Position: Attorney

Sarah Yocum Rider

Sarah concentrates her practice in Real Estate law and Business law. Her Real Estate law practice includes the purchase, sale, leasing and financing of residential and commercial real estate. A significant portion of her practice involves land use law, working on zoning, commercial land development and related land use matters. She frequently represents individual and business clients in obtaining variances and special exceptions. Sarah’s real estate clients include medical facilities, educational institutions, financial institutions, property managers, professional organizations, development companies, non-profit corporations, and individuals.

In addition, Sarah frequently handles real estate assessment appeals and tax exemption requests. She also handles various agricultural real estate matters, which include review of agricultural conservation easements and issues related to the Clean and Green Program, Act 319. She also has experience in construction law representing owners and contractors in reviewing and negotiating architect agreements and construction contracts.

Sarah counsels business clients on matters including entity formation and selection. She also has particular expertise in liquor licensing matters, including the sale and transfer of liquor licenses and the completion and submission of liquor license applications.

MEMBERSHIPS
  • Lancaster Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
PRESENTATION
  • “Mechanic’s Lien, Leases and Landlord Tenant Law”, Wake up with Barley: A Morning on Real Estate (September 2017)

Kimberly J. Decker

Kim Decker represents U.S., international and non-profit clients with a wide array of business and transactional needs. Kim takes a uniquely practical, business-focused approach because she understands that her clients need her to provide solutions, not roadblocks. As a result, Kim successfully counsels clients through mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance issues, contracts and negotiations, raising capital, risk assessment and management, public company compliance obligations and bank regulatory issues, partnering with her clients to give practical advice that helps them achieve business goals.

General Counsel
Kim has the rare perspective of having serviced clients and assessed their legal goals and needs as “in-house counsel.” She has provided general counsel services to clients, both on site and virtually, filling in for legal departments experiencing gaps in coverage as well acting as “outside” general counsel to many of her smaller, privately held company clients who do not have in-house lawyers. As a result, Kim is in tune with the different service style and legal issue management process that is required in a corporate or private company setting. In addition, Kim’s broad legal experiences make her valuable in this role as she is able to spot issues in a wide variety of areas.

Securities
Kim chairs the firm’s Securities practice and assists companies with public and private debt and equity offerings and the associated registration, exemption and “Blue Sky” requirements. For public company clients, Kim provides advice on all aspects of 1934 Act compliance (annual meetings, proxy solicitations, Sarbanes Oxley, corporate governance requirements, annual and quarterly reports, Section 16, current reports on Form 8-K, etc.). 

Mergers and Acquisitions
Kim assists public and private companies as well as non-profit clients with mergers and acquisitions, including both stock and asset transactions, as well as reorganizations. She has seen a wide variety of deals and structures, including complex earn-outs, management buy-outs, venture capital investments and the exercise of a so-called “fiduciary out” to pursue a competing transaction.

Banking
In addition to providing general counsel, securities and mergers and acquisitions services to financial institutions, Kim handles financial institution and holding company formations, branch acquisitions, minority investments in financial institutions and regulatory compliance issues for Federal Reserve, FDIC and OCC regulated financial institutions of all shapes and sizes.

Kim’s clients consist of regional, national and international companies, and she has represented public company clients companies listed on all existing stock exchanges. A sampling of clients Kim has represented include: an international $1.5 billion, NYSE-listed specialty steel fabricator, a multi-state bank holding company with $18 billion in assets, a regional, NASDAQ-listed telecommunications provider, and an international specialty paper manufacturer. However, a large portion of her client base consists of privately held, regional companies. Kim negotiates a wide variety of complex contractual issues for regional and multinational corporate clients in industries including telecommunications, manufacturing, distribution and education. She is a frequent presenter on the topics of contractual issues, the Uniform Commercial Code and administration.

RECOGNITIONS
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Banking and Finance Law (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
  • Central Penn Business Journal, “Women of Influence” (2021)
  • The Legal Intelligencer, “Top Women in Law” (2016)
MEMBERSHIPS
  • Lancaster Bar Association
  • York County Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
PRESENTATIONS
  • “ESG, DEI and Why You Should Care,” Association of Corporate Counsel’s In-House Lawyer All Day CLE program (2022)
  • “Raising Capital in 2020,” Barley Snyder’s Virtual Business Seminar Part 2 (November 2020)
  • “Running Your Business Under Green: Some Lessons Learned and Directions for the Future”, Barley Snyder Webinar (June 2020)
  • “Trending Issues in Regional Banks”, Barley Snyder’s LendiCon (March 2018)
  • Featured speaker, NACD’s The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight and Cybersecurity (October 2017)
  • “Common Legal Issues You Need to Know”, PA Treasury’s Small Business Initiative at York College (October 2016)
  • “Legal Issues Involved in Growing your Business “, PA Treasury’s Small Business Initiative at York College (October 2016)
  • “Negotiating Indemnification Clauses, Representations and Warranties and Other “Standard” Contract Terms”, Barley Snyder Business Seminar (October 2015)
  • “Loan Sales”, Barley Snyder LendiCon Seminar (November 2013)
  • “Corporate Governance: Practical applications and ideas”, Barley Snyder Business Seminar, (October 2013)
  • “Dodd-Frank: What’s happening now and what’s to come”, ACC Seminar: What Keeps You up at Night? (September 2012)

Jeffrey D. Lobach

Jeff Lobach is a partner at the firm. Jeff recently stepped down after a record ten years as the firm’s managing partner and CEO. During his tenure, the firm nearly tripled in size and expanded into seven new markets, while also growing its forces in its five legacy offices and being recognized as the only law firm named a “Best Place to Work in PA”.

Jeff concentrates his law practice in the planning, negotiation and execution of business and real estate transactions, formation and governance of business and non-profit entities, industrial, commercial and residential real estate development, land use and zoning, business and real estate financing, and resolution of business disputes. In addition, Jeff counsels family-owned and closely-held businesses on issues unique to such enterprises. He also advises institutions of higher education on issues of finance, governance, risk management and other areas.

Two stints as chief law clerk for justices on Pennsylvania’s highest court and litigation experience in state and federal courts and before state and federal agencies have informed Jeff’s judgment as to the value of concise, carefully-drafted and unambiguous documentation and strategically sound negotiation of business transactions. During more than 35 years of practice, he has organized hundreds of business and non-profit entities and implemented dozens of business parks, retails centers and residential communities. He also has successfully litigated numerous zoning and land development cases in court and before governmental agencies. Jeff regularly serves as an arbitrator, mediator or negotiator of disputes between businesses, their owners and other constituencies.

Jeff has been very active in the Central Pennsylvania community, serving as a board chair, member, officer, or general counsel to various charitable organizations. He was a founding director of WellSpan York Health Foundation, Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center, York VNA Home Care, and The Golden Vision Foundation. While President of the York County Bar Association, Jeff initiated a nationally recognized pro bono immigration project on behalf of a group of about 300 Chinese refugees aboard the freighter Golden Venture which evolved into a four-year court battle before the refugees were paroled by the President. The asylum case Jeff successfully litigated for his own client, a Tiananmen Square era pro-democracy activist, was profiled in the national media, including the CBS news magazine “America Tonight” and National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered.” Our firm also commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Golden Venture in a three-part video series which you may view below:

Jeff and his wife Cindy were also recently honored with the 2025 Distinguished Humanitarian Award at Penn-Mar’s 33rd Annual Gala Fundraiser. The award is presented annually to individuals who have demonstrated unwavering dedication to community service and embody Penn-Mar’s core values of integrity, excellence, collaboration, and innovation.

RECOGNITIONS
  • Distinguished Humanitarian Award, Penn-Mar Human Services (2025)
  • Icon Honors, Central Penn Business Journal (2024)
  • Power 100 List, Central Penn Business Journal (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
  • “Most Influential People”, York Daily Record (2022)
  • Power 30 List in Law & Lobbyists, Central Penn Business Journal (2022)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, “Lawyer of the Year,” Corporate Law (2021)
  • Cornerstone Award for Community Service, SpiriTrust Lutheran (2020)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025), Real Estate Law (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
  • National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, Boy Scouts of America (2017)
  • York Distinguished Citizen, New Birth of Freedom Council, Boy Scouts of America (2017)
  • Select Lawyer, Polk-Lepson Research Group; Business and Commercial Law
  • Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Eagle Scout Award
  • Silver Beaver Award, Boy Scouts of America
  • Williams Essay Prize (Lehigh University)
  • Andrew E. Murray Peacemaking Award, Synod of the Trinity, Presbyterian Church (USA)
  • Service Above Self Award, Rotary Club of York
  • Crystal Stair Award of the University of Pennsylvania (Inaugural Recipient with Marian Wright Edelman and others)
MEMBERSHIPS
  • American Institute of Banking, Instructor
  • Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Course planner and lecturer
  • American Bar Association
  • National Association of College and University Attorneys
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, House of Delegates
  • York County Bar Association, Former president and chair, Long Range Planning Committee; Chair, By-Laws Committee
PRESENTATIONS
  • Reopening the Hospitality Industry: Current Guidelines, Possible Risks and Future Scenarios”, Barley Snyder Webinar Series (June 2020)
  • Featured speaker, “Golden Venture Saga” (May 2018)
  • “Buying, Leasing and Owning: What is Best for Your Business?”, Barley Snyder Business Seminar (October 2014)
  • “Title Insurance for Lenders: Before, During and After Settlement”, Barley Snyder LendiCon Seminar (May 2014)
  • “Leadership Development within the Legal Department”, ACC Seminar: What Keeps You up at Night? (September 2012
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
  • York College of Pennsylvania; general counsel
  • Partnership for Economic Development of York County; general counsel
  • Licensed Title Insurance Agent, Commonwealth Land Title Insurance Company, Stewart Title Insurance Company
  • Lyndon Baines Johnson Congressional Intern

Scott F. Landis

Scott Landis is the chair of the firm’s Finance & Creditors’ Rights Practice Group and a member of the Intellectual Property Practice Group.

Scott devotes a substantial portion of his practice to creditors’ rights and bankruptcy, advising lenders and other creditors in loan and credit recoveries involving millions of dollars. He represents creditors in collections, foreclosures, repossessions, levies, garnishments, mechanics liens, municipal claims and other commercial litigation. He counsels clients on the attachment, perfection and enforcement of security interests and other liens, and represents landlords in evictions and the collection of rents. He also represents banks and other creditors in all forms of bankruptcy matters, including cash collateral issues, relief from the automatic stay, defending preference and other avoidance actions, and the filing of claims and objections.

He also counsels business, institutional and individual clients on the acquisition, prosecution, use, protection, and enforcement of trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights, and other intellectual and proprietary assets. Scott represents clients in the transfer and licensing of all forms of intellectual and creative property. He assists clients in obtaining clearance of copyrights and other rights for advertising, publishing, entertainment and other purposes. He also negotiates license, development and other agreements for software and technology, and advises his clients in all aspects of Internet and electronic commerce law. Scott also assists the firm’s intellectual property litigation team in state and federal litigation involving trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights. His intellectual property clients include individual artists, authors and entrepreneurs; small, medium and family-owned businesses; hospitals, universities and other institutions; and large national and multi-national corporations. Scott’s intellectual property practice also includes representing the firm’s food and agri-business clients in trademarks, branding, labeling and unfair competition issues.

RECOGNITION
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
MEMBERSHIPS
  • International Trademark Association

  • American Bankruptcy Institute

  • Commercial Law League

  • Lancaster County Bar Association, Corporate, Business and Bankruptcy Section chair

  • Pennsylvania Bar Association

PRESENTATIONS
  • Bio-Engineered Labeling, Food and Ag Summit (February 2019)

  • Hot Topics in Commercial Loan Workouts and Restructuring, Lendicon 2017 (March 2017)

  • Legal Tech Talk for Your 21st Century Business, BIG U 2018 (May 2018)

  • Real Special Assets – Part Two, Barley Snyder LendiCon Seminar (March 2016)

  • Doing Business in the Digital World (and Cloud): An Overview of Risk, Applicable Laws and Policies Relating to Information Security, Barley Snyder Business Seminar (October 2015)

  • Deeds in Lieu, Short Sales and Deficiency Judgments, Barley Snyder LendiCon Seminar (March 2015)

  • Bankruptcy Update, Barley Snyder LendiCon Seminar (November 2013)

  • Doing Business in the Digital World, Barley Snyder Business Seminar (October 2013)

  • Bankruptcy Preference Claims and Their Defenses, ACC Seminar: What Keeps You up at Night? (September 2013)

  • Facing Land Development and Construction Issues, Barley Snyder LendiCon Seminar (November 2012)

OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
  • Former adjunct professor; Lebanon Valley College, Digital Communications Department

Kevin S. Koscil

With tax legislation in a constant state of flux at the federal, state and local levels, Kevin is knowledgeable and proficient in all of the latest laws that can affect your business and your family. A member of the Trusts & Estates, Tax and Business practice groups, Kevin provides clients with comprehensive solutions for carrying out estate planning and business objectives, ranging from identifying and implementing tax-saving strategies to more general advice regarding end-of-life decisions and unique family circumstances. Kevin regularly advises business owners on succession issues and other individuals in need of sophisticated estate planning. His knowledge in estate planning led to him being quoted as a source in the Wall Street Journal, and he has presented for the National Business Institute and written for The Legal Intelligencer.

Kevin also advises individuals and businesses on a wide range of tax issues, providing advice to clients engaging in corporate transactions of all types, including mergers and acquisitions, sales and reorganizations. Businesses looking for counsel on federal income tax issues as well as various state and local taxes, such as realty transfer tax, turn to Kevin for his experience with intricate issues. Kevin also has worked extensively in the area of executive compensation and regularly advises clients on multifaceted tax matters involving deferred compensation arrangements and equity-based compensation, such as stock option plans and equity appreciation rights plans.

Kevin is heavily involved in pro bono work, resolving title issues through estate administration and handling cases involving tax controversies. Philadelphia VIP, a nonprofit organization matching attorneys with pro bono clients facing legal challenges in housing, family and income, named Kevin its December 2016 “Volunteer of the Month.”

Kevin has been named to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyer “Rising Star” list in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. 

RECOGNITIONS
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
  • Philadelphia VIP, “Volunteer of the Month” (December 2016)
MEMBERSHIP
  • Philadelphia Estate Planning Council
PUBLICATIONS
  • “Estate Planning Tools to Put to Work in a Higher-Interest Rate Environment”, The Legal Intelligencer (February 2019)
  • “Estate Planning Opportunities as Interest Rates Rise (and While They’re Still Low)”, Philadelphia Estate Planning Council Newsletter (May 2015)
PRESENTATIONS
  • “Business Succession and Wealth Transfer: Considerations for Death, Taxes and Achieving Family Harmony,” PA Fairs & Showmen Convention (January 2023)
  • “The Probate Process from Start to Finish,” National Business Institute, Philadelphia, Pa. (August 2013)
  • “Top Estate Planning Techniques,” National Business Institute, Philadelphia, Pa. (December 2012)

Kevin M. Scott

Kevin concentrates his practice in federal tax planning and tax litigation for corporations, pass-through entities, individuals and tax-exempt organizations for the firm’s Business and Trusts & Estates practice groups.

In addition to his federal tax focus, Kevin has represented numerous multi-state and Pennsylvania entities before the state’s administrative tax boards and courts in tax controversies regarding various taxes including:

– Corporate net income tax

– Capital stock/franchise tax

– Insurance premiums tax

– Gross receipts tax

– Motor carrier and liquid fuels taxes

– Sales and use tax

– Realty transfer tax

– Public utility realty tax

– Local business privilege, amusement and real estate tax

– Escheat matters

In addition to his tax planning and controversy work, Kevin practices in the areas of estate planning and administration. He also serves as counsel to several family-held businesses and provides advice regarding transactional matters.

MEMBERSHIPS
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, Tax Section
  • York Estate Planning Council, member
  • Estate Planning Council of Central Pennsylvania, past president and former board member
PUBLICATION
  • Governor Corbett Signs House Bill 1950 into Law
RECOGNITION
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Tax Law (2024, 2024)

 

Scott L. Kelley

Scott Kelley is a member of Barley Snyder’s Business, Real Estate and Trusts & Estates groups. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and the York County Bar Association. He is a past president of Adams-Hanover Counseling Services, Inc.; a past board member of the Visiting Nurse Association; a past board member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church; a benefactor life member of the National Rifle Association; a life member of the National Skeet Shooting Association; and a past board member of the Pennsylvania State Shooting Foundation.

Scott has been an instructor for the Pennsylvania State University in economics and business entrepreneurship for twenty years.

MEMBERSHIPS
  • York County Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • American Bar Association

Kevin C. Myhre

As a patent attorney in the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, Kevin brings unique perspective to his work for clients at various stages. Kevin is involved in patent application preparation and prosecution, trademark matters, and litigation support across all areas of intellectual property law, including research and strategy development.

Kevin’s distinct background as a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) patent examiner – where his field of examination focused on driverless or autonomous vehicle technology in the transportation industry – is complemented by his real-world experience working in the engineering community. As an aerospace engineering major at the University of Virginia, he gained professional experience in the research and development department of a Philadelphia-area airline safety manufacturer. Further rounding out his unique experience, several years into his career as a patent attorney, Kevin immersed himself in the European patent process for four weeks by participating in a work-exchange arrangement with a Munich-based intellectual property law firm.

Because many of the applications Kevin examined on behalf of the USPTO were related to driverless or autonomous vehicle technology, Kevin has a unique capability to assist clients with the optimal strategies and potential pitfalls in prosecuting patent applications focused on these technologies. Nevertheless, whether an invention involves mechanical, electrical, or software-based technology, the dual nature of Kevin’s experience has given him an intricate, inside knowledge of how the patent process works, what a patent examiner is looking for in a patent application, and the best course to chart for representing a client throughout a range of patent-related matters.

Outside of his work with clients, Kevin has committed himself to improving the quality of life in suburban Philadelphia and the business world abroad through volunteering with both local and international organizations including the Boy Scouts, his local economic development council and the American Intellectual Property Law Association. In his free time, Kevin enjoys running in 5K races along with his family throughout suburban Philadelphia to aid charitable causes, especially those that support access to legal assistance for those in need.

RECOGNITIONS
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star (2023, 2024)
MEMBERSHIPS
  • Chester County Bar Association
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
PRESENTATION
  • “Patents, Trademarks, Intellectual Property & More”, Chester County Economic Development Council’s i2n Scaling for Growth Series (March 2025)
  • “Optimizing Patent Protection on Vehicle Technology”, Automotive Tech Week (November 2021)
  • Panel discussion, Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Business of Automated Mobility Forum (June 2021)
  • “Protecting Your Idea: Intellectual Property Law Basics”, Great Valley LaunchBox (June 2021)
  • Panel discussion, ASCEND conference by American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) (November 2020)
  • Panel discussion, Pennsylvania Automated Vehicle Summit (September 2019)

Sean B. Frederick

Sean B. Frederick is the Chair of the firm’s municipal finance practice, as well as a member of the Business Practice and Senior Living Industry Group, where he assists financial institutions, governmental entities and other clients in the areas of commercial finance, public finance, tax, securities law and general business.

Sean provides counsel, guidance and advice to clients on a wide variety of financing transactions including those involving new markets tax credits, low-income housing tax credits and historic tax credits as both investor counsel, tax counsel and developer counsel. Additionally, as Chair of Barley’s municipal finance group, he has particular experience in both governmental bonds, conduit financings and related tax issues involving manufacturing entities and 501(c)(3) corporations. Sean serves as bond counsel, underwriter’s counsel, issuer’s counsel, letter of credit and liquidity provider’s counsel and also works closely with other lawyers as co-counsel, local and regional counsel. Sean also has extensive experience within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania working with PIDA, Pennvest, PennWorks, MELF and other loan programs.

Representative examples of Sean’s experience include:

– Representing regional and national commercial lending institutions on financing transactions ranging in size from $200,000 to $50,000,000 involving industries such as manufacturing, professional services, agri-business, hospitality, entertainment, food and beverage, and real estate, housing and construction.

– Counseling municipal clients regarding the issuance of tax-exempt bonds with an aggregate principal amount of over $200 million for such diverse purposes as water and sewer facilities, parking garages, fire departments, schools and other educational facilities.

– Representing manufacturing and not-for profit clients regarding the issuance of tax-exempt, small issue bonds, 501(c)(3) bonds and taxable bonds, including extensive experience in structuring transactions within the confines of the Internal Revenue Code in order to maximize the tax benefit to clients.

– Represented Fulton Bank, N.A., as construction lender and equity investor, in connection with the multifamily rental housing developments located at 4203 Chamberlayne Avenue and 4210 Old Brook Road in Richmond, Virginia known as Bellevue Apartments (the “Project”) and related construction loan in the original principal amount of $10,000,000 purchased by Fulton, subject to a forward purchase commitment of Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate Capital, LLC at conversion pursuant to a Freddie Mac Multifamily purchase commitment.

– Represented Fulton Bank, N.A., as construction lender and equity investor, in connection with the multifamily rental housing development located at 617-621 Adams Drive and 698 Dresden Drive, Newport News, VA known as Ivy Farms Apartments (the “Project”) and related construction loan issued by the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority in the original principal amount of $16,000,000 purchased by Fulton, subject to a forward purchase commitment of Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust Company.

– Represented Fulton Bank, N.A., as initial purchaser of the $6,255,000 Reading Housing Authority (Pennsylvania) GNMA Collateralized Multi-Family Housing Mortgage Revenue Bonds (Goggle Works Apartments Project).

– Counsel to Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia with respect to its $9,760,000 New Markets Tax Credit Qualified Low-Income Community Investment Transaction completed in February 2020

As a member of the Senior Living Industry Group, Sean has been part of numerous financings of senior living facilities.

A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the University of Florida, magna cum laude, Sean is currently serving as president of the Literacy Council of Lancaster-Lebanon, vice president of Lancaster Housing Opportunities Partnership which is focused on providing affordable housing opportunities in the county of Lancaster, and is active with the Pennsylvania and the National Associations of Bond Lawyers.

Sean writes on a variety of topics. Some recent articles include:

– A Summary of Tax Changes from the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008

– Variable Rate Demand Bonds – Liquidity Issues

– Why Even Perfect Terms May Not Guarantee a Legal Victory in Battle of the Forms

RECOGNITION
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Corporate Law (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
MEMBERSHIPS
  • National Association of Bond Lawyer

  • Pennsylvania Association of Bond Lawyer

PRESENTATION
  • Understanding; Utilizing Tax Credit Financing, Barley Snyder LendiCon Seminar, (May 2014)

Keith Mooney

Keith concentrates his practice in municipal, real estate and labor and employment law. As a municipal law counselor, Keith advises and represents local municipal governments and municipal authorities in matters involving the Sunshine Law and Open Records Act, condemnations, administrative matters, labor and workforce issues, civil service issues, zoning and land planning matters, public bidding and contract negotiations. Keith has also represented municipalities before the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection regarding alleged violations of the Clean Water Act and the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law. Keith represents both municipal and development clients in matters involving requests for variances, special exceptions, conditional uses, zoning appeals and other land use issues. He has drafted amendments to zoning ordinances and guided municipalities through the amendment process mandated by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, and assists municipalities and developers in guiding real estate development projects through the subdivision and land development process.

Keith currently serves as solicitor for the Boroughs of Kutztown and Shoemakersville, West Cocalico Township, Bern Township and has served as special counsel for Spring Township involving land use issues. Keith also serves as solicitor and legal counsel for the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Reading and has assisted the Redevelopment Authority in such areas as redevelopment projects, brownsfields issues and condemnations. Recently Keith successfully represented Spring Township in a matter in which a national retailer attempted to locate a shopping center within its borders. Recent projects in which Keith has assisted the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Reading include the Goggleworks Center for the Arts, the City of Reading Sovereign Center and the R/C Theatres project, which involved the development of an eleven-screen multiplex including an IMAX theatre.

As a labor and employment counselor, Keith represents employers in grievance arbitration and in the resolution, settlement and/or adjudication of unfair labor practice complaints before the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board. Keith has negotiated public sector collective bargaining agreements between municipalities and AFSCME, the FOP, the Teamsters and the IAFF. In negotiating public sector collective bargaining agreements, Keith has participated in fact finding mediation.

Prior to joining the firm, Keith served as solicitor for the City of Reading, Pennsylvania.

MEMBERSHIPS
  • Former Member of Pennsylvania Bar Association Constitutional Review Commission
  • Former Member of DMC Reduction Steering Committee
  • Berks County Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
PRESENTATIONS
  • “Zoning Applications and Municipal Strategies”, Wake up with Barley: A Morning on Real Estate (October 2024)
  • “What Will the Neighbors Think? Public Input on Developments of Regional Significance”, Berks County Bar Association Bar Conference CLE Presentation (April 2024)
  • “Condos in the City”, Wake up with Barley: A Morning on Real Estate (June 2019)
  • “Consumer Credit: Foreclosure and Bankruptcy Update”, Barley Snyder LendiCon Seminar (May 2014)
  • “Residential Foreclosure Issues”, Barley Snyder LendiCon Seminar (November 2012)
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
  • Former City Solicitor, City of Reading, PA

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