How Can We Help You?

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

Business Law

Community Association Law

Criminal Defense

Family Law

Government & Education Law

Litigation

Maritime & Transportation Law

Real Estate & Land Development

Trusts & Estates

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America

Legal Intelligencer Watch List

Daily Local News Readers Choice

Philadelphia Business Journal Best Places to Work

Delaware Today Top Lawyers

Main Line Today Top Lawyers

Super Lawyers

Best Law Firms®

The Best Lawyers in America®

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.

Community Association Law

Assisting with the day-to-day challenges unique to each community & long-term planning required to thrive

Real Estate & Land Development

Land use approvals are a primary challenge facing businesses and residents in our region. We can help.

Business Law

Prepare for what’s next – and the unexpected – in unprecedented economic conditions

Litigation

Named “Best Law Firms” in U.S. News and Best Lawyers®, the top survey of lawyers worldwide

Our Attorneys

Estate and Trust Attorney
Denise M. Antonelli, Partner
Denise Antonelli is a member of Gawthrop Greenwood’s Trusts & Estates department, practicing...
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Denise M. Antonelli
P. Kristen Bennett - Trusts & Estates Attorney
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
Attorney focused on homeowner's protection
Elliot H. Berton, PARTNER
Elliot H. Berton focuses his practice on the protection of condominium and homeowners’ associations...
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Elliot H. Berton
James D. Doyle
James D. Doyle, PARTNER
Approachable and trustworthy are the words that come to mind when homeowners and businesses...
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James D. Doyle
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
Stacey L. Fuller
Stacey L. Fuller, Partner
Named a Distinguished Leader by The Legal Intelligencer and Law.com in 2024,  as well as “Lawyer...
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Stacey L. Fuller
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
Jeremy Grivensky
Jeremy Grivensky, Associate
Jeremy Grivensky thrives on digging into the details. Time and time again, this gives clients...
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Jeremy Grivensky
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, Of Counsel
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, Senior Associate
Robert C. Jefferson, IV is a senior associate attorney at Gawthrop Greenwood, PC who focuses...
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Robert C. Jefferson, IV
Sandra L. Knapp
Sandra L. Knapp, Partner
Named “Female Business Leader of the Year” by the Chester County Chamber of Business...
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Sandra L. Knapp
Patrick M. McKenna
Patrick M. McKenna, Partner
Patrick M. McKenna has extensive experience representing numerous municipalities, zoning hearing...
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Patrick M. McKenna
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
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
Gawthrop Attorney Michael Naseef
Michael V. Naseef, Partner
Real estate and business attorney Michael V. Naseef joined Gawthrop Greenwood as a partner...
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Michael V. Naseef
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
Gawthrop Attorney Gordon Prince
Gordon W. Prince, Associate
Gordon W. Prince is a business law attorney who joined Gawthrop Greenwood shortly after graduating...
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Gordon W. Prince
John Rafferty
John Rafferty, Partner
As a partner within Gawthrop Greenwood’s Litigation Department, John Rafferty represents...
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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
Holly L. Setzler
Holly L. Setzler, PARTNER
Community association leadership may change, but Holly L. Setzler is the constant for numerous...
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Holly L. Setzler
Jennifer Simons, Gawthrop Attorney in Trusts & Estates
Jennifer L. Simons, Associate
A life-long resident of the Philadelphia area, Jennifer L. Simons takes great pride – and...
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Jennifer L. Simons
Steven Sugarman
Steven L. Sugarman, PARTNER
With a national reputation only exceeded by his regional stature, Steven L. Sugarman is widely...
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Steven L. Sugarman

Latest News

Gawthrop Attorney Gordon Prince

Corporate Transparency Act Beneficial Owner Reporting Halted

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas has issued a preliminary injunction nationwide against the enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”).

Jennifer Simons, Gawthrop Attorney in Trusts & Estates

Estate Planning and Special Needs Trusts

While estate planning is essential for everyone, it is even more critical for families with children who have a disability.

Real estate attorney Michael Naseef and litigator Stephen McDonnell

Real Estate and Business Attorney Michael Naseef Named to Board of CCCBI Foundation

  Real estate and business attorney Michael Naseef (left) has been named to the board…

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Gawthrop Greenwood Ranked Nationally in 2025 Edition of Best Law Firms

For a seventh consecutive year, Gawthrop Greenwood is ranked nationally in Best Law Firms®. The…

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