Sherrard, German & Kelly, P.C.

• Directory
• Jonathan P. Altman
• Walter R. Bashaw II
• Beverly A. Block
• Karen Y. Bonvalot
• Jeremy C. Brown
• Robert B. Brown, Jr.
• Paul David Burke
• Robert J. Courie
• Christopher J. Davis
• Suzanne L. DeWalt
• John P. Edgar
• Edward B. Gentilcore
• Robert D. German
• James R. Hankle
• Steven A. Harris
• John G. Harshman
• Peter Y. Herchenroether
• Matt A. Jarrell
• Richard C. Lane
• Stanley J. Lehman
• David J. Lowe
• Holly S. McCann
• Susan J. Messer
• Erin E. Milliken
• Gary Philip Nelson
• Samuel J. Pasquarelli
• W. Chad Pociernicki
• Edward G. Rice
• Mark O. Scioscia
• Eric C. Springer
• Ryan S. Smith
• Timothy R. Stock
• John M. Tedder
• Samuel J. Toney IV
• Joseph M. Wymard
• Kenneth J. Yarsky, II

Susan J. Messer

Ms. Messer is a Shareholder and Director of the firm and is a member of the firm’s Corporate and Financial Services Groups. Ms. Messer’s practice includes counseling incorporated and unincorporated business entities, including corporations, limited liability companies, general and limited partnerships and sole proprietorships, on a wide range of legal issues such as formation, dissolution, reorganization, financing, real estate and securities exemption matters; representing both sellers and buyers in asset and stock based acquisitions, divestitures and mergers; performing corporate reorganizations; representing borrowers in commercial loan transactions; and representing sellers and buyers and lessors and lessees in commercial real estate transactions. Ms. Messer also represents a number of purchasers of private aircraft with respect to the acquisition and management of the aircraft and the lease of the aircraft for charter operations.

Areas of Law/Focus

• Counseling Business Entities
• Corporate Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Real Estate Acquisitions, Development and Dispositions
• Leasing for Commercial and Office Buildings
• Private Placement Securities Regulation
• Aircraft Acquisitions and Management
• Employee Benefits Law

Selected Engagements

• Represented regional manufacturing company in $80 million sale of business to publicly owned company.
• Represented publicly owned company in strategic acquisition of manufacturing companies located in Texas and Philippines.
• Represented regional manufacturing company in acquisition of long-time competitor. Pursuant to the terms of the asset purchase, the tangible and intangible assets of the seller were acquired including its equipment, accounts receivable, contracts and manufacturing plant located in North Carolina.
• Represented regional construction company in negotiation and strategic sale of assets, as well as assets of affiliated construction services company to a company providing complementary construction services. Sale also involved restructure, spin-off and sale of related affiliate company.
• Represented various regional companies in connection with the acquisition of an aircraft and related chartering and management services.
• Negotiated loan facilities and inter-creditor agreements for subordinate debt and equity investment in a Massachusettes company by private equity fund.
• Represented real estate developers with respect to the syndication of historic tax credits.
• Represented closely held company in connection with restructure of company and affiliated entities to enable next generation of family members in succession planning to assume management responsibilities, control, and ownership.
• Represented an advanced materials company in connection with its acquisition of an optics company located in China. 
• Represented an advanced materials company in connection with its acquisition of an optics company located in Massachusetts.   
• Represented a software provider in connection with the sale of the company to a private equity firm.  
• Represented a private equity firm in connection with its acquisition of a capacitor manufacturer located in Massachusetts. 
• Represented a mutual fund software and service provider in connection with the sale of the company to a strategic buyer. 
• Represented a component and subassembly manufacturing company in connection with the sale of the company to a private equity firm. 
• Represented an insurance agency in the sale of its stock. 
• Represented a buyer in connection with the acquisition of a distributor of power products. 
• Represented an automotive dealership in connection with the sale of substantially all of its assets. 
• Represented an insurance broker in connection with the acquisition and spin-out of a division of a public insurance company. 

Education

• J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 1992
• B.A., Duquesne University, 1989

Professional & Community Activities

• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Member, Allegheny County Bar Association
• Former Director and Secretary, Variety the Children’s Charity Young Professionals
• Former Member, Commercial Real Estate Women, Pittsburgh, PA

Bar Admissions

• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 1992