Thomas H. Dinkelacker

Tom Dinkelacker concentrates his practice in the areas of municipal, land use, and real estate law, serving as the solicitor for several municipalities in the Lehigh Valley and counsel to various community groups and private entities. In addition, he serves or has served as special counsel handling land development and related land use and construction matters for both first and second class townships, sewer authorities, and a school district.

For both municipal and private clients, Tom has handled the purchase, sale, and leasing of real estate; the development of brownfields, zoning, code and land development litigation; the preparation of zoning and land development ordinances; and a host of other ordinances and regulations relating to, among other things, mixed use development, historic districts, age restricted communities, craft beverage production facilities, sanitary sewer service and rates, and stormwater management. In addition, he provides municipal representation with respect to general government, labor, tax, environmental, and other matters.

Tom represents municipal and private clients before zoning hearing boards, code appeal boards, governing bodies, and various Pennsylvania Courts. With 40 years’ experience, including 4 years of criminal trial and appellate litigation, over 20 years of insurance defense and other litigation, and over 20 years of municipal representation, Tom brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and maturity to problems affecting municipalities, businesses, developers, and citizens alike.

Recognizing the importance of community service, Tom is a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Valley YMCA and the Board of Associates of Muhlenberg College. He also volunteers as a legal advisor to the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.

Tom has lectured on topics as varied as land use matters, the purchase and sale of municipal real estate, employer cell phone use policies, and medical marijuana.

After graduating from the Naval Justice School in Newport Rhode Island, Tom served in the United States Navy on active duty from 1981 to 1985. He has been a resident of the Lehigh Valley since 1987.

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