Hon. Emil Giordano (Ret.) and F. Peter Lehr Obtain Favorable Resolution

The law firm of Norris McLaughlin, P.A., is pleased to announce that our attorneys Hon. Emil Giordano (Ret.), Co-Chair of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group, and F. Peter Lehr obtained a favorable resolution for Macada North Neighbors.

The decision was reported by WFMZ-TV 69 News in their recent article “Hanover Twp. supervisors vote against Willowcrest development, OK Wawa for Route 512.”

About the Norris McLaughlin Litigation Practice Group

Our litigation attorneys not only have exceptional legal experience and skills, but are also practical, sensible, and business-minded, knowing that cost, efficiency, and sound judgment are critical to help you achieve your goals.  Equipped with technical and industry-specific experience and knowledge of the courts, as well as trial, arbitration, and appellate experience, our litigation attorneys are equipped to help you. Clients value our responsiveness, diligence, and judgment in handling complex and difficult situations.  We focus on solutions that match our clients’ business goals, no matter how complex the problem.

About Hon. Emil Giordano (Ret.)

The Honorable Emil Giordano (Ret.), Co-Chair of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group, focuses his practice on estate and commercial litigation, and mediation and arbitration.

Judge Giordano served as a presiding judge on the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County, Third Judicial District, from 2004 through 2018. He was Northampton County’s first administrative Judge of the Orphans’ County Division, overseeing estates and trusts of the county, and was named to the Statewide Orphans’ Court Task Force, an organization charged with implementing changes to Orphans’ Court. He was also the first Judge in Pennsylvania to institute guardianship certification requirements for the protection of senior citizens.

For 15 years, Judge Giordano presided over jury trials and non-jury trials, hearings and motions, and a wide range of disputes under Pennsylvania and federal law, including construction, commercial litigation, professional malpractice, CERCLA, Civil Rights, condemnations, labor and land use appeals, criminal, and domestic relations.

As an arbitrator and mediator, Judge Giordano is certified through Harvard Law School Negotiation Institute in Advanced Mediation, is a fellow of the American College of Civil Trial Mediators, and is affiliated with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) Mediation. He serves as an arbitrator and mediator to the Judicial Roster, Real Estate, and Pennsylvania at Large ADR Panels of Distinguished Neutrals for the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution.

Judge Giordano is Vice-Chair of the Orphans’ Court Procedural Rules Committee for the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He is a Diplomate Member for mediation for the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. Judge Giordano serves on the Board of Trustees of the Center for Guardianship Certification. He is a member of the Board of Governors for Saint Thomas More Society and in the Northampton County Bar Association Wills and Trusts Committee Lecturer. In 2005, Judge Giordano was the first judicial recipient of the Lehigh Valley Crime Victims Council Award for Outstanding Commitment to Victim’s Rights. He also received the Bethlehem Catholic High School Distinguished Graduate Award. Judge Giordano received the Title IX Hearing Chairs Certification and Title IX Hearing Officer & Decision-Maker Certification from the Association of Title IX Administrators.

About F. Peter Lehr

Peter Lehr focuses his practice on health care transactional and regulatory matters, real estate, and land use law, including zoning and subdivision applications and commercial lending.

Peter represents and counsels health care providers, including hospitals, long term care and nursing facilities, home health agencies, assisted living facilities, and more. He assists clients in numerous transactions and regulatory issues involving such mandates as the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (“HITECH”) Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”), the Stark law and accompanying Phase I-III regulations, the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute and attendant safe harbors, and the Emergency Medical Treatment and Act of Labor Act (“EMTALA”). He is experienced in leading operational assessments of health care providers and drafting corporate compliance programs. He has counseled clients on fraud and abuse avoidance and represented them in third party payer reimbursement cases.

Peter has obtained favorable decisions for clients in numerous land use and zoning cases. He has served as counsel of record in municipal hearings, trial court cases, and appellate level proceedings. Peter has assisted municipal code enforcement officers in compliance proceedings and has drafted, interpreted, and implemented ordinances and resolutions, regulating matters from permit issuances to zoning classifications. As part of his practice, he also performs contract and real estate document reviews, including commercial leases.

Peter prepares and reviews loan documents for financial institutions in connection with various forms of commercial credit facilities. His experience includes negotiations with borrowers’ counsel over loan and reimbursement agreement provisions, as well as the terms and conditions contained in security, collateral pledge, and suretyship documents.

As an active member of the community, Peter serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including LifePath, Inc., the Weller Health Education Center, and the Forum for Ethics in the Workplace. He is a member of the Leonard Pool Society of Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network.

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