Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld LLC Welcomes James Ettelson and Matthew Brinker

Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld LLC Welcomes James Ettelson and Matthew Brinker

RCCB expands with business-minded legal expertise of Ettelson and Brinker

Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld LLC (RCCB), today, announced the addition of attorneys James Ettelson, Senior Counsel, and Matthew Brinker, Associate. Both Ettelson and Brinker will be residents in the firm's Conshohocken office.

Ettelson brings a diverse background in management gained in both the public and private sector, and concentrates his practice in the areas of Real Estate and Land Use & Zoning. His extensive legal experience includes real estate litigation, real estate transactions, tax assessment appeals, lease/sale negotiation, and agreement preparation. Ettelson has represented developers, builders, health care and educational institutions, assisted living facilities, real estate investors, and corporations in both the profit and nonprofit sectors.

Ettelson currently represents one of his largest clients, The City of Pittsburgh Urban Redevelopment Authority, in a major real estate project involving the East Liberty section of the city. He formerly represented one of the world's largest manufacturers of consumer products in relocating their major distribution plant to a new 1.4 million square foot facility.

Ettelson has also provided legal counsel to a joint venture that was negotiating the purchase and proposed redevelopment of a major casino facility in Atlantic City. Additionally, he represented a joint venture created by the directors of one of the region's largest health systems to manage and develop all of their non-core hospital real estate, in order to create value and increase returns to each of their four hospitals.

Ettelson was recently included in the annual Edition of Top-Ranking Lawyers in Philadelphia, published by the Legal Intelligencer, and he is peer rated "AV Preeminent" by Martindale-Hubbell.

"Jim's wide range of real estate and zoning experience make him an exciting addition to RCCB," said Barry Cohen, Partner. "We look forward to Jim's becoming a valuable team member, who can help clients through his experiences in business, legal and political roles."

Prior to joining RCCB, Ettelson was a Principal in the Philadelphia office of Offit Kurman. Before that, he was a Partner at Thorp Reed & Armstrong for ten years, and earlier, he was a Partner at Duane Morris LLP for five years.

Before Ettelson practiced law, he served as Executive Vice President of a diversified public company, and spent over eight years as a part time Associate Professor and Lecturer at the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science. Prior to that, Ettelson directed the operation of a Philadelphia apparel manufacturing firm for over twenty years.

In 2001, Ettelson was re-elected to a third four-year term as a Commissioner of Lower Merion Township. During his tenure, he served for eight years as Chairman of the Building and Planning Committee of the Board. After serving five years as Vice-President, in 2002 the Board of Commissioners elected him President. Ettelson has also served as Chairman of the Economic Development Committee.

"I am certainly excited about joining the RCCB team and having the opportunity of linking my practice with this talented and experienced group of legal professionals," said Ettelson.

Ettelson earned his J.D. from Temple University School of Law and his B.S. from Pennsylvania State University. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania.

Matthew Brinker advises clients on a variety of business transactions and general corporate matters, including start-up and formation, equity and debt financings, commercial lending, commercial contracts, reorganizations, joint ventures, M&A and corporate governance. From tech start-ups to global manufacturers, Brinker has represented large and small, public and private enterprises in diverse industries at several stages of the business life-cycle.

“Matt’s extensive experience advising businesses of all shapes and sizes make him a welcome addition to RCCB,” said Neil Cooper, Partner. “Matt’s work in many types of transactions and corporate matters will allow him to be a valued resource within our growing firm.”

Prior to joining RCCB, Brinker was an associate in the Corporate & Securities Group of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP.

Before practicing law, Brinker worked in immigration compliance, helping businesses and universities manage their employment and student immigration issues.

“I am excited to be joining the RCCB team, and to be a part of such an entrepreneurial and business-oriented law firm,” said Brinker. “I am ready to put my skills and experience to work, to help the firm grow and to add value for RCCB’s clients.”

Brinker earned his J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law, his M.B.A. from Indiana University Kelley School of Business, and his B.A., with honors and Phi Beta Kappa, from Johns Hopkins University.