John S. Summers

Cheryl A. Upham is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Cheryl A., 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 Cheryl A. 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...

Eric Schreiner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Eric, 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 Eric is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert S. Hawkins represents employers and rail carriers in labor and employment law matters, especially those involving the transportation, manufacturing, and construction industries. He represents clients in labor negotiations, arbitration, litigation, counseling, and both regulated and non-regulated transactions. Bob's experience includes matters involving the Railway Labor Act (RLA), the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act, the Federal R...

With a national reputation only exceeded by his regional stature, Steven L. Sugarman is widely considered the premier practitioner of community association law in Pennsylvania. Steve was the founding principal of the esteemed community association law firm, Steven L. Sugarman & Associates, and its merger with Gawthrop Greenwood in August 2023 created one of the largest law firms supporting homeowners associations (HOAs), planned communities, condominium associations and cooperatives in Pe...

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...

Meredith Auten is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Meredith, who practices law in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Meredith is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen J. Olsen is a member of Gawthrop Greenwood’s Trusts & Estates Department, practicing in the areas of Estate, Trust Administration, Estate Planning Taxation, and Business Transactions. He is also one of the few Pennsylvania attorneys in private practice with a wide breadth of experience supporting the legal needs of medical marijuana operators. Recently Stephen’s Cannabis Law practice has expanded to provide support to medical marijuana permittees in operation after Pen...

Michael T. van der Veen is the founder of van der Veen, Hartshorn, and Levin in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His practice includes personal injury , criminal defense , commercial litigation , family law, employment law and civil rights with a long-standing commitment to representing individuals, families, and businesses in complex legal matters. Mr. van der Veen also represents plaintiffs in Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs matters, advocating for people who have suffered harm due to th...

Nancy B. G. Lassen is a partner in the Philadelphia office of Willig, Williams & Davidson. Nan has focused her practice on labor law at WWD since 1984. Nan grew up in Detroit, MI in a family with strong ties to labor. Her father (a disabled veteran) was a Teamster. Her mother was a UAW member. And her grandfather was a Steelworker. Nan herself has been a tireless and courageous advocate for working men and women for decades. Working in industry since age 15, including on a Chrysler assemb...