REAL ESTATE, LAND USE & DEVELOPMENT • PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & FINANCE • CORPORATE, BUSINESS & BANKING • EMINENT DOMAIN • TAX ASSESSMENT APPEALS & PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS
Joseph A. Fitzpatrick, Jr. is a founding member and shareholder of the Firm and is recognized as one of Eastern Pennsylvania’s premier land use and development attorneys. In addition to land use and development, Mr. Fitzpatrick’s practice includes real estate, zoning and subdivision, commercial transactions, and general business representation. He has led clients’ development teams in advancing major commercial, industrial and residential projects including large regional corporate centers, office parks, retail and lifestyle centers, delivery and fulfillment operations, quarry and materials facilities, manufacturing communications installations and warehousing and distribution centers. Mr. Fitzpatrick handles the permitting and development of single family home subdivisions, condominiums, and multifamily housing. He represents private interests regarding claims, negotiations and entitlements matters with governmental agencies at the federal, state and local levels, and actively represents land owners in eminent domain situations.
Mr. Fitzpatrick is a Board member for the philanthropic Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Foundation, based in Harrisburg. He is a Trustee on the Board of DeSales University in Pennsylvania. His professional experience and leadership on major project teams has created a strong network of relationships, enhancing the ability of Mr. Fitzpatrick and the Firm to deal successfully with governmental and municipal bodies, elected and appointed officials, business leaders and real estate and development professionals.
Mr. Fitzpatrick served on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors for Team Pennsylvania Foundation, a bipartisan, public-private sector organization, co-chaired by the Governor, which endeavors to enhance economic development, technology and manufacturing opportunities, and job creation in Pennsylvania. He served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Sacred Heart Healthcare Systems in Allentown for over a decade.
PROJECTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Successfully represented development of national developer’s multi-use, 500 acre project at Lehigh Valley International Airport
- Handled the permitting, development and build-out of the 1,800 acre Stabler Corporate Center, Lehigh Valley, PA
- Successfully appealed and resolved condemnation cases by government on behalf of restaurants, industrial users, developers, and large landowners
- Multiple high-end retail and shopping facilities, including The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley lifestyle center, Wegmans Food Markets, major chain convenience stores, and “big box” national retailers
- Successfully appealed or resolved tax assessment appeals for major national and regional corporations, as well as condominium communities, and individual commercial and residential properties, class actions
- Handles governmental challenges and land use actions affecting commercial, industrial and residential uses, including dealing with federal, state and local agencies
SIGNIFICANT CASE DECISIONS
- Lehigh Valley Rail Management LLC v. County of Northampton Revenue Appeals Board, A.3d, 2015 WL 6921189 (PA. Cmwlth.)
- Air Products & Chemicals, Inc. v. Board of Assessment Appeals of Lehigh County, 720 A.2d 790 (Pa. Cmwlth.)
- North Bethlehem Neighbors Group et al v. City of Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board et al, 822 A.2d 840 (Pa. Cmwlth.)
- Hills at Devonshire Homeowners’ Association, Inc. v. Zoning Hearing Board of Salisbury Township et al, 819 A.2d 196 (Pa. Cmwlth.)
- Epstein Partnership & Levitz Furniture Company v. Kmart, 828 F. Supp. 328 (E.D. Pa.)
- Board of Commissioners of South Whitehall Township v. Toll Brothers, Inc., 607 A.2d 824 (Pa. Cmwlth.)
COMMUNITY ACTIVITY
- DeSales University, Board of Trustees, 2020 – Present
- Donald B. and Dorothy Stabler Foundation (philanthropic board serving central and Lehigh Valley, PA), Board of Directors, 2016 – Present
- Phantoms Charities (Youth sports and education initiatives), Founding Director, 2013 – Present
- Team Pennsylvania Foundation (public/private Statewide Economic Development Foundation), Board of Directors/Executive Committee, 2016 – 2021
- Sacred Heart Healthcare Systems (Now St. Luke’s University Health Network), Vice Chairman, Board of Directors, 2006 – 2018
- Provident Bank, Founding Council, 2013 – 2019; Team Capital Bank, 2005 – 2013
EDUCATION
- University of Pennsylvania, B.A., magna cum laude, 1977
- Temple University School of Law, J.D., 1980
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania
- Supreme Court of the United States
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- State and Local Bar Associations
HONORS & AFFILIATIONS
- Named “Lehigh Valley Icon” by Lehigh Valley Business, 2024
- Martindale Hubbell Lawyers’ Rating “AV® Preeminent™,” Highest Professional Ranking, 30+ years
- “Best Lawyers in America” designation, 2015 – Present
- Selected for inclusion in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, 15 years
- Named a Select Lawyer in:
- Construction Law, Eminent Domain Law, Government/Cities/Municipalities Law, Real Estate Tax Assessment Appeals Law, and Real Estate, Zoning, Planning & Land Use Development Law, 2014, 2016-2017
- Eminent Domain Law and Real Estate, Zoning, Planning and Land Use Development Law, 2015
- “Best of Attorneys” by Mid-Atlantic Real Estate Journal, 2011
- “Top Rated Lawyer” for Land Use and Zoning, Energy Law, Environmental Law, by American Lawyer Media, 2013
- “Person of the Year” by the March of Dimes Commercial & Industrial Real Estate Awards Committee, 2010
- “Community Leader of the Year” by the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation, 2010
CALL DIRECT
610-797-9000, ext. 321
ASSISTANT INFORMATION
Roni Moyer
610-797-9000, ext. 357
