Leo M. Gibbons

Partner – Commercial Litigation and Real Estate Litigation

Leo M. Gibbons is a partner in MacElree Harvey’s Banking and Finance practice. Licensed in Pennsylvania, Leo advises financial institutions, businesses, individuals and owners of commercial real estate on creditors’ rights, loan enforcement, loan workouts, complex business disputes, bank litigation and secured transaction litigation, collection actions, foreclosure proceedings and landlord/tenant disputes.

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Prior to joining MacElree Harvey in 1999, Leo served as a judicial clerk for two judges: the first a judicial clerkship with the Honorable Charles R. Alexander of the Court of Common Pleas of Clarion County, Pennsylvania and the second as chief judicial clerk for the Honorable James R. Cavanaugh of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. These responsibilities provided Leo with experience and insight into the judicial decision-making process, which has helped him to better serve his clients.

Notable Representations

Represented landlord in a case where the tenant defaulted on a commercial lease. Recovered possession of the leased property for the landlord and a substantial portion of the unpaid back rent.
Defended client sued as a guarantor of a business loan by filing a petition to strike and/or open the judgment. Matter resolved after commencement of litigation at a substantial discount of the amount owed on the guaranty.
Debt workout/restructuring for a client in the construction industry who defaulted on obligations to lenders and suppliers due to the slumping real estate market. Assisted the client in re-working certain loans and obligations and delaying others so that he could remain in business.
Defaulting borrower filed bankruptcy on the eve of the execution on borrower’s real estate by the client. Obtained retroactive relief from the automatic stay on client’s behalf to allow the execution to proceed.
Represented a client in an investigation and litigation proceeding involving embezzlement and fraud by company employees. Successfully pursued former employees and obtained substantial recovery of stolen funds.
Client was sued by a bankruptcy trustee for payments made to it on the eve of the debtor’s bankruptcy. Resolved the matter with no payment to the bankruptcy trustee based on value given by client and the monies received by client were in the ordinary course of business.

Memberships

Chester County Bar Association
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Business Networking International

Previous Memberships

Chester County Bar Association, Bankruptcy Insolvency Section Chair

Community Involvement

Westtown-Goshen Rotary Club, President 2010-2011

Community Involvement

West Chester Area Day Care Center, Past President
Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates, Board Member

Videos

Finding Balance

Running With The Ball

The Importance Of Family

PRACTICE AREAS

Banking & Finance Law

Banking & Finance Litigation

Commercial Litigation

Litigation Law

OFFICES

West Chester, PA

ADMISSIONS

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

EDUCATION

University of Pittsburgh School of Law
University of Pittsburgh
Political Science

ARTICLES

Negotiating Leases For Commercial Real Estate In A Time Of High Inflation

New Defenses To Bankruptcy Preference Claims

Specific Provisions of the New Bankruptcy Law Give Small Businesses Invaluable Tools to Successfully Reorganize

New Bankruptcy Law is a Game Changer for Small Businesses Facing Financial Hardship

IN THE NEWS

Legal Triumph: Gibbons Secures Rare Court-Ordered Property Transfer

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

AWARDS

Joseph A. Bellinghieri

Partner – Trusts and Estates, Tax, and Corporate Law

Joe represents individuals and businesses with a variety of estate, tax, real estate, and business issues. With over twenty years of experience, Joe is a seasoned attorney.

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Joe’s philosophy is to provide prompt and personal individual attention to each and every client. He strives to understand each client’s needs and to provide positive outcomes based on those needs. Joe is also a Certified Public Accountant and Licensed Pennsylvania Realtor which gives Joe the ability to provide his clients with different perspectives on their issues.

Notable Representations

Advises numerous families in regard to wealth transfer strategies, including the creation of Charitable Remainder Trusts, Private Foundations, Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts, Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts, Limited Partnerships, and Qualified Personal Residence Trusts.
Represents numerous entities with various real estate projects including the feasibility of projects, as well as financing and governance issues.
Acts as General Counsel to major center city law firm.
Serves as Executor and Trustee for numerous families.
Negotiates and resolves disputes between family members of complex Estates with significant assets.
Created and structured a Limited Partnership for the purchase of valuable real estate providing significant Estate Tax savings.
Successfully assisted business owner with the sale of multi-million dollar business.
Evaluates start-up entities for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
Successfully represented physician practice in an IRS audit.
Successfully represented a restaurant owner in a Pennsylvania sales and income tax audit.
Assists families in obtaining Guardianship over declining family members.
Advocated on behalf of Executor and Estate against the disinherited beneficiary.
Assisted non-profit entity in its initial set-up and with its corporate governance issues.