Joseph A. Fitzpatrick, Jr.

Shareholder and Founder

Joseph A. Fitzpatrick, Jr. is a founding member and shareholder of the Firm. Mr. Fitzpatrick’s practice includes land use and project development, real estate, zoning and subdivision, commercial transactions, and general business representation. He has taken the lead on behalf of clients in advancing major commercial, industrial and residential projects including large regional corporate centers, office parks, retail and lifestyle centers, quarry and materials facilities, communications installations and warehousing and distribution centers. Mr. Fitzpatrick has represented the Firm’s clients in the permitting and development of single family home subdivisions, condominiums, and multifamily housing. He actively represents land owners in eminent domain situations, as well as in handling claims, negotiations and entitlements matters with governmental agencies at the federal, state and local levels.

Education

• University of Pennsylvania, B.A., magna cum laude, 1977
• Temple University School of Law, J.D., 1980

Bar Admissions

• Pennsylvania Supreme Court
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania
• Supreme Court of the United States

Professional Organizations

• Bar Association of Lehigh County
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• American Bar Association

Honors & Affiliations

• Martindale Hubbell Lawyers’ Rating “AV,” highest professional ranking
• Selected for inclusion in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, each year from 2004-2013
• 2013 Top Rated Lawyer for Energy Law, Environmental Law, Land Use Law by ALM
• 2013 Top Rated Lawyer in Land Use and Zoning by ALM
• Named Person of the Year by the March of Dimes Commercial & Industrial Real Estate Awards Committee, 2010
• Named Community Leader of the Year by the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, 2010
• Named “Best of Attorneys” by Mid-Atlantic Real Estate Journal, 2011
• Governor’s Judicial Selection Committee for Lehigh County

Projects & Accomplishments

• Represented the permitting, development and build-out of the Stabler Corporate Center, Lehigh Valley, PA
• Multiple high-end retail and shopping facilities, including The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley lifestyle center, Wegmans Food Markets, and “big box” national retailers
• Successfully appealed or resolved tax assessment appeals for major national and regional corporations, as well as condominium communities, and individual commercial and residential properties
• Successfully appealed or resolved condemnation cases on behalf of restaurants, industrial users, developers, and other property owners
• Handles governmental challenges and land use actions affecting commercial, industrial and residential uses, including dealing with federal, state and local agencies
• Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. v. Board of Assessment Appeals of Lehigh County, 720 A.2d 790 (Pa. Cmwlth.)
• North Bethlehem Neighbors Group et al v. City of Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board et al, 822 A.2d 840 (Pa. Cmwlth.)
• Hills at Devonshire Homeowners’ Association, Inc. v. Zoning Hearing Board of Salisbury Township et al, 819 A.2d 196 (Pa. Cmwlth.)
• Epstein Partnership & Levitz Furniture Company v. Kmart, 828 F. Supp. 328 (E.D. Pa.)
• Board of Commissioners of South Whitehall Township v. Toll Brothers, Inc., 607 A.2d 824 (Pa. Cmwlth.)

Community Activity

• Vice Chairman, Board of Directors, Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown, PA
• Regional Director (PA), Team Capital Bank, Bethlehem, PA
• Member, Board of Governors, Saucon Valley Country Club, Bethlehem, PA
• Founder, “Heart of the City,” urban campus initiative, Allentown, PA
• Member, Development Board, Central Catholic High School, Allentown, PA