Blog Posts

Matthew R. Gade joined Musi, Merkins, Daubenberger & Clark in 2024.  Matt concentrates his practice in the area in Real Estate and is the co-chairman of our firm’s Tax Assessment Appeals department. He has recently assisted our managing partner, Thomas Musi, in securing favorable results for multiple clients in their Tax Assessment Appeals. Matt’s prior employment history includes interning with the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division and working at Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young’s Real Estate department before going to law school.  At Stradley, he assisted attorneys, and paralegals with various Real Estate matters such as drafting legal documents, legal research on Real Estate specific issues, and property searches. Matt graduated cum laude from Widener University Delaware Law School in 2024 where he was the Bluebook Editor of the Widener Law Review.  He recently passed the Pennsylvania Bar Exam and is admitted to practice in the state.  He also received his Bachelor ofArts in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University where his focus was in the field of Forensic Psychology. Matt is dedicated to providing clients with effective legal representation.  His enthusiasm for his practice aligns perfectly with our commitment to innovation and excellence. Matt, who grew up a life long resident of Delaware…

MMD&C’s head of its Family Law Department, Lucas A. Clark, IV, Esquire, was recently successful in an extensive Delaware County custody case in which he represented the children’s Paternal Grandmother.  After effectively representing and arguing his client’s case, the Court entered its Final Order awarding Mr. Clark’s client primary physical custody of the children and allowing their relocation to her home in Pittsburgh. Before coming to this Final Order, the parties were involved in long and ongoing litigation in this matter.  It began in November of 2017 when Paternal Grandmother filed her initial Complaint for Custody after her son, who was the children’s father, passed away and she alleged that the children’s mother had failed to provide stability and shelter for them.  This Complaint was ultimately dismissed when no one arrived at the Custody Conference.  Thereafter, in December of 2019, Paternal Grandmother retained Mr. Clark as counsel and filed an Emergency Custody Petition as the children’s mother was incarcerated on serious drug charges.  The Court referred the matter to the Hearing Officer, who awarded Paternal Grandmother sole legal and physical custody, which was approved by the Court.  However, in February 2020, Maternal Grandfather filed a Petition to Intervene and was…

MMD&C is thrilled to announce the opening of its new office location in Chester County! This is a huge milestone for our firm, and we want to extend our thanks to our hardworking attorneys and loyal clients who made it possible. Our new office is located at 139 W. Market Street, Suite A, 2nd Floor Rear, West Chester, PA 19382. Immediately to the right of the courthouse, the opening of this office reflects MMD&C’s commitment to excellence and positions our attorneys more effectively to deliver enhanced legal solutions to our valued clients. We are extremely excited to welcome all clients to this new location and have the opportunity to better serve those in the Chester County area. Since our firm has opened its doors, our practice has continued to grow. MMD&C continues to offer clients legal representation in numerous areas of practice, those of which will also now be available to clients at our Chester County location as well. MMD&C contains skilled attorneys in the area of criminal defense. These attorneys specialize in cases involving DUIs, drug crimes, juvenile offenses, and more. In addition, our firm strives to provide superior legal representation in the area of family law, focusing its…

Dimitri L. Karapelou, Of-Counsel at Musi, Merkins, Daubenberger & Clark, LLP, was selected as a 2024 Pennsylvania “Superlawyer.” One of only two Delaware County business bankruptcy lawyers chosen as a “Superlawyer,” and now also with an office in Chester County, Mr. Karapelou is honored for his work in commercial bankruptcy. “Superlawyers” was founded in 1991, utilizing a patented selection process constructed and guided by experienced legal professionals. The process received its official patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2013, indicating its undeniable credibility. The magazine reaches an expansive and diverse audience through publications in print magazines, online, and other social media platforms. Selections for “Superlawyers” are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. Candidates are nominated through their peers, third-party feedback, or may even be identified by the “Superlawyers” research team. After receiving a nomination, the research team at “Superlawyers” conducts independent research, using 12 indicators of the candidates’ peer recognition and professional achievements. These indicators include things such as experience, transactions, representative clients, their position within the law firm, and more. Candidates receiving high scores during independent research then undergo peer evaluation in their practice area, where they are rated by panelists also within that area. After…

Many businesses faced trying times following the COVID-19 pandemic, several of which sought financial help through the COVID loan program implemented by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) was implemented to support business owners and their employees during the pandemic. This program provided financing to nearly four million small businesses and nonprofits. The loans carry a 30-year-term and a fixed interest rate of 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for nonprofits. Because many businesses have struggled to repay loans obtained through the SBA, the agency is now ramping up collection of over a million delinquent loans. According to the SBA’s website, all COVID EIDL borrowers must repay their loans. These loans may become quite burdensome in the future, therefore it’s crucial that businesses start evaluating their options now. Recently, the SBA began referring as much as $20 billion in delinquent COVID loans to the Treasury Department for collection. The Treasury Department has broad power to collect money for the SBA which includes wage garnishment, social security benefit garnishment, and withholding of federal tax refunds. Small businesses and nonprofits who are saddled with EIDL loans would be prudent to explore their options now before…