Overview
Leonard A. Busby’s litigation practice emphasizes complex litigation, including injunctions and appeals. Mr. Busby has been lead counsel in many cases successfully tried to verdict in state and federal court; he has argued cases in all Pennsylvania appellate courts including the Pennsylvania Supreme Court; he has argued in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. In non-litigated matters Mr. Busby has counseled corporations, individuals, and foundations. Mr. Busby has been at the firm since 1978, including 28 years as a partner.
Mr. Busby served for many years as chair of the Firm's Pro Bono Committee and as a member of the Firm's Professional Responsibility Committee.
Mr. Busby earned his law degree from Columbia University. While in law school he was twice named a Stone Scholar for academic excellence. He received a B.A. degree, with distinction, in Political Science from Stanford University.
The Record
Credentials
Admitted to Practice
- Pennsylvania
- Supreme Court of the United States
- United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Selected Representations
- Co-lead trial counsel for defense group in the first litigated Superfund clean-up site in Pennsylvania.
- Served as trial counsel for charitable beneficiary of $40 million estate administered in York County, Pennsylvania; recovery of more than $10 million for client after years of litigation that started with a proposed payment to the charity of less than $1 million.
- Served as trial counsel for charitable beneficiary of a multi-billion dollar trust under the supervision of the Orphans’ Court Division of the Berks County, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas.
- Served as counsel for injured persons in cases with cumulative gross recoveries exceeding $15 million.
- Served as trial counsel for defendants in defamation case; jury verdict for defendants; no appeal.
- Served as trial counsel for community hospital (and sole defendant) sued for death of premature infant after incorrect transfusion; jury verdict for defendant; no appeal.
- Served as co-counsel (with another Montgomery McCracken partner) representing another law firm where that other law firm represented over 4,000 individuals who had filed claims in a complex bankruptcy proceeding; an eventual cumulative gross recovery of over $310 million was obtained for these individuals.
- Served as principal outside counsel for closely held business with, eventually, over $100 million in annual sales; provided advice and guidance on all legal issues for more than 20 years.
Honors & Awards
- Selected to The Best Lawyers in America® – Trusts and Estates lists in 2021-2027. This list is issued by Best Lawyers® 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
- Former Adjunct Professor of Law, Rutgers Camden Law School
- Former Trial Advocacy Instructor, National Institute for Trial Advocacy and the American Law Institute
Community Involvement
- Chair, Rose Valley Borough Environmental Advisory Council
- Elected Member, Rose Valley Borough Council
- Former Chair of the Board of Governors, American Swedish Historical Museum
- Former President, Board of the Philadelphia Bar Association Volunteers for the Indigent Program (VIP)
- Former President, Anglers Club of Philadelphia
- Former President, Stanford Club of Philadelphia
Education
Law School
- Columbia University School of Law
Undergraduate School
- Stanford University
Insights
Shared Thinking
Press Releases · August 2026 29 Montgomery McCracken Attorneys Listed in the 2027 Edition of Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America Montgomery McCracken is pleased to announce that 29 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in… Read More Press Releases · August 2020 18 Montgomery McCracken Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021 Montgomery McCracken is pleased to announce that 18 of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© in their respective… Read More Press Releases · May 2018 21 Montgomery McCracken Attorneys Selected to the 2018 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List Montgomery McCracken is pleased to announce that 21 of the firm’s attorneys have been selected to the 2018 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list in their respective practice areas. Stephen… Read More Press Releases · May 2017 21 Montgomery McCracken Attorneys Selected to the 2017 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List Montgomery McCracken is pleased to announce that 21 of the firm’s attorneys have been selected to the 2017 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list in their respective practice areas. Stephen… Read More In the News · August 2014 Estate of Man Who Fell 10 Stories to His Death Settles Zarzecki v. Walnut Park Plaza $4.45 Million Settlement Date of Verdict: July 17. Court and Case No.: C.P. Philadelphia No. 110702854. Judge: John Milton Younge Jr. Type of… Read More Alerts · March 2014 Delaware General Corporation Law Amended to Provide (1) New Procedure for Curing Defective Corporate Acts and (2) Related Proceedings in Court of Chancery Effective April 1, 2014, newly-enacted Delaware General Corporation Law ("DGCL") Sections 204 and 205 will provide a statutory process by which Delaware corporations can remedy defective corporate acts… Read More
Talk With Leonard
Philadelphia 215-772-7419 lbusby@mmwr.com