Associate
phone 610-679-9588
fax 610-275-5290
email aflenner@highswartz.com

Alan Flenner concentrates his practice on issues affecting the built and natural environments, with a particular emphasis on environmental, land use and municipal law. He has substantial experience representing municipalities, developers, commercial retailers, non-profit institutions and individuals in zoning, land development, and building code matters.  He is the Solicitor for the Borough of Narberth Uniform Construction Code Board of Appeals.  As a Professional Engineer (in Pennsylvania and Delaware) and a Registered Environmental Manager, Mr. Flenner is uniquely qualified in the legal analysis of building construction, zoning and land development, and environmental issues. 

Areas of Practice:
Municipal and Governmental Law
Real Estate and Land Use Law
Real Estate Litigation
Construction Law
Zoning and Land Development

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 1999

Education:

• The Dickinson School of Law, J.D., 1999
• University of Illinois, M.S.C.E. (Environmental Engineering), 1993
• University of Delaware, B.M.E. (Mechanical Engineering), 1986
• Mr. Flenner also attended the U.S. Naval War College receiving a Command and Staff diploma in 2003 with an emphasis on National Security Strategy and Policy.

Professional Affiliations & Honors:

• Pennsylvania Bar Association, Secretary/Treasurer, Municipal Law Section 
• Montgomery Bar Association, Chairman, Environmental Law Committee
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• National Registry of Environmental Professionals
• Delaware Society of Professional Engineers
• Reserve Officers Association
• Pennsylvania Super Lawyer “Rising Star” as named by Law & Politics magazine and Philadelphia magazine, 2006, 2007 and 2008
• Special Recognition Award, Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin, 2008
• Distinguished Alumnus Award, University of Delaware, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2006.

Civic & Community Activities:

• Counsel for the Seabee Memorial Scholarship Association
• Board and Executive Committee Member, Water Resources Association of the Delaware River Basin Commission
• Trustee, Silver Spring Presbyterian Church 

Publications & Presentations:

• "Land Use and Planning," Legal Issues Involving Local Governments, National Business Institute, March 2012
• "Land Conservation," Montgomery Bar Association, November 2011
• "The Basics of Pennsylvania Water Law," Pennsylvania Land Law, HalfMoon Seminars, June 2011
• "Understanding Green Technology," Municipal Law Colloquium, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, June 2011
• "Construction Code Enforcement and Appeal Procedures," PA Law Weekly, May 2011
• "Landowner Protection from Marcellus Shale Development," Westlaw Environmental Journal, April 2011
• "Construction Code Enforcement and Appeals," Montgomery Bar Association, April 2011
• "Who's got the Power?  Municipal Regulation of Alternative Energy," PA Law Weekly, November 2010
• "Act 46 - Automatic Permit Extensions," Pennsylvania Bar Institute, August 2010
• "Regulation of Municipal Storm and Waste Water Discharges," Montgomery Bar Association, April 2010
• "Water Facilities Permitting in Pennsylvania," Land Use Institute, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, March 2010
• “High Performance Buildings,” Montgomery Bar Association, August 2009
• “Sustainable Development and Green Building Regulations,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute – 2009 Municipal Law Colloquium, May 2009
• “The Flow Toward Stormwater Authorities in Pennsylvania,” The Legal Intelligencer, May 2009
• “Local Sustainable Planning Practices”, Montgomery Bar Association, October 2008
• “Legal Aspects of Green Zoning/Building in Pennsylvania,” Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission - Green Codes and Planning Workshop, October 2008
• “Local Stormwater Regulation,” Montgomery Bar Association, August 2007
• “Utility Choices for Municipalities,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute – 2007 Municipal Law Colloquium, April 2007
• “Open Space Land Use,” Montgomery Bar Association, August 2006
• “Creating and Operating a Successful Stormwater Utility in Pennsylvania,” Lorman Education Services, May 2006
• “Land Use: Strategies for Smart Growth,” PennFuture – 2004 Watershed Workshop, March 2004
• “Municipal Stormwater Management,” Montgomery Bar Association, November 2003
• “Municipal Riparian Buffer Regulations in Pennsylvania, Confronting the Regulatory Takings Doctrine,” 7 Dickinson Journal of Environmental Law and Policy 2, 1998

Military Service:
U.S. Navy, 1985 – present; Captain, Civil Engineer Corps (Reserve Component):  Mr. Flenner is currently assigned as the Chief Staff Officer of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command's Contingency Construction Unit in Washington, D.C.  His Navy experience includes numerous operational assignments with the Naval Construction Force (Seabees) and a variety of public works management, environmental compliance, construction contracting, and staff assignments with the Naval Facilities Engineering Command.  He has served with the Chief of Naval Operations Management Analysis unit at the Pentagon and as the Deputy Inspector General for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command.  He has also commanded a naval construction battalion; led a battle damage repair and reconstruction team in Fallujah, Iraq; directed the environmental, health and safety programs at installations in Mechanicsburg and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; served as a Seabee company commander in Saudi Arabia during the Persian Gulf War; and managed construction projects at the Philadelphia Naval Base.