The Philadelphia suburbs are blessed with an abundance of top-notch attorneys from all areas of practice. Yet even with so many choices, finding the right attorney to help you navigate the complexities of the legal system can be a challenge.
Following are Q&A profiles of some of the region’s foremost attorneys. Learn more about the qualities and accomplishments that make them stand apart from the rest—all in the name of simplifying your search for the best and most-qualified legal representation possible.
Who or what drove you to become an attorney?
Like so many children of first-generation, blue-collar working Americans, while high ambitions were plentiful, financial wherewithal was lacking. No matter how hard I applied myself to trying to find a way to get into medical school, which has always been and still is a passion, after graduation from high school and thinking about college and beyond, it became apparent that for a variety of reasons medical school would be beyond my reach. Having always been forthcoming, candid and open to challenges, I turned my attention to law school.
What’s a common misconception about attorneys, or the legal profession?
Everything from our existence before our births until long after our deaths is impacted, implemented or affected by a web of intersecting and interconnecting legal enactments. Think of the law of the seas, the laws regarding outer-space exploration, the laws regarding who owns minerals and products found under the earth’s surface, the mysteries of DNA, genetics, privacy, medicine and pharmacy, patents trademarks, ad infinitum and there is a law in place that governs that aspect of our existence, or soon will be.
What is your most memorable courtroom or client experience that, legally, you can discuss?
One of the most memorable courtroom experiences was being the presiding jurist in the trial of the Commonwealth v. Gary Heidnik, a trial of a murderer who kidnapped several women from the streets of Philadelphia and then enslaved them in his basement dungeon by chaining them naked to overhead pipes before torturing them, and killing two of these hapless victims. The jury imposed the death penalty and the sentence of the jury was carried out.
What’s the best piece of free legal advice you can share?
The best legal advice I can offer is to never compromise your highest moral values to “win” at any cost. Winning is good, but only if one can do it by being the best prepared, most thoughtful “warrior” for your client, one who can think of innovative ways to serve one’s clients’ best interests, while also being mindful of one's oath to the court.
What’s a common misperception about attorneys, or the legal profession?
It’s a lot more hours than people might think. It’s a lot of time spent alone, just going through paperwork and reading and preparing, but that’s all very necessary work. It’s probably not as much courtroom work as people think. Even in court, there’s a lot of time spent waiting.
What’s the most memorable courtroom experience you can discuss?
We do all types of custody cases, so I’ve seen everything. What I like, because we’re focusing on things like bankruptcy and divorce, we see people at their worst, but we also see them come through it, and they’re usually in better shape at the end. … You see the conflict, and you also see when it ends. As an attorney, you try to be part of the resolution.
Any particular law you find the most ridiculous or absurd?
The mortgage [crisis] has really had a huge impact on everyday working people, and it’s affecting their lives. They’re losing their homes. I would like to see some sort of change in bankruptcy enactment for people who are going to lose their house in a bankruptcy.
Any favorite courtroom book, movie or TV show?
I’m not a big reader of books about courtroom cases, but I liked “The Testament” from John Grisham. The main character in the book has to go into Brazil to track someone down, and I liked it because it reminded me of [Joseph] Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness.”
Who or what drove you to become an attorney?
My father inspired me. I watched him, and other people who worked in the steel industry, go through very difficult times when plants closed and jobs went away. The impact on western Pennsylvania, where I grew up, was profound, and I wished there was something I could have done to make a difference.
Why did you choose to go into your particular area of expertise?
I have embraced law as a healing art—a way to empower people and give them strength to move forward after a wrong, a loss or a disappointment. Today I primarily represent employees in wage claims or wrongful termination matters, as well as in the negotiation of employment and severance agreements—all stressful and very important events.
What is your most memorable courtroom or client experience that, legally, you can discuss?
I remember one woman who was wrongfully terminated and the employer was fighting us hard. The employer held firm on what my client considered an inadequate offer. She was very pleased to end up with a final outcome that was 12 times better than that initial offer.
What’s the best piece of free legal advice you can share?
Respond, don’t react. When you feel that something unfair is happening to you, take time to think, get counsel and be strategic in what you do and say before you say or do it. That’s the way to preserve your “best case,” and to keep from doing something you may regret.
Practice Areas: Business Law, Corporate Law, Intellectual Property Law, etc.
Who or what drove you to become an attorney?
I have a brother six years my senior who became a lawyer, and a brother seven years older who was interested in politics, and … looking up to my older brothers influenced my decisions. Additionally, hearing all the negative comments about lawyers as reported in the media challenged me to see if I could do better.
What’s something that most people don’t know about attorneys, or the legal profession?
That most of the things reported in the news about the legal profession are the exception and not the rule. That is why many of the lawyer bashing stories make the news, because they are the exception.
What is your favorite book, movie or TV show dealing with the courtroom?
My favorite portrayal of the legal profession is chronicled in the 1995 book “A Civil Action” by Jonathan Harr, based loosely on the real life case Anne Anderson, et al., v. Cryovac, Inc., et al. The book became a best-seller and won the National Book Critics Circle Award for nonfiction. The movie “A Civil Action” was produced in 1998, starring John Travolta and Robert Duvall, and I highly recommend it to everyone.
Understand the infield-fly rule and how it applies to life. With every case I think about the infield-fly rule. I love that rule. It is trouble for anyone ignoring the rules of the game. … The batter is out, but the runners advance if they are willing to assume the risk and pay attention to the base coaches counseling them. That’s the way life is: You choose when to advance, based on your abilities and counsel—or not, but you better have someone who knows the rules on your side.
Who or what drove you to become an attorney?
What’s a common misperception about attorneys, or the legal profession?
People have seen “L.A. Law” on TV every day for 15 years, and every day they see legal cases on “Nancy Grace.” Instead of being portrayed as someone who’s trying to help someone who has been seriously hurt, we’re often portrayed as ambulance chasers. On the defense side, we’re often seen as just protecting the bad people. But the majority of the job—95 percent—is helping the average Joe, the average person.
Any interesting traditions you have before you enter the courtroom?
I usually prepare my case continuously and well enough in advance so that I need no notes of any kind. I may have a rough outline for large cases that require intense cross examinations or direct examinations, but I believe you should know the case as well as your client.
What’s the best piece of legal advice you can share?
I would say never be afraid to ask for help, assistance or guidance. When you ask for help and treat others as you want to be treated, it always comes back to you. … Also, if you’re a client, you should [be able to] believe in your lawyer and your lawyer should believe in you.
Why did you choose to go into your particular area of expertise?
I don’t think anyone chooses; I think you evolve into it. I found that handling certain cases, representing victims of domestic violence, served a much greater purpose to me personally.
What’s a common misperception about attorneys, or the legal profession?
Most of my colleagues are outstanding and very good at what they do. There are also those that are not quite as good or don’t put the same effort into each case. In my area, you need to be a human being first and foremost, because the result of what you’re doing can make an incredible difference in a client’s life or the children who are pulled along through the process. These are real people with real lives and real consequences.
Any interesting traditions you have before you enter the courtroom?
I tend to play extremely loud music—everything from heavy metal to classical—to get myself in that zone. My tradition is almost like “Survivor,” with the tagline outwit, outplay, outlast. I never tell myself I am prepared—ever—and I am always asking, “Is there anything else I can do for this client?”
What’s the best piece of legal advice you can share?
Communicate. Keep open the lines of communication, and that’s especially true for the parents who are involved in a dispute. … As parents, you are always going to be parents. You can choose to work together and raise your child together, or you can choose to be bitter enemies. But your role as a parent never changes.
Who or what drove you to become an attorney?
My parents taught us right and wrong and developed in us a sense of justice and fairness. I have always instinctively come to the aid of anyone who was wronged. I like balance, fairness, integrity and respect … or maybe it’s because I am a Libra.
What is a common misperception about attorneys, or the law profession?
That we have a black-and-white solution to everything. The law has a lot of different shades of gray. While a lawyer cannot truthfully give a so-called “straight” answer many times, we can provide our client with the issues, our analysis and the different possible outcomes, finishing with our advice as to strategy.
What is your most memorable courtroom or client experience that, legally, you can discuss?
I helped to recover an elderly woman’s house after she lost it in a tax sale. She was devastated, she couldn’t eat or sleep, and she barely had a desire to live. She had no mortgage on it, but had not seen the tax bill which may have come while she was infirmed. … I was able to persuade the buyer to return the property to my client for a nominal sum of money. My client was able to sell the property, net several thousand dollars and enter a retirement village.
What’s the best piece of free legal advice you can share?
Treat people with respect, communication is all important, be fair; if none of this works, keep good notes and give me a call.
Why did you choose to go into your particular area of expertise?
With my prior trial experience as a prosecutor, I wanted to be responsible for my own matters. I thought that family law would allow me to do so, while also giving me the opportunity to interact on a daily basis with my clients, and to help them through one of the most difficult periods in their lives.
What’s a common misperception about attorneys, or the legal profession?
That the goal of most experienced attorneys is to negotiate the resolution of difficult matters without litigation, since litigation, and especially litigation related to divorce, often results in there being no winners.
What is your favorite courtroom book, movie or TV show?
I watch a lot of “Law & Order” re-runs, although the show has convinced most of society that a criminal trial takes about 20 minutes to complete and always is exciting.
What’s the best piece of free legal advice you can share?
I am not sure it is legal advice, but I always tell my clients to take the high road, so that when the matter is resolved, we have no regrets.
What drove you to become an attorney?
I’ve always had a love for public speaking, going back to school gatherings, church and even back to first grade. I enjoy standing up in front of larger congregations and auditoriums.
Why did you choose to go into your particular areas of expertise?
Criminal law chose me. A lot of folks came to me early on, and I got a good representation right off the bat off. From there it just grew. It’s what I enjoy doing, because every case is different.
What is the biggest misconception about what it’s like to practice law?
Maybe that it’s easy. It seems like people watch TV and think it’s a cushy job, with lots of fancy dinners and cocktail parties. A lot of it is spent with your nose in a book or on a computer screen—just working hard.
What’s the best piece of free legal advice you can share?
One thing that never hurts a criminal defendant is to at least be pleasant with police officers. Being unpleasant with a police officer will lead to no good. “Yes, sir,” “No, sir,” “Please” and “Thank you” go a long way.
What’s a common misconception about attorneys, or the legal profession?
A lot of people think personal injury lawyers are chronically angry, overly aggressive people who hate businesses and are set on destroying businesses. There are certainly people in my line of work who fit that mold. I consider myself to be a nice guy and a business person. I’m a huge fan of small-business people who are successful and who run their businesses ethically. I am certainly not out to destroy anyone’s business.
Do you have any interesting traditions you follow before you enter the courtroom?
I approach the courtroom exactly like I’ve always approached the athletic field. I get plenty of rest, get proper nutrition and “suit up” before the courtroom contest with the same approach and attitude I had when I put my uniform on before a big baseball or football game and the way I do now before a triathlon … though I don’t wear a Speedo to court.
Is there a particular law you find the most ridiculous or absurd?
The “limited tort” laws that apply to motor-vehicle accident cases. The law encourages unsuspecting consumers to sign away their right to seek justice if they’re hurt in a car accident, in exchange for saving a few bucks on their auto-insurance premiums. The unfairness that results from this really hurts some good, honest people.
What’s the best piece of free legal advice you can share?
If you get injured in an accident and decide to take legal action, be an informed consumer of legal services. Do your homework before committing to a lawyer. We’re not all the same!
I think the misperception is that lawyers don’t care about their clients, or that it’s just a job and that most are in it solely for the financial remuneration. By and large, the majority of attorneys really do care about clients and still see [the job] as an honorable calling.
Any interesting traditions you have before you enter the courtroom?
I generally wear the same tie for jury selection. Also, before the first day I review, in order, the same set of documents: a draft outline of the closing to give at the end of the case; my outline for the theory of the case; and my experts report. More often than not, it pays dividends.
Any favorite courtroom book, movie or TV show?
“To Kill a Mockingbird” was greatly inspirational. I believe every lawyer should try to resemble Atticus Finch. He stood up, knowing the consequences of his actions, and still did what was right, which is the highest calling of an attorney, I believe.
What’s the best piece of free legal advice you can share?
Always be honest with your attorney. Also, lawyers can help prevent problems, not just deal with them. Before entering into a contract or signing a legal document, it’s always worth having it reviewed [by a lawyer] than having to deal with the potential ramifications. Trying to save a couple of bucks could ultimately cost you a lot of money.
Zlock & Snyder P.C., Doylestown/Langhorne
Education: J.D., Dickinson School of Law
Practice Areas: Divorce Law, DWI/DUI Traffic Law, Matrimonial Law
Who or what drove you to become an attorney?
After graduating from law school, I was unsure whether I wanted to practice law at all. I wanted to work for the FBI, and I was waiting for the “hiring freeze” to end so I could join them. By the time the FBI came back with an offer, I was already “bitten by the bug” of practicing law and realized that I did not want to do anything else but be a lawyer.
Why did you choose to go into your particular area of expertise?
I do not think there was a specific reason for choosing family law as one of my main areas of practice. I also dedicate a substantial portion of my time to criminal and DUI matters. But now, thinking back to the time when I started to practice family law, I think I found it very rewarding to help people get through the most difficult situations of their lives. As they were losing their marriages, they also had to face custody battles and divide their assets. Helping them keep it together and preserve their ability to start a new life after divorce, I found personally very fulfilling.
Any interesting traditions you have before you enter the courtroom?
I have been practicing for a very long time, and I am in court essentially every day. Going to court every morning is my tradition.
Is there a particular law you find the most ridiculous or absurd?
Not in the areas in which I am practicing. But I have heard about the New York law prohibiting donkeys from sitting in bathtubs, and supposedly this law is still in force.
