Position: Counsel

Loren A. Schrum

As an attorney in the firm’s Real Estate, Trusts & Estates and Business practice groups, Loren concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning and administration, real estate and land use, and general business law. He brings over four decades of experience to the firm.

Loren has significant experience in handling a breadth of real estate matters. Primarily, he handles residential and commercial real estate transfers in addition to refinancing transactions for individuals and businesses. In his land use practice, Loren helps clients navigate rights of way and boundary issues and has extensive experience representing clients in court if needed. As a licensed title agent, he guarantees proper ownership of a clean title and secures title insurance for his clients.

In his business practice, Loren provides counsel on a wide variety of corporate matters pertaining to business formations, governance and succession planning. He frequently represents family owned businesses and closely held corporations throughout the region, helping them with their unique needs. Helping business owners and management teams with their succession planning often coincides with Loren’s estate planning and administration work.

Loren’s previous work in personal injury, DUI victim and wrongful death cases (frequently involving motor vehicle accidents) led him to being named to Philadelphia Magazine’s Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, the Ultimate Guide to the Best Attorneys in Pennsylvania issued in 2004 and 2006. He was the first lawyer in Lebanon County to be admitted to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Loren has practiced law since 1978 when he began his legal career serving as Law Clerk to the Honorable G. Thomas Gates, President Judge, in the Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas.

A Lebanon native, Loren is active and well-known in his community. He currently serves on the board of directors of E&E Metal Fab and Royer’s Flowers & Gifts shops. He formerly served on the board of directors of the Lebanon Valley Family YMCA for 15 years and as a basketball and softball coach for a Catholic youth organization for 20 years where he coached girls from second to eighth grade. Loren earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Brown University and his juris doctor degree from Villanova University School of Law.

RECOGNITIONS
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • Philadelphia Magazine’s Pennsylvania Super lawyers, the Ultimate Guide to the Best Attorneys in Pennsylvania (2004 and 2006)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
  • Pennsylvania Association for Justice’s Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway and Premises Liability section and the Auto ListServ, Former Member
  • Central Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, Former Member
  • Pennsylvania Bar, Family Law Sub-section, Civil Litigation Sub-section, Former Member
MEMBERSHIPS
  • Lebanon County Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association

Beth M. Kohl

Beth is a member of Barley Snyder’s Real Estate, Construction and Land Use groups. She regularly represents private and public clients in land use and zoning matters, municipal law, and real estate transactions. In addition to her years of experience in private law firm practice, Beth has unique knowledge and perspective from her years working for an engineering firm as a land development consultant and working in the real estate/right-of-way department of a pipeline company. 

In her land use/zoning practice, Beth represents clients in the submissions of and hearings for text amendment, rezoning, variance, special exception, conditional use, subdivision and land development and condition modification applications. She understands the intricacies of the Municipalities Planning Code and the requirements that municipalities and developers must adhere to during the land development process in Pennsylvania. Beth also has experience assisting with the development of mixed-use, commercial/industrial buildings and complexes as well as residential neighborhoods. Furthermore, she prepares homeowners’ association and condominium documents for a variety of development projects including building conversions, shopping centers, residential planned communities, master-planned developments and site condominiums. 

Beth is a member of the Pennsylvania and Berks County Bar Associations. She frequently lectures on municipal law and zoning matters. Beth earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University, and earned her law degree from the Thomas R. Kline School of Law at Drexel University in Philadelphia. 

A Berks County native, Beth is grateful to be working with residents, businesses, and municipalities in and around southcentral Pennsylvania. Beth is an active member of her community, and serves on the boards of directors of the Berks County Bar Association, Berks Nature, and the Friends of the Reading Hospital. She is a past chair of the Berks County Bar Association’s Municipal/Real Estate Law Section, and previously served on the board of directors of the Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club. 

MEMBERSHIPS
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Berks County Bar Association
PRESENTATIONS
  • Newly Elected Officials Training, Albright College Center for Excellence in Local Government (CELG), Dec. 2, 2021
  • Post-Pandemic Municipal Practice, Berks County Bar Association Bench-Bar Conference, August 25, 2021
  • COVID-19 and Human Resources, CELG, May 15, 2021
  • Recent Land Use Court Decisions, CELG, March 4, 2021
  • Recent Land Use Court Decisions and Pending Legislation, CELG, March 7, 2020
  • Recent Land Use Court Decisions and Pending Legislation, CELG, March 2, 2019
  • Navigating Local Agencies – Questions and Answers, BCTV Ask-a-Lawyer Program, December 18, 2018
  • Introduction to Zoning Basics, Berks County Bar Association, July 19, 2018

Albert T. Keyack

Albert Keyack is a member of Barley Snyder’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, bringing expansive experience in IP law to the firm. He advises clients on all aspects of intellectual property – including patents, trademarks and copyrights – and is well-versed in negotiating and structuring licensing transactions. 

Albert’s approach to law centers on understanding each client’s business and clearly explaining the legal landscape to help craft long-term strategies. With experience across virtually every type of intellectual property matter and business transaction, he brings a practical mindset – recognizing that every issue is both important and subject to budget considerations. He frequently works with small to mid-sized companies across a wide range of industries, including traditional manufacturing, software, and medical devices.

In addition to practicing with law firms and as in-house counsel, Albert represented the European Patent Office (EPO) as the first Attaché to the United States, a role of both advocating for European patents and acting in a liaison role with U.S. based applicants to the EPO. He also represented the U.S. as the Intellectual Property Attaché to Latin America, advocating both for stronger intellectual property laws, judicial reforms and better trade practices, as well as representing the interests of U.S. industry regarding intellectual property and related issues, such as pharmaceutical regulation. He has spoken extensively on a wide range of intellectual property topics in the U.S., Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Germany and the Netherlands.

He began his career in Philadelphia, at a prominent law firm where he represented clients in matters involving patent and trademark prosecution, numerous types of intellectual property litigation and was also involved in a variety of transactional matters such as licensing, financing and acquisitions. He has also held positions as Chief Patent Counsel and as General Counsel at medical device companies and other technology companies both public and privately held, and was the in-house advisor on IP to a venture capital fund and their portfolio companies.

After earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Villanova University, Albert worked designing radar systems while simultaneously obtaining a law degree from the Rutgers University School of Law. When he’s not practicing law, Albert can often be found skiing, cycling or running.

MEMBERSHIPS
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association
  • Intellectual Property Owners Association
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
  • Additional Languages: Portuguese, Spanish, Italian

Allen R. Shollenberger

Allen is a member of the firm’s Trust & Estate and Real Estate practice groups. He maintains a general practice of law with emphasis in the following areas: municipal representation, zoning, land development, real estate, corporate law, estate planning and estate administration. Allen’s more than 30 years of legal experience allow him to provide a unique perspective on a wide variety of legal matters.

A member of the Berks County Bar and Pennsylvania Bar Associations, Allen has been admitted to practice before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and U.S. District Court for the Middle and Eastern Districts of Pennsylvania.

He graduated from East Stroudsburg College and received his Juris Doctor degree from Delaware Law School of Widener University. A Hamburg native, Allen is an avid outdoor enthusiast and enjoys running, biking, whitewater rafting adventures and golf.

MEMBERSHIPS
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Berks County Bar Association
  • Recorder of Deeds of Berks County, former solicitor

Matthew G. Brushwood

Matt is a member of the Finance & Creditors’ Rights Practice Group, where his practice includes residential and commercial mortgage foreclosure as well as complex consumer and commercial litigation. His practice also involves representation of secured and unsecured creditors, lenders and landlords in various areas including: 

  • Bankruptcy
  • Eviction and Tenant Disputes
  • Mechanic’s Liens
  • Tax Sales
  • Title Curative
  • Repossessions and Garnishments
  • Receiverships
  • General Collection
  • Bankruptcy Preference Defense
  • Commercial Lease Restructuring
  • Consumer and Banking Regulatory Compliance
  • Breach of Contract
  • Appeals
  • Federal and State Consumer Protection Defense including Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Fair Debt Collection (FDCPA)

With his extensive experience and practical approach, Matt has developed an understanding of how to identify risks, limit exposure and obtain effective and prompt resolution through cost-effective litigation and settlement. He routinely partners with his clients enhancing operational efficiency and compliance, crisis management, and devising both a litigation case strategy and a national litigation approach. Matt has successfully handled all aspects of complex litigation in state and federal courts, and he has also provided valuable on and off-site training for national mortgage servicers addressing emerging trends in foreclosure litigation in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland.

MEMBERSHIPS
  • Berks County Bar Association
  • Lehigh County Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Northampton County Bar Association
  • Middle District Bankruptcy Bar Association
  • Eastern District of PA Bankruptcy Conference

Martin R. Siegel

Marty is a seasoned attorney in Barley Snyder’s Real Estate and Environment & Energy practice groups. He works with businesses to navigate environmental and energy challenges in real estate transactions, development projects, PFAS-related issues, and regulatory compliance. Marty also advises municipalities on stormwater and sewage issues, as well as represents clients in addressing Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement actions, in addition to securing necessary permits. He takes a holistic approach to understanding each client’s goals, crafting cost-effective and timely solutions tailored to their unique needs.

Marty has advised out-of-state gas pipeline contractors, national chain retailers, and IT companies to help them comply with Pennsylvania environmental requirements and to defend them in DEP enforcement actions. His work has included assisting companies that are developing AI data centers to obtain and comply with environmental permitting requirements. Marty is also a trained and experienced mediator in environmental and agricultural disputes.

Prior to moving to private practice, Marty spent more than two decades as a litigator at the Pennsylvania DEP. In his time at the DEP, he handled more than 250 appeals in state and federal courts and in front of the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board. Marty handled numerous matters involving solid waste, clean water, HSCA/CERCLA, environmental remediation, storage tanks, and sewage planning. His cases resulted in tens of millions of dollars of environmental remediation and civil penalties throughout Pennsylvania. This experience provides Marty with a unique perspective when guiding private sector clients through enforcement actions and helping them obtain permits.

In addition to his time at the DEP, Marty has worked in federal government positions at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry in Atlanta, and with the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest Laboratory in Washington state.

Marty is a recognized thought leader and speaker on environmental topics throughout Pennsylvania. He regularly addresses issues such as Pennsylvania’s Environmental Rights Amendment, Pennsylvania’s voluntary cleanup program, PFAS contamination issues, Chesapeake Bay and clean water issues, and municipal stormwater requirements. He also co-authored the chapter on Pennsylvania’s Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act (Act 2) in the Pennsylvania Environmental Law & Practice, 10th Edition.

Beyond his professional environmental experience Marty holds leadership positions with a multitude of nonprofit organizations across central Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region. He is a former member of the Board of School Directors for the Lower Dauphin School District.

RECOGNITION
  • The Best Lawyers in America©, Environmental Law (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)
MEMBERSHIPS
  • York County Bar Association
  • Environmental and Energy Law Section, Pennsylvania Bar Association
PUBLICATIONS
  • “Examining the Evolution of the Environmental Rights Amendment Through a Municipal Lens,” co-author, Pennsylvania Bar Association Quarterly (April 2026)
  • “Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act” co-author, “Pennsylvania Environmental Law and Practice, 10th Edition (May 2021)
  • “Liability Costs Loom as DEP Seeks Greater Regulation of PFAS Chemicals”, “The Authority,” Magazine of the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association (August 2019)
  • “Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act”, Pennsylvania Environmental Law and Practice, 9th edition
  • “What is the Risk of Personal Liability for Environmental Violations?”, York Legal Record (March 2019)
  • “PA Environmental Constitutional Law: It’s a New Ballgame”, The Legal Intelligencer (July 2018)
  • “Pipeline Construction, Environmental Compliance Can Co-Exist”, Pipeline & Gas Journal (May 2018)
  • “Creating the Right Environment for an Environmental Mediation”, Pennsylvania Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee (November 2017)
  • “Mediating Environmental Disputes: A Necessity in Today’s Political Climate”, The Legal Intelligencer (January 2017)
  • “It’s Time to Get DEP Off of Its Subsistence Diet”, PennLive (December 2016)
PRESENTATIONS
  • “Sewage Legal Potpourri,” 2026 Onsite Wastewater Super Conference of PA – PSMA + PASEO Joint Conference (February 2026)
  • “An Introduction to Data Centers”, Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation (November 2025)
  • “How Environmental Requirements Can Wreck the Land Development Process”, Lancaster Bar Association’s 2024 Municipal, Zoning, and Environmental Law Summit (November 2024)
  • “”Legal Landscape of Land Application: Biosolids and Food Processing Waste”, Penn State Center for Agricultural and Shale Law’s Pennsylvania Agricultural Law Symposium (September 2024)
  • “Federal and State Nutrient Reduction Strategies and Plans”, HalfMoon Education  Inc. webinar (March 2024)
  • “What’s New with PFAS? Federal and State Developments”, Pennsylvania Bar Institute webinar (December 2022)
  • “COVID-19 Vaccines: The Impact on the Logistics Industry”, Barley Snyder webinar (January 2021)
  • “COVID-19 Vaccines: The Impact on Higher Education”, Barley Snyder webinar (January 2021)
  • “COVID-19 Vaccines: The Impact on the Hospitality Industry”, Barley Snyder webinar (January 2021)
  • “COVID-19 Vaccine: The Impact on the Food & Agribusiness Industry”, Barley Snyder webinar (December 2020)
  • “COVID-19 Vaccine: The Impact on Health Care and Long Term Care”, Barley Snyder webinar (December 2020)
  • “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 Webinar”, Barley Snyder Webinar Series (May 2020)
  • “Getting Your Business Back to Business Webinar Part 1”, Barley Snyder Webinar Series (April 2020)
  • “State Constitutions and the Environment: A Watershed Comparison”, Chesapeake Bay Commission meeting (January 2020)
  • “PFAS – Regulation, Liabilities and Potential Cost Recovery”, Pennsylvania Bar Institute (July 2019)
  • “PA’s Right to Know Law: What You Need to Know”, Society of Women Environmental Professionals (April 2019)
  • “State and Local Regulatory Obstacles to Composting: How to Manage the Regulators”, Compost2019, U.S. Composting Council (January 2019)
  • “Managing Regulatory Obstacles: Getting What You Need from DEP”, Appalachian Pipelines Association (December 2018)
  • “Managing Regulatory Obstacles: Getting What You Need from DEP”, Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association 76th Annual Conference and Trade Show (September 2018)
  • “Environmental Ethics (According to the Lorax and the Runaway Bunny)”, Society of Women Environmental Professionals (May 2018)
  • “The Impact of PA’s Rejuvenated Environmental Rights Amendment on Environmental Protection”, Keystone Coldwater Conference (February 2018)
  • “The Rejuvenated Environmental Rights Amendment: What It Means for Pennsylvania Businesses and Municipalities”, York County Bar Association (January 2018)
  • “How to get What You Want from DEP (Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Department)”, PA Chamber of Business and Industry Fall Environmental Conferences (Fall 2017)
  • “Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems”, Municipal Law Colloquium, Pennsylvania Bar Institute (June 2017)
  • “The Chesapeake Bay: What Ails It and What is Being Done About It”, Lancaster County Bar Association (July 2016)
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
  • U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
  • Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
  • Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Melanie Albert Lehman

Melanie Lehman is the general counsel of a privately held manufacturing company. Prior to this position, her practice included representation of clients in business matters, review and negotiation of contracts, representing clients in asset and stock sales and purchases and counseling business owners and managers with transactions, contracts, commercial matters and financing. She has represented lenders and borrowers in commercial loans and Uniform Commercial Code Article 9 issues. Melanie advised clients on entity selection and with governing documents, such as partnership agreements, shareholders agreements and operating agreements. She has participated in numerous seminars and panel discussions dealing with commercial and business issues.

Finance
Melanie has represented lenders and borrowers in many types of loan transactions, including secured and unsecured facilities, participated and syndicated loans, IDOTs, real estate acquisition and construction loans and tax-exempt financing. 

Mergers and Acquisitions 
Melanie has represented clients in business purchases and sales, both stock and assets, with deal values ranging in size from approximately $1 million to more than $100 million. She has assisted clients from the confidentiality agreement and letter of intent stage, through due diligence and negotiation of the purchase agreement to the closing.  

Business Law 
Melanie often served clients in an “outside general counsel” role by providing general business legal advice, risk management, contract review and drafting and coordination of legal services in other areas. She regularly advised clients in entity selection, governing documents and terms and conditions of sale.

RECOGNITIONS
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Corporate Law (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026) Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2024, 2025, 2026)
  • Central Penn Business Journal (Forty Under 40, 2004)
MEMBERSHIPS
  • York County Bar Association, former board member
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • American Bar Association

Mark A. Smith

Mark Smith concentrates his practice in counseling clients in all aspects of employee benefits and ERISA, including the design and implementation of retirement and welfare benefit plans, administration of retirement and welfare benefit plans, retirement planning and taxation of plan distributions and fiduciary law aspects of ERISA. He has considerable experience with a broad range of employee benefit programs, including qualified pension, profit sharing and 401(k) plans, welfare benefit plans (including health care arrangements, retiree health plans, cafeteria plans and VEBAS) and nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements. Before joining Barley Snyder, Mark was the manager of global employee benefits compliance at AMP, Inc., where he oversaw the design, financial management and legal compliance of benefit programs worldwide. Earlier, he was the benefits practice leader in Central Pennsylvania with an international accounting and consulting firm.

PRESENTATIONS
  • “An Introduction to the IRS’ Controlled Group Rules and Why They Matter,” Lancaster Bar Association (December 2025)
  • “An Introduction to the IRS’ Controlled Group Rules and Why They Matter,” Lancaster Bar Association (October 2025)
  • “An Introduction to the IRS’ Controlled Group Rules and Why They Matter,” Dauphin County Bar Association (September 2025)
  • “Avoid Costly Section 409A Mistakes: What Every Lawyer Needs to Know,” Lancaster Bar Association (August 2025)
  • “The Latest in Employee Benefit Plan Design for Maximizing Employee Recruitment and Retention”, 42nd Annual Barley Snyder Employment Law Seminar (May 2025)
  • “Employment Agreements and Internal Revenue Code Section 409A”, Dauphin County Bar Association (April 2025)
  • “Managing Your Employee Benefit Plans: Lessons Learned from Recent Litigation”, 41st Annual Barley Snyder Employment Law Seminar (May 2024)
  • “Time for a Health & Welfare Benefit Plan Compliance Check-up,” 39th Annual Employment Law Seminar (May 2022)
  • “The COVID-19 Pandemic: Employee Benefit Plan Lessons Learned and Unfinished Business”, 38th Annual Employment Law Seminar (May 2021)
  • “Employee Benefit Considerations Related to COVID-19”, 37th Annual Employment Law Seminar (September 2020)
  • “Reducing Benefit Plan Litigation Risks”, Barley Snyder 36th Employment Law Seminar (May 2019)
  • “Employee Wellness Programs and Navigating the Compliance Labyrinth” (September 2018)
  • “Opportunities & Hazards in Retirement Plan Design”, 35th Annual Employment Seminar (May 2018)
  • “Top Payroll and Payroll Tax Issues Facing Human Resource Professionals (and Their Controllers, Too!)”, 35th Annual Employment Seminar (May 2018)
  • “Effective Employee Wellness Programs and Navigating the Compliance Labyrinth”, 2017 Barley Snyder Employment Seminar (April 2018)
  • “I’M A FIDUCIARY? WHAT NOW?!”, Barley Snyder Employment Law Seminar (May 2016)
  • “Employment Separation and Your Employee Benefits Plans”, Barley Snyder Employment Law Seminar (April 2015)
  • “No Rest for Benefit Plan Sponsors”, Barley Snyder Employment Seminar (May 2014)
  • “Health Care Reform: What does the delay of the employer mandate mean for plan sponsors?”, ACC Seminar: What Keeps You up at Night? (September 2013)
  • “Health Care Reform: Countdown to January 1, 2014 & Pay or Play”, Barley Snyder Employment Seminar, (May 2013)
  • “Managing the Challenge of Health Care Reform – Should You Pay or Play?”, Barley Snyder Business Seminar (October 2012)
  • Provided expert testimony on behalf of the Corporate Health Care Coalition before the U.S. Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources concerning external review and ERISA remedies
  • “2012 ERISA Spotlight Will Shine on Retirement Plan Fees and Expenses”, Barley Snyder Employment Seminar, (May 2012)
  • Developed seminar on QDROs for The Dickinson School of Law Family Law Clinic
    Author of a series of employee benefit articles for the Association of Pennsylvania Contractors
  • Regional Bankruptcy Trustees Meeting – Impact of PPACA on Employers and Employer Plans
  • “Time for a Health & Welfare Benefit Plan Compliance Check-Up”, Barley Snyder Employment Law Seminar
  • “Fringe Benefits Taxation, Wellness and Self-Insured Medical Plan Discrimination Testing”, Murray IHC Health Plan Consortium
  • PA Chamber of Business and Industry Healthcare Roundtable – Understanding Healthcare Regulations
  • “Federal Healthcare Reform and What it Means for Employers”, Lancaster Bar Association
  • “Welfare Benefit Plan Document Requirements and Non-Discrimination”, Murray Construction Consortium
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
  • Mark serves as an adjunct professor of law at The Dickinson School of Law, Penn State University, where he developed and teaches the Pension and Employee Benefits Law Course and is a recipient of the Edward C. First Adjunct Faculty Award.

Michael W. Davis

Michael W. Davis is an attorney with Barley Snyder and concentrates his practice in the areas of environmental, real estate, agribusiness, higher education and municipal law. Mike’s more than 30 years of practice have provided him with experience representing a wide range of clients ranging from large Fortune 500 companies to small closely held businesses, agricultural ventures, colleges, economic development companies, industrial development organizations and government entities including counties, townships, boroughs, zoning hearing boards, housing authorities, and industrial development authorities.

Environmental

As chair of Barley Snyder’s Environmental Law Group, Mike routinely assists his clients with the environmental aspects of real estate and business transactions including site remediation, permitting, cleanup compliance, and Brownfield development. Mike’s 30-plus years of experience in the environmental area have provided him with ample experience interfacing with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on regulatory issues. Additionally, Mike has extensive experience in handling issues regarding:

  • Act 2 including attaining relief of liability and Act 2 Buyer-Seller Agreements
  • HSCA and CERCLA
  • TSCA
  • RCRA
  • The Nutrient Management Act and Act 6 compliance
  • The Chesapeake Bay Strategy Initiative
  • Marcellus Shale leasing and contracting/permitting issues associated with natural gas removal and fracking procedures
  • Environmental regulatory compliance issues including EPCRA Section 313 Form R reporting and lead based paint notifications and enforcement actions

Recently, Mike has handled high profile environmental projects including the Northwest Gateway Project and the Turkey Hill Experience:

  • The Northwest Gateway Project is a two phase project that involves the restructuring and redevelopment of an entire quadrant of the City of Lancaster. Mike has served as the primary counsel for the project partners on both phases of the Project. The first phase included the redevelopment of a 47-acre portion of the former Armstrong World Industries, Inc.’s Liberty Street Flooring Plant. Working on behalf of Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster General Hospital and EDC Finance Corporation, Mike assisted in securing and negotiating appropriate legal documentation for federal, state and local funding including Business In Our Sites and Growing Greener II funding. Mike secured the rezoning of the 47-acre parcel as well as an Act 2 Buyer-Seller Agreement for impacted soils and groundwater at the site. Mike also negotiated appropriate agreements with the impacted municipalities to assure coordinated development of the site and related infrastructure improvements. The second phase of the Project involves the relocation of Norfolk Southern Railway Company’s Dillerville Rail Yard. On behalf of Franklin & Marshall College and Lancaster General Hospital, Mike successfully negotiated a Master Development Agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway Company that details the process for the development and construction of the new rail yard over a former municipal landfill with the existing Dillerville Rail Yard then transferring to the College and the Hospital. This second phase of the Project involves securing Act 2 clearance for the new rail yard site and significant infrastructure improvements. When complete, this $70 million plus project will transform the northwest quadrant of the City of Lancaster and will provide Franklin & Marshall College and Lancaster General Hospital with the opportunity to develop a state-of-the-art “Meds and Eds” campus.
  • The Turkey Hill Experience project is a private/public partnership aimed at redeveloping an abandoned industrial facility in Columbia Borough, Lancaster County into a major tourist attraction. Mike was retained by the Borough to provide guidance on Act 2 issues and the site clean-up plan. Mike successfully negotiated an Act 2 Buyer-Seller Agreement positioning this unique project to move forward to completion.
Real Estate

Mike’s real estate practice dovetails with his work in the environmental, municipal and agribusiness areas. In addition to land use, zoning, easement, tax assessment appeals, leasing and conveyance matters, Mike has handled a number of eminent domain matters. 

  • In a recent prominent takings case, Mike served as a primary counsel to Lauxmont Holdings, LLC, the developer and condemnee, in both the validity and valuation trials regarding 79 acres of land at the Lauxmont Farms property (“Highpoint”) in Lower Windsor Township, York County, Pennsylvania. This highly controversial case involved York County’s taking of land for a public park where the land in question was approved for development and under development by Lauxmont Holdings. While the Court of Common Pleas upheld the taking, a York County jury awarded Lauxmont Holdings a judgment of $17.25 million plus interest at the conclusion of the valuation trial. The County’s initial offer of just compensation was only $2.0 million.
Agribusiness

In the agribusiness area, Mike has significant experience with securing zoning, soil conservation district approvals and permitting associated with developing Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). These CAFO projects also typically involve Nutrient Management Act and Act 6 issues including manure importer and exporter agreements. Mike is also well-versed on nutrient credit trading and related trading agreements as well as storm water issues associated with agricultural operations.

Higher Education

In the higher education area, Mike serves as a primary contact for several private colleges and a community college in the region on issues relating to board governance, redevelopment activities, non-profit status, environmental compliance and environmental audits, safety and security concerns including police powers, faculty, personnel and student matters, contract review and negotiation including sole source contracting, zoning and land development, and real estate acquisition and leasing. Mike is experienced in dealing with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Campus Security Act and is a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys.

Municipal

In his municipal practice, Mike focuses on the representation of public bodies including boroughs, municipal authorities, economic development companies, industrial development companies, and zoning hearing boards. Mike works closely with municipal officials and staff in dealing with public bidding issues, the Sunshine Law, the Right-to-Know Law, the Ethics Act, the Eminent Domain Code, zoning determinations, permitting issues, Environmental Hearing Board proceedings, DEP enforcement actions, leasing issues, reviewing and revising bid specifications and construction contracts, vendor contracts and personnel issues. 

  • Mike serves as the solicitor for the Letterkenny Industrial Development Authority (LIDA) in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. LIDA is a local reuse authority under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC) regulations and is responsible for the development of the Cumberland Valley Business Park. As solicitor, Mike negotiated with the United States Environmental Protection Agency one of the only depth limited conveyances of real estate in the United States under the BRAC guidelines and finalized the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Department of Defense and LIDA. In addition, Mike provides guidance on LIDA board of director issues and prepares appropriate legal documents to facilitate the transfer of the BRAC property from LIDA to third parties within the business park.
RECOGNITIONS
  • Top Lawyers of Chester County List – Municipal Court, Daily Local News (2025)
  • Select Lawyer, Polk-Lepson Research Group; Environmental Law
  • Corporate American Legal Elite – Agricultural Ventures (2015)
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers; Real Estate Law (2014)
MEMBERSHIPS
  • American, Pennsylvania and Lancaster Bar Associations
  • Pennsylvania Borough Solicitor’s Association
  • National Association of College and University Attorneys
PRESENTATION
  • “Ever-Changing Challenges of Construction & Development in PA”, Wake up with Barley: A Morning on Real Estate (June 2018)
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
  • Penn State University Continuing Education Program for Realtors (Instructor)

John L. Janick

A love of motorsports and all things cars drew John into the world of mechanical and electrical engineering. His passion for the law surrounding the inventions that made cars go faster more safely brought him into intellectual property law. John is one of the many members of our Intellectual Property Practice Group whose real world experience – particularly his development of electrical and mechanical components – prepared him to make the jump into a career as a patent attorney.

In more than a decade as an attorney certified with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, John has worked in drafting and prosecuting domestic and international patent applications in mechanical and electrical arts. He’s also worked in highly technical fields such as communications systems, analog/digital circuits, radar/sonar systems, semiconductors, automotive components, digital imaging devices and optics.

In addition to patent preparation and prosecution, John’s practice includes preparing patentability, invalidity and non-infringement opinions, client counseling and trademark and copyright registration. He also has experience preparing requests for proceedings before the USPTO and prosecuting patent matters in front of boards such as the International Trade Commission.

John continues his love of motorsports on the amateur level, and he volunteers as a performance driving instructor for automobile clubs such as the National Auto Sport Association, Sports Car Club of America and Porsche Club of America. You can usually find him enjoying the outdoors, be it skiing in the winter or running and biking in the summer. Or, you may find him in the outdoors spending time with his two young children. 

MEMBERSHIPS
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
  • Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association

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