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West Chester, PA, November 2, 2023 — MacElree Harvey, Ltd. has been recognized in the 2024 edition of Best Law Firms®, ranked by Best Lawyers®, nationally in 1 practice areas and regionally in 11 practice areas.

Firms included in the 2024 Best Law Firms® list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. To be considered for this milestone achievement, at least one lawyer in the law firm must be recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

Achieving a tiered ranking in Best Law Firms® on a national and/or metropolitan scale signals a unique credibility within the industry. The transparent, collaborative research process employs qualitative and quantitative data from peer and client reviews that is supported by proprietary algorithmic technology to produce a tiered system of industry-led rankings of the top 4% of the industry.

Receiving a tier designation represents an elite status, integrity and reputation that law firms earn among other leading firms and lawyers. The 2024 edition of  Best Law Firms® includes rankings in 75 national practice areas and 127 metropolitan-based practice areas. Additionally, one “Law Firm of the Year” was named in each nationally ranked practice area.

MacElree Harvey, Ltd. received the following rankings in the 2024 Best Law Firms®:

• National Tier 2
  • Land Use & Zoning Law
• Regional Tier 1
  • Philadelphia
    • Criminal Defense: General Practice
    • Litigation – Trusts & Estates
• Regional Tier 2
  • Delaware
    • Trusts & Estates Law
  • Philadelphia
    • Family Law
    • Land Use & Zoning Law
    • Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs
    • Trusts & Estates Law
• Regional Tier 3
  • Delaware
    • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
    • Family Law
  • Philadelphia
    • Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
    • Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs
    • Real Estate Law
    • Tax Law

About MacElree Harvey, Ltd.

With roots that reach back to 1880, MacElree Harvey is a full-service law firm serving clients from offices in Pennsylvania and Delaware. In addition to its broad-based litigation practices, the firm represents clients in corporate law, mergers & acquisitions, labor and employment, real estate, banking & finance, bankruptcy, family law, estate planning, tax law, personal injury, and criminal defense.

About Best Law Firms®

Best Law Firms® is the most credible rankings of exceptional law firms, rooted in a rigorous, peer-to-peer, industry-driven evaluation. Achieving a tiered ranking in Best Law Firms signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise. Ranked firms, presented in three tiers, are recognized on a national and metro-based scale. The reputation earned over the past 14 years and a future-focused commitment to innovation provides legal professionals with an elevated stature, validation and confidence that comes from being part of, and working with, a Best Law Firms honored practice.

About Best Lawyers®

Best Lawyers® is the oldest and most respected peer-review research and accolades company in the legal profession. Best Lawyers compiles extensive recognitions by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which tens of thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate the work of their fellow legal professionals within their local market and specialty. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, recognition by Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor.

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), which goes into effect on January 1, 2024, presents a significant change to the reporting requirements for existing corporations, limited liability companies, and other business organizations. Over the next couple months, we will be providing periodic updates on our preparation for the CTA’s implementation and how you can prepare your company for compliance.

Who must Report?

Reporting entities under the CTA include:Corporations, LLCs, or other entities created by filing a document with any secretary of state or similar office, including foreign entities that are registered in the US. While it is not yet certain as of the date of this note, reporting entities may also include LLPs, LLLPs, certain trusts, and most limited partnerships. 

There are 23 exceptions to reporting. The most relevant exceptions include public companies, large operating companies, and tax-exempt entities. A “large operating company” is one that employs more than 20 full time US-based employees, had $5mm in gross receipts or sales over the previous tax year, and has an operating presence at a physical office in the US.

What are the Requirements?

Generally, most companies will need to report three classes of information regarding the reporting company: 

• Identifying information regarding the company itself. 
• Personal information regarding certain owners of the business—those who own 25% of the company or otherwise control its operations. This information includes name, date of birth, address, and identifying credentials, such as a passport and driver’s license.
• Information regarding professionals who assisted the company with its formation. 

The above information will be maintained by the Department of Treasury in a private database that is not available for public review.

What is the Purpose of the CTA?

The CTA is designed to fight corruption, protect the financial system, and prevent drug traffickers, terrorists, and other criminals launder or hide assets in the US.

What are the Risks of Noncompliance?

Failure to report the required information in a timely manner could result in criminal penalties, including:

• Fine of up to $10,000
• Two years in jail
• Penalties of $500 per day of noncompliance

How Can My Company Comply?

The Business Department of MacElree Harvey began its preparation for the CTA over one year ago and is well versed in the new law and its potential impact on our clients. In furtherance of this initiative:

• We created proprietary software to manage our clients’ information in a secure location to position our clients for compliance with the CTA.
• We developed a process with commercial partners to make reporting a manageable process. 

Compliance with the CTA is critical for your business. We encourage you to contact us at [email protected] for help. We will first help you determine whether your company owes a reporting obligation. If so, we will provide a checklist of information you will need to collect for reporting purposes as well as instructions for how to comply.

MacElree Harvey, Ltd. is proud to announce that 26 attorneys were named 2023 Top Lawyers by Main Line Today magazine.

MacElree attorneys have been included in the Main Line Today Top Lawyers list for the 16th consecutive year in 2023. MacElree attorneys have earned the distinction of Top Lawyer since the inception of the award in 2007.

Each spring, lawyers from the Main Line and western Pennsylvania suburbs nominate their colleagues in 25 categories, then those nominations are vetted through Main Line Today’s editorial process to compile the area’s top lawyers.

The following attorneys were named 2023 Top Lawyers in their respective areas of practice:

• Joseph Bellinghieri – Tax Law, Estate, Probate and Tax
• Jeffrey Burke – Employment Law
• Robert Burke – Civil Litigation
• Matthew Cooper – Business
• Harry DiDonato – Business
• Caroline Donato – Criminal Law
• Lindsay Dunn – Municipal Law
• Brian Forgue – Civil Litigation
• Patrick Gallo – Civil Litigation
• Mary Kay Gaver – Business
• Charles Gerbron, Jr. – Municipal Law
• Leo Gibbons – Banking + Finance
• Carolina Heinle – Estate Planning and Administration
• Peter Kratsa – Criminal Law
• Mary Lawrence – Criminal Law
• Michael Louis – Banking and Finance
• John McKenna – Alternate Dispute Resolution
• Matthew McKeon – Real Estate
• Brian Nagle – Real Estate
• Lance Nelson – Divorce + Family Law
• Timothy Rayne – Personal Injury
• Michael Rovito – Divorce + Family Law
• Duke Schneider – Estate, Probate and Tax
• Andrew Silverman – Business
• Ashley Stitzer – Divorce + Family Law
• Louis Teti – Estate, Probate and Tax

With roots that reach back to 1880, MacElree Harvey uses the traditional values of professionalism and excellence as the foundation for the firm’s identity. Our 40+ attorneys are encouraged to build on these traditional values through Initiative – creative problem-solving, proactive planning, and strategic positioning.

MacElree Harvey attorneys serve both Pennsylvania and Delaware and have long had a reputation for Initiative® – in listening, in counsel, in court, and in protecting the interests of every client.

Whether your legal concerns encompass personal matters, your business, litigation, or even emerging areas of the law, such as environmental, intellectual property or elder law, MacElree Harvey is a firm where you will always find Initiative in Practice®. For every client. In every matter. Every day. Visit macelree.com to learn more.

CONTACT INFO:

Website: macelree.com/contact-us

(610) 436-0100

[email protected]

Main Office:

17 West Miner Street

West Chester, PA 19382

We are pleased to announce that MacElree Harvey was named as a Top Workplace by the Philadelphia Inquirer for 2023.

2023 marks 10 years of The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Top Workplaces list.

Every year, employees nominate and complete a questionnaire to represent their opinions regarding their place of work within the Delaware Valley. The employee engagement survey of 24 questions gathers responses regarding issues relating to workplace culture:

• Alignment – where the company is headed, its values, cooperation
• Connection – employees feel appreciated, their work is meaningful
• Effectiveness – doing things efficiently and well, sharing different viewpoints, encouraging new ideas
• My Manager – cares about concerns, helps employees develop
• Engagement – motivation, retention, and recruiting
• Leadership – confidence in company leaders
• The Basics – pay, benefits, flexibility, training, expectations

“Top Workplaces put the employee at the center of things, and focus on creating the right environment to unleash potential and inspire performance,” said Doug Claffey, CEO of Energage, the research partner for Top Workplaces.

Interestingly, Inquirer.com notes that employees consistently rate issues of “Connection” and “Alignment” most important to them, while statements related to pay and benefits rate less important.

View the 2023 ranks: sponsored.inquirer.com/philadelphia-inquirer-top-workplaces-2023

As an advocate for its employees, MacElree Harvey recognizes the importance of gender balance in a team and the significant benefits it brings to the organization. The firm encourages female employees to pursue professional and leadership opportunities, providing them with training and resources to support their professional growth.

For instance, the firm’s Educational Assistance Program has been utilized by female staff and attorneys to further advance their careers. MacElree Harvey also offers work schedule flexibility, including the opportunity to work from home, to support work-life balance among its attorneys. Its Paid Medical Leave of Absence Plan provides paid time off for maternity leave, illness, or injuries. Finally, MacElree Harvey partners with the Chester County Bar Association to promote their Diversity Program, designed for first year law students who identify with groups historically discriminated against on the basis of gender, disability, race, ethnicity, or gender identity.

“MacElree Harvey has a history of advancement and promotion of women within the firm. Most notably, our current CEO, Michelle Foster, has been promoted numerous times over her 20-year career with MacElree Harvey… Several of the current women Partners began their careers with MacElree Harvey as Associate Attorneys and were promoted to Partner,” says Firm Administrator Nicole Castafero. “The Firm promotes women from within, allowing for the advancement of their careers.”  

Working closely with her team, Michelle has established a knowledgeable, cohesive and client-focused workforce, while promoting a Firm culture that motivates and encourages employees to deliver top quality service, and often exceed expectations. To ensure that MacElree Harvey continues to implement its strategic plan, which calls for directed growth, and to continue to provide excellent service to its clients, Michelle understands that her most important job is to maintain the values and legacy embodied in the Firm’s 143 year history.