MacElree Harvey, Ltd.

Initiative in Practice

Estates & Trusts

Duke Schneider

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Duke Schneider

Partner – Trusts and Estates

Duke works primarily with family-owned and closely held businesses on succession planning, family wealth transfer planning and the structure of the business enterprise. Duke also works closely with individuals on a wide variety of estate and wealth transfer planning and estate and trust administration matters.

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Duke works primarily with family-owned and closely held businesses on succession planning, family wealth transfer planning and the structure of the business enterprise. Duke also works closely with individuals on a wide variety of estate and wealth transfer planning and estate and trust administration matters.

Notable Representations

  • Implemented a plan to shift ownership of a family-owned business to children including stock purchase, buy/sell, employment and deferred compensation agreements for an individual business owner.
  • Planned and created generation-skipping dynasty trusts for a family, including grantor retained annuity trust strategies for an individual client.
  • Planned and implemented a family limited partnership funded with real estate and investment assets for an individual client.
  • Represented and counseled business owner and individual clients in Estate and Trust Administrations.
  • Created and funded a private foundation and charitable remainder trust for a charitably inclined client, resulting in income and estate tax savings.
  • Represented an individual business owner in sale of a significant family-owned business

Community Involvement

  • Bishop Shanahan High School, Board of Directors, Presidents Society
  • Community Volunteers in Medicine, Planned Giving Committee, Harrison Society

Videos

Proudest Moment As An Attorney
My Free Time
Problems I Solve For Clients

PRACTICE AREAS

OFFICES

ADMISSIONS

  • Pennsylvania

EDUCATION

  • Widener University School of Law
  • Pennsylvania State University, M.B.A.
  • Pennsylvania State University, Pre-Law

ARTICLES

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IN THE NEWS

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AWARDS

Martindale-Hubbell Ratings 2019
Top-Lawyer-2019-MLT
Top Lawyers 2018-MLT
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MLT-Top-Lawyer-2016
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John F. McKenna

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John F. McKenna

Partner – Trust and Estate Administration and Litigation and Mediation

John heads the firm’s Trust and Estate Litigation Group. He represents clients in all estate and trust matters, complex guardianships, will contests, trust termination and modifications, corporate disputes, contract interpretation, real estate disputes, consumer protection,  and broker liability litigation.

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John heads the firm’s Trust and Estate Litigation Group. He represents clients in all estate and trust matters, complex guardianships, will contests, trust termination and modifications, corporate disputes, contract interpretation, real estate disputes, consumer protection,  and broker liability litigation.

John has also expanded his practice to include private mediation. He has been appointed a Special Master by the Court to hear discovery issues and partition matters. John has also been appointed by the Court to be a receiver for some corporations, as well as an administrator of estates involved in litigation.

John has an AV Preeminent Rating in Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings, the highest legal ability, and ethical standards rating. He has been consistently selected to the Main Line Today Top Lawyers lists. John was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2020 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Trusts and Estates Litigation.

Notable Representations

  • Successfully mediated a dispute between the litigants in an estate matter involving several million dollars in property and assets.
  • Successful in obtaining a guardian for a retired gentleman who had over $4,000,000 in assets.
  • Successfully replaced a corporate trustee for a church whose Elders were seeking substitution due to questionable financial dealings by the initial corporate trustee.
  • Obtained a judgment for reimbursement of attorneys’ fees and treble damages for a victim of broker fraud, unfair trade practices and unsuitable investments.
  • Successfully represented large Trust Companies in seeking trust modifications in trusts totaling more than $10,000,000.

Memberships

  • Pennsylvania Bar Association, Probate Section
  • Chester County Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, Civil Litigation Section, Business Law Section, Probate and Estates Section, Elder Law Section
  • Chester County Estate Planning Council, Past President
  • John E. Stively American Inn of Court, Charter Member and Master Level Member

Community Involvement

  • Chester County Bar Association, Pro Bono Committee Chairman, 2005 – Present
  • Legal Aid of Southeastern PA, Board President, 2009 – 2010
  • Chester County Community Foundation, Board Member, 2018 – Present
  • Chester County Art Association, Past President, 2007 – 2009
  • DNB First Bank Wealth Management, Advisory Board
  • West Goshen Lions Club, President, 1997-1998
  • American Cancer Society, Chester County Chapter

Videos

Why Did You Become a Lawyer?
What is a Will Contest?
What Was Your Most Interesting Case?
Proudest Moment as an Attorney
What Do You Do Outside of Practicing the Law?
My Estate Law Practice
Proudest Moment As An Attorney
My First Job

PRACTICE AREAS

OFFICES

ADMISSIONS

  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey

EDUCATION

  • Temple University School of Law
  • Farleigh Dickinson University
    Psychology

ARTICLES

IN THE NEWS

AWARDS

  • The Best Lawyers in America©2020, Trusts and Estates Litigation
  • Main Line Today, Top Lawyer
  • Martindale-Hubbel, AV Preeminent Rating
  • Pennsylvania Bar Foundation, Louis J. Goffman Award, 2018
John McKenna - Best Lawyers 2020
Martindale-Hubbell Ratings 2019
Top-Lawyer-2019-MLT
Top Lawyers 2018-MLT
MLT-Top-Lawyer-logo 2017
MLT-Top-Lawyer-2016
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AVVO rating

William J. Gallagher

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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

Videos

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

PRACTICE AREAS

OFFICES

ADMISSIONS

  • Pennsylvania
  • Supreme Court of the United States

EDUCATION

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

IN THE NEWS

AWARDS

Super Lawyers 2019
William J. Gallagher
MLT-Top-Lawyer-logo 2017
Top Lawyer
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Robert A. Burke

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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

OFFICES

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

IN THE NEWS

AWARDS

Joseph A. Bellinghieri

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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.

Memberships

  • Chester County Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Chester County Estate Planning Council, Past President
  • West Chester Chamber of Commerce, Past Board Member and Treasurer
  • Chester County Bar Foundation

Videos

PRACTICE AREAS

OFFICES

ADMISSIONS

  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey
  • United States Supreme Court

EDUCATION

  • Georgetown University Law Center, LL.M. in Taxation
  • The George Washington University National Law Center, With Honors
  • Drexel University, Finance and Accounting

ARTICLES

IN THE NEWS

AWARDS

Centreville, DE

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Centreville, DE | Hockessin, DE | Kennett Square, PA | West Chester, PA

5721 Kennett Pike
Wilmington, DE 19807
302-654-4454

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Centreville, DE

5721 Kennett Pike
Wilmington, DE 19807
302-654-4454
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Hockessin, DE

724 Yorklyn Rd #100
Hockessin, DE 19707
302-239-3700
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Kennett Square, PA

209 East State Street Road
Kennett Square, PA 19348
610-444-3180
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West Chester, PA

17 West Miner Street
West Chester, PA 19382
610-436-0100
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