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MacElree Harvey, Ltd.

MacElree Harvey, Ltd.

Initiative in Practice

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  • Our Team
        • Joseph A. Bellinghieri
        • Patrick J. Boyer
        • Jeffrey P. Burke
        • Robert A. Burke
        • Matthew C. Cooper
        • John C. Cronin
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        • Marie I. Crossley
        • Harry J. DiDonato
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        • Caroline G. Donato
        • Lindsay A. Dunn
        • Sally A. Farrell
        • Brian J. Forgue
        • William J. Gallagher
        • Patrick J. Gallo, Jr.
        • Mary Kay Gaver
        • J. Charles Gerbron, Jr.
        • Leo M. Gibbons
        • Joseph P. Green, Jr.
        • Carolina Heinle
        • Court Heinle
        • Frank W. Hosking III
        • Katherine A. Isard
        • J. Kurtis Kline
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        • Brian L. Nagle
        • Lance J. Nelson
        • Timothy F. Rayne
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        • Natalie R. Young
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    • Centreville, DE
    • Hockessin, DE
    • Kennett Square, PA
    • West Chester, PA
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Employment Law

Katherine A. Isard

February 18, 2025 by Hoppel Design

Katherine A. Isard

Partner – Litigation

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Katherine A. Isard has extensive experience in complex commercial litigation, employment disputes, commercial real estate matters, and construction litigation. In her 12 year solo practice, she successfully represented clients in arbitration, state and federal courts, and transactional matters. Katherine’s expertise extends beyond litigation to corporate advisory services, where she assists clients in drafting and negotiating software as a service agreements, master service agreements, and non-disclosure agreements, particularly for technology and private equity clients.

Prior to establishing her own practice, Katherine was a litigation associate at Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg LLP, where she worked on high-stakes commercial disputes, breach of contract actions, employment litigation, and shareholder derivative suits. She also gained valuable experience in white-collar defense and internal investigations at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, focusing on Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) compliance and large-scale document reviews.

Katherine is known for her strategic legal approach, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to manage every aspect of her cases—from client communication to litigation strategy, negotiations, discovery, and trial advocacy.

Clients appreciate Katherine’s deep legal knowledge, practical solutions, and dedication to achieving favorable outcomes. With almost two decades of experience, she remains a trusted legal advisor committed to delivering high-quality representation tailored to her clients’ needs.

Notable Representations

  • Served as second chair in multi-million-dollar litigation in Texas state court, securing a favorable settlement after partial summary judgment.
  • Served as second chair in a Pennsylvania state court case, achieving a successful verdict after a three-day bench trial.
  • Represented home builder in construction defect claims.
  • Managed internal investigations related to potential Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violations.
  • Negotiated and drafted key agreements, including Non-Disclosure, Software as a Service (SaaS) contracts and Master Service agreements.

PRACTICE AREAS

Business and Corporate Law

Commercial Litigation

Employment Law

Litigation Law

Real Estate

OFFICES

West Chester, PA

ADMISSIONS

  • Pennsylvania

EDUCATION

  • University of Pennsylvania Law School (J.D., 2005)
    • Associate Editor, Journal of Constitutional Law
  • ACLU of Pennsylvania, Pro Bono Research
  • Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, Pro Bono Law Clerk

ARTICLES

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IN THE NEWS

Jeffrey P. Burke

October 22, 2019 by Hoppel Design

Jeffrey P. Burke

Partner – Employment Law

Jeff Burke is a Partner at MacElree Harvey, Ltd., working in both the firm’s Business and Litigation practice groups, with an emphasis on employment law. Jeff counsels businesses and individuals on equal employment opportunity (EEO) policies, disability accommodation, employment & severance agreements, restrictive covenants, executive compensation, independent contracting, workforce audits, and other employment-related matters.

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Jeff Burke is a Partner at MacElree Harvey, Ltd., working in both the firm’s Business and Litigation practice groups, with an emphasis on employment law. Jeff counsels businesses and individuals on equal employment opportunity (EEO) policies, disability accommodation, employment & severance agreements, restrictive covenants, executive compensation, independent contracting, workforce audits, and other employment-related matters. In the employment law field, Jeff has provided employee and management training to businesses as well as continuing education seminars to other attorneys. Jeff also provides legal counsel in merger and acquisition transactions for employment-related due diligence and contract negotiations.

In his litigation practice, Jeff has successfully resolved numerous disputes in state and federal court and before administrative agencies, including Title VII discrimination claims based upon sex, race, national origin, and religion, Americans with Disability Act claims, compensation claims under state and federal wage and hour laws, and restrictive covenant / non-competition claims, to name a few. Jeff also applies his considerable litigation experience to select complex commercial disputes, working with his partners on contract, real estate, construction and shareholder cases.

In addition to being an experienced litigator and transactional attorney in the field of employment law, Jeff is also a Society for Human Resource Management Certified Professional®.  This certification indicates that Jeff has a deep understanding of HR principles that enables him to provide first-rate legal advice grounded in the latest industry knowledge.

Prior to joining MacElree Harvey, Jeff worked for 6 years at an insurance defense litigation firm, where he represented clients across multiple disciplines in state and federal court, including employment discrimination, personal injury, civil rights, product liability and construction litigation. Before that, Jeff was an associate with a small-size, general practice law firm focusing on criminal defense as well as civil and domestic litigation.

Jeff is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he was a recipient of the Class of 2008 Community Service Award. Before attending law school, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, with minors in Economics and Political Science.

Notable Representations

  • Obtained summary judgment in favor of employer in United States District Court against claims of alleged Title VII sex discrimination and alleged violations of Equal Pay Act
  • Negotiated executive employment agreements for selling principals in multi-million dollar merger and acquisition transaction
  • Obtained favorable, confidential settlements in cases of alleged sex discrimination for multiple Pennsylvania employers, ranging from complex, multi-entity enterprises down to a small family-owned store
  • Obtained favorable, confidential settlement through Mediation in favor of Pennsylvania business in a case seeking wages under Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection law and alleging discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act
  • Obtained favorable, confidential settlement through Mediation in favor of Pennsylvania employer in case of alleged national origin discrimination
  • Successfully obtained transfers of venue from Philadelphia County to favorable outlying Pennsylvania counties in multiple personal injury lawsuits brought against Fortune 500 Company
  • Defended and successfully resolved numerous personal injury and property damage claims brought against Pennsylvania businesses and individuals in the areas of premises liability, motor vehicle liability and construction
  • Obtained Summary Judgment before United States District Court in favor of multiple police officer defendants and City alleged to have committed Constitutional rights violations against detainee
  • Litigated numerous cases to judgment involving recovery of possession of real property and unpaid rent
  • Successfully defended and obtained dismissal of numerous Pennsylvania criminal charges, from First Degree Felonies to Summary offenses

Memberships

  • Chester County Bar Association, Civil Litigation Section
  • Chester County Bar Association, Employment Law Section
  • Chester County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
  • Stively Inn of Court
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association

Community Involvement

  • West Chester Downtown Foundation, Board Member

PRACTICE AREAS

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Arbitration

Business and Corporate Law

Commercial Litigation

Corporate Compliance and Internal Investigations

Employment Law

Jurisdictional Disputes

Litigation Law

Product Liability

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
  • United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

EDUCATION

  • University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Juris Doctor
  • The Pennsylvania State University, Finance (A recipient of the Class of 2008 Community Service Award)

ARTICLES

Employment Law Update March 2023

Employment Law Update February 2023

Use of Medical Marijuana by Employees in Safety-Sensitive Jobs: What’s an Employer to do?

Employment Law Update January 2023

Employment Law Update December 2022

Employment Law Update November 2022

Employment Law Update October 2022

Employment Law Update September 2022

Employment Law Update August 2022

Employment Law Update July 2022

Employment Law Update June 2022

Employment Law Update May 2022

Employment Law Update April 2022

Employment Law Update March 2022

Employment Law Update February 2022

Employment Law Update January 2022

Employment Law Update December 2021

Employment Law Update November 2021

Employment Law Update October 2021

Employment Law Update September 2021

Employment Law Update August 2021

Employment Law Update July 2021

If it’s “Mandatory” then it’s Compensable: Employer Compliance with the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act post-Heimbach

Employment Law Update June 2021

Employment Law Update May 2021

Employment Law Update April 2021

Employment Law Update March 2021

When (and how) can a business use a “coronavirus scanner” or other instant coronavirus tests for its employees?

Employment Law Update February, 2021

Employment Law Update January 2021

Employment Law Update December, 2020

Can Pennsylvania Employers Mandate that Employees take a COVID-19 Vaccine?

Seeing through the Haze: 3 Things to Remember About Employee Marijuana Use in Pennsylvania

Unemployment Compensation for Pennsylvania Business Owners: The Self-Employment Exception, The CARES Act and Beyond

Responding to Employee Accommodation Requests under the ADA: Navigating the Interactive Process

Discovery of Social Media in Pennsylvania: Be Careful What You Post Online

Department of Labor Announces New Standards Affecting Overtime Pay for Salaried Employees

IN THE NEWS

Employment Law Update April 2025

Employment Law Update February 2025

Employment Law Update January 2025 

Employment Law Update October 2024

Employment Law Update June 2024

Employment Law Update May 2024

Employment Law Update April 2024

Employment Law Update February 2024

Employment Law Update January and February 2024

Employment Law Update December 2023

4 Things to Know for Employment Severance Agreements

Employment Law Update November 2023

Employment Law Update October 2023

Use of Medical Marijuana by Employees in Safety-Sensitive Jobs: What’s an Employer to do?

Employment Law Update May 2023

Top Tips on How Employers Can Avoid Workplace Harassment Claims

Employment Law Update April 2023

MacElree Harvey, Ltd. Names New Shareholders and Partners

Attorney Jeff Burke Quoted on Front Office Sports

AWARDS

Brian J. Forgue

November 15, 2016 by Hoppel Design

Brian J. Forgue

Partner – Family Law

Brian is a Partner in the Firm’s family law practice group. He represents clients in a broad range of family law matters including divorce, pre and post marital agreements, custody, support, and adoption. Brian also advises clients on a variety of legal issues including real estate litigation, contract, and business disputes.

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Brian is a Partner in the Firm’s family law practice group. He represents clients in a broad range of family law matters including divorce, pre and post marital agreements, custody, support, and adoption. Brian also advises clients on a variety of legal issues including real estate litigation, contract, and business disputes.  For his work since joining MacElree Harvey, Brian has consistently been selected as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, Rising Star and a Main Line Today Top Lawyer.

Active in the community, Brian is a graduate of Leadership Chester County, a program that trains and prepares community leaders to serve on the Board of Directors for non-profit organizations.  Brian serves on the Board of Directors for a local non-profit organization, the Youth Mentoring Partnership, which helps serve under-privileged youth through sports and physical fitness programs.  Brian also serves on the Business Improvement District (“BID) Board for downtown West Chester and serves on the Committee to Restore Rail Service to West Chester.

In his free time, Brian enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and competing in triathlons.

Notable Representations

  • Successful negotiation of credit card debt settlements for less than the balance owed.
  • Successful defense of client sued by contractor despite contractor’s deficient remodeling of the home.
  • Successful representation of Homeowners Association in court for homeowners’ failure to pay fees owed.
  • Obtained favorable disposition for a commercial client with third-party and insurance company for payment of contract price and attorneys’ fees.
  • Obtained favorable settlement for a home-buying client where seller failed to disclose dangerous conditions prior to sale.
  • A successful outcome for a client in residential dispute for the return of personal property.

Memberships

  • Chester County Bar Association,  Young Lawyers Division
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, Emerging Leaders Committee, Member

Community Involvement

  • Kennett High School, Coach Mock Trial
  • Leadership Chester County, a program of United Way of Chester County, Class of 2017
  • Youth Mentoring Partnership, Board of Directors

Speaking Engagements

  • November 2018: What to Do and Not to Do as you Enter a Business Dispute

Videos

When to Contact Me
My Proudest Moment as an Attorney
My Most Interesting Case
Preparing for Litigation Case
Working at MacElree Harvey
Advice for Aspiring Attorney
Best Part of Being An Attorney
Outside of Work
Most Interesting Case

PRACTICE AREAS

Banking & Finance Litigation

Commercial Litigation

Employment Law

Family Law

Family Law Mediation

Litigation Law

OFFICES

West Chester, PA

ADMISSIONS

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

EDUCATION

  • The Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law, Juris Doctor
  • The Pennsylvania State University, Crime, Law, and Justice

ARTICLES

Cryptocurrency in Divorce: How to Deal with Digital Assets

Is My Spouse Entitled To A Piece of My Inheritance If We Divorce?

Child Custody In the Holiday Season

How Can I Keep the Cost of My Divorce Down?

Marital Debts And Bankruptcy: Understanding New Rules On Old Obligations

How Are Child and Spousal Support Obligations Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic?

IN THE NEWS

MacElree Harvey, Ltd. Names New Shareholders and Partners

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

AWARDS

Brian J. Forgue, Avvo Clients Choice Award 2019
Brian J. Forgue, 2019 Pennsylvania Rising Star
Brian J. Forgue
Top-Lawyer-2019-MLT

Andrew R. Silverman

February 6, 2015 by Hoppel Design

Andrew R. Silverman

Partner – Business and Corporate Law

“Andrew Silverman provided straightforward, professional legal advice, allowing me to resolve, efficiently and confidently, an otherwise unsettling contractual matter.” – Client Review from AVVO

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Andrew Silverman is an attorney in the firm’s Business Department. Andrew’s practice focuses on providing advice to both principals and stakeholders of Delaware and Pennsylvania business entities concerning mergers and acquisitions, business divorce and inter-company conflicts, complex corporate governance and financing matters, intellectual property, and commercial agreements.

Andrew is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and Widener University School of Law. In addition to practicing law, Andrew is on the board of the World Trade Center Delaware, whose mission is to assist Delaware entities and those who seek to do business in Delaware with international commerce. Prior to his work with MacElree Harvey, Andrew was an attorney at a national litigation boutique where he specialized in business, commercial, and tort litigation in Delaware.

Notable Representations

Mergers and Acquisitions

  • Represented client in food hygiene industry with respect to multi-million dollar strategic co-investment into industry partner; successfully negotiated board seats and joint venture agreement.
  • Counseled biotech seller in the sale of membership interest, including successful negotiation of earn-out and transfer pricing.
  • Represented technology firm and stockholders’ representative in the sale of stock to publicly-traded company in exchange for cash consideration and restricted stock in purchaser entity; in addition, negotiated favorable executive compensation and earn-out protections on behalf of stockholders.
  • Counseled limited partnership with respect to conversion to limited liability company; successfully resolved complex governance matters with limited partners.

Start-Ups and Growth

  • Counseled real estate joint venture with respect to the formation, organization, and successful series A offering.
  • Representation of international watch retailer concerning the successful disposition of e-commerce and manufacturing agreements.
  • Represented technology company staged for public offering regarding complex governance structure and restricted stock plan.

Business Divorce

  • Successful prosecution and resolution of declaratory action under 8 Del. C. § 225 in the Delaware Court of Chancery to avoid a takeover by minority stockholders.
  • Prosecuted stockholder oppression action against controlling stockholder of a Pennsylvania corporation to a negotiated settlement that resulted in client’s ownership of the company’s intellectual property in addition to cash consideration.
  • Successful representation of a client in Delaware Court of Chancery regarding business divorce and breach of limited liability company agreement.
  • Counseled member of 50/50 Delaware limited liability company concerning business divorce and buy-out matter, resulting in favorable buy-out terms and avoidance of litigation.
  • Successful representation of minority stockholder in Pennsylvania corporation with respect to the redemption of minority stockholder’s interest on favorable terms.

Memberships

  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Chester County Bar Association
  • Delaware State Bar Association
  • World Trade Center Delaware, Board of Directors
  • Main Line Chamber of Commerce
  • Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce
  • John E. Stively, Jr. American Inn of Court

PRACTICE AREAS

Business and Corporate Law

Corporate Compliance and Internal Investigations

Corporate Governance, Regulatory and Compliance (Self-Insured Corporate Defense)

Employment Law

Mergers & Acquisitions

Nonprofits and Charitable Organizations

Tax Law

OFFICES

Centreville, DE

West Chester, PA

ADMISSIONS

  • Delaware
  • Pennsylvania

EDUCATION

  • University of Pittsburgh, B.A. in Political Science.
  • Widener University School of Law
  • Villanova Law School, LL.M, Tax Law

ARTICLES

A Primer on Using Forbearance Agreements During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Taxation of Foreign Investment in Delaware Entities

Taxation of Foreign Investment in Delaware Entities

How to Form a Delaware Corporation

Stockholder Agreements in Delaware Corporations

IN THE NEWS

Attorney Interview: Andrew R. Silverman

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

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

Taxation of Foreign Investment in Delaware Entities

Taxation of Foreign Investment in Delaware Entities

How to Form a Delaware Corporation

Stockholder Agreements in Delaware Corporations

AWARDS

  • 2021 Readers Choice Best Corporate Lawyer Daily Local
  • 2022 Delaware Today Top Lawyers – Business Law

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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An experienced civil litigator, PJ concentrates his practice on complex commercial, construction, products liability, insurance coverage and business litigation. He often represents businesses and corporations in contractual and shareholder disputes and serves as outside counsel to a number of corporations and businesses. PJ 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. In addition, PJ regularly represents his clients in arbitration, mediation, and administrative proceedings.

Since 2015, PJ 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. PJ 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, PJ was featured on Executive Leaders Radio show, “Building through Empathy, Passion, and Hard Work”.

Throughout his career, PJ has successfully litigated a wide array of cases, including construction and architectural defect cases (on behalf of both builders and developers), shareholder disputes, products liability cases (including breach of warranty claims), breach of contract cases, unfair trade practice claims, negligence claims, insurance coverage disputes (including bad faith actions) and employment law disputes.

Notable Representations

  • 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 settlement recovery of $650,000.
  • Successfully represented a commercial developer in a multi-million dollar dispute over defects in the design and construction of a new multi-million dollar commercial office building resulting in a substantial confidential settlement for the developer.
  • Successfully defended an action asserted by an alleged purchaser of a pool of loans for breaches of three separate promissory notes.
  • Successfully represented a general contractor in a contractual and mechanic’s lien claim filed against a commercial property owner for non-payment under the Contractor and Subcontractor Payment Act and for breach of the AIA commercial construction contract.
  • Successfully defended an action brought against a general contractor for alleged workmanship defects.
  • Served as co-counsel in a real estate tax assessment trial on behalf of a developer that resulted in an assessment reduction of over $1.5 million.
  • Successfully represented a beneficiary of a life insurance policy who was initially denied life insurance benefits.
  • Successfully represented a leading national builder of high performance modular commercial structures in a breach of contract action asserted against a general contractor.
  • Co-defense counsel for a limited liability company in connection with a claim filed against it for indemnity and advancement that was ultimately dismissed.
  • Served as co-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 a homeowner in claims against a general contractor for defective renovation work under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act and the Unfair Trade Practices, Consumer Protection Law.
  • Obtained a substantial settlement on behalf of an individual initially denied insurance coverage under a Homeowners/Renters Policy.
  • Successfully represented a regional landscaping company before the U.S. Department of Transportation involving fines assessed by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration which were subsequently dropped.
  • Successfully represented a homebuyer in a dispute with the seller over misrepresentations and violations of the Real Estate Settlement Disclosure Law.

Memberships

  • Chester County Bar Association
  • Delaware County Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • American Bar Association, Litigation Section
  • Stively American Inn of Court, Board of Directors

Community Involvement

  • 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
  • West Chester University Law Alumni Association
  • West Chester Area YMCA, 2018 Board of Directors

Leadership

  • Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County, Board of Directors (2018-present)
  • Chester County Bar Association, Board of Directors (2016-2018)
  • Chester County Bar Association, Young Lawyers’ Division – Chair (2017)
  • Chester County Bar Association, Diversity Committee
  • Chester County Bar Association, Pro Bono Committee
  • Chester County Bar Association, Advocacy Academy Graduate (2015)
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, YLD Executive Council (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)

PRACTICE AREAS

Banking & Finance Litigation

Commercial Litigation

Employment Law

Insurance Coverage Disputes

Intellectual Property Litigation

Litigation Law

Product Liability

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

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

AWARDS

Patrick Gallo Avvo Rating

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

What is a Common Mistake Clients Make?
What is the Best Part of Being a Lawyer?
What I Like Best About Practicing at MacElree Harvey
Preparation is Key
Charity Work
Most Memorable Case
Bob Burke’s Web Series on Litigation and Trial Tactics Ep 1: Litigating in Chester County
Bob Burke’s Web Series on Litigation and Trial Tactics Ep 2: Trial Prep and Present During COVID
Bob Burke’s Web Series on Litigation and Trial Tactics Ep 3: Business Litigation During COVID
Bob Burke’s Web Series on Litigation and Trial Tactics Ep 4: Trial Presentation in Federal Court
Bob Burke’s Web Series on Litigation and Trial Tactics Ep 5: Personal Assets
Bob Burke’s Web Series on Litigation and Trial Tactics Ep 6: Noncompete
Bob Burke’s Web Series on Litigation and Trial Tactics Ep 7: Will Contest
Bob Burke’s Web Series on Litigation and Trial Tactics Ep 8: Boiler Plate Language

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

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