Joanne T. Semeister

Partner

215-772-7477

jsemeister@mmwr.com

Philadelphia, Wilmington

Joanne T. Semeister focuses her practice on commercial real estate, land use and zoning, bankruptcy, workouts and corporate restructuring, as well as financing and development matters for colleges, universities and nonprofit organizations.

In her real estate practice, Joanne counsels clients on a variety of real estate matters and secured lending transactions. Her real estate representations include structuring, negotiating and documenting the acquisition, disposition, financing and leasing of commercial and industrial sites. Joanne's experience also includes work in the areas of eminent domain, land use, real estate tax exemption matters, real estate tax assessment appeals and all aspects of real estate litigation for a wide array of clients such as banks, major lending institutions, real estate developers, hospitals, colleges, universities, cooperative and condominium associations and nonprofit organizations.

Joanne's bankruptcy experience includes the representation of both creditors and debtors in all matters of bankruptcy practice. In that capacity, she is involved with the strategy, planning and negotiation of agreements related to all aspects of Chapter 11 cases. In addition, she counsels clients on the potential effects of bankruptcy and insolvency in structuring transactions.

Joanne has written numerous articles on real estate, lender liability, commercial loan workouts and bankruptcy topics, as well as consumer law such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Additionally, she has lectured on real estate and commercial bankruptcy topics for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and the Philadelphia Patent Law Association, and has been a presenter at a higher education seminar hosted by Montgomery McCracken on regulatory matters affecting colleges and universities.

Joanne was an honors scholar and graduated cum laude with a B.S. degree from Temple University. She earned an M.A. degree from Villanova University and a J.D. degree from Villanova University School of Law where she received the Nathan Burkan Memorial Award for a paper submitted on the subject of copyright law.

RELATED Practices

Land Use and Zoning

The Land Use and Zoning Practice at Montgomery McCracken is an interdisciplinary practice containing elements of real estate, environmental, and municipal law. Our attorneys are experienced in handling matters before […]

Learn more about our Land Use and Zoning Practice

Real Estate

The Real Estate Practice has been an integral part of Montgomery McCracken’s activities for over 85 years. Our attorneys bring to our clients a wealth of experience and depth in […]

Learn more about our Real Estate Practice

Corporate and Securities

We focus on understanding our clients’ business objectives and goals in order to offer cost-effective legal solutions as trusted advisors to our clients. At Montgomery McCracken, we center our attention […]

Learn more about our Corporate and Securities Practice

Business

Montgomery McCracken’s Business Department works proactively and collaboratively with our clients to advise on the full array of corporate and business issues, ranging from finance and regulatory matters to mergers […]

Learn more about our Business Department

Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring

The attorneys in Montgomery McCracken’s Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Department assist clients in all aspects of restructuring, including bankruptcies, out-of-court restructurings, reorganizations, liquidations, workouts, debt refinancings, adversary proceedings, and contested […]

Learn more about our Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Department

Higher Education

Montgomery McCracken’s Higher Education Industry Group has earned a reputation for broad experience in representing institutions of higher learning. Our group includes attorneys from many different practice areas who have […]

Learn more about our Higher Education Industry

1 of 6

Credentials

Honors & Awards
  • AV Pre-eminent® peer-review rated by Martindale-Hubbell TM. The rating is issued by Martindale-Hubbell and a description of the selection methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey or the highest court of any other state.
Professional Activities
  • Member, Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW)
  • Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Member, Delaware Bar Association
  • Member, Philadelphia Bar Association
  • Member, Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Conference
  • Mediator, Bankruptcy Courts for the Middle District and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Education

Law School

  • Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law

Graduate School

  • Villanova University

Undergraduate School

  • Temple University