Our lawyers represent clients before legislative and executive bodies in both formal and informal proceedings relating to ethics, energy, solid waste, real estate, privatization, taxation, technology, the environment, and health care. We review city, state, and federal legislation and combine broad legal knowledge with effective advocacy techniques to help clients understand government policy, critical to survival in a regulated environment. We also represent clients during contract negotiations and at hearings. In conjunction with our government relations efforts, we provide our clients with advice concerning compliance with federal and state laws regulating election and campaign political activity, fundraising, and contributions.
We know that political, legislative, and governmental issues can often arise as obstacles in achieving your goals, and our attorneys have sophisticated practices that can handle these pitfalls and help you negotiate the legal and regulatory maze. Our lawyers have represented numerous government agencies, departments, and municipalities in complex litigation matters, or served in government positions. As a result of our long-term involvement in this field of practice, we have developed in-depth knowledge in governmental regulation that enhances the representation of government entities and the representation of non-government clients concerning regulatory matters. We also develop and implement strategies for clients who need to obtain public funding or who need assistance with an administrative or regulatory matter in the local, state, or federal milieu. Throughout the process, you stay informed of changes that could affect your business interests or decisions.
Schnader’s attorneys are also experienced with a broad spectrum of contracts involving government entities, and many have first-hand experience as former government executives and lawyers. We can assist in the formation and administration of such public-private arrangements, and we can advise and advocate when disputes arise. We work with local, state, and federal government agencies and with domestic and foreign business organizations.
Examples of the types of projects with which our attorneys are experienced include:
- Real Estate Development
- Eminent Domain
- Transportation and Infrastructure
- Energy
- Municipal, County and State Services
- Municipal Utilities
- Child Welfare
- Education
- Investments
- Concessions
- Sports and Entertainment Venues
- Airports and Aviation
- Engineering and Architecture
- Construction
Our litigation experience includes:
- Represented the City of Philadelphia in defeating an effort to obtain an injunction in litigation challenging the City’s ability to regulate the manufacture of “ghost guns.”
- Represented voters in litigation involving attempts by a legislative committee to subpoena an executive branch agency and challenges to the enforcement of the subpoena, including extensive briefing and argument on legislative investigations and the executive branch’s obligations in response to legislative requests for information.
- Represented city council members in zoning appeals in challenges to high density development projects in low density neighborhoods to protect interests of community members.
- Successfully defended the District Attorney in five employment discrimination cases involving seven plaintiffs and claims of age and/or reverse-race discrimination. Obtained a defense verdict in federal district court on behalf of the District Attorney and the City of Philadelphia in the only case that went to trial.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of the Philadelphia District Attorney in a religious discrimination case arising out of the office’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate and representing the District Attorney in the appeal of the judgment and in similar claims pending before the EEOC and PHRC.
- Representing prosecutors in three different civil cases asserting claims of malicious prosecution and the District Attorney’s Office in federal and state cases challenging policies and procedures put in place to ensure compliance with constitutional obligations in criminal proceedings.
- Represented a Montgomery County municipality in litigation arising from the condemnation of a failed real estate development project.
- Representing Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Airport in litigation under the Eminent Domain Code.
- Represented the Pennsylvania Department of Health in federal proceedings arising from the bankruptcy of Hahnemann University Hospital.
- Represented government pension funds in class and individual litigation under state and federal securities laws.
Our Attorneys
News & Publications
- Ira Richards Elected to Schnader’s Executive Committee; Megan Harmon Re-Elected
- Third Circuit Takes Broad View of Rule 23(c)(4) Issue-Class Certification
- Judge Theodore McKee Taking Senior Status, Giving Biden His First Vacancy on 3rd Circuit
- Above the Fray: Changing the Stakes of Supreme Court Selection and Enhancing Legitimacy
- The Propriety of Out-of-State Service of Certified Mail Without Restricted Delivery in Pa.
- Timothy Lewis Quoted in Article by Pittsburgh Public Radio WESA
- Is a Neutral Party-Appointed Arbitrator an Oxymoron?
- Diversifying Appellate World Means Starting at the Beginning
- Schnader Sponsors the Virtual Fall Event of CeaseFirePA
- Timothy Lewis Reflects on the Legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- Timothy Lewis Receives Two Appointments – The Council on Criminal Justice and The Appellate Project
- Timothy K. Lewis Helps Develop Clause to Ensure Diversity in Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Timothy K. Lewis Interviewed for Law360 Article on Roger Stone Sentencing
- Sea Change in Class Action Settlement Process: A Year Under Revised Rule 23(e)
- Timothy Lewis appeared on NBC10 @ Issue
- An Important Endeavor for Justice
- Timothy Lewis Appeared on The Beat With Ari Melber to Address “Trump and Ukraine: The Impeachment Crisis”
- Schnader’s Appellate Team Wins Third Circuit Reversal of Asylum Petition Dismissal and Halts Deportation of Political Refugee from Nepal
- Tim Lewis Receives CPR’s 2019 Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity in ADR
- Washington Post Op-Ed References Tim Lewis’s Brookings Report
- Timothy Lewis Was Interviewed for the Online Podcast of the Project on Government Oversight
- Tim Lewis Published “Promoting Diversity in Mediation” as the Cover Story in CPR’s Alternatives Newsletter
- Hon. Timothy K. Lewis Spoke at Two Major CPR Events
- Hon. Timothy Lewis Writes the Cover Story for The Pennsylvania Lawyer
- Tim Lewis Assesses SCOTUS Case Involving Defendant’s Right to Contest Guilt
- Tim Lewis Op-Ed On Death Penalty Case Before U.S. Supreme Court
- Timothy Lewis Co-signed Amicus Brief with Ongoing Impact
- Hon. Timothy K. Lewis Gives Presidential Address With Vice President Biden
- Hon. Timothy K. Lewis is Featured in the Spring 2016 Issue of the ABA’s Dispute Resolution Journal
- Hon. Timothy K. Lewis Co-Authors Op-Ed in Notable Death Penalty Case
- “The Dismal State of Diversity: Mapping a Chart for Change”
- “Judicial Discretion Can Help the Poor”
- Duquesne University School of Law Honors Prominent Alumni Including Schnader Counsel Honorable Timothy K. Lewis
- First Amendment Rights of Witnesses to Execution in PA Protected
- Schnader Recognized as a Tier One Law Firm in the 2013 “Best Law Firms” Rankings
- Paul Titus Offers Comment on Capital Punishment Media Access
- Schnader’s Judge Lewis Signs Clemency Petition for Terrance Williams
- Schnader Attorneys Offer Comment on Upcoming Supreme Court Cases
- Thirty-Three Schnader Attorneys Selected for The Best Lawyers in America 2013
- Hon. Timothy K. Lewis Appointed to the American Arbitration Association Judicial Settlement Conference Service Panel
- Judge Lewis and The Constitution Project Release Statement on the Department of Justice’s Practice of Failing to Disclose Favorable Evidence to Defendants
- “It’s Time to Fill Judicial Vacancies”
- “Act With Dispatch to Ease Federal Courts’ Vacancy Burden”
- Gov. Jack Markell Commutes Death Sentence of Robert Gattis
- “Justice Shouldn’t Be Just for the Rich”
- Marilyn Kutler Recognized with a 2011 Philadelphia Business Journal Women of Distinction Award
- Thirty Schnader Attorneys Recognized as “The Best Lawyers in America” for 2012
- Schnader Obtains a Dismissal in a Matter for Covanta Holding Corp.
- “The Prospect of a Housing Finance Market Without Fannie and Freddie”
- Schnader Names Four New Partners
- Schnader’s Judge Timothy Lewis Discusses Vacant Seats on the Federal Bench on NPR’s Morning Edition
- Schnader Recognized as a Tier One Law Firm in the First Annual Best Lawyers-U.S.News & World Report Law Firm Rankings
- Thirty-Two Schnader Attorneys Recognized as “Best Lawyers in America” for 2011
- Schnader Scores Big for Gaming Client in Pittsburgh
- “The State-of-the-Art Defense in Product Liability Cases: A Fifty State Survey [California Treatment]”
Related Events
- Creativity, Collaboration and Redefining Success: A Pathway to Wellbeing
- From Imagery to Reality: The Birth of a Nation to #BLM and Implications for DEI Efforts in Dispute Management
- “Rule of Law: Criminal Remedies” at the Eradicate Hate Global Summit
- Diversity in the Appellate Bar
- Practical Approaches to Ensure the Neutrality of Party-Appointed Arbitrators
- ADR in the Time of COVID
- First Conversation on Race: Race in Our Community
- The Appellate Project Virtual Launch Event
- Psychological Perspectives on Racial Disparities in Legal Outcomes
- A Conversation About Racism In Our Country and Profession
- Racism, Discrimination, Implicit Bias and Injustice: How Conflict Must Breed Resolution
- A Master Class Seminar on Pursuing Diversity
- The Diversity Dilemma: ADR in the Aftermath of Jay-Z
- Schnader Sponsors and Hosts the CPR Regional Meeting in Philadelphia on April 30
- The Legacy and Leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Future Challenges and Opportunities
- 2018 PDLG Symposium: Diversity in the First Chair: Symposium on Women and Diverse Lawyers in the Courtroom and Boardroom
- Timothy Lewis Gave the Keynote Address at the 30th Anniversary Gala of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts
- Timothy Lewis Spoke at Duquesne University School of Law and University of Pennsylvania Law School
- Tim Lewis Spoke at Georgetown University Law Center Conference
- Ira Neil Richards Presented about Mindfulness in Law
- Tim Lewis Appeared on MSNBC to Discuss the Mueller Investigation and the President
- Hon. Timothy K. Lewis Participated in Criminal Justice Symposium
- Hon. Timothy Lewis Gives Constitution Day Speech
- Ira Neil Richards Spoke at HarrisMartin’s Antitrust Pay-for-Delay Litigation Conference
- Hon. Timothy K. Lewis Keynote Speaker at Philadelphia Bar Association Quarterly Meeting
- Ira Richards Spoke at the 22nd National Conference on Consumer Finance Class Actions & Litigation
- Timothy K. Lewis Spoke at PBA Minority Bar Committee’s Diversity Summit
- Jim Eisenhower Appeared on WPVI-TV’s Inside Story
- Bruce Merenstein Participates in Appellate Panel at Villanova Law School
- Hon. Timothy K. Lewis Presides Over Peter Jennings Project 2012 Moot Court
- Schnader’s Marilyn Kutler Presented at the American College of Real Estate Lawyers 2012 Spring Meeting, Public Private Partnership Committee
- Schnader’s Marilyn Kutler Presented at PBI’s 15th Annual Real Estate Institute – Public Art
- Hon. Timothy K. Lewis Participates in “Judicial Vacancies, Justice Denied” Panel
- Marilyn Kutler Spoke at City of Philadelphia Law Department CLE Seminar on Use of Authorities and Quasi-Public Agencies in Philadelphia