Richard B. "Rich" Somach
Recognized since 2015
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Real Estate Law
Richard Brent Somach focuses his practice on real estate, commercial law, and creditors’ remedies, representing real estate development companies, shopping centers, and local banks.
In the banking area, Richard assists clients with their transactional, litigation, and operational needs, and handles collections, foreclosures, and complex commercial workouts.
Richard has represented real estate owners, developers, and investors in a broad range of real estate transactions, including zoning matters, subdivisions, and shopping center development.
A licensed title insurance agent, Richard is the founder of the title insurance and settlement company ABE Settlement Services, creatively serving client needs. He is legal counsel to the Greater Lehigh Valley REALTORS®, a trade association that represents nearly 3,000 real estate professionals.
A a former Assistant Lehigh County Solicitor, Richard advised the Sheriff’s Office, the Tax Assessment Office, and the Tax Claim Bureau. He frequently writes and lectures on real estate matters, including sheriff’s sales, real estate tax sales, and lien priority issues, for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. He has also presented numerous lectures at the annual Real Estate Institute program.
Active in many community organizations, Richard is a past president of the Salisbury Township School Board. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Monroe County Bar Association, and the Lehigh County Bar Association, serving the latter as President in 1992.
Richard was selected for inclusion in the 2024 The Best Lawyers in America® list in Real Estate Law.
Richard collects antique automobiles and has represented several valuable collections, as well as many local automobile and motorcycle dealerships.
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court
– Eastern District of Pennsylvania
– Middle District of Pennsylvania - U.S. Supreme Court
Areas of Practice
- Banking & Financial Services
- Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights
- Construction Law
- Municipal Law
- Real Estate & Finance
Professional Affiliations
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Monroe County Bar Association
- Bar Association of Lehigh County
- President, 1992
Education
- Hofstra University Law School
– J.D. - Lehigh University
– B.A., with honors
- 515 West Hamilton Street, Suite 502
Allentown, PA 18101
- Hofstra University, J.D., graduated 1974
- Lehigh University, BA, graduated 1971
- Pennsylvania, United States
- United States, U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- United States, U.S. District Court - Middle District of Pennsylvania
- United States, U.S. Supreme Court
- Bar Association of Lehigh County - Former President, 1992
- Pennsylvania Bar Association - Member
13 The Best Lawyers in America® awards
14 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards
- Real Estate Law
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent®
- Banking and Finance Law
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
- Litigation - Banking and Finance
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