Helen J. Esbenshade

Helen concentrates her practice in local government representation, zoning and land use, land acquisition and finance.

She serves as an advisor to businesses, nonprofits, local governments, authorities and developers, advising both organizations and individuals.

As solicitor to the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC), Helen works with clients and their professional consultants to develop private developer agreements to promote economic development initiatives in cooperation with local governments and regulatory agencies. She assists her clients with administration of state and federal grants funding projects ranging from utility infrastructure to innovative technology.

As CCEDC counsel, Helen also assists with loan financing programs such as the Pennsylvania Building PA Program, Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority and Pennsylvania Small Business Credit Initiative Program. She further serves as counsel to the South Eastern Economic Development Company of Pennsylvania where she handles loan transactions involving loan programs under the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Pennsylvania Small Business First Fund loan program.

Helen also has served as underwriter’s counsel, co-bond counsel and issuer’s counsel in municipal and industrial development authority tax-exempt bond financings.

OTHER PRACTICE AREAS:

• Zoning & Land Use Law

ADMISSIONS:

• Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

EDUCATION:

• Villanova University School of Law, JD
• The Pennsylvania State University, BS

COMMUNITY SERVICE & AFFILIATIONS:

• Member – Chester County Bar Association
• Member – Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry Government Affairs Council
• Chairman – Advisory Council to Literacy Council of Lancaster-Lebanon for Imagination Library Program
• Member – Board of Directors, Brandywine Health Foundation
• Solicitor – Chester County Economic Development Council
• Solicitor for the following municipalities and municipal authorities:
  -Chester County Water Resources Authority
  -Chester County and Central and Western Chester –County Industrial Development
• Authorities
  -Honey Brook Borough Authority
  -West Sadsbury Township
  -West Nottingham Township
  -Borough of South Coatesville
  -Borough of West Grove
  -Borough of Atglen
  -Valley Township Zoning Hearing Board
  -Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau
  -Chester County Conservation District

AWARDS/RECOGNITION

• Named a ‘Best Lawyer in America^®‘ for Municipal Law since 2011
  • Named the Best Lawyers^® 2021 Municipal Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Philadelphia
• Named a 2020-2021 Five-Star/Top Attorney by Suburban Life magazine
• Main Line Today Top Lawyer 2021
• Main Line Today Top Lawyer 2018