Q&A with Our Harrisburg Team
Our newsletter team recently sat down with the members of our Harrisburg office.
Q: How does having a strong presence in Harrisburg help the firm and its clients?
A: Steve — The firm has many clients who are based and operate in Central Pennsylvania. Having an office in Harrisburg allows us to know the market in which our clients operate and serve their needs at a local level. Harrisburg is also the bridge between our operations in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Based on geography alone, having an office in Central Pennsylvania brings us closer to our clients outside of the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metropolitan areas and helps us to expand our services to more clients throughout the mid-state region. However, it is much more important than geography. Harrisburg is Pennsylvania’s capital city and home to the state legislature and state agencies whose laws, rules, regulations, and policies affect our clients on a daily basis. Having boots on the ground in Harrisburg and access to government regulators and policymakers allows the Firm to serve its clients in ways other law firms cannot.
Q: What changes have taken place in the Harrisburg office?
A: Steve — We are very excited to welcome Partner Chris Carusone! Chris is Chair of our newly established Government Law & Regulatory Affairs and Energy & Utilities Groups. Chris brings twenty years of experience at virtually all levels of state government, including stints as Executive Deputy General Counsel and Secretary of Legislative Affairs in the Governor’s Office.
A: Chris — I also work on commercial litigation and labor and employment matters. Over the course of my twenty-year career, I have helped public and private employers to successfully defend against union grievances as well as claims of unlawful employment discrimination in well over 100 cases.
Q: Are there other ways in which the Harrisburg presence can assist clients statewide?
A: Mike — From years of experience practicing in Harrisburg, I can say that there is little accomplished in business that does not in some way involve Harrisburg. Our Harrisburg office is uniquely equipped to quickly and efficiently assist our clients with administrative and regulatory filings, inquiries and hearings. With regard to real estate tax assessment issues, our office has the capability to represent clients in every county statewide. We aspire to be the access point from which all Cohen Seglias clients’ business permitting, licensing and regulatory issues are administered.
Q: What services does the Harrisburg office offer to the firm’s clients?
A: Steve — I have been practicing law in Harrisburg for over twenty-three years. In addition to serving as Chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Group, I am also a member of the Labor & Employment, Construction, and Energy & Utilities Groups. My practice covers commercial and civil litigation, real estate, landlord and tenant law, condominium and homeowner law, employment law, business and corporate law and construction law. Many of my clients see me as their “general counsel,” and use me to handle many, if not all, of their legal needs.
A: Chris — Our new Government Law & Regulatory Affairs Group successfully defends clients against lawsuits, investigations and regulatory enforcement actions brought by local, state and federal government agencies. With the addition of our new Energy & Utilities Practice, we are more active in the regional energy industry than ever and we’re looking forward to expanding our practice. We are dedicated to serving the legal needs of companies engaged in the energy industry in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and New York. I remain in close contact with my colleagues in government and keep my ear to the ground for any legislative and regulatory changes that affect our large construction-focused client base.
A: Mike — As Senior Counsel to the Firm, I concentrate my practice in the areas of real estate, administrative law, creditors’ rights, commercial transactions and corporate finance. Drawing on my experience gained as a sitting member of the Dauphin County Board of Assessment Appeals, I represent property owners in other counties in matters pertaining to real estate tax assessment. I also provide guidance and legal services in business law and estate planning and administration.