EARP COHN P.C. - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Managing Partner of Giosa & Hetznecker

Anthony J. Giosa is the former founding and managing partner of Giosa & Hetznecker, P .C. Mr. Giosa has been practicing for thirty-eight (38) years with a focus that has always been on accident victims, patients who have been subject to medical and hospital negligence, and families who have lost loved ones due to the negligence of others. His practice areas include catastrophic personal injury; automobile, motorcycle and trucking accidents; medical malpractice; premises and construction accidents; wrongful death matters; products liability; legal malpractice; and municipal liability. From 2011 through 2020, Anthony Giosa was chosen as a Super Lawyer, as seen in Philadelphia Magazine. Being chosen as a Super Lawyer represents recognition by his peers of his professional achievements and expertise in the area of personal injury law. Less than 5% of attorneys in the country are awarded this honor. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization that, by invitation only, recognizes excellence in advocacy for those attorneys who have achieved superior results and seven (7) figure settlements or verdicts on behalf of their clients. He has a rating of "Excellent" with the lawyer rating service Avvo. Mr. Giosa has also been named to the list of Top 100 Trial Lawyers of Pennsylvania by the National Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Giosa has litigated cases resulting in million dollar settlements and awards on behalf of his clients. Because of his expertise, he is known as a "lawyer's lawyer". Over his career, he has represented numerous lawyers and their families in personal injury matters. He is often called upon by his peers to assist in cases that are complex or difficult in nature. He has that rare ability to make a complex case simple and easy for insurance companies, judges and juries to understand resulting in full justice for his clients. Mr. Giosa has litigated cases over his thirty-five (35) year career in nearly every state court in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, South Eastern Pennsylvania area, and South Jersey area, including Federal District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Federal District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and Federal District Court for New Jersey. Mr. Giosa is proud to have served for the past thirty (30) years as a Court-appointed Judge Pro Tempore for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Major Jury Day Forward and Day Backward Programs, as well as a Certified Arbitrator on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Compulsory Arbitration Program. For many years he has been chosen by his peers to serve as an arbitrator in uninsured and underinsured motorist cases. Mr. Giosa received his bachelor's degree in Accounting from LaSalle University in 1979 and his law degree from Temple University James Beasley School of Law in 1982. In law school, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Charles R. Weiner in Federal Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Education: J.D., 1982, Temple University James Beasley School of Law B.A., 1979, Accounting, LaSalle University

Blair C. Lane, Sr., has been providing legal assistance to individuals, families and corporations throughout the State of New Jersey and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Practice Areas Arbitration & Mediation Blair C. Lane, Sr. has been practicing law for over 25 years. Mr. Lane joined Earp Cohn P.C. in 2006, bringing with him at that time more than 17 years of legal, litigation, and trial experience in a variety of areas. Prior to this time, Mr. Lane worked for 3 area law firms ranging in size from 4 attorneys to over 50 attorneys. Mr. Lane ran his own successful law practice in Cherry Hill from 1997 to 2006 where he represented clients with a wide variety of legal needs, ranging from simple real estate transactions to representing an international engineering procurement company with construction projects, and USAID construction projects throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. You can view his personal website by clicking here. Mr. Lane's commercial litigation experience includes representation of individual clients and businesses involving contract litigation, insurance litigation, construction litigation, employment litigation, mediation, arbitration, and other commercial litigation issues. He also represents physician and medical professionals and practices in subrogation and insurance billing claims. Mr. Lane's personal injury litigation experience includes representation of injured people and their families in cases throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including, but not limited to, accidental death cases, alcohol-related injuries, automobile accidents, brain and head injuries, burn cases, bus accidents, construction accidents, daycare injuries, dog bite/animal cases, malpractice, motorcycle accidents, nursing home abuse cases, product liability, slip and fall cases, uninsured and underinsured automobile insurance claims, and work-related injuries and workers' compensation cases. Mr. Lane's personal injury practice is essentially limited to representing the injured party, but his past experience includes both insurance defense work (i.e., representing defendants named in personal injury and other lawsuits through the defendants' insurance companies). Mr. Lane has and will act as "personal" counsel to individuals and businesses involved in litigation who may also be represented by defense counsel hired by an insurance company to assist in protecting assets above and beyond insurance company policy limits. Mr. Lane has been a lifelong resident of New Jersey, having graduated from Cherry Hill High School East. Before attending law school, Mr. Lane worked as an iron worker for Local 399 in Camden, New Jersey. In that capacity, he worked on many of the buildings, bridges, and overpasses, hanging steel in the Burlington and Camden County areas. Mr. Lane applies his experience in the construction field along with a strong work ethic to his legal practice today to pursue and protect his clients' rights. Through strong commitment, personal attention, and experience, Mr. Lane strives to establish both legal and personal relationships with his clients that will hopefully last a lifetime. Education J.D., 1989, Widener University School of Law B.S., 1986, Business Marketing & Finance, University of Alabama

Job Titles:

• Trial Attorney Carol Harding Assists Her Clients through the Rigors of Litigation to Achieve the Results Which Best Serve the Clients' Interests

Carol Harding maintains a broad-based litigation practice in which she has represented businesses, public entities, and individuals at both the trial and appellate levels in both state and federal courts. Her experience includes complex commercial disputes, employment law, defense of claims against public entities, disability income insurance law, environmental litigation, trust and estate litigation, and consumer fraud actions. Ms. Harding also serves as an arbitrator in employment law matters. Ms. Harding uses her broad litigation background and experience to provide practical and efficient results for her clients. While she is a trial lawyer, she also counsels clients on day to day operational issues in order to minimize the risk of claims. Ms. Harding also handles all forms of alternate dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration, to minimize the time and expense involved in litigation for her clients. Before joining Earp Cohn P.C., Ms. Harding served as a law clerk to the Honorable Joseph L. McGlynn Jr., U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Charles Montgomery represents clients in broad range of complex litigation matters.

Donald Nogowski draws on a diverse experience to serve clients in matters of business management, entrepreneurship, tax, "Life-Care Planning," and financial accounting. Practice Areas Bankruptcy Donald A. Nogowski is a seasoned attorney with broad-based legal and professional experience. Mr. Nogowski has developed a passion in several areas of law, based upon his unique professional background and life experiences. Mr. Nogowski provides strategic counsel and advice to a broad range of clients, most notably:

Job Titles:

• Member of Habitat for Humanity

Douglas Johnson is a veteran trial attorney, whose litigation experience ranges from contract and real estate litigation to billion-dollar antitrust and consumer fraud cases. Practice Areas Arbitration & Mediation Douglas F. Johnson represents clients in a broad range of complex commercial litigation and insurance disputes. After six years as a federal prosecutor, Mr. Johnson entered private practice, where he has been involved for over thirty years in a wide variety of sophisticated litigation in both state and federal courts in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and other states. When clients have important matters which can only be resolved through trial, they call on Doug. Mr. Johnson has been an active member of Habitat for Humanity and The Sierra Club for many years. Doug Johnson is presently representing a major pharmacy retailer in a direct purchaser antitrust lawsuit against dozens of generic drug manufacturers. The drug manufacturers are alleged to have been engaged in a years-long conspiracy to allocate markets and customers among themselves, as well as raising and fixing prices of such generic drugs to anticompetitive levels. The complaint seeks damages in excess of $2.5 billion.

Eagles Fly for Leukemia - Blair's father, Stanley W. Lane, founded the Eagles Fly for Leukemia in 1971 which continues to benefit area hospitals such as the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and families affected by leukemia. Stan was also an original founder of the first Ronald McDonald House located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Blair has continued in his father's charitable endeavors, including, but not limited to, co-chairing golf tournaments held at Stone Harbor Golf Club and Atlantic City Country Club and attending charitable events.

Ed Borden is a skilled and aggressive advocate who is used to cases where it's all on the line. His meticulous preparation and creative strategy, focus on the client's goals. Practice Areas Arbitration & Mediation Edward F. Borden, Jr. is an experienced trial lawyer who represents businesses and individuals in white-collar criminal defense and parallel litigation, commercial disputes, employment litigation, and other complex litigation. Mr. Borden is first and foremost a trial lawyer. He has tried and won dozens of major cases during his career as a defense lawyer and public prosecutor. While he appreciates that his client's interest is often well served by a negotiated resolution, he believes that the best route to a favorable agreement is to be ready to try the case and win it. He is known for meticulous preparation, creative trial strategies and client satisfaction. Mr. Borden also has a long history of public service. He served as Camden County Prosecutor from 1990 to 1995 and was elected to the Board of Directors of the National District Attorneys Association. From 1980 to 1984, Mr. Borden was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He is frequently appointed by federal judges in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania to represent indigent criminal defendants appearing before them. He has been an instructor in many professional development programs and has served on various charitable and civic boards, including DARE-NJ and the American Red Cross. Education J.D., cum laude, Villanova University Law School B.A., University of Vermont

Eric is a New Jersey and Pennsylvania licensed attorney working with a broad range of clients on real estate, corporate, litigation, international, and regulated substance matters. Practice Areas Arbitration & Mediation

Job Titles:

• Professionals

Irv Koffler uses his substantial experience representing individuals and businesses to address client's concerns while including a careful analysis of tax considerations applicable. Irving Koffler has represented businesses, professionals, and individual clients in matters of federal and state taxes for more than 40 years. Mr. Koffler's areas of expertise include income and corporate tax planning, retirement plans and employee benefits, estate planning and administration, charitable trusts and foundations, formation, acquisition and sale of business entities, and shareholder agreements and succession planning. Mr. Koffler has extensive experience in designing estate plans and administration of estates, and has written a number of articles on estate and charitable planning. He is a frequent speaker on estate and retirement planning. Mr. Koffler has served on the Board of Trustees for Temple Emanuel in Cherry Hill for many years.

Job Titles:

• Firm Administrator

John Reisner carefully assists individuals in preparing estate plans and administering estates of loved ones. He also helps individuals with buying and selling residential real estate. Practice Areas Estate Planning, Probate, & Administration John H. Reisner is a craftsman. He has more than thirty-five years of experience as a transactional attorney. In all of his dealings with individuals, he brings meticulous care to the client's needs, and to the documents that they need to complete their estate plan or transaction. He advises and counsels executors and administrators regarding their obligations in managing estates. His practice also focuses on representing individuals in the buying and selling of real estate. Mr. Reisner takes pride in the careful preparation that he brings to each estate plan, and to each transaction in which he is involved. Before joining Earp Cohn P.C., Mr. Reisner was an attorney in private practice in Haddonfield. Education J.D., 1976, Rutgers School of Law M.C.R.P., 1972, Urban Planning, Rutgers University B.A., 1970, Political Science, Davidson College

Job Titles:

• Managing Partner for the Philadelphia

Marty Lisman assists corporate and individual clients in complex matters for real estate, commercial business transactions, and litigation. Martin N. Lisman is an experienced transactional attorney and litigator responsible for handling cases in the State and Federal Courts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Mr. Lisman represents individuals, companies, and government agencies in complex real estate and commercial transactions, and in major defense litigation cases involving catastrophic property losses and bodily injuries Mr. Lisman is the managing partner for the Philadelphia office. He specializes in commercial real estate, commercial business claims, loan transactions, premises liability, condominium law, automobile liability, product liability, employment discrimination, construction law, commercial debt collection, and residential real estate. Mr. Lisman has significant Trial experience in Philadelphia County, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Bucks County, York County, Lackawanna County, Fulton County, Camden County, Gloucester County, Atlantic County, and Burlington County. Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Lisman served as a law clerk for the City of Philadelphia, Special Litigation Unit of the City Solicitor's Office, and for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Office of Chief Counsel for the Department of Labor and Industry. Mr. Lisman also worked for the Business Bankruptcy Project, co-run by Harvard Law School and the University of Texas Law School. This Project published findings from a major empirical study on the disposition of business bankruptcy cases for the Bankruptcy Review Commission. Mr. Lisman was named as a "Rising Star" in 2012 and 2013, and as a "Super Lawyer" in 2014 in Pennsylvania by the independent legal rating service, Super Lawyers. He served for six years as a distinguished member of a hearing committee for the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board. He has been recognized for his contributions to the legal industry, and for his charitable services in the community. Mr. Lisman is the author of a chapter titled "The Process of Contract Creation" in the recently published book "Corporate Law Lessons for CEOs: Top Professional Corporate Lawyers Share What They Know Best". Education York College of Pennsylvania (B.A., Political Science, magna cum laude, 1995) Temple University School of Law (J.D., 1998)

Melanie maintains a diverse practice, with emphasis on estate planning, trusts, estate administration and guardianships, as well as commercial real estate, municipal land use, and business transactions. She has been appointed by the court as an estate administrator, temporary and permanent guardian of incapacitated persons, and attorney to represent incapacitated persons. Melanie uses her experience and knowledge to guide her clients through complicated legal issues by providing straight-forward advice and discussing all options. Her goal is to help clients make the choice that is right for them. Melanie was recently appointed the solicitor for the Moorestown Zoning Board. Melanie is an avid backpacker and has backpacked the Grand Canyon, the White Mountains, and portions of the Appalachian Trail. She is currently training for a backpacking trip in the Smoky Mountains. Education Rutgers University Law School, J.D., 1998 Rutgers University, B.A., 1995

Job Titles:

• Chairman of the Securities

Merritt Cole represents clients in securities and corporate matters, including transactional matters, SEC reporting and compliance and corporate governance. Merritt Cole is Chair of the Securities Law Practice Group and Counsel at Earp Cohn P.C., which he joined in 2014. He has extensive experience in securities and corporate law matters, including transactional matters (public and private securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions, venture capital investments and control contests), SEC reporting and compliance, corporate governance and business counseling. Mr. Cole has represented a broad range of business clients, ranging from development-stage companies to publicly-held companies and financial institutions, including broker-dealers, investment advisors and banks. Mr. Cole has represented businesses and individuals in enforcement actions brought by the SEC, state securities commissions, stock exchanges and FINRA. He has represented both broker-dealers and customers in securities arbitrations. He lectures frequently on securities law matters and has served as an expert witness and arbitrator in legal proceedings. Before entering private practice, Mr. Cole worked with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C., where he served as a Branch Chief in the Division of Market Regulation. Prior to moving to Philadelphia in the 1980's, he practiced with Shearman & Sterling in New York City. In June 2016, Mr. Cole was honored by being admitted to The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation. Mr. Cole has held additional senior leadership positions in many professional organizations. He has served as Chairman of the Business Law Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association and for many years served on the Executive Committee of the Section. Mr. Cole also served as Chair of the Securities Regulation Committee of the Business Law Section. He served as a member of the Attorney Advisory Committee of the Pennsylvania Securities Commission (until merged as the PA Department of Banking and Securities). Mr. Cole has taught Securities Regulation courses in three law schools and has taught Advanced Corporate Practice at Rutgers School of Law and Advanced Topics in Securities Regulation at Temple University School of Law. Mr. Cole is rated AV Preeminent by the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating system. He has been quoted in the New York Times and The Legal Intelligencer and interviewed by Financier Worldwide, Smart Business and The CorporateCounsel.net Education J.D., University of Connecticut School of Law, with honors; Associate Editor of the Law Review. B.A., Yale University, cum laude

Michael Kiernan leverages his 22+ years of litigation experience to deliver excellent results for clients by identifying specific client goals and conducting an ongoing analysis of return on investment during the litigation process. Michael W. Kiernan focuses his practice on Business Disputes and related litigation. He provides guidance to businesses and individuals to help them protect their assets and avoid disputes. He is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.

Job Titles:

• Chairman
• Member of the Executive Committee

Rich Cohn is the current Chair of Earp Cohn, and the senior member of the firm's real estate practice. Practice Areas Corporate, Business & Tax Rich Cohn is a founding shareholder of Earp Cohn, which he and partner Tom Earp formed in 1991 after many years of large firm experience. Rich's practice focuses on sophisticated commercial real estate transactions, including commercial acquisitions and dispositions of office buildings, shopping centers, hotels and commercial, industrial and manufacturing facilities; acquisition and assembly of land; office, retail and industrial leasing; zoning, land use planning and urban redevelopment; formation and organization of real estate ownership and development entities; and real estate financing transactions.

Richard Israel helps clients achieve their business goals by forming companies, negotiating and drafting business agreements, financing documents, and other contracts.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Junior Achievement of New Jersey

Tom Earp brings a practical approach to complex problems arising in business and personal relationships: corporate law, estate planning, and the administration of estates and trusts. Practice Areas Corporate, Business & Tax Thomas L. Earp has represented individuals and businesses in corporate law, estate planning, and estate and trust administration for more than 40 years. He practiced in Haddonfield, New Jersey until 1991 when he and three other attorneys formed Earp Cohn P.C. Mr. Earp has helped clients with corporate law matters ranging from formations of new businesses, sales of businesses, mergers and acquisitions, shareholder agreements, disputes, contract negotiation, and other issues. In the area of estate planning and administration Mr. Earp advises and represents individuals in estate planning, and represents executors and trustees in estate and trust administration, litigation and other disputes. Mr. Earp's professional background also includes clerking with the Honorable James Hunter III of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit immediately following law school. He served four years in the Navy JAG Corps. Education J.D., cum laude, 1971, Harvard Law School A.B., cum laude, 1968, Economics, Brown University Mr. Earp has been a member of the Board of Junior Achievement of New Jersey for more than 30 years, and also served as Chairman. He was honored as its "Volunteer of the Year" in 2006. He serves on the governing board of his church and is active in church events. He donates blood as frequently as the Red Cross allows.