Meet the Attorneys
Education:
Bucknell University, BSBA 1968
Dickinson School of Law, JD 1972
Experience:
Criminal Defense:
Chief Public Defender of Cumberland County 1976 – 2010
Trial Counsel in eight capital murder cases
Handled many felony and misdemeanor cases through pre-trial hearing, trial, and appeal
Former Chair of Criminal Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association
Member of Criminal Law Section of Cumberland County Bar Association
Member of first Board of Directors of Pennsylvania Association for Criminal Defense Attorneys
Past President and officer for 30 years of Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania
Lecturer at George Mason Law School regarding forensic issues [competency to stand trial, insanity, etc.]
Family Law:
General law practice in Carlisle since 1974
Handled many complex divorce, support, custody, cases in trial and appellate courts
Handled adoptions in Cumberland County Court
Member of the Family Law Section of the Cumberland County Bar Association
Wills/Trusts/Estate Planning:
Has prepared Wills, Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Special Needs Trusts and Trusts since 1974
Has handled proceedings regarding incapacitation and Guardians since 1974
Estate Administration:
Has served as an Auditor for the Cumberland County Court
Has served as Executor and Administrator
Has served as counsel to Estate Representatives [Executor(rix),Administrator(rix)] since 1973
Civil Actions:
Has represented Plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death actions since 1974
Has represented Plaintiffs and Defendants in commercial litigation since 1974
Ronald E. Johnson, Esq.
Education:
Bucknell University, BS Accounting, 1968
Dickinson School of Law, JD 1972
Of Counsel
William G. Braught, Esq.
Education:
University of Connecticut, BA Economics 1986
Dickinson School of Law, JD 1992
Experience:
Criminal Defense:
Assistant Public Defender Cumberland County 1992-1999
Deputy Public Defender Cumberland County 1999-2004
Trial Counsel in multiple murder cases including acquittal in case where client was charged with Murder in the 3rd Degree.
More than 70 jury trials in felony and misdemeanor cases.
Successful appeal and remand for new trial in capital murder case.
Has handled cases in ten central Pennsylvania Counties.
Member Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Member National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Completed Criminal Defense Program with the National Criminal Defense College, Macon, GA.
Immigration Law:
Represented individuals in removal proceedings before Immigration Courts in York and Philadelphia.
Handled applications for family and fiancé visas.
Applied for Lawful Permanent Residency (Green Cards)
Consulted with clients regarding the impact of criminal charges on their immigration status.
Business Formulation and Organization:
Prepared LLC’s for new businesses.
Represented businesses in contract disputes.
Prepared contracts for businesses.
Represented business owner in the purchase and sale of businesses.
Wills/Trusts/Estate Planning:
Preparation of Wills, Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Special Needs Trusts and Trusts.
Representation of individuals in guardianship matter.
Estate Administration:
Has served as counsel to Estate Representatives.
Lecturer:
Instructor for the Pennsylvania Deputies Sheriff’s Training Program.
Adjunct Faculty Member Dickinson School of Law-Trial Litigation.
Lecturer Lancaster Bar Association, Search and Seizure.
Suzanne Spencer Abel, Esq.
Education:
Penn State University Harrisburg-Middletown, BA Humanities, 1990
Penn State University Harrisburg-Middletown, Master’s Candidate American
Studies, 1991
Widener University Commonwealth Law School, JD, 1995
Experience:
Criminal Prosecution:
Certified Legal Intern with District Attorney of Cumberland County 1992-
1995
Handled misdemeanor and summary cases from preliminary hearings and
bench trials to appeal.
Wrote appellate briefs to Court of Common Pleas and Superior Court
Current Practice Areas:
Estate Administration:
Serve as counsel to Estate Representatives [Executors / Administrators]
Provide legal and administrative services to Estate Representatives
Wills / Powers of Attorney / Trusts / Estate Planning:
Prepare Wills, Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, and Trusts including Special Needs Trusts, Inter-vivos trusts, and Testamentary trusts
Landlord / Tenant:
Represent landlords and tenants to negotiate settlements and/or attend
hearings before the Magisterial District Justices
Parental Alienation Consultant:
Evaluate and make recommendations to resolve parental alienation matters, and delivers education / training / advocacy to a wide range of audiences including the legal community, the therapeutic community, and
clients.
Family Law:
Handled divorce, support, and custody cases.
Workers Compensation:
Represented Plaintiffs in workers’ compensation claims resulting in
ongoing indemnity payments or lump sum settlements as well as efforts to
suspend or terminate worker’s ongoing benefits.
Wrote briefs to the Workers & Compensation Judge, Workers
Compensation Appeal Board, and Superior Court
Drafted Board Opinions with the Workers Compensation Appeal Board
1996 - 1999
Social Security Disability:
Prepared initial applications and appeals for Social Security Disability benefits
Represented Plaintiffs at Social Security Disability Hearings
Unemployment Compensation:
Filed unemployment compensation claim applications for plaintiffs
Represented plaintiffs at Unemployment Compensation eligibility hearings
We look forward to speaking with you.