Lawrence J. Bartel is a Partner in the Philadelphia office of GRSM and is a member of the Commercial Litigation, Professional Liability Defense, Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Creditors' Rights, Employment Law, and Government Regulatory & Administrative Law practice groups.
As a member of the Professional Liability Department, Lawrence concentrates his practice in the areas of Consumer Financial Services Litigation and Compliance. In this role, he defends financial institutions, debt servicers and buyers, auto finance companies, collection attorneys, student lenders, telecommunication providers, mortgage lenders and credit reporting agencies against claims brought pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Fair Credit Extension Uniformity Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and state consumer laws in the state and federal courts of both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He also has experience defending insurance brokers and title agents against serious malpractice claims. Additionally, Lawrence has extensive experience in the defense of civil rights, employment, municipal liability and school claims law. In this capacity, he represents private and public employers, police departments, municipalities and school districts in various claims made and suits brought against them.
Lawrence has represented police officers and public officials in state and federal court in all aspects of civil rights litigation, including claims involving use of force, illegal search and seizure, and wrongful arrest. In addition, he has represented private and public employers in litigation and provided them advice and counsel concerning a variety of employment-related matters. He has handled the defense of employment law cases in federal and state courts and before various administrative agencies.
In addition to his law practice, Lawrence has lectured for municipalities, employers and insurance organizations and has contributed articles on civil rights and employment-related issues. He has also consulted with clients concerning the development of policies and procedures and has provided educational and training to employees and managers of his clients.
Lawrence was an assistant public defender in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, where he served as the lead first chair attorney in numerous criminal matters. He also represented clients in state and county revocation hearings, indirect criminal contempt hearings, competency determinations, mental health commitments and grand jury proceedings.
Lawrence received his juris doctor from Widener University School of Law and graduated from Widener University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania.
Admissions
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court, Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey