How Can We Help You?

With offices in West Chester, Pennsylvania and Greater Wilmington, Delaware,
we provide the highest level of legal services throughout the Greater Mid-Atlantic Region.

Business Law

Criminal Defense

Family Law

Government & Education Law

Litigation

Maritime & Transportation Law

Personal Injury

Real Estate & Land Development

Trusts & Estates

Get to Know Gawthrop

From our roots in a countryside community, to the thriving business corridor we serve today, we’ve been steadfast.

Advising businesses from startup to Fortune 500
Guiding this generation of families and planning for the next
Defending clients’ liberties, economic interests and well-being
Advocating for communities through growth and preservation



Why Choose Us

Since the law firm’s founding in 1904, Gawthrop Greenwood has been an integral part of transitioning
Chester County, the Brandywine Valley and Greater Wilmington through historic change.
Here are just some of the legal issues we are working on right now.

DISCRIMINATION LITIGATION

Including a high-profile Title IX action against a private university

Family Mediation

Why not start here for more collaborative results?

Business Law

Corporate restructuring and commercial bankruptcy during the pandemic

Employment Law

Changing pay rules, disaster relief payments, reopening protocols and more

Our Attorneys

Denise M. Antonelli
Denise M. Antonelli, Partner
Denise M. Antonelli is a member of Gawthrop Greenwood’s Trusts & Estates department,...
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Denise M. Antonelli
P. Kristen Bennett
P. Kristen Bennett, Partner
Kristen Bennett is passionate about the law and enjoys helping her clients navigate potentially...
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P. Kristen Bennett
David W. DeBruin
David W. deBruin, Partner
David W. deBruin is a born trial attorney who has appeared in every state and federal court...
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David W. deBruin
Walter P. Eells
Walter P. Eells, Partner
Walter P. Eells is a partner in the firm’s West Chester office. With over 30 years of...
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Walter P. Eells
Ann L. Martino Frazier
Ann L. Martino Frazier, Of Counsel
Ann L. Martino Frazier prepares complex estate plans for high net worth individuals. With her...
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Ann L. Martino Frazier
Stacey L. Fuller
Stacey L. Fuller, Partner
Named “Lawyer of the Year 2022” by Best Lawyers in America®, Stacey L. Fuller...
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Stacey L. Fuller
J. Stoddard Hayes
J. Stoddard Hayes Jr., Of Counsel
J. Stoddard Hayes, Jr., (“Tod”) represents individuals with significant wealth in their...
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J. Stoddard Hayes Jr.
Carl W. Heckert
Carl W. Heckert, Partner
A lifelong Delaware resident with more than 25 years of experience practicing family law, Carl...
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Carl W. Heckert
Kevin Holleran
Kevin Holleran, Partner
A long-time practitioner in the trusts and estates field, Kevin Holleran has spoken regularly...
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Kevin Holleran
Robert C. Jefferson, IV
Robert C. Jefferson, IV, Associate
Robert C. Jefferson, IV is an associate attorney at Gawthrop Greenwood, PC who focuses his...
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Robert C. Jefferson, IV
Kelly A. Jurs
Kelly A. Jurs, Associate
Kelly A. Jurs is a dedicated legal advocate known for her ability to provide compassionate...
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Kelly A. Jurs
Sandra L. Knapp
Sandra L. Knapp, Partner
Sandra L. Knapp practices in the fields of Business Law, Commercial Transactions, Admiralty/Maritime...
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Sandra L. Knapp
John E. D. Larkin
John E. D. Larkin, Partner
John “Jack” Larkin is the head of Gawthrop Greenwood’s Litigation Department. Jack focuses...
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John E. D. Larkin
Stephen R. McDonnell
Stephen R. McDonnell, Partner
Named a “Top Lawyer” by Main Line Today, Stephen focuses his law practice on helping corporations...
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Stephen R. McDonnell
Patrick M. McKenna
Patrick M. McKenna, Partner & Chair of Management Committee
Patrick has extensive experience representing numerous municipalities, zoning hearing boards,...
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Patrick M. McKenna
Michael F. Merlie
Michael F. Merlie, Partner
Michael F. Merlie concentrates his practice in the areas of finance, secured transactions (including...
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Michael F. Merlie
Lauren Nehra
Lauren A. Nehra, Associate
Lauren A. Nehra is an associate attorney who practices in Litigation and Family Law. She joined...
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Lauren A. Nehra
Patrick C. O'Donnell
Patrick C. O’Donnell, Of Counsel
Patrick C. O’Donnell concentrates his practice in municipal, land use and estate issues,...
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Patrick C. O’Donnell
Stephen J. Olsen
Stephen J. Olsen, Partner
Stephen J. Olsen is a member of Gawthrop Greenwood’s Trusts &  Estates Department, practicing...
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Stephen J. Olsen
Mary Ann Plankinton
Mary Ann Plankinton, Partner
Mary Ann Plankinton brings more than 20 years of experience to Gawthrop Greenwood with her...
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Mary Ann Plankinton
Gordon W. Prince
Gordon W. Prince, Associate
Gordon W. Prince joined Gawthrop Greenwood as an associate attorney shortly after graduating...
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Gordon W. Prince
John Rafferty
John Rafferty, Partner
John Rafferty is a litigator who focuses his practice on civil and business litigation matters....
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John Rafferty
Joanna Reiver
Joanna Reiver, Of Counsel
Joanna Reiver focuses her practice on estate planning, planning for family members with disabilities,...
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Joanna Reiver

Latest News

Liberty University Monogram

Lawsuit Against Liberty University Gains National Attention

A lawsuit filed by Gawthrop Greenwood attorney Jack Larkin against Liberty University continues to gain…

Kelly A. Jurs

Commonwealth v. Harris: Superior Court Holds that Hearsay Isn’t Enough

For some time, confusion has reigned with regard to the amount of hearsay evidence prosecutors can use to prove a prima facie or bare-bones case at the preliminary hearing in a criminal case.
Brandywine Valley SPCA Logo

Gawthrop Greenwood’s Greater Wilmington Office Donates to Brandywine Valley SPCA

Gawthrop Greenwood's office in Greater Wilmington is once again donating much-needed supplies to the Brandywine…

Gawthrop’s Spirit of Giving 2021

In the spirit of giving this holiday season, Gawthrop Greenwood is pleased to make donations…

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