- DivorceOur divorce and family law attorneys offer support and legal protection for clients in a difficult process. We represent individuals in Harrisburg, Dauphin County and the surrounding jurisdictions of Central Pennsylvania. Contact us at 717-232-7661 to arrange a consultation.
- Child SupportModifying child support due to a substantial change in economic circumstances (job loss/increased income) or the needs of the child (child care expenses, health insurance, special education costs, preference to live with the other parent)
- Child Custody and VisitationGoing through a divorce is a difficult and emotional process, made even more complicated when children are involved. Our child custody law team can help parents get custody of their children after a divorce has occurred. We have experience with the child custody process and can help parents navigate the legal system. Our team can also help parents understand their rights and options, and can represent them in court if necessary. You need an important resource during or after a divorce, and we can help you get the best possible outcome for your children.
- Adoption
- Paternity
- GuardianshipGuardianships — Assigning a guardianship is a court process in which one individual is given the legal authority to act on behalf of another. A guardian may be responsible for day-to-day living issues, wealth and financial protection, health care issues and more.
- Spousal SupportAlimony Pendente Lite (“APL”) or temporary alimony is another form of support payable by one spouse to the other. A spouse may seek an award of APL during the pendency of a divorce action. The purpose of APL is to even the playing field between two spouses during the pendency of a divorce so they are on equal financial footing to assert their positions in negotiations or litigation. APL differs from spousal support in that marital misconduct is not a bar to the receipt of APL.
- Child AbuseSole custody petitions — Sole custody is not about “better parenting skills” — it is granted only if the other parent is judged by the court to be unfit, whether because of child abuse, substance use, domestic violence or other danger to the child.
- Criminal DefensePaul J. Esposito was born in Keyport, New Jersey. He was admitted to the bar in 1977. Paul is admitted to the Pennsylvania courts, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Paul received degrees from Gettysburg College (B.A., summa cum laude, 1974) and the University of Notre Dame (J.D., 1977). Paul attained the status of Phi Beta Kappa. Paul is a member of the Dauphin County (member and former chairman, Section on Family Law, 1991-Present), Pennsylvania (member, Sections on Family Law and Criminal Law) and American Bar Associations, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Lawyers. He practices in the areas of Family Law and Criminal Defense.
- DUI/DWIWorking with DUI or DWI cases is one of our specialties here in Harrisburg. Our attorneys are extremely experienced with cases involving drinking and driving or any type of substance abuse while operating a vehicle. Some people mess up and make a bad decision to get behind a vehicle after getting intoxicated and we believe everyone should have a second chance. Getting help with a DUI depends on how many you have had and what length of time is between them. Our Harrisburg law firm can help you out so give us a call today to speak with one of our DUI attorneys.
- Wrongful Death
- Traffic ViolationsDriver’s licensing issues can greatly impact commercial drivers’ ability to work. Most drivers will simply pay off a speeding ticket or risk having points added to their licenses to get their license reinstated. For a commercial driver, however, these penalties could result in loss of license and ultimately the ability to work.
- Fraud
- White Collar CrimesAt Caldwell & Kearns, our attorneys aggressively defend clients arrested for, or accused of, white collar crimes and offenses. We will work tirelessly to investigate your case and the allegations against you, and defend your rights.
- Theft
- MisdemeanorsAttorney Close began her legal career as a legal clerk and assistant to the Honorable Deborah E. Curcillo, Court of Common Pleas, Dauphin County. She then served as an Assistant Public Defender in the Dauphin County Public Defender’s Office for over three years and defended clients against a broad range of crimes, from minor offenses to misdemeanor and serious felony offenses.
- Drug CrimesAt Caldwell & Kearns, we are dedicated to aggressively defending individuals arrested or accused of drug offenses. We will work tirelessly to ensure that your rights were not violated by any unlawful search by the police.
- HomicideIn order to obtain an IILL, the motorist must file a petition with PennDOT showing proof of the installation of the device and proof of insurance. PennDOT is required to then issue the ignition interlock limited license within twenty days of receipt of the application. Eligibility is predicated upon the motorist having an otherwise valid license and no other unserved license suspensions. The IILL is not available for commercial vehicles or suspensions as a result of convictions for homicide by vehicle or homicide by vehicle while DUI offenses.
- Money Laundering
- Hit and Run
- Corporate LawThomas J. Weber was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1990. Tom is a member of the Dauphin County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations. He practices in the areas of Business Planning, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Professional Licensing, and Professional Negligence. He devotes a substantial amount of his practice representing the interests of healthcare professionals. He frequently lectures throughout the state on legal/healthcare issues and has been published extensively on such matters. Tom received degrees from Pennsylvania State University (B.S., with distinction, 1987) and Dickinson Law School (J.D., cum laude, 1990), where he was a member of the Dickinson Law Review from 1989-1990.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsBrokerage mergers and acquisitions — Our real estate attorneys are well-versed in the combination of business and regulatory issues that are unique to merging real estate brokerages. From developing the appropriate corporate structure to assisting with licensing requirements, our experienced attorneys can guide you through the process.
- Business FormationUnmatched experience in broker and agent law, and strong backgrounds in business formation and real estate transactions, making us uniquely suited for representing brokers in these business ventures.
- Business DisputesWe are committed to building close relationships with each client. We have earned the trust of business owners, professionals and other clients through a proven record of astute legal counsel and strong legal advocacy. We have offices in Harrisburg and Hummelstown, and provide clients throughout the area with the representation they need in all commercial and business law matters, including...
- Business TransactionsBruce assists clients with a wide variety of business transactions in sales, supply, employment, licensing, research, joint ventures, sale of stock and assets, public offerings, private placements, credit arrangements, asset-based financing and equipment leasing.
- Limited Liability Companies
- Construction Contracts
- Wrongful Termination
- Employment Discrimination
- Employment ContractWe have significant experience in business formation. We use that experience to guide clients to the right entity and structure. We cover everything you need to think about: ownership, management, profit sharing, tax implications and personal liability. We also advise clients on appropriate insurance coverage, licensing, employment contracts and reporting requirements.
- Employment LitigationCaldwell & Kearns, P.C., seeks alternative methods of dispute resolution before looking to full-scale employment litigation. Contact our employment law attorneys, Peter Good and Stanley Laskowski, and our Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, employer corporate counsel today for seasoned counsel and formidable representation in the Harrisburg area, Dauphin County, Cumberland County, York County, Perry County and surrounding counties of Central Pennsylvania.
- Non-compete Agreement
- Severance Agreement
- Sexual Harassment
- Real Estate LitigationJames R. Clippinger was educated at Muhlenberg College and Dickinson School of Law. He is a member of the Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and American Bar Associations. He is admitted to practice before the Federal Middle District of Pennsylvania and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Clippinger was an attorney in the Dauphin County Public Defender's office for three years. He also served as counsel for the Pennsylvania State School Building Authority and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Facilities Authority. He concentrates in general litigation, commercial law, and all aspects of real estate law.
- Construction LitigationOur attorneys have broad and varied experiences in federal and state courts as well as in various administrative tribunals. We have extensive experience in handling a variety of commercial and civil disputes including breach of contract issues, real estate, labor and employment, and construction law and litigation.
- Real Estate TransactionsWith offices in Harrisburg and Hummelstown, we represent brokerages and real estate sales professionals in Dauphin County, Cumberland County, York County and statewide across Pennsylvania. If you are mired in a regulatory dispute or want to stay out of trouble with the licensing authorities, call our lawyers today at 717-232-7661.
- Eminent DomainWe are experienced in representing landowners in eminent domain proceedings. While it is rarely fruitful to challenge the condemnation itself, we do step in to fight for our clients to receive just compensation (not necessarily the same as fair market value) when the government takes their property.
- Easement
- Land Use and ZoningThe law firm of Caldwell & Kearns, P.C., helps shepherd your commercial or residential project through the land use and zoning approvals necessary for the venture to move forward. We help clients come to the planning and permitting process armed with a detailed plan and answers to the anticipated objections.
- Property DamageFirst-time offenders generally are eligible for the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program (ARD), as discussed below. A first-time offender who does not elect or is ineligible for ARD will face the following penalties: If the offender’s blood alcohol level is between.08 and.099, and there is no accident with injuries or property damage, there is no suspension of driving privileges. The offender will receive a maximum of six months’ probation and a $300 fine, attend highway safety school, and drug and alcohol treatment if deemed necessary after an evaluation.
- Condominium LawThe real estate lawyers of Caldwell & Kearns, P.C., are conversant with the unique laws and legal issues specific to developing condominiums, town home complexes and other planned communities.
- Citizenship and Naturalization
- Personal InjuryDecades of litigation experience and support staff and attorneys seeking the best possible outcome for our clients make Caldwell & Kearns your firm for personal injury representation. Automobile crashes, trucking accidents, work site injuries and wrongful death claims have all been handled by our attorneys. Well prepared and strongly advocated presentations are made to seek negotiated resolution. If unable to achieve settlement, our attorneys will file suit and aggressively move your case through the Courts to conclusion. Mediations and Arbitrations are tools used to bring your cases to conclusion. Connect with our law firm in Harrisburg, PA if you have any questions.
- Medicaid PlanningMedicaid planning — We can discuss ways of protecting your assets while maintaining eligibility for Medicaid and other benefits.
- Estate PlanningAt Caldwell & Kearns, P.C., our goal is to help make estate planning easier for you and your family. When it comes to future planning, an ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure.
- WillsYour estate planning documents — including wills and trusts — can be updated at any time during your life. This can ensure that your planning is based on your most recent financial information.
- TrustsTrusts — We can help you prepare life insurance trusts, living trusts, marital trusts, generation-skipping trusts, bypass trusts, spendthrift trusts and QTIP trusts.
- Power of AttorneyA living will is a legal document instructing how your health care is to be handled in the event that you should become incapacitated and are in an end of life stage medical condition. Power of attorney is a legal document in which you appoint an agent to handle your financial and/or medical affairs. It is usually used if you are unable to handle your own affairs.
- Probate
- BankruptcyCharles J. DeHart, III, is the Standing Chapter 13 Trustee in Bankruptcy for the United States Middle District Court of Pennsylvania and a member of the Dauphin County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations. He concentrates on estate planning, corporate law, business planning and bankruptcy law. A graduate of Lebanon Valley College, he received his law degree from Dickinson School of Law and a Master's Degree in Taxation from Temple School of Law.
- ForeclosureIn today’s litigious society — particularly in the current atmosphere of foreclosures, short sales and deflated property values — it is now a matter of when you get sued, not if you get sued. How many of you know of a broker or agent who devoted countless hours trying to help a young couple find their dream house, only to be thanked by being slapped with a lawsuit?
- Tax LawDeath and tax planning are not always the easiest subjects to discuss. However, early planning is a preferable approach, allowing individuals and families to assume more control over the estate planning process.