Partner

Michael F. Merlie

BIOGRAPHY

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 represented institutional lenders in negotiating and documenting financing transactions and has developed a particular expertise in maritime financing. Michael also assists entrepreneurs in all phases of start-up organizations.

Michael is experienced in commercial litigation and bankruptcy matters with reported decisions in both the District Court and the Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Prior to his legal career, he was a certified public accountant with a Big Four accounting firm in Philadelphia. He graduated from Villanova University and the Villanova University School of Law where he was a member of the Villanova Law Review.

Michael is a member of the American and Pennsylvania Bar Associations, the Maritime Law Association of the United States and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Michael has served on various nonprofit boards, most recently being appointed to the board of the Chester County Economic Development Council.

CREDENTIALS

COURT ADMISSIONS

Pennsylvania
New Jersey
United States Supreme Court

EDUCATION

Villanova University School of Law, Villanova, Pennsylvania, J.D. (member of the Law Review)
Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, B.S. Accounting

MEMBERSHIPS & SERVICE

Chester County Economic Development Council, board member

ADDITIONAL DISTINCTIONS

Smart CEO Magazine “Legal Elite 2011″
Top Lawyers, Main Line Today, 2015-2020

NEWS & INSIGHTS

Autonomous Ships: Regulations Left in Their Wake?

The following was first published by The Maritime Executive, the largest business journal in the maritime industry, reaching 127 countries. Gawthrop Greenwood partner Michael F. Merlie is a Maritime Executive…

Pennsylvania 2017 Tax Amnesty Program Period is Fast Approaching

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has again established the Pennsylvania Tax Amnesty Program (the “Amnesty Program”). The period for the Amnesty Program begins on April 21, 2017 and ends on…

Law Behind Resignation of National Security Adviser Has Roots in Philadelphia

The Trump administration has been a wellspring of legal issues from its inception. The resignation of President Donald Trump’s national security advisor, retired Lt. General Michael T. Flynn, brings an…

Avoiding a Lawsuit Trap for Overtime Pay Rules

Employers are hungry for skilled workers they can promote to positions of responsibility. When they do, the promoted employee’s compensation is often switched from an hourly wage to a salary.

Is Your Business Taking Advantage of Section 139 Disaster Relief Payments?

As businesses continue to deal with the pandemic and look for ways to assist their employees, Section 139 payments are a great way to benefit both the employee and the employer.

New Ruling on Wind Farms and Coastwise Trade Laws in the U.S.

On January 27, 2021, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office issued a letter ruling regarding several scenarios related to wind farms and the coastwise trade laws of the United States. It is the first decision...

New Pennsylvania Bill Aligns with Federal Tax Treatment of Forgiven PPP Loans

On February 5, 2021, Governor Wolf signed into law Act 1 of 2021 (SB 109), which, among other things, provides clarity and relief for Pennsylvanians who received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds. It was made clear the forgiveness of a PPP loan will not result in Pennsylvania personal taxable income.

Passage of the NDAA Provides Boost for U.S. Maritime Community

Congress has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes provisions that have implications for those in the maritime community. Most significantly, the NDAA settled inconsistent federal agency interpretations regarding...

PRACTICE AREAS