DELAWARE COUNTY ESTATE PLANNING COUNCIL

Many Thanks to our sponsor Brinker Simpson & Company, LLC

Attorney Robert "Bob" Burke with the MacElree Harvey law firm in West Chester successfully defended his client in Mortimer v. McCool before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.  The argument related to a matter of first impression as Pennsylvania’s highest court considered a change in Pennsylvania law impacting the ability of owners of legal entities to protect their assets from judgments unrelated to the operation of their businesses. For the first time, the Court considers adopting the Single Entity Theory that would enable plaintiffs to pierce the corporate veil of a related corporate entity for the actions of a “sister” entity that shares common owners.  Bob argued that the Supreme Court should reject this novel theory, affirm the holdings of the lower courts and not eliminate the most basic protection afforded owners of businesses.  Bob will discuss the impact of the PA Supreme Court's decision in this matter and will also review the ethical obligation that attorneys have to protect their clients' businesses in Pennsylvania and protecting the corporate veil.

Bob 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. He is a graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law and was selected to Super Lawyers from 2015 - 2023.