Jennifer Weidler Karpchuk, shareholder with Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry.

Elected and Appointed

Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry announced that it named Philadelphia-based shareholder Jennifer Karpchuk as co-chair of the firm's state and local tax controversy and planning practice.

In this capacity, Karpchuk joins Houston-based shareholder Pete Lowy in leading the 21-attorney practice, which counsels clients in all aspects of state and local tax compliance and litigation.

Karpchuk's practice focuses on state and local taxation with an emphasis on the minimization of state and local tax obligations.

She is a speaker and writer on topics related to state and local tax.

She co-authors the Pennsylvania Tax Handbook and the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Bar Association's Property Tax Deskbook.

Karpchuk serves in a number of leadership roles.

She is the current chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association state and local tax committee as well as an appointed member of the Philadelphia Bar Association tax council.

She also serves as the current vice chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association tax section.

She is part of the American Bar Association state and local tax committee's executive committee, serving as co-chair of the sales and use tax subcommittee and miscellaneous taxes subcommittee.

Karpchuk earned her law degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law.

She is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Chamberlain Hrdlicka's state and local tax controversy and planning practice represents a range of clients, from individuals to public and private multinational corporations, in all facets of SALT controversies and in taxes imposed by state and local tax authorities.

The firm's SALT attorneys' experience spans matters including corporate income tax, capital stock tax, franchise tax, personal income tax, sales and use tax, realty transfer tax, bank taxes, insurance company taxes, utility taxes, gross receipts taxes (state or local), hotel taxes, fuel taxes, real estate tax assessment and real estate tax exemption.

Additions

Attorney and lobbyist Kathleen Duffy Bruder, former deputy chief of staff under Gov. Tom Corbett, joined Saxton & Stump to lead its newly formed regulatory and government affairs practice, bringing with her Amanda W. McClellan, who will serve as government relations adviser.

Both Bruder and McClellan join Saxton & Stump from Harrisburg-based law firm McNees Wallace & Nurick.

With more than 25 years of experience, Bruder helps clients navigate challenges and opportunities that involve all levels of government and connects clients to government decision-makers.

At her previous firm, Bruder represented clients in subject areas including energy and environmental, oil and natural gas, and food and beverage on matters involving public finance, state and local tax, employment and corporate governance.

Before joining the governor's office, she was a partner at Rhoads & Sinon for 10 years where she focused her practice in litigation and labor and employment.

She also previously served four years as deputy solicitor and director of human resources for the city of Harrisburg.

Bruder received her Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton School of Law.

McClellan will support Bruder and the regulatory and government affairs team by assisting in the development and implementation of legislative lobbying plans for clients and coordinating legislative outreach and communications.

She has a background in real estate and economic development, having previously served as a senior real estate manager for the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp.

Announcements

Attention young lawyers!

Send in your questions for a new Q&A advice column for the Young Lawyers page in The Legal.

A panel of experts from the law firm Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis will answer a few selected questions in each monthly column, advising young lawyers about their career, professional development, office politics, business development, pro bono work, relationships with mentors and colleagues, and so on.

Email your questions to [email protected].