Effort Municipal Lawyers

Thomas E. Panzer’s practice areas focus on administrative litigation, including zoning and workers’ compensation. Mr. Panzer has represented multiple zoning hearing boards over the past 20 years. He also represents both claimants and defendants in workers’ compensation matters, which has made him a sought-after and frequent lecturer on Pennsylvania workers’ compensation topics.

Mr. Panzer joined High Swartz in 2016 as a result of a merger with McNamara, Bolla & Panzer, Attorneys at Law, a firm for which he served as Managing Partner. Mr. Panzer has been practicing law in southeastern Pennsylvania for nearly 25 years.

In addition to the practice of law,...

Scott MacNair is a graduate of the Villanova University School of Law. He began his legal career in 1998 with the Pennsylvania State Education Association where he specialized in labor and education law. In 1999, he obtained a judicial clerkship with a Court of Common Pleas Judge, the Honorable Linda K.M. Ludgate, in Berks County, Pennsylvania. In 2001, Scott obtained employment as an Assistant District Attorney with the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office. In 2004, he was promoted to Chief of Narcotics with the District Attorney’s Office. In 2005, he was promoted to Deputy District...

Kathleen M. Thomas concentrates her practice in the areas of municipal law, small business, non-profit law, and civil litigation. Kathleen is also experienced in other areas of municipal law, including Right to Know, land development, zoning, code enforcement and litigation.

Recognized as an expert in the areas of Pennsylvania Act 511 taxation, Kathleen serves as Special Act 511 Tax Counsel to the Townships of Lower Merion and Abington, among others. She also serves as the Act 511 Hearing Officer to multiple municipalities in Montgomery and Delaware Counties. She also serves as Special Tax Consultant for ordinance and Regulation Revision and litigation...

My name is Paul A. Bauer III, and I am the founding lawyer of Bauer and Associates. I focus my legal practice on providing the most aggressive criminal defense in the Pottstown area. I previously spent fourteen years as a founding partner of the Garner & Bauer Law Firm and four years in the Montgomery County district attorney’s office where I prosecuted more than 1,000 cases.

Matthew M. Setley, Esq. joined the firm that would become Georgeadis||Setley in 2010. He focuses his practice on family law (divorce and custody) and civil litigation. Mr. Setley has extensive experience representing businesses and individuals in connection with a wide range of matters in Pennsylvania’s state and federal courts. He primarily focuses his practice in the legal fields of divorce, child custody, personal and business litigation matters, and select criminal defense work.

Mr. Setley earned his undergraduate degree in political science from The George Washington University (Washington, DC); thereafter, he earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude (with honors), from...

Tim Brennan was raised in the coal region working in his family’s well known mom and pop restaurant. He began his legal career in the Lehigh Valley as a Bethlehem and Northampton County Solicitor. He currently lives in Doylestown and, in addition to his legal work, serves as a member of the Doylestown Borough Council.

Mr. Brennan graduated from Ursinus College in 2000, receiving his Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English and Politics and a double minor in International Relations and American Studies. During this period he served two United States Congressional Internships with Congressman Joe Hoeffel and...

Charles D. Garner, Jr. was born on April 26, 1961. He graduated from Pottstown High School in 1979. Mr. Garner has been a lifelong resident of the Pottstown area. Mr. Garner graduated Cum Laude from Ursinus College in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts. He received his Juris Doctor from Dickinson School of Law in 1983. He joined Reynier, Crocker, Allebach & Reber as an associate in 1986. He was promoted to partner in 1992 and remained at the firm until 1998. In 1998, he joined Paul Bauer to form Garner & Bauer. Mr. Garner developed...

Joel Wiener concentrates his practice in business matters, real estate and commercial litigation. He regularly represents real estate developers and commercial users in all aspects of residential and commercial development. His practice includes representation before all municipal boards for zoning, planning and land use as well as handling appeals to relevant Courts. His business clients include many companies involved in the construction industry. He has litigated civil matters in Pennsylvania's county courts and Federal Courts. His practice also includes extensive experience in bank and loan negotiation, documentation and workout.

As one of the firm’s two founding attorneys, Jeff Drake practices in the areas of real estate, tax assessment appeals, zoning, municipal law, estate administration, family law, and personal injury law. He also represents non-profit corporations such as churches, Christian schools and mission boards, in addition to handling cases involving the preservation of religious liberties.

Jeff received his law degree in 1980 from Capital University Law School and his undergraduate degree from Gordon College in 1977. He has been an adjunct professor at Philadelphia Biblical University (now Cairn University).