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MacElree Harvey, Ltd.

MacElree Harvey, Ltd.

Initiative in Practice

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        • Joseph A. Bellinghieri
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    • Centreville, DE
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    • West Chester, PA
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West Chester, PA

J. Charles Gerbron, Jr.

February 5, 2015 by Hoppel Design

J. Charles Gerbron, Jr.

Partner – Land Use and Litigation

J. Charles Gerbron, Jr. is a dynamic attorney who represents businesses, developers, non-profits, and individuals on a variety of litigation, corporate, and land use-related matters.

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J. Charles Gerbron, Jr. is a dynamic attorney who represents businesses, developers, non-profits, and individuals on a variety of litigation, corporate, and land use-related matters. As a trial attorney, Charlie is an experienced practitioner and skilled courtroom advocate who has successfully represented clients in the courts of common pleas of Chester, Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks, and Berks County, as well as in Federal Court. His trial litigation practice regularly involves corporate litigation, complex commercial litigation, land use litigation, real estate litigation, and construction litigation, among other practice areas.

As a zoning and land use attorney, Charlie regularly represents clients before municipal boards of supervisors/commissioners, planning commissions, and zoning hearing boards. He is frequently retained by developers, businesses, non-profits, and individuals to assist them in obtaining approvals, relief under applicable zoning and land development ordinances, and challenging the validity of zoning ordinances on procedural and substantive grounds.

Charlie’s appellate practice is focused primarily on land use, zoning, corporate, complex commercial, real estate, and construction-related litigation in Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court, Superior Court, and Supreme Court. His experience, expertise, and enthusiasm for the practice area make him a formidable appellate advocate.

Charlie joined MacElree Harvey in 2012 and was elected partner in 2018. Before joining MacElree Harvey, Charlie served as an appellate prosecutor in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, where he gained extensive experience litigating before the Pennsylvania Superior and Supreme courts. Charlie has also litigated civil rights and labor and employment matters in the federal courts.

Notable Representations

Zoning & Land Use Litigation

  • Successfully represented a developer in challenging the procedural validity of an amendment to a zoning ordinance.
  • Successfully represented a developer in obtaining the necessary zoning and land development approvals for a 55+ community.
  • Successfully represented an independent school in obtaining zoning and land development approvals for a new STEM/STEAM center and outdoor instruction area.
  • Successfully represented a large agricultural supply company in obtaining extensive zoning relief to construct a cutting-edge composting operation.
  • Successfully represented a biotech firm that produces and distributes environmentally friendly products in obtaining a variance under local zoning ordinances to construct a critical addition to the facility.

Charlie also regularly leads representations involving variances, special exceptions, conditional uses, zoning officer determinations and notices of violation, development rights, conservation easements and other zoning and land use related matters.

Construction Litigation

  • Successfully represented a large electrical subcontractor in a multi-claim, multi-action dispute with the owner and general contractor of a multi-million dollar casino project.
  • Successfully represented a developer-owner in a multi-million dollar mechanics’ lien and breach of contract dispute.
  • Successfully litigated construction defect disputes on behalf of general contractors, subcontractors, and owners.
  • Successfully represented a builder-developer against allegations of defective stormwater management facilities.
  • Successfully represented an owner in a dispute over charges pursuant to a commercial construction agreement.

Charlie also regularly leads representations concerning construction defects, payment disputes, mechnics liens, and subcontractor-contractor disputes.

Corporate Litigation

  • Successfully represented a managing member in a dispute among members of a limited liability company.
  • Successfully represented a corporation following a books and records demand.
  • Successfully litigated a partnership dispute.
  • Successfully represented a minority shareholder in a “freeze-out” dispute.
  • Successfully represented a construction material supplier in a shareholder dispute.

Real Estate Litigation

  • Successfully represented a builder-developer in a dispute with a bank concerning a multi-million suburban development.
  • Successfully represented a landowner in obtaining an injunction to ensure continued access to property after threats by an adjacent landowner to block access.
  • Successfully represented a general contractor in an easement and boundary dispute with an adjacent landowner.
  • Successfully represented a homeowners’ association in a dispute with an association member involving violations of restrictive covenants and claims under the Fair Housing Act.
  • Successfully represented a homeowner in a dispute with a homeowners’ association motivated by bias as demonstrated by selective enforcements of restrictive covenants.

Charlie also regularly leads representations involving easements, boundary disputes, adverse possession and prescriptive easement claims, agreement of sale termination and deposit disputes, claims of misrepresentation or non-disclosure in the sale of real property, homeowners’ association disputes, and stormwater litigation.

Complex Commercial Litigation

  • Successfully represented a financier involved a loan-procurement dispute that included allegations of fraud, misrepresentation, and deceptive acts.
  • Successfully represented a food service provider in a complex breach of contract dispute.
  • Successfully represented a produce cooperative in a contract and payment dispute with members.
  • Successfully represented a produce grower involved in a complex contractual dispute with a partner-grower and produce purchaser.
  • Successfully represented a produce grower involved in a payment dispute with a produce purchaser implicating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

Memberships

  • Chester County Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association

Community Involvement

  • Trustee, Upland Country Day School
  • Lawrenceville School Invitational Ice Hockey Tournament Committee

PRACTICE AREAS

Litigation Law

Real Estate

Real Estate & Land Use Law

OFFICES

Kennett Square, PA

West Chester, PA

ADMISSIONS

  • Pennsylvania
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

EDUCATION

  • Villanova University School of Law (J.D.)
  • Georgetown University (B.A., Government)

ARTICLES

Appellate Alert: Pennsylvania Superior Court Rejects Claim of Interference with Expected Inheritance

IN THE NEWS

MacElree Harvey Team Shines in “Bet-the-Company” Corporate Litigation

12 MacElree Harvey Attorneys Named as Best Lawyers® 2023

MacElree Harvey, Ltd. Names New Shareholders and Partners

AWARDS

Martindale-Hubbell Ratings 2019

Patrick J. Gallo, Jr.

February 5, 2015 by Hoppel Design

Patrick J. Gallo, Jr.

Partner – Civil and Commercial Litigation

“Patrick’s meticulous preparation and proactive approach to case study make him someone you would covet for representation; furthermore, he made himself readily available for questions and seemed to have a genuine interest in my concerns regarding the case.” – Client Review from Avvo

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P.J. is a seasoned civil and commercial litigation attorney with extensive experience representing businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals in complex disputes and high-stakes litigation. P.J. provides strategic, results-driven advocacy both in and out of the courtroom. Businesses and individuals rely on P.J. for practical legal strategies that protect their operations, reputation, and financial interests.

Over the course of his career, P.J. has successfully handled a wide array of matters, including:

  • Breach of contract disputes
  • Construction litigation
  • Partnership and shareholder disputes
  • Business torts and fraud claims
  • Commercial and residential real estate disputes
  • Insurance coverage and bad faith actions
  • Employment litigation (e.g. wage and non-compete claims)
  • Estate and fiduciary litigation (e.g. will contests, trust disputes and guardianships)

P.J. is known for his meticulous case preparation, strong negotiation skills, and persuasive courtroom advocacy. P.J.’s goal for his clients is simple: resolve disputes efficiently while positioning clients for long-term success. Whether advocating in trial, arbitration, or mediation, P.J. delivers responsive service and determined representation.

Since 2015, P.J. has been consistently selected to the Pennsylvania Rising Stars list published by Super Lawyers Magazine. Only 2.5% of all lawyers in Pennsylvania receive this honor. P.J. has also been featured on Main Line Today’s Top Lawyers list published by Main Line Today Magazine since 2016. He also won 2022 VISTA Millennial Superstar for his achievements and contributions. In 2025, P.J. was featured on Executive Leaders Radio show, “Building through Empathy, Passion, and Hard Work”.

P.J. is a graduate of Widener University School of Law and West Chester University, where he played football for the Golden Rams. He is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and has been admitted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Outside the practice of law, P.J. enjoys spending time with his wife, Meredith, and their three sons, Patrick, Gabe, and Graham.

Notable Recent Representations

  • Lead trial counsel representing a group of mushroom growers who were alleged to have engaged in an antitrust civil conspiracy to fix mushroom prices provided to Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. After a three-week trial in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in which Winn-Dixie was seeking millions, the jury returned a defense verdict that was successfully defended on appeal to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • Obtained millions on behalf of client in a complex commercial contract dispute in a hotly contested case.
  • Represented business owners in high stakes shareholder disputes resulting in successfully negotiated buyouts.
  • Successfully represented a multi-million dollar privately held corporation in a breach of warranty claim filed against an international manufacturer involving a significant capital investment the corporation made in commercial products that were defective resulting in a substantial settlement recovery.
  • Successfully represented a commercial developer in a multi-million dollar dispute over defects in the design and construction of a new commercial office building resulting in a significant confidential settlement for the developer.
  • Successfully represented a leading national builder of high performance modular commercial structures in a breach of contract action asserted against a general contractor.
  • Served as lead counsel for a multi-million dollar company in an action asserted against a major international reinsurance company for the recovery of insurance as a third party beneficiary, which resulted in a favorable confidential settlement.
  • Successfully represented numerous homebuyers and sellers in disputes over misrepresentations and violations of the Real Estate Settlement Disclosure Law.
  • Successfully represented beneficiary in removal proceedings concerning the executor.

Memberships

  • Chester County Bar Association
  • Delaware County Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • American Bar Association, Litigation Section
  • Tri-County County Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce
  • Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry

Community Involvement

  • Coventry Youth Football and Cheer Association, President (2021-present) and Coach
  • Volunteer Wrestling and Baseball Coach
  • Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County, Board of Directors (2018-2025)
  • Chester County Community Foundation, Imprints Steering Committee
  • Chester County Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer
  • Wills for Heroes
  • Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s Birth Certificate Clinic, Volunteer
  • Chester County High School Mock Trial Competition, Volunteer
  • West Chester University Law Alumni Association
  • West Chester Area YMCA, Board of Directors (2018)

Leadership

  • Chester County Bar Association, Board of Directors (2022-2025 and 2016-2018)
  • Chester County Bar Association, Young Lawyers’ Division Chair (2017)
  • Chester County Bar Association, Diversity Committee
  • Chester County Bar Association, Judicial Evaluation Committee (2026-present)
  • Chester County Bar Association, Pro Bono Committee
  • Chester County Bar Association, Advocacy Academy Graduate (2015)
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, YLD Executive Council (Former Zone 9 Co-Chair)
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, Bar Leadership Institute Graduate (2016)
  • Leadership Chester County Graduate (2016)

Publication

  • Reforming the Business of Charter Schools in Pennsylvania, 2014 BYU Educ. & L.J. 207 (2014) (cited in Pennsylvania Supreme Justice David N. Wecht’s concurring opinion in Pocono Mountain School District v. Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2016 WL 7449250 (Pa. 2016))
  • Subsequent Purchaser-User of a Newly Constructed Home Beware (Feb. 2015)
  • Does Insurance Cover Contractors for Claims of Defective Work? (2016)

Videos

PRACTICE AREAS

Banking & Finance Litigation

Commercial Litigation

Employment Law

Insurance Coverage Disputes

Intellectual Property Litigation

Litigation Law

Product Liability

Trust & Estate Litigation

OFFICES

West Chester, PA

ADMISSIONS

  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

EDUCATION

  • J.D., Widener University School of Law
  • B.A., West Chester University, magna cum laude

ARTICLES

West Chester, PA

IN THE NEWS

Application of Privilege in the Era of Generative AI

15 MacElree Harvey Attorneys Named to Prestigious 2020 Super Lawyers/Rising Stars List

AWARDS

Patrick Gallo Avvo Rating

William J. Gallagher

February 5, 2015 by Hoppel Design

William J. Gallagher

Of Counsel – Litigation and Estates

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William J. Gallagher has been practicing law and serving the community for over 60 years. His practice focuses on general litigation and estates.

Mr. Gallagher currently serves on the Board of Directors of Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania and is a past president of the organization. He is also a member of the Chester County Bar Association’s Pro Bono Committee and Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Legal Services to the Public Committee. Additionally, Mr. Gallagher served as Board Chair for the Chester County Community Foundation from 2014 to 2016.

A longtime resident of Kennett Square, Mr. Gallagher has also served as zoning hearing board solicitor for the Kennett Township for over forty years.

A graduate of La Salle University, Mr. Gallagher received his law degree from Villanova University.

Memberships

  • Chester County Bar Association, Pro Bono Committee, and Past President
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, Legal Services to the Public Committee, Senior Lawyers Committee and Investigation Panel of Judicial Evaluation Commission
  • American Bar Association

Previous Memberships

  • Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Disciplinary Board Hearing Officer

Community Involvement

  • Chester County Community Foundation, Board Chair, 2014-2016
  • Recipient of the Chester County Community Foundation’s 2010 Door Opener Award

Videos

Quality Of MacElree Harvey’s Staff
My Favorite Charities
Why I Practice Law

PRACTICE AREAS

Commercial Litigation

Estates & Trusts Law

Litigation Law

Personal Injury Law

Professional Malpractice

Trust & Estate Litigation

OFFICES

Kennett Square, PA

West Chester, PA

ADMISSIONS

  • Pennsylvania
  • Supreme Court of the United States

EDUCATION

  • Villanova University School of Law
  • La Salle University, Government

IN THE NEWS

15 MacElree Harvey Attorneys Named to Prestigious 2020 Super Lawyers/Rising Stars List

AWARDS

Super Lawyers 2019
William J. Gallagher
MLT-Top-Lawyer-logo 2017
Top Lawyer
William_J_Gallagher-DK-300
SuburbanLife_AwesomeAttorneys-logo-MH

Harry J. DiDonato

February 5, 2015 by Hoppel Design

Harry J. DiDonato

Partner – Business, Real Estate, and Tax Law

With elite business knowledge and foresight, Harry embraces the opportunity to be a problem solver and enjoys finding common sense solutions to complex legal and business problems.

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Harry is an experienced transactional attorney and business advisor who works to guide clients through a myriad of legal and business issues. He focuses on solving the business needs of startups as well as more mature companies. As a business owner, Harry understands firsthand the obstacles and opportunities that many small businesses face. His innovative perspective, experience, and aptitude make him a strong business partner and advocate.

Areas of Concentration
Harry has over 25 years of legal experience counseling individuals, small businesses and middle market companies regarding all aspects of general business and corporate matters, real estate transactions, business sales and succession, and tax planning. His representation often starts with advising on the formation and structure of the entity, continues with representing his clients in issues facing small to mid-market companies including contracts, employment matters, financing, and tax matters and ultimately assisting his clients in preparation for and consummation of a liquidity event, whether an equity sale, asset sale, merger or otherwise.

Harry has successfully led interdisciplinary teams of attorneys at MacElree to structure, document and negotiate numerous mergers and acquisitions. He tends to focus on the “big picture” for his clients while also minding the details. His clients include buyers, sellers, investors, strategic partners, and financial advisors.

In addition to serving as general outside counsel for many companies across various industries, Harry devotes a significant portion of his practice to real estate matters from an acquisition, coordination of entitlement process, documentation, construction, sale, lease-up, management, and financing. He has handled a variety of real estate transactions for owners, developers, contractors, sellers and purchasers alike. Harry, together with MacElree’s real estate group is a team of professionals that is results orientated and experience in any type of commercial real estate project.

With an LL.M in taxation, Harry works closely with his clients to advise on estate and planning opportunities, including business succession planning and transfers of family-owned businesses to the next generation.

Harry has an AV Preeminent Rating in Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Ratings, the highest legal ability, and ethical standards rating. Harry has been consistently selected to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list published by Philadelphia Magazine and Law and Politics Magazine. Only five percent of lawyers in Pennsylvania are recognized on this annual list, which is based upon a multi-phase rating process of peer nominations and evaluations, combined with third-party research.

Out of the Office
When not in the office Harry can be found spending time “at the shore” with his wife and three children, on the golf course at Chester Valley Golf Club, or running on a local trail. Harry is a passionate, and only sometimes obnoxious, fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Notable Representations

  • Counsel to a high-end service company in a $15 million sale to a private equity firm.
  • Lead attorney in a $23 million acquisition of a manufacturing division of a publically traded company.
  • Counsel to real estate company in the purchase and finance of a $12.5 million dollar real estate portfolio.
  • Assisted mushroom industry leader in securing financing for state of the art mushroom facility.
  • Buyers Counsel in a $35M acquisition of a division of a publically traded company.
  • Buyer’s counsel in the acquisition, rezoning, and development of 78-acre brownfields site.
  • Seller’s counsel in $11M sale of a closely held business.
  • Counsel to a multi-national industrial company with the acquisition of a division of a publicly held company.
  • Represented a regional developer in the acquisition, financing, rezoning, and development of 78-acre brownfield site.
  • Counsel to a professional firm in recapitalization, restructuring, and preparation of complex Partnership Agreement.
  • Negotiated a $56M acquisition for a seller in which seller became a minority owner in the acquirer.
  • Advised a family business with business and real estate succession, reorganization, financing and estate and tax planning.
  • Acting as outside general counsel to a 400 employee distribution and service company.
  • Represented a mid-market business in the acquisition of a strategic competitor.
  • Worked with a manufacturer/distributor in a national roll-up of like companies to create a nationwide manufacturing and distribution chain of companies.
  • Counsel to many start-up companies assisting with the formation, planning, financing, and partnership/shareholder agreements.
  • Lead US counsel to a privately held acquirer in a multi-national $105 million acquisition.

Memberships

  • Chester County Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry
  • Main Line Chamber of Commerce
  • Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce

Community Involvement

  • Devon Preparatory School, Board of Trustees
  • Chester Valley Golf Club, Past President (2012-2014)
  • Youth basketball coach

Speaking Engagements

  • Lectures frequently on business, real estate and tax topics to a variety of local audiences.

PRACTICE AREAS

Business and Corporate Law

Mergers & Acquisitions

Nonprofits and Charitable Organizations

Real Estate

Tax Law

OFFICES

West Chester, PA

ADMISSIONS

  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey
  • United States District Court for Eastern District of Pennsylvania

EDUCATION

  • Villanova University School of Law, J.D. and LL.M.
  • University of Notre Dame, Pre-Professional Studies

ARTICLES

Enterprise Liability – Coming Soon to a Pennsylvania Company Near You?

IN THE NEWS

Attorney Interview: Harry DiDonato

Partner Harry DiDonato Named to Super Lawyer Top 100 in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Lists 2024

MacElree Harvey Represents Multi-National Corporation in Closing of $438 Million Credit Facility

12 MacElree Harvey Attorneys Named as Best Lawyers® 2023

MacElree Harvey Partners Harry DiDonato and Lindsay Dunn Quoted in The Legal Intelligencer

15 MacElree Harvey Attorneys Named to Prestigious 2020 Super Lawyers/Rising Stars List

AWARDS

Robert A. Burke

February 4, 2015 by Hoppel Design

Robert A. Burke

Partner – Litigation

Mr. Burke focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation and estate and trust litigation. This includes trial and appellate work in federal, state and international courts. He regularly presents matters before alternative dispute resolution panels and frequently lectures on trial tactics, practice, and procedure. He has appeared before the United States Court of Appeals in both the Third and Sixth Circuits.

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Mr. Burke focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation and estate and trust litigation. This includes trial and appellate work in federal, state and international courts. He regularly presents matters before alternative dispute resolution panels and frequently lectures on trial tactics, practice, and procedure. He has appeared before the United States Court of Appeals in both the Third and Sixth Circuits, and in 2024 was sworn in to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. 

Mr. Burke advises clients in the areas of:

  • Commercial and corporate litigation
  • Trust, Estate and Orphans’ Court litigation
  • Resolution of partnership and shareholder disputes
  • Intellectual property disputes

Prior to joining MacElree Harvey, Bob was a partner at Blank Rome, a large law firm in Philadelphia, where he worked for fourteen years. Before that, he was associated with a large firm in Northern New Jersey for five years. Following law school, Bob clerked for a Federal District Court Judge in the District of New Jersey.

Notable Representations

  • Successful resolution of Orphans’ Court dispute over control of charitable organization.
  • Obtained verdict successfully overturning last will and testament arising out of undue influence.
  • Obtained injunctive relief to protect client from theft of valuable trade secrets.
  • Obtained $13.5 million verdict for estate of child killed in fire caused by defective product.
  • Representation of foreign government regarding protection of assets in United States and over 30 foreign jurisdictions.
  • Successful resolution of international dispute relating to distribution of life insurance proceeds in excess of $10 million.
  • Represented major technology firm in the resolution of contentious shareholder litigation.
  • Obtained a verdict in a bench trial for clients in a veil-piercing case. Plaintiff unsuccessfully sought to impose a $7 million judgment on personal assets of business owners.

Memberships

  • Chester County Bar Foundation, Board of Directors, 2019-Present
  • Chester County Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2015-2018
  • Stively American Inn of Court, President, 2014-Present
  • Chester County Bar Association, Litigation Section
  • Philadelphia Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • New Jersey State Bar Association

Speaking Engagements

  • November 2018: What to Do and Not to Do as you Enter a Business Dispute
  • April 2018: Technology in the Courtroom
  • November 2017: Use of Jury Consultants in Trials Involving Complex Commercial Disputes
  • Nov. 2015: How to Give Compelling Opening Statements
  • Oct. 2014: Estate Litigation Practice and Procedures
  • Jan. 2014: Effective Litigation Techniques
  • Oct. 2013: Non-Competition Agreements
  • Oct. 2013: Litigating Commercial Contracts
  • May 2012: Electronic Discovery in Litigation
  • Oct. 2011: Protecting Your Business From Litigation
  • June 2011: Wage and Hour Issues for Businesses
  • May 2010: Medicare Secondary Reporting and DPW Liens
  • April 2010: Preparing Written Discovery Responses and Objections
  • July 2009: Deposition Strategy: Practice and Procedure
  • Jan. 2009: Benefits and Pitfalls of Arbitration
  • Jan. 2008: Conducting Discovery in Foreign Countries
  • Dec. 2007: Good Deals Gone Bad – A Litigator’s Hindsight is Always 20/20
  • Dec. 2006: Litigators’ Perspective on Corporate Transaction Documents

Community Involvement

  • Bow Tree Civic Association, Board Member
  • West Chester Running Club
  • Race Director for a community 10K and 5K road race

Videos

PRACTICE AREAS

Commercial Litigation

Employment Law

Estates & Trusts Law

Guardianships

Litigation Law

Trademark & Trade Secret Litigation

Trust & Estate Litigation

OFFICES

West Chester, PA

ADMISSIONS

  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Third and Sixth Circuits
  • United States Supreme Court

EDUCATION

  • Seton Hall University School of Law, 1990 (J.D.)
  • Villanova University, 1987 (B.A.)

ARTICLES

Phil Mickelson And Friends File Lawsuit Against PGA For Antitrust Violations And Related Claims

Business Litigation in a COVID-19 World

IN THE NEWS

MacElree Harvey Team Shines in “Bet-the-Company” Corporate Litigation

12 MacElree Harvey Attorneys Named as Best Lawyers® 2023

Attorney Robert Burke Leads: “There and Back Again: Civil Litigation Case Study from the Beginning to the Supreme Court of PA”

MacElree Harvey, Ltd. Names New Shareholders and Partners

Attorney Bob Burke Argued Before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court

15 MacElree Harvey Attorneys Named to Prestigious 2020 Super Lawyers/Rising Stars List

AWARDS

Logo badge for 'Top Lawyer 2026' by Main Line Today, with a gold rounded border and a red bottom stripe reading 'Main Line Today'.
Logo for 2026 Top Lawyers of Chester County featuring a gavel icon in a circle with stars and blue typography.

Watch Robert Burke’s videos on YouTube including his six part series on Estate Litigation.

Patrick J. Boyer

February 4, 2015 by Hoppel Design

Patrick J. Boyer

Partner – Family Law

Patrick J. Boyer concentrates his practice on family law. He advocates in various areas including, but not limited to, divorce, property division, alimony, child custody and visitation, child support, and domestic violence. In addition, Patrick assists his clients with issues involving guardianship and third-party visitation. He is licensed in Delaware and Pennsylvania and works out of the firm’s Centreville, Delaware office.

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Patrick is a partner in MacElree Harvey’s Family Law Group.   He has extensive experience litigating and resolving all types of family law matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, guardianship, and protection from abuse proceedings. Patrick has been recognized as a “Rising Star” in the area of Family Law by Super Lawyers, and has been recognized by his peers as Top Lawyer for Delaware Family Law in Delaware Today since 2019.

Before joining MacElree Harvey, Patrick was a law clerk to two Judges in the Delaware Family Court. Since joining the firm in 2014, Patrick has practiced exclusively in the area of family law. Patrick was selected by the Delaware Family Court to represent child support obligors facing the prospect of incarceration and parents facing the prospect of termination of parental rights.  He also served as Chair of the Family Law Section of the Delaware State Bar Association and has presented at several continuing legal education seminars for other attorneys.

Patrick is licensed in Delaware and Pennsylvania, and can handle matters in both states. His approach is strategic and practical. He works with his clients to understand their goals and educate the client on the Family Court process, their legal rights and obligations, and the range of possible outcomes for their case. Patrick uses his vast knowledge of family law, procedure, and the Court system to develop and execute a plan to achieve the client’s goals either through a favorable settlement or litigation. Patrick is an accomplished trial lawyer, and possesses superior oral and written advocacy skills. Patrick also has extensive appellate experience in the Delaware Supreme Court, where his advocacy has led to the reversal of several Family Court decisions.

Patrick grew up in Delaware and is a graduate of Salesianum High School, La Salle University, and the Penn State Dickinson School of Law.  He is an avid golfer. Patrick enjoys watching the Phillies, trivia, running, and spending time with his wife, son, and daughter.

Speaking Engagements

  • 2019 Bench and Bar
  • 2016: Identifying and Handling Conflict Issues in Family Law Matters CLE
  • 2016: Fundamentals of Family Law: Protection from Abuse CLE
  • 2015: Family Law Update CLE

Memberships

  • Delaware State Bar Association, Family Law Section, Chair 2015-2016
  • Delaware State Bar Association, Family Law Section, Vice Chair 2014-2015
  • Chester County Bar Association
  • Melson-Arsht American Inn of Court
  • St. Thomas More Society

Videos

PRACTICE AREAS

Adoption

Alimony

APL/Spousal Support

Arbitration

Business Valuations

Child Custody

Child Support

Collaborative Law

Divorce

Equitable Distribution

Family Law

Family Law Mediation

Jurisdictional Disputes

Legal Custody

Litigation Law

Marital Settlement Agreements

Postnuptial Agreements

Prenuptial Agreements

Protection From Abuse

OFFICES

Centreville, DE

Kennett Square, PA

ADMISSIONS

  • Delaware, May 2013
  • Pennsylvania, November 2013

EDUCATION

  • Salesianum High School, Wilmington, DE Class of 2005
  • La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA Class of 2009, Political Science and History
  • Penn State Dickinson School of Law, Carlisle, PA, Class of 2012

ARTICLES

3 Dos and 3 Don’ts of Divorce

How to Protect Your Assets During Divorce

Dealing with Domestic Violence in Family Law

Pre-Nuptial Agreements 101

Family Court from Start to Finish

What are Grandparents’ Rights?

Is Private School Allocated in Child Support?

Is Delaware a No-Fault State?

What are the Delaware Standard Contact Guidlines?

What is an Ex Parte Order?

What is a Scheduling Order?

Does My Child Have a Say in Custody?

Domestic Violence and Protection From Abuse Laws in Delaware

Divorce in an Economic Downturn

Will I be Held in Contempt if I Disobey the Custody Order During a Crisis?

Divisible Divorce Doctrine

Appeals

Subject Matter Jurisdiction: What is it and Why is it Relevant in a Divorce Case?

IN THE NEWS

How are Retirement Assets Divided in Divorce?

3 Dos and 3 Don’ts of Divorce

How to Protect Your Assets During Divorce

Can You Get Divorced If Your Spouse Refuses to Sign?

When Can You Modify a Custody Order?

Dealing with Domestic Violence in Family Law

Pre-Nuptial Agreements 101

Family Court from Start to Finish

What are Grandparents’ Rights?

MacElree Harvey Announces the Promotion of Patrick J. Boyer to Shareholder and Matthew M. McKeon to Partner

Tips for Coparenting After Divorce 

Meet Patrick J. Boyer: Family Law Attorney

Can I Rebut the Child Support Formula?

AWARDS

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