Steven J. Koehler joined the Firm as a Shareholder in November, 2007. Mr. Koehler’s practice is primarily focused in general corporate and commercial law, including transactional representation and counseling, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, UCC and general contract matters as well as matters unique to companies with employee ownership. Mr. Koehler routinely counsels clients ranging from start-up entities to multinational corporations on matters involving entity selection, shareholder and operating agreements, intellectual property licensing and protection of confidential information, manufacturing sales and joint development agreements and general business and real estate matters. In addition, Mr. Koehler has utilized his background in employee benefits law and ERISA matters to concentrate on Employee Stock Ownership Plans representing lenders, stockholders and ESOP Companies in all matters relating to ESOPs, including implementation of Employee Stock Ownership Plans; leveraged ESOP loan transactions; and IRC section 1042 transactions. Mr. Koehler has substantial experience serving as "outside" in-house counsel for a variety of corporate entities, serving as the primary legal advisor for the legal needs of entities engaged in the manufacture of plastic packaging and machinery utilized in connection with the plastics industry. Mr. Koehler has served in a similar role for entities involved in the snack food industry and for entities in the construction and building supplies industries. A number of Mr. Koehler’s clients are international entities with operations in the Central Pennsylvania area. He has expertise in dealing with the unique issues facing foreign entities doing business in the Mid-Atlantic region. A native of York, Mr. Koehler returned to York County after graduation from law school in 1983 and has since served the community through his involvement in a number of non-profit organizations, serving many in leadership positions. Mr. Koehler served for many years on the Board of Directors of Crispus Attucks Association, including serving as Capital Campaign Treasurer; Mr. Koehler formed and served as an officer of the Board of Directors of the Crispus Attucks Community Development Corporation; he served as President of the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood of Central Pennsylvania and currently serves as President of the Board of Directors of The York Housing Corporation and as a member of the Board of Directors of the York Art Association. Mr. Koehler has lectured on the subject of ESOPs and has contributed to Pennsylvania Bar Institute publications, most recently, the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Practice Manual. He is a licensed title agent; a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association; the York County Bar Association; and the National Center for Employee Ownership Mr. Koehler received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1983. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1980, as a University Scholar and Phi Beta Kappa member, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Rhetoric and Communications.