Posted In the Mercury
By Michelle Karas, mkaras@pottsmerc.com, Published: Friday, February 18, 2011
LOWER POTTSGROVE - The recent merger of two area law practices shows that, as the saying goes, sometimes two heads are better than one.
When Pottstown attorney Peter J. Dolan was looking for a partner for his law practice, the name Ben Mayerson came to mind.
Mayerson had worked with his father, Hy Mayerson, at the office of Mayerson Law Offices PC since 1994. When his father [said he was retiring], Ben was searching for a new opportunity.
"We were a natural mesh because Peter's law practice is focused on family law and my firm (Mayerson Law) helps families suffering financial problems due to serious injuries sustained in car accidents," Mayerson said.
"It made sense to form a partnership," Dolan said.
Dolan, 42, who emphasizes family law, and Mayerson, 43, who has a personal injury and insurance claim dispute focus, recently partnered in the general practice law firm Dolan & Mayerson PC. The firm brings together both partners' talents, concentrating in personal injury, family law, estate planning, estate administration and business law.
"We bring together specialties that might not otherwise seem congruous," said Mayerson, a 1986 graduate of Owen J. Roberts High School who earned his law degree from The Widener University School of Law.
Dolan, an Oreland native, practiced with Pottstown firm Yergey Daylor Allebach Sheffey Picardi from 2000 to 2005, when he left to be corporate counsel for a company in Trooper. He left to begin his own firm in 2006.
Dolan, who earned his law degree from Temple University School of Law, serves on the Upper Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners and is a past Pottstown Planning Commissioner, where he served as chairman from 1997-2001.
Of his partnership with Mayerson, Dolan said, "We complement each other instead of compete. If a person has a legal problem, we're going to get it resolved."
The plan is to continue to grow the firm, which has its main office at 1800 E. High St., Suite 150. Additional offices are at 3970 Perkiomen Ave., Exeter, and in the on Ridge Pike.
In addition to Mayerson and Dolan, the firm includes Margaret Connors, an attorney who will be joining Dolan & Mayerson after more than 25 years with Mayerson Law PC. Also joining the firm will be two paralegals who have been with Mayerson Law PC for over 25 years, and Dolan's staff of a paralegal and office manager.
"We are looking to continue to expand," Dolan said. "Very quickly we're developing a high-profile firm name with a local touch."
According to Dolan, what separates Dolan & Mayerson PC from other firms is personability, For instance, "Ben has a reputation of taking confusion out of the (personal injury) process for clients. We're both down-to-earth with experience to explain to clients what they can reasonably expect in their cases."
Dolan said he keeps clients in the loop by keeping a computer in the consultation room so he can show them the actual documents and calculation he's working on and explain their significance.
"It makes people feel a bit easier about the situation," he said. "They know what I'm saying and they know what I'm writing."
Both partners said they try to be as accessible to clients as possible.
"When clients call the office, we'll pick up the phone directly," Mayerson said. "We also make our cell phone numbers available in the evening."
Dolan added, "So they can get an answer to their question right away."
The client's experience with and perception of the firm is important as more than half the firm's business comes from client referrals.
"The client is our boss. We give the legal advice and they make the decision," Dolan said.
Both Dolan and Mayerson said while they're prepared to go to trial, moving toward a settlement is preferred. "I'm looking for them to settle," he said. It's a whole different ballgame from when he first started practicing and "everybody went to court," Dolan added.
Mayerson agreed, "After 17 years' experience as a litigator, I've come to understand the value of a good settlement."
Both Mayerson and Dolan serve clients in Berks, Chester and Montgomery counties.
