For Immediate Release
Lancaster/Reading, Pa. – In its biggest strategic transaction in more than 30 years, Barley Snyder has set a new course for growth by welcoming the attorneys and employees of Wyomissing, Pa.-based Leisawitz Heller to the firm.
The partners at both firms voted in favor of Barley Snyder’s affiliation with the law firm Leisawitz Heller. With the transaction, Leisawitz Heller’s 14 attorneys, 10 paralegals and eight staff members joined Barley Snyder, effective Jan. 1.
This deal represents the largest one-time combination for Barley Snyder since 1991 when firm leadership made the decision to pursue a regional model.
“Thirty years ago, we decided to move outside of our traditional markets in Lancaster, York and Harrisburg and introduce all of central Pennsylvania and beyond to Barley Snyder,” managing partner Jeff Lobach said. “We couldn’t have imagined having a better reception in each of our new markets than we’ve had and continue to have. We’ve been in the Reading market for more than 25 years. Adding this new office is only going to enhance our presence there. We are delighted to be adding these excellent and highly regarded practitioners to our team.”
The strength Barley Snyder has in the Reading market already – Barley’s downtown Reading office has 14 attorneys – is what helped attract Leisawitz Heller when it began to look for a new firm to partner with.
“Our cultures lined up very closely,” said Charles J. Phillips, now a partner at Barley Snyder and the former managing partner at Leisawitz Heller. “Barley Snyder shares the same values we do. We conducted an extensive search within our region looking for an opportunity like this. Barley Snyder exceeded our hopes for a firm to combine with. Joining forces with Barley Snyder enables our attorneys and staff to continue our reputation for excellent service, committed professionals, and an open and welcoming environment. The expanded services we can provide, as a part of Barley Snyder, are also appealing to our clients.”
The attorneys joining Barley Snyder, with their position and designation practice areas, are:
William R. Blumer, Partner, Trusts & Estates
Eden R. Bucher, Partner, Finance & Creditors’ Rights
Susanna M. Fultz, Associate, Employment, Employee Benefits
Thad M. Gelsinger, Partner, Litigation
Benjamin A. Leisawitz, Partner, Trusts & Estates
Stacey L. Lindsay, Associate, Trusts & Estates
Matthew M. Mayer, Partner, Business
Kevin A. Moore, Partner, Employment, Employee Benefits
Frederick M. Nice, Partner, Trusts & Estates, Business
Charles J. Phillips, Partner, Business
Latisha M. Bernard Schuenemann, Partner, Trusts & Estates
Allen R. Shollenberger, Counsel, Real Estate
John J. Speicher, Counsel, Litigation
Paul F. Troisi, Partner, Litigation
Ten paralegals also will be joining Barley Snyder. To view biographies for our professionals, visit Barley.com.
Since 2015, Barley Snyder’s attorney headcount has more than doubled. The firm has opened three new offices – one each in Harrisburg, Gettysburg and Schuylkill Haven – and completed transactions that twice added to its Hanover presence and once each to its Lancaster and York offices.
Barley Snyder now boasts 123 attorneys – 28 in the Reading area – at its 11 offices.
“For years, we’ve emphasized growth, but not ‘growth for growth’s sake,’” Lobach said. “Each of the expansion moves we’ve made have been calculated, studied with an abundance of due diligence and agreed upon as a group. This process has allowed us to grow quickly. But more importantly, we’re confident that we’re growing sustainably, benefiting our clients and staff.”
Lobach emphasized that the entire professional staff of Leisawitz Heller will be transitioning to Barley Snyder.
“Keeping all of our team intact and continuing to serve our long-term client base will definitely help ease the transition to Barley Snyder,” Phillips said.
The new employees will remain at Leisawitz Heller’s former office at 2755 Century Boulevard in Wyomissing. Barley Snyder’s long-time, downtown Reading office in the M&T Bank Building on Fifth Street also will remain open.
“We’re keeping both offices intact,” Lobach said. “Keeping teams together is a goal in every deal we make. Our clients count on recognizing and working with these groups of people. At Barley Snyder, our people, including clients and staff, are most important.”
About Barley Snyder
Barley Snyder is a law firm based in central Pennsylvania with more than 120 attorneys practicing from offices located in Lancaster, York, Reading, Harrisburg, Wyomissing, Malvern, Hanover, Gettysburg and Schuylkill Haven, Pa., and Hunt Valley and Columbia, Md. The firm serves businesses, individuals and organizations in all major areas of civil law including: business, employment, immigration, employee benefits, finance & creditors’ rights, intellectual property, litigation, estate planning and administration, real estate, tax, construction, environment and energy, health care, education, municipal authority, hospitality, senior living, cybersecurity and food and agribusiness. www.barley.com | @BarleySnyder
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