Derek is chair of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group and its Hospitality Industry Group. He concentrates his practice on real estate and sophisticated land development matters. With more than a decade of experience, Derek takes a strategic and practical approach to assisting clients in implementing their goals.
Real Estate
Derek regularly represents clients in both Pennsylvania and Maryland in the purchase and sale of developed and undeveloped real estate. His practice often involves complex real estate matters, such as 1031 exchanges and reverse 1031 exchanges. Derek is also a licensed title agent in Pennsylvania and Maryland, allowing him to assist clients in every phase of the transaction. With extensive experience in navigating complicated real estate transactions, Derek provides clients with tailored legal solutions that ensure successful outcomes from the start of a project to completion.
Land Development
Derek regularly represents real estate developers in sophisticated land use matters including zoning, land development, and formation of condominiums/planned communities. He frequently appears before zoning hearing boards for variances and special exceptions and before elected bodies for conditional uses and rezonings.
Hospitality & Liquor Law
As part of his hospitality practice, Derek frequently handles the purchase and sale of hotels, the purchase and sale of restaurants, and the purchase and sale of liquor license. Specifically, Derek is well-versed in representing limited wineries, limited distilleries, breweries, and brewpubs in obtaining Pennsylvania manufacturing licenses.
Finance
Derek is a member of the Finance Practice where he represents creditors such as banks and credit unions in a wide range of commercial loan transactions. His experience as a real estate attorney and title agent allows him to bring a unique perspective to the documentation of real estate loans on behalf of financial institution clients. Derek frequently presents on title insurance topics to banks and other organizations.
RECOGNITIONS
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
MEMBERSHIPS
- Lancaster Bar Association
-
Pennsylvania Bar Association
PRESENTATIONS
- “Title Insurance for Construction Loans”, Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s Real Estate Institute 2024 (December 2024)
- COVID-19 Vaccines: The Impact on the Hospitality Industry, webinar (January 2021)
-
Reopening the Hospitality Industry: Current Guidelines, Possible Risks and Future Scenarios, Barley Snyder Webinar Series (June 2020)
-
Mechanics Liens; Bond Issues for Construction Projects, Wake up with Barley: A Morning on Real Estate (June 2019)
-
Panelist: Structuring; Financing Real Estate Deals, Barley Snyder LendiCon (March 2019)
-
Project Financing – When Can I Start Work? Wake up with Barley: A Morning on Real Estate (June 2018)
-
Condominiums, Lancaster County Association of Realtors’ Commercial; Industrial Council membership meeting (March 2018)
-
Endorsement and Exclusions to Policies and Insuring Construction Loans, National Business Institute’s Title Law: A to Z, a Two-Day Practical Course (December 2017)
-
Mechanic’s Lien, Leases and Landlord Tenant Law, Wake up with Barley: A Morning on Real Estate (September 2017)
-
Sheriff Sales and Tax Sales; What do you really need to know? Barley Snyder LendiCon Seminar (March 2016)
-
2015 Mechanic’s Lien Update, Security Title Annual Seminar (May 2015)
-
Leasehold Mortgages, Barley Snyder LendiCon Seminar (March 2015)
-
Conestoga Title Insurance Company Annual Seminar (January 2015)
-
Act 117 Update, Pennsylvania Land and Title Association (November 2014)
-
Buying, Leasing and Owning: What is Best for Your Business? Barley Snyder Business Seminar (October 2014)
-
Construction Lending Update, Bank Presentation (August 2014)
-
Title Insurance for Lenders: Before, During and After Settlement, Barley Snyder LendiCon Seminar, (May 2014)
