jennifer counsels schools on issues related to Title IX compliance and student accommodation requests under the ADA. She is also a past presenter for the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO) on FMLA and ADA matters unique to school districts.

Counsel to Other Industries
Jennifer represents clients of all sizes and in all industries and is well-versed in issues unique to manufacturing and the service sector. In addition, she regularly represents hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other health care institutions in employment issues unique to those settings, including issues related to the Older Adult Protective Services Act, credentialing and staff privileges, and medication diversion, among other issues. Jennifer is also labor and employment counsel to municipalities throughout Pennsylvania.

RECOGNITIONS
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation – Labor and Employment (2026)
  • Central Penn Business Journal, Power 100 List (2025)
  • Central Penn Business Journal, Power Law List (2024, 2025)
  • Commencement Speaker, Winter Graduation at Millersville University (2023)
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
  • City & State PA, Law Power 100 list (2023)
  • Millersville University, Marvelous Marauder (2023)
  • Lawyers of Color, “Law Firm Leaders” (2022)
  • Savoy Magazine Most Influential Black Corporate Directors (2021)
  • Central Penn Business Journal, Forty Under 40 (2005)
MEMBERSHIPS
  • Society for Human Resource Management
  • Lancaster County Association for Human Resource Management
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, employment law section, minority attorneys section
  • National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA)
PUBLICATION
  • Pennsylvania Employment Law Deskbook, contributing author
PRESENTATIONS
  • “Navigating the Complexities of the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act,” 42nd Annual Employment Law Seminar (May 2025)
  • “Strategies for Managing Mental Health Issues in the Workplace,” 42nd Annual Employment Law Seminar (May 2025)
  • “Navigating the Complexities of the Family and Medical Leave Act: Strategies to Mitigate Your Risks,” 41st Annual Employment Law Seminar (May 2024)
  • “Are Workplace DEI Programs Legal? Assessing DEI in 2024,”41st Annual Employment Law Seminar (May 2024)
  • “Medical Marijuana: Legislative Initiatives and Case Law,” Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Association (September 2023)
  • “Top 10 Management Mistakes,” 40th Annual Employment Law Seminar (May 2023)
  • “Practical Applications of FMLA/ADA,” 40th Annual Employment Law Seminar (May 2023)
  • “Employee Policies & Procedures Surrounding Medical Marijuana – Webinar,” LeadingAge PA (February 2023)
  • “Practical Applications of FMLA/ADA,” 39th Annual Employment Law Seminar (May 2022)
  • “Getting in the Weeds of Medical Marijuana,” 39th Annual Employment Law Seminar (May 2022)
  • “Workplace Investigations,” 38th Annual Employment Law Seminar (May 2021)
  • “Diversity and Inclusion: A Legal and Institutional Perspective,” 38th Annual Employment Law Seminar (May 2021)
  • “COVID-19 Vaccine: The Impact on Health Care and Long Term Care,” webinar (December 2020)
  • “Leave Issues Under FMLA, FFCRA and ADA,” 37th annual Barley Snyder Employment Law Seminar (September 2020)
  • “Breaking Down the Legal Barriers to Hiring,” Lancaster Chamber (March 2020)
  • “How to Control Absenteeism Under the FMLA/ADA/WC,” Barley Snyder 36th Annual Employment Law Seminar (May 2019)
  • “Drug Testing in the Workplace—What You Need to Know to Stay Compliant,” Barley Snyder 36th Annual Employment Law Seminar (May 2019)
  • “When Personal Conduct, Social Media and the Workplace Collide,” Barley Snyder 35th Annual Employment Law Seminar (May 2018)
  • “Workplace Investigations in the Era of the #MeToo Movement,” Barley Snyder 35th Annual Employment Law Seminar (May 2018)
  • “The Price of Incivility: The Link Between Civility and Workplace Harassment,” Barley Snyder 35th Annual Employment Law Seminar (May 2018)
  • Featured speaker, “Opioids in the Workplace,” from the Action for Substance Abuse Prevention Lititz (November 2017)
  • “Opioids in the Workplace,” Central Penn Business Group on Health (February 2018)
  • Featured speaker, “Opioid/Heroin Panel for Businesses” (August 2017)
  • “Taking and Defending the Deposition of an HR Manager,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s 23rd Annual Employment Law Institute (April 2017)
  • “Advanced Strategies for Managing the FMLA and ADA,” 2017 Barley Snyder Employment Seminar (April 2017)

Lindsey M. Cook

Lindsey is a partner in Barley Snyder’s Litigation Practice Group and co-chairs the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Service Team. She focuses her practice on commercial litigation, handling a variety of matters including contract disputes, construction defects, and intellectual property claims. She also has experience handling insurance coverage issues.

Lindsey has represented some of the largest businesses in Maryland and Pennsylvania, both at a trial court level and before appellate courts. She frequently works with tech companies, professional services and financial institutions. 

Lindsey approaches the practice of law with a deep commitment to fairness, justice and real-world practicality. She understands that legal disputes can be disruptive, costly and time-consuming – and she works to minimize that impact for her clients. With a results-driven mindset, Lindsey helps business owners navigate complex legal issues efficiently and effectively, so they can stay focused on what matters most: running their businesses. Whether through strategic negotiation, early resolution or strong courtroom advocacy, she is dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome with the least disruption for her clients.

In 2021, the American Arbitration Association recognized Lindsey’s extensive commercial litigation experience and admitted her to its panel as an arbitrator. The prestigious association includes accomplished attorneys and former federal and state judges from around the country. In her arbitration practice, Lindsey strives to resolve complex disputes efficiently, while ensuring both parties are given full and fair opportunity to present their claims.

Prior to joining Barley Snyder, Lindsey practiced at law firms in Harrisburg, Pa. and Baltimore, Md. While in law school, Lindsey interned for Judge Robert M. Bell, the chief judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals. She also participated as a member of the University of Maryland’s National Trial Team and was admitted to the Order of Barristers, a recognition reserved for the top 5 percent of law students in trial advocacy.

Lindsey is a native of Lancaster County – a Warwick High School graduate – with a devotion to its residents and businesses. In 2022, Lindsey was named to Central Penn Business Journal’s Women of Influence list – a testament to her steadfast dedication to her community and her craft. 

View some of Lindsey’s representative cases below:

Lindsey and team represented a large Central Pennsylvania manufacturer that had received a defective interior coating project at its facility from a commercial painting contractor. The coating application had failed, causing peeling paint and mold in the facility. After the Barley Snyder team pursued recovery in the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas, the contractor paid $325,000 to settle the claims, which was approximately twice what the Barley Snyder client had paid for the interior coating project. 

Lindsey and team represented a construction materials company in a patent infringement matter in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The construction materials company had a proprietary technology that Barley Snyder’s intellectual property attorneys had previously helped protect. When a competitor began using an infringing design, the Barley team filed suit and fended off various efforts have the matter dismissed. Ultimately, the competitor agreed to make a six-figure payment for its prior infringement and agreed to abandon its infringing design. 

Lindsey Cook and team represented a large apartment complex owner in a multi-jurisdictional dispute involving one of its shareholders and prior executive. The dispute centered on the repayment of loans and included allegations of fraud against the prior executive. The Barley Snyder team initiated multiple actions in state and federal courts in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia to recover for the multi-state conduct of the prior executive. Right before trial in one of the matters, the prior executive agreed to a seven-figure settlement payment to resolve the multiple claims.

Lindsey and team successfully represented a company that had been denied insurance coverage for a cyber-attack due to an allegation that the company had failed to document an internal policy for verifying wire transfers. The Barley Snyder team prevailed on summary judgment with final determination that the insurance company had misinterpreted its own policy and wrongfully denied coverage, resulting in a six-figure judgment. 

Lindsey and team represented a subcontractor that had not been paid for substantial excavation work by a general contractor. Following a judgment against the general contractor, it proceeded to close its business and open another similar business to avoid paying the judgment to Barley’s client. The Barley Snyder team was successful in pursuing the new company, as well as both individual owners of the company, for the full value of the original judgment, plus punitive damages and attorney fees for fraudulent conveyance. 

Lindsey and team represented a large homebuilder relative to a claim by a family that their child received lead poisoning as a result of certain conditions in their home. The family was seeking more than $400,000 in damages. The Barley Snyder team conducted discovery and depositions that revealed both factual and contract-based reasons why the homebuilder was not responsible for the alleged injuries. Upon filing a motion for summary judgment, the York County Court of Common Pleas dismissed the homebuilder from the case while allowing the family to pursue other defendants for any injuries.

Lindsey prevailed before the Superior Court on behalf of sellers of real estate in a claim brought by the buyers after the total loss of the property’s primary structure while it was under contract. Lindsey successfully argued that because insurance proceeds had been paid to a limited liability company and not the individual sellers, the sellers had no duty to remediate the loss. While the buyers had claimed approximately $850,000 in damages, judgment was entered in the sellers’ favor and they were not required to pay any damages for the loss of the structure.

Lindsey and team successfully overturned the application of a municipality’s business privilege tax on landlords within its limits. This litigation victory not only benefitted the client-negating all past years of collection of the tax and all future years – it further limited the imposition of the business privilege tax on all other local landlords.

Lindsey and team successfully defended an international manufacturing company in a dispute with a supplier in the York County Court of Common Pleas. The supplier alleged the manufacturing company interfered with a contract, breached fiduciary duties, breached a contract, committed fraud and engaged in civil conspiracy. The vendor sought $3.8 million in damages, but the Barley Snyder team convinced the court to dismiss all claims against its client.

Lindsey and team represented an industrial manufacturer in a matter before the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission concerning an electric utility dispute. They convinced the commission to overrule unfavorable aspects of the initial administrative decision and to make additional findings in support of their client’s position. As a result, the manufacturer was able to obtain an important declaration about its ability to obtain electric distribution service.

MEMBERSHIPS
  • American Arbitration Association, panel member arbitrator
  • Lancaster County Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
RECOGNITION
  • Central Penn Business Journal’s Women of Influence List (2022)
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2022)
  • Leadership Lancaster (2019 graduate)
PRESENTATIONS
  • “Understanding Operating Expenses & CAM: Impacts on Transactions and Future Buyers”, Wake Up With Barley: A Morning on Real Estate Seminar (June 2025)
  • “Use of Surveillance in Workers’ Compensation and Employment Cases,” 40th Annual Employment Law Seminar (May 2023)
  • “Getting Your Business Back to Business Webinar Part 2”, Barley Snyder Webinar Series (May 2020)
  • “The Legal Implications: Re-opening Your Business In Defiance of the Governor’s Order”, Barley Snyder Webinar Series (May 2020)
  • “Getting Your Business Back to Business Webinar Part 1”, Barley Snyder Webinar Series (April 2020)
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
  • Former Adjunct Professor in Trial Advocacy, University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law

Salvatore Anastasi

Sal Anastasi is a patent attorney in the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group. He counsels clients on all aspects of intellectual property, including domestic and international patent preparation and prosecution and intellectual property litigation. He prepares and prosecutes U.S. and international patent applications in the electrical and electromechanical arts including communication systems, control systems, optics, software, business methods and Internet-related technologies, and also prepares and prosecutes trademark applications. Sal litigates intellectual property matters and prepares licensing agreements, patentability, trademark, validity and infringement opinions.

Examples of Sal’s work in the intellectual property arena include:

– Prepared legal opinions of patent invalidity to clear new electrical products for sale for a $30 million project for a client.

– Won a preliminary injunction to stop a patent infringer from making marine pilings protecting $10 million + pier contracts and bids for our client

– Worked with engineering teams in the electronics and manufacturing industries to design around patents and patent portfolios, avoiding charges of patent infringement.

– Assisted client in defending and settling a suit for copyright infringement involving mission critical software.

– Assisted artists in enforcing copyright rights in their art work.

– Negotiated settlements between parties and in formal ADR for patent infringement suits, trademark infringement actions and copyright infringement assertions.

– Counseled clients in the manufacturing and electronics industries in building IP portfolios, enforcing them and using them as levers in negotiation to drive settlements in subsequent litigation.

Sal works with clients ranging in size from small family businesses to large, multi-national companies, in a wide variety of industries, including the automotive, electronics, communications, medical device, fiber optics, software, agriculture, machinery, manufacturing and tool industries, among others.

Prior to joining Barley Snyder, Sal was a patent attorney with The Whitaker Corporation/AMP and Tyco Electronics. In addition to his legal experience, Sal’s professional experience includes work as a practicing engineer in the electrical and electromechanical fields.

RECOGNITIONS
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Patent Law (2025, 2026)
  • Top Lawyers of Chester County List – Intellectual Property, Daily Local News (2025)
  • Main Line Today, “Top Lawyers Around the Main Line and Western Suburbs” (2021, 2023, 2024)
  • Daily Local News, Best Lawyers 2021 Readers Choice Awards (2021)
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2025)
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (2014 Corporate Counsel Edition)
  • Philadelphia Life’s 2012 Awesome Attorneys for Intellectual Property Law
  • Pennsylvania Rising Stars (2005)
  • Martindale-Hubbell BV Rated
MEMBERSHIPS
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Chester County Bar Association
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association:
    – Patent Harmonization Task Force, Member
    – AIPLA Fellow
    – Professional Programs Committee, Former Board member
    – Public Education Committee, Former Chair
    – Law Practice Management Committee, Former Chair
  • American Bar Association, Intellectual Property Law Section:
    – Harmonization Task Force, Former chair
    – Patent System Policy Planning Committee, Former chair
PRESENTATIONS
  • “Patentable Ideas & R&D Tax Credits”, RKL’s Manufacturing and Distribution Growth & Profitability Forum (September 2018)
  • “Intellectual Property Update – AIA Provisions and Patent Trolls”, ACC Seminar: What Keeps You up at Night? (September 2013)
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
  • Penn State University, Lecturer
  • Temple University, Adjunct Professor

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