James Berent Email and Phone Number

- An associate in the firm’s Litigation and Real Estate practice groups, with a focus on real estate tax assessment appeals and general litigation matters, also dealing with real estate tax collection, real estate tax exemption, and consumer bankruptcy proceedings

- Litigated commercial and residential real estate tax assessment appeals of various propertytypes including houses, banks, hotels, big box retail, office buildings, manufacturingfacilities, and warehouses at the administrative level and Courts of Common Pleas inAllegheny, Westmoreland, Washington, Beaver, Blair, and Mercer Counties.- Supervised delinquent tax collection departments and litigated tax collection enforcementproceedings at the Court of Common Pleas in Allegheny County through Sherriff’s Sale.- Prepared applications, pleadings, and arguments for real estate tax exemption appeals fromthe administrative level through the Court of Common Pleas.- Attended public school board meetings to advise clients as their solicitor.- Successfully attained a $35 million fair market value reduction in an assessment appealon behalf of a shopping mall property owner in Blair County, Pennsylvania.- Argued a delinquent tax matter at the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania.- Conducted in-depth case and statutory law research and advised school districts regarding avariety of issues associated with their operation.

- Conducted intake interviews and provided legal advice to potential bankruptcy andpersonal injury clients.- Prepared and filed Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy petitions.- Represented bankruptcy clients at 341 Meetings of Creditors and Plan ConfirmationHearings.- Advocated before U.S Bankruptcy Judges in various Bankruptcy and Adversaryproceedings.- Represented plaintiffs in various personal injury claims against defendants.- Negotiated personal injury settlements with attorneys and insurance adjusters.

- Drafted judicial opinions, memorandums, and Orders of Court for divorces, child custodymatters and juvenile criminal proceedings.- Conducted legal research for the Judge and law clerk.- Observed and assisted Judge in various courtroom proceedings and conciliations.

- Assisted multiple attorneys with legal research and preparing documents.- Observed and assisted attorneys in client meetings and during conference calls.