Two summers ago, I received word that my stepbrother had died and left me with one-half of his estate.
Since I had no experience dealing with an estate, I called the first person I knew whom I could trust and who would give me the best legal advice—Chuck Ormsby. He referred me to the estate and wills department of Semanoff Ormsby Greenberg and Torchia, LLC and, from there, I was assigned to Karen Angelucci, and estate and wills specialist Lauren Franz. As I learned over the following two years, I was very fortunate as, from my perspective, this was a match made in heaven.
Over the past two years, Ms. Angelucci and Ms. Franz guided me through the probate process, which was finally completed this summer.
The Semanoff Ormsby firm is extremely fortunate to have such high-quality members of their firm. I came to learn that Ms. Angelucci and Ms. Franz are the ultimate professionals who, in the process, won my absolute trust and admiration. In the end, all of your work and guidance resulted in a very successful outcome.
I thank them from the bottom of my heart for not only sharing with me their professional expertise but, over the two years of our working together, becoming valued friends.
-Anonymous
Chuck, Ashleigh and our friends at SOGT:
Throughout the six years of work on our business deal, we have been very impressed with the firm’s strategic expertise, wisdom, tenacity and perseverance to close this deal on our behalf – even when the goal post kept changing! On our darkest days, it was your kindness and support that encouraged us to hang tough, and it carried us through.
When the other side continued to throw us curveballs, your litigation team, led by the talented Michael Dubin and Jill Bellak, expertly settled the litigation aspect, which was pivotal in reaching a successful outcome. Ashleigh Morales was always burning the midnight oil to kick it across the finish line.
We remain eternally grateful for everything and the team you assembled throughout the duration of our business deal. Chuck, it is so fitting that we received the announcement of your being named a 2022 Pennsylvania Super Lawyer on the very day this deal closed! We knew it all along!
-Anonymous
The attorneys at SOGT have handled everything for us from M&A transactions, corporate governance, real estate matters to deferred compensation plans, as well as day-to-day contract reviews. Chuck Ormsby and Jill Bellak have expertly handled every aspect of each transaction.
When our company identified an acquisition target, the firm was able to consummate the closing in an extremely tight timeframe. The attorneys were thorough and were able to meet our target closing date. In another instance, when we sold our company, the buyer became difficult, but with Chuck’s guidance, we reached a settlement of mutual satisfaction to all parties.
Both Chuck and Jill have the ability to simplify complex matters. They do not over-complicate issues and do not rack up legal fees. Chuck has a strategic, practical and no-nonsense approach. When Chuck Ormsby talks, he talks with purpose – From beginning to end. I love working with Chuck and the firm!
-Matt O’Reilly, Chief Financial Officer, Allied Wire & Cable
I wanted to commend Chuck Ormsby and Ashleigh Morales of SOGT Law for guiding us through a complicated buyout of a business. I can honestly say that I don’t know how we would have done it without their direction and good counsel. In addition to excellent legal advice, they provided strategic input and understanding of not only the financial, but the emotional challenges that we encountered during this transaction. They were very responsive, and guided us all the way through to a successful conclusion. I would highly recommend their services, and the specialized services of all of the attorneys in the firm.”
-Louis Buonomo, Frankford Leather Co., Inc.
To My Very Hardworking And Dedicated Friends At SOGT:
Forgive me for getting this letter to you at this late hour, in light of the fact that we settled almost 24 hours ago. I would be absolutely remiss if I let one more minute get by without thanking you – Ashleigh, Katie and Chuck – for your masterful job in getting this building purchase done. It seems like nothing I push your way is ever easy, but I can’t praise you enough for your patience, thoroughness and general level of professionalism throughout this [frequently frustrating] deal. A special bravo to you, Ashleigh, for coming out of motherhood to save my bacon at the eleventh hour – you make it look so easy. You handled yourself so confidently and professionally at the close yesterday, that you looked like an old pro. And Katie, your work on vetting the first building out of our thinking saved me millions of dollars (literally) and a lot of headaches. You were a wonderful backstop to Ashleigh and I thank you. You’re all superstars and you play like a really well-oiled machine. Thanks for being the best partners a businessman could hope to have in his corner.
– Anonymous
Dear Mike and Chuck:
I really can’t thank you enough for Friday’s web forum. Lots of folks were so grateful just to be connected with people who were able to “translate this stuff into plain English,” as one person put it. You’ve been so generous with your time leading up to the webinar, during, and I’m sure afterward, too (I know at least one of our members has already been in touch with Mike directly). We always talk about our collective abundance here at PANO, and the two of you have certainly been part of that during this crisis. Thanks again for your time, your expertise, and your good humor. It was a pleasure working with you both!”
– Christina Spadaro, Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO)
We worked on a real estate matter involving complex transactions which were brought to a successful conclusion. Chuck Ormsby had a firm grasp and understanding of the complex nature of the business transaction. He is creative, brilliant and honest. He constantly made himself available and everyone at the firm was responsive to my needs. You are paying for a high-caliber level of service and representation when you engage Chuck and the firm.
– Kurt Eisenschmid, Penn’s Grant Realty Corp.
Chuck guided us the whole way through negotiations and had all the resources to achieve a successful outcome. I’ve never heard anyone negotiate the way Chuck did on our behalf. He advised me to take certain actions and I had to trust in what he advised me to do.
Through Chuck Ormsby’s guidance, we were able to come up with a settlement with a company that fulfilled their obligations. Chuck is my guy – the guy you go to war with! He has true values and morals, I’ve never seen in an attorney. He was extremely fair in negotiating our legal costs throughout. I’ve worked with many attorneys on different matters: Alexis Dillett Isztwan, Michael Dubin, Steve Goldblum, and Mike Torchia. I trust everyone at the firm. Without you guys, I don’t think there is anything I couldn’t be prepared for in business.
– Ken Zorzi, KBZ Communications
Chuck represented me in a large acquisition that my company was making. The agreement language he drafted for the deal was very thorough. The other side tried very hard to amend and redact much of the language, but Chuck counseled me to stay the course. Several months after the sale transacted, I learned that the sellers misrepresented the value of the company’s assets. Chuck’s contract, that he fought to keep intact, enabled us to have almost half of the original purchase price returned to us by the sellers. He is the consummate business attorney.
– John M. Lawlor, Keystone Fire Protection
Because of Chuck’s experience in mergers and acquisitions, he gave us really good advice and a lot to think about in terms of possibly selling our business. His advice helped us avoid problems and a lot of landmines! Chuck takes a real personal interest – He not only gave me business advice, but life advice, which I felt was really important at the time. With Michael Dubin, he thinks outside the box! He is extremely thorough in his preparation and is very aggressive. Tom Bell was extremely helpful with an estate issue during a time of need. Your firm helped us avoid going to court, and have taught me that court is not always the first option! There is not a lawyer at SOGT that isn’t super confident and super thorough. I have advised both friends and business associates that if they are looking for honest, competent legal advice – you are the firm they need!
– Anonymous
Chuck really listens to us and advises us based on the direction we want to take rather than simply telling us how to do something which is the approach so many attorneys we have worked with previously have taken. Chuck not only looks at the legal issues, but the practical business issues as well. As such, he has quickly emerged as much more than just our attorney, we look to Chuck as a trusted business adviser to our firm.
– Anonymous
Chuck really listens to us and advises us based on the direction we want to take rather than simply telling us how to do something which is the approach so many attorneys we have worked with previously have taken. Chuck not only looks at the legal issues, but the practical business issues as well. As such, he has quickly emerged as much more than just our attorney, we look to Chuck as a trusted business advisor to our Firm.
-Robert J. De Luca, IMA Consulting
Because of Chuck’s experience in mergers and acquisitions, he gave us really good advice and a lot to think about in terms of possibly selling our business. His advice helped us avoid problems and a lot of landmines! Chuck takes a real personal interest – He not only gave me business advice, but life advice, which I felt was really important at the time. With Michael Dubin, he thinks outside the box! He is extremely thorough in his prep, and is very aggressive. Tom Bell was extremely helpful with an estate issue during a time of need. Your firm helped us avoid going to court, and have taught me that court is not always the first option! There is not a lawyer at SOGT that isn’t super-confident and super thorough. I have advised both friends and business associates that if they are looking for honest, competent legal advice- you are the firm they need!
-Mike Reuter, Reuter Hanney
