Law and abstract offices open in Tamaqua

May 15, 2007

Law and abstract offices open in Tamaqua

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DONALD R. SERFASS/TIMES NEWS Among those taking part in Thursday's ribbon cutting at the Law Offices of Gary D. Marchalk, LLC, and Northeast Pennsylvania Abstract, LLC, are, from left: Maria Hoppes, wife of Atty. Keith Hoppes; Joseph M. Plasko, president, Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce; Keith Hoppes, associate attorney; Linda Zerby, vice president, Northeast PA Abstract; Debi Dodson, Tamaqua Area Community Partnership; Pat Freeh-Stefanek, TACP chairwoman; Atty. Gary Marchalk; Serge Chrush, vice president, Sovereign Bank, financier; Jennifer Johnstone-Keich, paralegal and Linda Yulanavage, Chamber executive director and Main Street manager.

By DONALD R. SERFASS  dserfass@tnonline.com

A newly expanded, full-service law firm has opened in Tamaqua, complemented by a companion firm offering a full-range of abstract services - with both operations located under one roof.

Thursday's ribbon cutting at the Law Offices of Gary Marchalk, LLC, and Northeast Pennsylvania Abstract, marked the grand opening of a one-stop legal services complex in the newly-acquired Shepp House, 204 East Broad St.

Marchalk, a Tamaqua native, purchased the building from the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership in March. Marchalk then spent several weeks renovating and reconfiguring the historic building to accommodate business expansion needs. Those modifications included installation of new computer and phone systems, and the relocation of the public areas of the business.

Marchalk credited the firm's growth to a booming client base.

"We gained some 400 to 500 clients just in the past year and a half," said Marchalk, a 1975 Tamaqua Area High School graduate.

The firm operates a general practice of law, performing services in the disciplines of family law, estate planning and administration, employment law, credit and collections law, corporate and partnership formation and planning, civil litigation, real estate law and transactions, criminal defense, motor vehicle citations, nonprofit law, landlord/tenant law, taxation and other areas of law.

Marchalk received his Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Widener University School of Law and his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from the New York Institute of Technology.

It was at Widener where he met another Tamaqua native, Keith Hoppes, a graduate of York College of PA, who, like Marchalk, was studying law at the same university.

The two forged a partnership that carried over into the professional world.

Hoppes joined the Marchalk firm during a period of expansion which started last year, working with both Marchalk and Linda Zerby, administrator and paralegal. In addition, the firm strengthened its roster by hiring Jennifer Johnstone-Keich, paralegal.

"Our attorneys understand that when our clients need a lawyer, they often are involved in emotionally difficult processes such as divorce, child custody, serious injury, or probate of a will. At the same time, they are unsure of what, if anything, the law can do for them," states the firm's website.

"We understand how stressful a legal proceeding, even a real estate transaction, can be, and it is our job to protect your rights, keep legal fees under control to the greatest extent possible and, perhaps most importantly, keep you informed throughout the entire process."

The law firm provides a great amount of flexibility to meets the needs of clients.

Marchalk said that philosophy even extends to the firm's office hours. The law offices routinely open during evenings and weekends, as needed, so that clients need not miss work.

To accommodate an increased number of customers, the firm entered into an agreement with Bethany Church, Tamaqua, to lease the parking lot located behind the building for use by staff and clients.

For the convenience of clients, the firm is able to accept debit cards, along with Visa and MasterCard.

Paralegal Zerby also serves as vice president of Northeastern Pennsylvania Abstract, with offices conveniently located in the same building.

"We handle real estate settlements, title searches and title insurance," said Zerby.

More information is available at the website http://www.marchalklaw.com/ or by calling (570) 225-0061.