Michael G. Louis

Highly Professional and Efficient

January 16, 2020 by Hoppel Design

Our case with a giant company was quite unique and most lawyers did not have the confidence to take our case. The added problem was because we were Canadians and we needed a US lawyer who should represent us in our absence in the US. Michael was courageous and undaunted to extend his professional help. The Company who disregarded our consumers’ rights, and disrespected the law, was shrunk by the first letter of Michael who represented us. Our legal battle was smooth sailing with the professionalism of Michael and his staff. Michael knows his stuff, and were assured by his experiences and expertise in dealing with real estate legal matters. Our battle ended in just over a month-long with a positive result. He represented us and work for what we were fighting for in our absence. We did not have to be in the US to fight for our rights. We highly recommend Michael and MacElree Harvey, Ltd for your legal cases.

Real Estate

February 6, 2015 by Hoppel Design

Real Estate

For generations, MacElree Harvey has guided clients through every stage of real estate ownership, investment, and development across Pennsylvania and Delaware.

At MacElree Harvey, our real estate attorneys represent builders, developers, investors, and property owners in a full range of real estate transactions and disputes. Whether you are acquiring, financing, developing, leasing, or selling property, our team provides the practical guidance and legal insight needed to protect your investment and achieve your goals efficiently.

Our clients include private landowners, entrepreneurial developers, lenders, and institutional investors. We handle projects of every scale, from single-family properties and residential subdivisions to large commercial, industrial, and mixed-use developments.

Comprehensive Real Estate Services

Our real estate practice covers all aspects of property ownership, management, and transfer, including:

Real estate acquisition and sales — drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, due diligence, and title review
Leasing — representing landlords and tenants in commercial and residential lease negotiations
Financing and lending — advising borrowers and lenders in real estate financing and secured transactions
Development agreements and contracts — negotiation, drafting, and enforcement of complex real estate agreements
Condominium and homeowners’ association matters — formation, governance, and compliance
Easements, covenants, and property rights — creation, interpretation, and enforcement
Real estate litigation — resolving disputes related to ownership, title, contracts, or development
Tax assessment appeals and exemptions — representing property owners in challenging over-assessed property values

Industry Experience

Our attorneys have successfully guided clients through transactions involving:

Shopping centers and retail developments
Office buildings and business parks
Apartment complexes and condominium conversions
Industrial warehouses and manufacturing facilities
Hotels, resorts, and hospitality projects
Planned residential communities and mixed-use developments

Why Choose MacElree Harvey

Local knowledge: decades of experience with Pennsylvania and Delaware property laws, title issues, and closing procedures
Strategic advocacy: from negotiating contracts to litigating disputes, our attorneys protect your interests at every stage
Multi-disciplinary support: collaboration with our business, tax, and litigation teams ensures comprehensive counsel for every transaction
Proven results: trusted by clients for efficient closings, complex development deals, and long-term property strategies

Commercial Litigation

February 6, 2015 by Hoppel Design

Your business is business. Ours is litigation.

A critical tool in protecting your company’s interests, litigation can also be used to attack those same vital interests – often putting your entire life’s work at risk, and leaving your future uncertain.

At MacElree Harvey, our Commercial Litigation Practice is uncompromisingly committed to providing clients with the upper hand – utilizing the advantage that comes from our years of experience, and our dedication to helping you achieve your overall goals.

With a depth of expertise and the resources expected of large firms without sacrificing the responsiveness and personal attention typically found in much smaller firms, our experienced commercial litigators advise and advocate for the rights of businesses and individuals engaged in sales, trades, and commerce.

Whether you’re an industry leader with high visibility, or a smaller family-owned franchise, from onset to closing, our attorneys are equipped with the sophisticated knowledge and training to ensure you have the right team on your side.

Our clients know that it doesn’t matter if they’re a large business involved in breach of contract dispute, a business or individual seeking to protect his or her intellectual property, or a shareholder seeking to protect his or her rights in a corporate dispute, our commercial litigators approach each matter the exact same way – with the expertise required to properly advise you on the next steps, the skill to unrelentingly fight for, or defend you – and – most importantly – the initiative to obtain the result desired.

If you would like to schedule a consultation, please call the firm at 610.436.0100 or submit the contact request form.

Banking & Finance Litigation

February 6, 2015 by Hoppel Design

MacElree Harvey’s Banking and Finance Litigation practice group provides legal services to clients who encounter business or personal problems that create financial distress. Whether the financial stress relates to a customer, tenant, competitor, related company, family member, or the client itself, our attorneys are ready to provide counseling, workout solutions and litigation services.

Our Banking and Finance Litigation attorneys have decades of experience regularly working on the following types of matters:

Bankruptcy

Secured and unsecured creditor representations; relief from automatic stays; discharge objections; creditor lien preservation; and defense against debtor or bankruptcy trustee claims for preferences and fraudulent transfers.

Loan Enforcement and Collection

Lender and borrower representations in collection actions, suits on promissory notes, foreclosure actions, confessions of judgment, garnishments, loan default and delinquency proceedings; creditor representations for breach of contract; and purchaser of goods representations for breach of contract.

Real Estate Leases

Landlord representations for lease enforcement; landlord representations for renegotiation of leases in default; landlord representations for collection of delinquent rent; landlord representations for recovery of leased premises possession; landlord representations for evictions; and tenant representations and defense for breach of lease claims.

Loan Workouts

Advise lenders and borrowers regarding debt restructuring, debt consolidation or alternative financing arrangements; and negotiation of loan restructuring to fit the client’s current financial situation.

Liens

Contractor and subcontractor representations for filing of mechanic liens on residential and commercial projects; homeowner or business owner defense representations where mechanics liens have been filed against their property; repairman representations for repairman’s liens; garage representations for garage liens; and warehouse representations for warehouse liens.

Business Disputes and Complex Litigation

Business and individual representations in disputes involving complex commercial transactions and claims including but not limited to fraud, piercing the company veil, successor liability, fraudulent transfers, civil conspiracy and guarantor or personal liability.

Banking and Lender Liability Defense

Bank and other financial institution defense against claims of Uniform Commercial Code Article 3 and 4 violations, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and fraud allegations; and lender liability representations.

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Arbitration Litigation

Client representations against brokers or brokerage firms for unsuitable investments and “churning” (excessive buying and selling of securities to generate commissions for the broker) before FINRA.

Executions and Garnishments

Creditor representations to enforce judgments through sheriff sales of real estate, attachment of bank accounts and levy and sale of personal property; advise financial institutions on the attachment of customers’ accounts by creditors; and creditor and debtor post-judgment representations to stay or contest executions.

If you would like to schedule a consultation, please call the firm at 610.436.0100 or submit the contact request form.

Litigation Law

January 29, 2015 by Hoppel Design

Litigation Law

Since its founding, MacElree Harvey has been home to accomplished trial lawyers and litigation attorneys serving Southeastern Pennsylvania and Northern Delaware.

Our attorneys are widely respected for delivering strategic, efficient, and effective representation to a diverse range of clients — including individuals, families, small businesses, large corporations, professionals, and nonprofit organizations.

We understand that legal disputes can be disruptive, stressful, and costly. Whether you are bringing a claim or defending against one, our goal is to help you navigate the process with confidence while working toward the most favorable outcome possible.

Comprehensive Litigation Services

Our civil litigation practice spans a broad range of disputes. We regularly represent clients in matters involving:

Business and commercial disputes — breach of contract, shareholder and partnership disputes, business torts, unfair competition, fraud, and trade secret litigation

Real estate litigation — property disputes, landlord/tenant issues, boundary disagreements, easement and zoning challenges, and construction litigation

Estate and trust disputes — will contests, fiduciary duty claims, accounting disputes, and removal of executors or trustees

Employment disputes — wrongful termination, wage and hour claims, restrictive covenant enforcement, and discrimination claims

Professional liability defense — defending lawyers, accountants, medical providers, architects, and other licensed professionals

Personal injury litigation — representing both plaintiffs and defendants in negligence and liability cases

Construction disputes — involving contractors, developers, owners, and subcontractors over contracts, delays, or defects

Nonprofit and charitable organization litigation — governance issues, fiduciary claims, and contract disputes

Strategic, Specialized Representation

While our litigation practice is broad, we also focus on specialized areas so clients with highly specific disputes are matched with the right attorney for their needs. This ensures:

Deep knowledge of the legal issues in your industry or matter

Efficient handling of complex procedural requirements

Targeted strategies tailored to the facts and goals of your case

Our trial lawyers combine in-depth knowledge of Pennsylvania and Delaware courts with creative problem-solving to protect our clients’ interests at every stage of a dispute.

Our Approach to Litigation

Every case begins with a thorough evaluation of the facts, applicable laws, and the client’s goals. We provide candid advice about case strengths and weaknesses, possible outcomes, and expected costs. Our approach is:

Proactive – Anticipating the other side’s strategy and preparing countermeasures early

Strategic – Choosing the forum, claims, and defenses that put clients in the strongest position

Flexible – Adjusting tactics as the case evolves, whether through settlement talks or trial preparation

Collaborative – Working with colleagues in tax, real estate, corporate, and employment law when cross-practice insight benefits the case

Resolving Disputes — In and Out of Court

We represent clients in state and federal court, before administrative agencies, and in alternative dispute resolution forums such as:

Mediation – a confidential, non-binding process where a neutral mediator helps parties reach agreement

Arbitration – a private process where a neutral arbitrator issues a binding decision

Settlement negotiations – often leading to faster, more cost-effective outcomes

While many disputes are resolved without trial, our attorneys are skilled litigators fully prepared to present your case before a judge or jury when it serves your best interests.

Representative Strengths

Decades of combined trial experience in Pennsylvania and Delaware courts

Proven record in both plaintiff and defense cases

Access to expert witnesses, forensic accountants, and industry specialists

Ability to manage high-stakes, high-complexity cases with precision

Commitment to clear communication and responsive client service

FAQ: Litigation & Trial Law

What is the difference between a trial lawyer and a litigation attorney?
A litigation attorney handles all phases of a dispute, including investigation, pleadings, discovery, and pre-trial motions. A trial lawyer focuses on representing the client in court. At MacElree Harvey, many of our attorneys serve in both roles.

Do I need a litigation attorney for a business dispute?
Yes. Commercial disputes often involve complicated contracts, industry-specific regulations, and significant financial stakes. A litigation attorney ensures your interests are protected from the outset.

Will my case go to trial?
Not necessarily. Many disputes are resolved through settlement, mediation, or arbitration. We explore all available options for achieving your goals before going to trial.

How long will my lawsuit take?
It depends on the complexity of the case, court scheduling, and whether the matter is resolved before trial. Some cases conclude in months; others may take a year or more.

What are the benefits of mediation?
Mediation can save time and money, preserve relationships, and give the parties more control over the resolution compared to litigation.

PRACTICE AREAS