Special Counsel to Government Entities

Special Litigation Counsel for Municipalities

• Gilbert P. High, Jr. and Eric B. Smith provide special counsel services to municipalities, authorities and governmental units in the field of litigation. Mr. High and Mr. Smith routinely represent municipalities as special counsel involving commercial and contract disputes and zoning and land use litigation.

• Thomas D. Rees, who heads the firm’s employment practice, has acted as special counsel for municipalities and for municipal officials on employment law matters. He has advised municipalities on the drafting of employee policy and procedures, represented municipalities in employment discrimination and unemployment compensation matters and has handled police tenure/disability issues. Mr. Rees served as chair for two years of the Municipal Law section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and has served as a chair or co-chair of the Employment Law section of the Montgomery County Bar Association.

Zoning and Land Development

• Gilbert P. High, Jr. has extensive experience in legislative drafting, subdivision and land development, zoning litigation, public employment issues, local taxation, public contracting, the law of easements and rights of way. Mr. High lectures regularly on issues pertaining to municipal liability and has lectured nationally on maintenance of the urban forest.

Environmental Expert Services

• Alan W. Flenner is a Registered Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania and Delaware, and a Registered Environmental Manager with the National Registry of Environmental Professionals. A leading authority on local environmental regulation and compliance, including legal issues associated with storm water management, sustainable development and green building, he has substantial experience in representing municipalities and corporations and individuals appearing before municipal bodies in zoning and land development matters. Mr. Flenner has been called upon as an expert witness on municipal regulation and code enforcement matters.

Deprivation of Property Rights

• Gilbert P. High, Jr. and Alan W. Flenner provide expert services in civil rights matters, assisting municipalities in federal cases involving claims of deprivation of property rights.