Position: Attorney

Daniel M. Frey

Dan advises clients in commercial and residential real estate transactions, complex zoning and subdivision matters, business formations and succession planning. His practice involves counseling individuals in estate planning and estate administration and elder law. He has successfully represented numerous clients in zoning matters, land planning and formations of planned community associations and condominium associations, including local and national builders in York, Adams, Franklin, Dauphin and Lancaster counties. He is a licensed real estate title agent for Stewart Title and Commonwealth Title. Dan serves corporate clients across various industries in a general counsel role providing representation on general business, corporate and financial matters while assisting in the coordination of litigation, regulatory compliance and other matters.

Dan’s practice includes assisting clients in the food and agricultural areas on regulatory requirements, transactional needs and compliance with various regulatory requirements applicable to clients. He has coordinated a team of Barley attorneys to represent a buyer in a multi-state $140 million acquisition of agricultural production and processing facilities which included over 17 different sites in two states and which included an $80 million syndicated loan. He has represented food processors, as part of a Barley team of lawyers in the development of a $43 million processing facility, including the issuance of owner and lender title insurance policies. He represents food processors in connection with its grower’s contracts, insuring compliance with the Packers and Stockyard Act. He has assisted agricultural clients in the development of poultry and processing facilities which included assisting with zoning, land development and compliance with concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) and assisted agricultural clients in acquisitions and mergers.

Prior to private practice, Dan served as a captain in the U.S. Marine Corp, serving a chief prosecutor for the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions and also served a military judge. He served as an assistant district attorney for York County, Pa., from 1978 to 1980.

MEMBERSHIPS
  • York County Bar Association, past board member and President, 2008

  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, Real Property Probate section and Committee on Judicial Independence

Eric M. Ondo

Eric is a member of the firm’s Business, Mergers & Acquisitions and Real Estate groups. 

In his business practice, Eric advises clients on all aspects of their business, ranging from entity selection and formation to succession planning. He counsels private entities — including closely held and family-owned businesses — on mergers, acquisitions, corporate governance and a variety of other transactional matters. He also frequently assists clients with general business issues including contract drafting, review and negotiation. Furthermore, Eric has experience with handling formations for nonprofit organizations. 

A substantial portion of Eric’s practice is assisting clients with mergers and acquisitions, including stock and asset transactions. In this role, he conducts due diligence, structures transactions, negotiates and drafts letters of intent, negotiates and drafts acquisition agreements, reviews non-compete and non-disclosure agreements in addition to other matters. Eric enjoys helping his clients navigate the complex process of M&A transactions, ultimately helping to bring the deal to a success close. 

Eric’s real estate practice dovetails with his business practice where he handles matters relating to residential and commercial agreements of sale, leases, restrictive covenants, easements as well as navigating various zoning and land-use issues.

Eric started at Barley Snyder as summer associate and continues a long-time tradition of joining the firm later as an attorney. During law school, Eric practiced as a certified legal intern at the Penn State Family Law Clinic, gaining valuable experience working directly with clients. He also donated pro bono services drafting trusts and estates documents for senior citizens in Centre County. In addition, Eric worked as an intern with the Pennsylvania Office of General Counsel, aiding the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs in 2018. Before moving into law, Eric worked in investment performance in the Washington, D.C. area. He also was a Congressional intern in the U.S. House of Representatives. His wide range of experiences have aided Eric in bringing a thoughtful, considered approach to the unique circumstances and goals of his clients.

A Lebanon County native, Eric now lives in Lancaster County and is a former Eagle Scout. He played four years of football at Dickinson College, where he graduated cum laude, and is also a cum laude graduate of Penn State Law. Eric is proud to be a member of Leadership Lancaster Core Class of 2024 and values community service and involvement. In his time away from the office, Eric enjoys spending time with his wife and son, golfing and Penn State football. 

MEMBERSHIPS
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Lancaster Bar Association
RECOGNITIONS
  • Theta Alpha Kappa, The Religious Studies and Theology National Honor Society
  • Pi Sigma Alpha, The Political Science Honor Society

Christopher W. Mattson

Chris Mattson is a member of the firm’s Health Law group and concentrates his law practice in civil litigation and health law. He has tried to verdict more than 100 jury trials in federal and state courts, and has been involved in numerous civil litigation matters involving antitrust and securities litigation, accounting malpractice, contract disputes, employment law disputes, eminent domain and enforcing restrictive covenants through injunctions, among others.

Chris also represents numerous hospitals, health organizations and health care providers, and has handled a substantial number of major antitrust cases involving healthcare issues. A significant part of his health law practice involves medical staff privileges and bylaws issues, contract disputes and risk management. He has written and lectured extensively on many health care and litigation issues.

Chris is a Veteran Mentor Coordinator for the Lancaster County Veterans Court. He was recently interviewed by WGAL News 8 for his involvement with the organization, and specifically for mentoring its first graduate. You can watch the video online here.

RECOGNITIONS
  • Rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Personal Injury — Litigation (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers® (2002-2014)
MEMBERSHIPS
  • American, Pennsylvania and Lancaster Bar Associations
  • American Health Lawyers Association
  • Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers
CLERKSHIPS
  • New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department (1972-1973)
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
  • Chris is a decorated Vietnam Veteran and held the rank of captain in the U.S. Marine Corp. (1967-1970)

Christopher J. Churchill

Chris is the chair of the Barley Snyder Senior Living Industry Group and a member and former chair of the Health Care Industry Group. Chris also is a member of the firm’s Business and Real Estate practice groups.

He represents senior living clients, including: CCRCs/Life Plan Communities, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, personal care homes, home/health care agencies, senior housing developers and others in the senior living industry, as well as health care clients, including: hospitals, physician/dental groups, FQHCs/health centers, health plans/TPAs, diagnostic imaging centers and other health care providers. His experience includes corporate governance, regulatory compliance and licensing, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and affiliations, payor and other contracting matters. He has assisted clients with complex federal/state regulatory compliance matters involving the False Claims Act and whistleblower actions, Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute, Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement denials and appeals, state licensing violations, payor audits, HIPAA/HITECH compliance and data breaches, and other corporate compliance issues.

In addition, Chris has served as corporate general counsel for a health care information technology company, handling matters involving corporate transactions, corporate compliance, software/technology licensing, intellectual property and commercial contracting.

Chris has served on the Health Care Policy Committee of the Alexander Graham Bell Association in Washington, D.C., as well as on the boards of various health care and not-for-profit organizations. He is also the author of numerous articles/publications on health care, senior living, corporate compliance and business issues. Chris is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

In his free time, Chris enjoys biking, hikes, exploring wildlife and traveling with his children.

RECOGNITION
  • JD Supra, “Most Read Article 2016,” Food & Beverage category
MEMBERSHIPS
  • American Health Lawyers Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
PRESENTATIONS
  • “M&A vs. Organic Growth – Governance, Financing and Other Implications”, Kairos Education Conference & Exhibit (2023)
  • “COVID-19 Vaccine: The Impact on Health Care and Long Term Care”, webinar (December 2020)
  • “Federal Sentencing Guidelines and Effective Compliance Programs”, Financial Executives International – Professional Development Session (2017)
  • “Compliance Program Effectiveness”, Barley Snyder Business Seminar Series (2012)
  • “Managed Care Compliance 101+”, HCCA Conference (2012)
  • “Evaluating Your Compliance Strategy”, Barley Snyder Business Seminar Series (2011)
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
  • Former adjunct professor for graduate studies in health care administration, St. Francis University

Christopher A. Naylor

As a member of the firm’s Real Estate and Business practice groups, Chris has a breadth of experience to assist clients in these often-intertwined areas of law. Chris understands that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to addressing any one particular client matter and makes sure to take the time to understand the client’s specific goals and objectives.

Business
Chris counsels businesses – from start-ups to global manufacturers – in all aspects of business including general corporate governance and drafting, reviewing and negotiating agreements. Chris is proud to work with several of the area’s preeminent businesses, often serving as outside general counsel for all of their business needs.

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)
Chris also handles mergers and acquisitions on both the buy-side and sell-side, helping clients through the complex process from the letter of intent, due diligence, and consummation of the transaction. Chris has worked on transactions ranging from small sales/acquisitions up to multi-million-dollar deals.

Real Estate
As a real estate attorney, Chris handles a wide range of real estate matters, including residential and commercial transactions of all shapes and sizes, including sales, purchases and leases. Chris serves as a mediator for the Realtors Association of York and Adams Counties’ (RAYAC) dispute resolution system. He brings his unique perspective and background having represented buyers, sellers and homebuilders in this process to guide the parties in resolving their dispute.

Land Use and Zoning
As a member of the firm’s Land Use Practice, Chris guides clients through all phases of the land development process including zoning. He has successfully secured needed zoning relief for clients of all sizes, including special exceptions, conditional uses, variances and rezoning. In addition, Chris has successfully defended numerous clients against alleged zoning violations. He also served as objectors’ counsel in opposing zoning matters, including through the appellate process. In this role, Chris has successfully opposed zoning and other land uses that would have adversely affected his client’s property and community.

Property Disputes
Chris has successfully represented clients in property disputes, including bringing and defending adverse possession and related claims, alleged encroachments, nuisances and the like.

Construction
Chris is the chair of the firm’s Construction Industry Group. In this role, Chris leads the dozens of attorneys who practice in all areas related to construction. Chris works with several homebuilders and developers on all facets of project development from acquisition to forming planned communities and home sales. Chris counsels homebuilders and remodelers on matters including contracts, compliance with the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA), and related litigation. He also has experience representing clients in construction code matters, including interpretation and responding to alleged code violations.

Prior to joining Barley Snyder, Chris was director of government affairs for the York County Builders Association where he was responsible for keeping members informed of current laws or proposed changes affecting the residential building industry. Chris then went on to serve as executive director to the late State Senator Michael L. Waugh, working in the Senator’s capitol office where he was involved in policy development and legislation, including changes to the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act and the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.

MEMBERSHIPS
  • York County Builders Association
  • York County Bar Association
  • Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Keystone
PRESENTATIONS
  • “Landlord-Tenant Law: From Lease to Eviction”, CLE Program Harrisburg (March 2017)
  • “Common Legal Issues for New Businesses”, PA Treasury’s Small Business Initiative at York College (October 2016)

EmmaRose Strohl

EmmaRose is an integral part of the firm’s Food & Agribusiness Industry Group, working with clients on compliance issues with state and federal agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. In particular, EmmaRose has been counseling clients in the booming hemp-growing industry to track and navigate its emerging laws and regulations, including compliance and risk management. She helps clients remain up-to-date on pressing issues, such as the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and changes at the FDA related to allergens. She also counsels clients on regulations in food processing, manufacturing and distribution.

Her agriculture background has made her a logical fit for Barley Snyder’s Food & Agribusiness Industry Group, which the firm launched in 2016. Before law school, she graduated from college with a degree in Animal Science, Livestock Science and Management Specialization from one of Pennsylvania’s highest-rated agriculture schools. She also has volunteered for the Penn State Extension with local 4-H programs. She grew up on a small farm in Schuylkill County with horses and honey bees. She is also using her training and knowledge in the field as an adjunct professor at Delaware Valley University, where she instructs graduate students on “Legal Issues in Agriculture and Food” in the Masters in Agribusiness program. 

Crafting comprehensive plans for clients’ futures encompasses EmmaRose’s work in her trusts & estates practice. She works in estate planning, including wills, powers of attorney, health care powers of attorney and living wills. She also has worked in Orphan’s Court, including guardianship cases and will contests.

In her business practice, EmmaRose works on general corporate matters, including basic LLC formation, operating agreements, contract negotiations, financing and stock transfers.

EmmaRose joined an esteemed group of former law students who worked at Barley Snyder while still in law school to get first-hand, on-the-job training, then returned after graduation to a full-time position at the firm. 

She now lives on a small farm in Berks County, and enjoys whitewater kayaking, snowboarding, riding horses and dirt bikes and hiking with her dog.

MEMBERSHIP
  • Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, “Fellow for Life”
PRESENTATIONS
  • “Breaking Eggs, Not Businesses: A Solutions-Focused Discussion on Dealing with the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak,” webinar (June 2022)
  • “Labor & Employment Forecast: Food & Agribusiness Edition,” Virtual Food & Ag Summit (March 2021)
  • “Bio-Engineered Labeling”, Food & Ag Summit (February 2019)
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
  • Adjunct professor, Delaware Valley University, Masters in Agribusiness program
RECOGNITIONS
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star (2024)
  • Lehigh Valley Business, Women of Influence – Women to Watch (2024)
  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, Trusts and Estates (2024)

Charles B. Haws

Charles Haws concentrates his practice in environmental, real estate, municipal law and food & agribusiness. He provides environmental counseling services on a full range of environmental issues to the firm’s municipal, industrial, and real estate development clients. He assists municipal clients on environmental compliance and permitting matters, both as permittees and with respect to development within their jurisdiction. He works with real estate development clients in issues from due diligence through final land development approval.

Charles counsels clients on all aspects of mineral resource issues, including oil and gas leasing, coal, industrial minerals and bluestone mining, as well as alternative energy projects including wind energy and biofuels projects.  His regulatory background allows thorough representation from negotiation of agreements, permitting and compliance issues, and litigation at local, state, and federal level.

Food & Agribusiness

  • He has represented a client in the acquisition of a food processing/residual waste processing facility, including the transfer of all necessary permits and authorizations.
  • While at DEP, he handled enforcement actions involving improper storage and disposal of food processing waste.
  • He has represented farming clients on enforcement actions and third party appeals involving E&S, NPDES and nutrient management issues.
  • He represented farming clients on alternative energy projects including solar systems and biomass power generation.


Prior to joining Barley Snyder, he spent nine years with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Chief Counsel, where he provided litigation and regulatory counseling services to a broad range of programs. He worked closely with public water supply management, coal and industrial mineral mining, waste management, environmental cleanup, emergency response, water quality and laboratory accreditation. He provided counseling to these programs on permitting and regulatory compliance, negotiating compliance, penalty and permitting agreements. He also handled a wide range of appeals and enforcement actions with the Environmental Hearing Board, Commonwealth Court, Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the Courts of Common Pleas throughout the state.

RECOGNITION
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Environmental Law (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), Energy Law (2022, 2023, 2024)
MEMBERSHIPS
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, Energy & Environmental Law Section, Board member
  • Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration
PRESENTATIONS
  • “Unique Issues with Urban Development”, A Morning on Real Estate (June 2019)
  • “Land Development and Environmental Challenges”, Wake up with Barley: A Morning on Real Estate (September 2017)

Brian R. Ott

Brian Ott is a partner in the firm’s Trusts & Estates group. He focuses his practice on both complex and simple estate and tax planning, administration of estates and trusts, business succession planning and on the representation of private foundations and tax-exempt organizations. He regularly advises individuals and corporate fiduciaries in the interpretation of governing documents and in the administration of trusts, guardianships and estates.

Brian understands and appreciates the unique concerns and personal nature of the work he provides to his clients. Brian’s estate planning practice includes the following:

  • Drafting complex and simple estate plans including wills, revocable trusts, dynasty trusts, irrevocable insurance trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs), charitable remainder trusts, family limited partnerships, limited liability companies and powers of attorney.
  • Assistance with retirement planning and charitable giving.
  • Counseling owners of closely-held businesses on business succession planning, business formation and governance issues.
  • Advising clients of the consequences of proposed transfers and transactions as they relate to estate, gift, generation-skipping and income taxes.
  • Assistance with estate administration and the probate process.
  • Counseling clients about long-term care planning and elder law issues, especially as related to eligibility for Medicare and Medical Assistance.

Brian is a member of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. He serves on the Orphans’ Court Rules Committee of the Berks County Bar Association and on the boards of directors of several charitable organizations.

When he’s not working for his clients, he can usually be spotted throughout the Berks County area transporting his five children to their never-ending assortment of activities. 

MEMBERSHIPS
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Berks County Estate Planning Council; past president
  • Berks County Bar Association; past director
PRESENTATIONS
  • “Why You Can’t Afford to Miss out on a 1031 Exchange”, Wake up with Barley: A Morning on Real Estate (September 2017)
  • “Portability vs. Credit Shelter Trust”, Fiduciary Education Foundation Annual Conference (May 2015)

Amanda Jabour Kowalski

Amanda is an attorney with over a decade of experience, whose practice concentrates on financial institution regulation, securities, general corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, and international trade matters.

Amanda brings her extensive experience in the financial services industry to Barley Snyder’s Business Practice Group. She formerly practiced in the Washington, D.C. office of Paul Hastings LLP, where she advised domestic and foreign banking organizations, non-bank financial institutions, and fintech companies on a wide range of regulatory, transactional and compliance issues. Amanda counsels financial institutions on all aspects of regulation and compliance, with an emphasis on corporate structuring, control and operations, as well as compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering laws, consumer protection regulations, and global data privacy requirements. Additionally, she advises problem banks and represents financial institutions in transactions and matters involving various federal and state bank regulatory agencies, including the Federal Reserve, OCC, and FDIC. Her work on elder financial exploitation issues has been nationally recognized. 

Amanda also has significant experience in global trade and economic sanctions matters. She represents clients in U.S. national security reviews before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), whose jurisdiction is triggered by certain foreign investments in U.S. businesses. As CFIUS counsel, Amanda helps clients avoid delays that can impede transactions by making the threshold determination as to whether a transaction warrants notifying the U.S. government, and where appropriate, developing declarations and notices. She also advises clients on matters relating to economic sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). She is a member of Barley Snyder’s Transportation, Logistics & Trade Industry Group which helps clients navigate the unique challenges facing this sector. 

In addition, Amanda advises clients on a range of business matters. She assists clients with securities compliance, including 1934 Act compliance for public companies. She also counsels clients, including closely-held and family businesses, on transactional matters and corporate governance. She regularly engages with a range of clients on contract drafting, review and negotiation.

In addition to her experience in private practice, Amanda previously worked as in-house counsel at E*Trade Bank and as a law clerk at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, where she reviewed proposed mergers for anticompetitive issues.

A native of Lancaster County, Amanda attended the University of Pennsylvania and received her law degree from the George Washington University Law School. She serves on the board of directors of the Lancaster Law Foundation which promotes equal access to justice for all in the community by funding public interest law projects, delivering pro bono service and educating the public on civic and legal issues.

PUBLICATIONS
  • “Cordray’s Recess Appointment: Future Legal Challenges”, ABA Banking Law Journal (March 2012)
  • “Elder Financial Exploitation: An Increasing Compliance Concern”, Journal of Taxation and Regulation of Financial Institutions (2015)
PRESENTATION
  • Presenter, Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists Webinar (August 2014)

Alexander Puskar

Alex is a partner in Barley Snyder’s Business and Tax practice groups. His practice includes extensive experience with mergers and acquisitions, including assisting clients with the establishment, use and operation of, and acquisitions involving employee stock ownership plans. He works with officers, directors and shareholders of closely held businesses on an array of organizational matters, such as entity formation, compliance, contract review, tax planning, and business succession planning. He also counsels non-profit organizations in mergers, acquisitions and fundamental change transactions, as well as filing for tax-exempt status and general compliance issues.

Alex graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh, where he received both his B.A. and J.D. He also earned an LL.M. in Taxation from Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law.

Alex is a former summer associate at Barley Snyder and is the Chair of the firm’s summer associate program recruiting committee. Alex is a native of Lancaster County and currently resides in East Petersburg with his wife and daughter.

RECOGNITIONS
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star (2023, 2024)
  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2024)
EXPERTISE & CERTIFICATION
  • Villanova University School of Law certification in estate planning
MEMBERSHIPS
  • Berks County Bar Association
  • Lancaster Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association

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