Carol Shelly

Jennifer W. Karpchuk represents companies and individuals in various matters related to state and local taxation, with an emphasis on the minimization of state and local tax obligations. She has extensive experience handling state and local tax matters, including those related to: corporate income taxes, franchise taxes, gross receipts taxes, excise taxes, personal income taxes, sales and use taxes, business privilege taxes, and real estate taxes. Jennifer serves in a number of leadership rol...

Howard J. Davis is the Chair of the Business and Finance Department and a managing partner of the Firm. He represents clients in a broad range of transactions and acts as outside general counsel to numerous middle market and start-up companies. Howard has an extensive background in representing buyers/sellers, investors, and issuers in mergers and acquisitions; joint ventures and strategic alliances; and corporate finance transactions. During his more than 30 years of experience, he has been ...

Joseph L. Messa, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Joseph L., who practices law in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

As head of the Business Law Department at Gawthrop Greenwood, Michael F. Merlie concentrates his practice in the areas of finance, secured transactions (including creditors’ rights), mergers, acquisitions, admiralty/maritime law, real estate law and startup businesses. Representing institutional, corporate and entrepreneurial clients in a wide variety of business matters, his experience includes negotiating and documenting mergers, acquisitions and real estate transactions. He has also ...

James M. Kwartnik is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law. James M., who practices law in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Laura M. Brooke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Laura M., who practices law in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laura M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brad M. Rostolsky is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. Brad M., who practices law in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brad M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Adam M. Silverman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Adam M., who practices law in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Adam M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bryan is a partner at the firm and has experience in counseling and representing clients on a range of environmental and energy matters. Bryan’s practice has focused on regulatory compliance and transactional matters, particularly in the areas of air and water quality, redevelopment, sustainability, permitting, energy efficiency and renewable energy development. Over the last several years, Bryan has primarily worked with complex regulated industries, notably including petroleum refinin...

Ellen C. Brotman began her career as a law clerk in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York. She has served as an Assistant Federal Defender in Philadelphia, PA and practiced in small, medium and large firms with a focus on criminal defense, appellate advocacy, professional responsibility and ethics. She has defended a wide variety of high-profile criminal cases, including political and public corruption, securities fraud, tax fraud, money laundering, currency structur...