A Foundation That Holds

Thirty-two years ago this month, Hangley Aronchick opened its doors as a new law firm built on the values of hard work, service to clients and the community, entrepreneurialism and professionalism. The firm has furthered those values and built on its vision to become one of the region’s leading firms, taking on the same matters and competing for the same talent as firms many times its size.

The firm’s disciplined, measured growth is driven in large part by its success in the courtroom, at the negotiating table and with individuals, where its attorneys excel at leading the complex, high-stakes matters our clients entrust to us.

It is also a testament to the legacies of two of our late co-founders Bill Hangley and Dan Segal, who passed away earlier this year and believed that advancing our clients’ interests requires hard work, the highest ethical standards and a healthy dose of fun.

Today, Hangley Aronchick celebrates many new additions to its family and the opening of our new office at 1735 Market Street. Designed to meet the needs of an evolving industry, the space embodies the collegial, close-knit environment that has defined our firm from its start.

As we embark on the exciting journey ahead, we take a moment to welcome our newest colleagues and to reflect on the growth of our practices and the people who will carry the firm forward.

A new space

In July, Hangley Aronchick moved from the Parkway to our new Market Street office, located in the heart of Center City and close to many of the courts and clients its attorneys serve daily.

Reflecting the modern realities of the legal profession, the space provides enhanced conferencing and remote-work capabilities. The thoughtful design is meant to attract and keep the next generation of top attorneys, who increasingly weigh flexibility alongside the work itself when choosing where to build a career.

“Our new office rocks,” said shareholder David Scolnic, who spearheaded the office move with long-time firm Director of Administration, Janet Walker. “It’s modern, vibrant and flexible. The people who are here nearly every day consistently see their colleagues in a state-of-the-art environment. Those who work from home more find a welcoming space for them, too.”

In a tribute to the legacy of our late co-founders, the firm named two new conference rooms after Bill and Dan.

“It’s great to be able to say that we have a meeting in the Hangley or Segal conference room,” said Walker. “Bill and Dan were here from the beginning, and now they will always be with us.”

Building out our bench

In January, the firm elected Thomas Brown and Kyle Heisner as shareholders. Their elevation reflects Hangley Aronchick’s enduring commitment to developing talent in its ranks, while also cultivating a firm culture where each generation of attorneys benefits from the experience and mentorship of the one that came before it.

“Much of what I know about practicing law, I learned by working alongside the shareholders who came before me,” said shareholder Kyle Heisner. “This firm demands a lot from its young attorneys, and it gives them the resources and support required to meet those expectations. I’m grateful for all the mentors who have invested in me, and I’m excited to help carry that tradition forward with the next generation of our lawyers.”

Since last October, Hangley Aronchick has welcomed 14 new attorneys across its Litigation and Family Law practices – a testament to the significant practice growth and success of many of our shareholders, including the next generation following in the footsteps of Bill, Dan and others. At a firm of our size, associates take on real responsibility early in their careers, arguing motions, taking depositions and advising clients earlier than they would at a larger firm.

• Ellen Heiman helps corporate and individual clients resolve complex commercial and business disputes.
• Alyssa Bennett counsels insurers and reinsurers on coverage policies, disputes and contracts, helping clients anticipate potential challenges and exclusions.
• Sara Smith litigates complex commercial disputes in state and federal trial and appellate courts.
• Eileen Bradley advises insurers and underwriters on coverage issues and related disputes, including matters involving policy obligations and bad faith, and litigates coverage disputes on their behalf.
• Elizabeth McBride counsels and defends insurers in coverage disputes spanning professional liability, errors and omissions, employment liability, construction defects and other lines.
• Matthew Seelig helps resolve complex commercial disputes for individual and corporate clients across a range of industries. He is involved at all stages of a potential dispute, from early case assessment through appeals, with a practice spanning contracts, tort, securities, ERISA and bankruptcy matters.
• Regina Paparo litigates complex civil disputes and arbitrations for sophisticated corporate and individual clients in industries including financial services, manufacturing, technology, aerospace and defense.
• Aaron M. Jacobs helps clients resolve disputes across complex civil and commercial suits, white collar defense and investigations, and bankruptcies and reorganizations, working on matters from early case assessment through post-trial motions.
• Eric A. Garcia advises insurers and reinsurers on policy language, exclusions and coverage obligations, helping clients evaluate, and where necessary revise, their internal policies.
• Deidra A. Hopkins helps national and international insurers manage risk and litigate coverage and bad faith disputes, analyzing policies, exclusions and contracts to assess exposure.
• Marianne E. Bradley, who rejoins the firm, represents major property and casualty insurers in complex coverage and defense disputes, including matters under directors and officers, professional liability, general liability and errors and omissions policies.
• Megan T. Bertrand litigates complex commercial disputes on behalf of business and individuals, helping clients at all stages of a potential dispute, from early case assessment through post-trial motions.
• Gloria D. Farrisi represents clients in complex civil litigation and administrative proceedings, advising on litigation strategy and compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Maegan S. Spitzer represents clients in matrimonial and family law matters, handling litigation from pleadings and discovery through trial and post-trial briefing.

In addition to this growth, the firm has developed relationships with its existing team of attorneys for the long-haul. Many of our attorneys have spent nearly their entire careers at Hangley Aronchick, developing deep client relationships and carving out practices in education, environmental law, private company disputes, insurance coverage, bankruptcy, family law, and beyond. That retention is closely tied to the standard of work the firm demands of itself. Young shareholders are held to the same rigorous standard as the firm’s most seasoned litigators and appellate advocates, and they are given the responsibility to meet it, sharpening their practice and reinforcing the exacting quality clients have come to expect from Hangley Aronchick.

“The move to 1735 Market Street has been a welcome change. The new space is modern and elevated, and its communal design naturally brings our attorneys together throughout the day,” said shareholder Bonnie Hoffman. “Importantly, the space was designed to continue our collaborative culture. Attorneys here consistently make time for one another, even when they aren’t assigned to the same matter. Our newer colleagues quickly begin extending the same support to each other, and a space designed to encourage that kind of collaboration only strengthens the ties between us.”

Looking ahead

These recent additions and promotions reflect what has defined Hangley Aronchick for over three decades: attorneys who join the firm tend to stay, and the ones who stay tend to do some of their best work here. That pattern is part of what we carry with us to 1735 Market Street. Hangley Aronchick’s growth is built on the strength of its work, not simply a larger footprint.

As the firm settles into its new space, that same standard, and the attorneys who uphold it, will continue to define our next chapter.