Ardmore Small Business Spotlight: Gibbel Kraybill & Hess LLP

ARDMORE, PA – Towns so often take their character from the entrepreneurial spirit that shapes its shops, storefronts, and downtown areas. Patch's Small Business Spotlight series aims to shine a light on local business owners with a strong sense of place, with a business rooted in the community and its people. This week's spotlight is on the legal experts at Gibbel Kraybill & Hess LLP.

Business: Gibbel Kraybill & Hess LLP

Owners: Partners John R. Gibbel, J. Elvin Kraybill, Melvin H. Hess, J. Dwight Yoder, Peter J. Kraybill, Jeffrey J. Worley, Marci S. Miller, Justin J. Bollinger, Jonna E. Stratton

Website: www.gkh.com

Address: 32 Parking Plaza, Suite 402, Ardmore, PA 19003

How did you come up with the name?

"The firm is named for the three founding partners, John Gibbel, Elvin Kraybill and Mel Hess."

Why start a business in this town?

"Before our firm opened an office here in Ardmore in the Times Building at Suburban Square, there was no general practice law firm conveniently located in this area. Individuals and business owners with diverse legal concerns have frequently had to seek legal advice in downtown Philadelphia. We saw a need and an opportunity in this community.

"The new office is directed by attorney Peter Kraybill, an Ardmore resident since 2008. Opening this new office extends the full range of GKH’s services, 16 attorneys and various practice areas, to the Ardmore community and greater Philadelphia area. The new office will allow GKH attorneys to meet clients in a convenient location, readily accessible via Lancaster Avenue and the Ardmore station for SEPTA/Amtrak. Clients may also work remotely with GKH attorneys via GKH’s video conferencing capabilities."

What business are you in?

"Gibbel Kraybill & Hess is a general practice law firm, offering legal counsel in the areas of estate planning and administration; elder law; business succession planning; corporate and commercial law; tax law and tax controversies; nonprofit organizations; employment law; real estate, zoning and land use; municipal law; general and complex litigation; civil rights litigation; and administrative law. This diversity of practice reflects the broad range of clients we serve, including individuals, families, businesses, corporations, institutions, churches, nonprofit organizations, municipalities and citizen groups. The firm represents clients throughout central, south-central and eastern Pennsylvania, including the greater Philadelphia area."

What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

"Our greatest challenge as a law firm was seeing clients through the 2008 recession and aftermath, and also seeing some organizations and businesses close their doors."

What’s been your proudest achievement since opening?

"We are proud of the solid connections we’ve already built in this community, with our Ardmore clients, with other local business owners, and with organizations such as the Ardmore Business Association and the Montgomery Bar Association."

How does your business give back to the community?

"Not only are we passionate about serving our clients, we also care deeply about our community, particularly the less fortunate and marginalized. Our attorneys volunteer with local community groups, support and sponsor numerous community initiatives, and serve on nonprofit boards. We look forward to investing in the Ardmore community, and plan to introduce ourselves to this community on Monday, May 15, with a complimentary lunch and zoning seminar at John Henry’s Pub. This lunch seminar is part of the firm’s annual seminar series, which gives back to the community by making some basic legal information available to the public at no cost."

Know of a business that deserves the spotlight? Email max.bennett@patch.com.

Image via GKH