Christopher N. Santoro

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 ...

Liam Y. Braber is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law. Liam Y., 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 Liam Y. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A. Michael Pratt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. A. Michael, 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 A. Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

JoyAnn’s practice is primarily dedicated to franchise law, representing franchise clients in connection with transactional, regulatory compliance, and litigation matters. JoyAnn has extensive experience in representing a full array of franchisors, from emerging franchise concepts to mature brands and has served her clients across the entire spectrum of franchise issues. JoyAnn counsels brands on the development of franchise programs, inclusive of corporate structuring and drafting discl...

Nadeem A. Bezar, a partner at Kline & Specter, is an accomplished and skilled attorney who has won scores of million-dollar-plus verdicts and settlements while also serving as an active member of the legal and educational communities. In roughly a one-year period alone, Bezar achieved more than $100 million in arbitration awards and settlements, mostly in matters involving sex trafficking and all concerning abuse of minors. In the most recent case, Bezar in February 2024 won an arbitratio...

Steven N. Haas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Steven N., who practices law in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven N. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John P. Schwartz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. John P., 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 John P. 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.

Helene S. Jaron is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Helene S., who practices law in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Helene S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Frances P. Rayer is experienced in the immigration field, where she represents institutional clients and multinational corporations who are seeking to employ foreign nationals in the United States on either a temporary or permanent basis.The majority of Fran’s practice focuses on the area of employment-based immigration for institutional clients, multinational corporations, and universities. Her clients come from a wide variety of industries, including technology, telecommunications, he...