WEST CHESTER, PA — Gawthrop Greenwood, PC has expanded its municipal and land use legal practice with the addition of attorney Allyson T. Cohen, strengthening the West Chester firm’s capacity to represent local governments, property owners and development applicants in zoning disputes and land development proceedings.
Cohen joins the firm as an associate, bringing experience in municipal litigation, zoning appeals and legal matters involving Pennsylvania’s land use regulations.
Her practice includes representing clients before zoning hearing boards and handling disputes involving code violations, variances, conditional use applications and special exceptions.
The appointment adds legal capacity in an area of practice that affects municipal development approvals, property rights and local government decision-making.
Before joining Gawthrop Greenwood, Cohen practiced municipal law, land use, zoning and civil litigation at another Chester County law firm.
Her work included preparing motions, pleadings and other litigation documents, along with handling matters involving Pennsylvania’s Municipalities Planning Code and laws governing municipal operations.
“Allyson has a deep understanding of the direct impact of land use and zoning law on people’s everyday lives, as well as how these matters shape the communities where we live and work,” said Stephen R. McDonnell, chair of Gawthrop Greenwood’s management committee.
Cohen’s previous legal experience also includes internships with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office and the Rutland County State’s Attorney’s Office in Vermont, as well as work with the South Royalton Legal Clinic.
She earned her Juris Doctor from Vermont Law and Graduate School, where she served as a staff editor for the Vermont Law Review and Vermont Journal of Environmental Law.
During law school, Cohen participated in the National Moot Court Competition Team, served on the Moot Court Advisory Board and was president of the Jewish Law Student Association.
Cohen is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and belongs to the Chester County Bar Association and its Young Lawyers Division.
Her addition expands Gawthrop Greenwood’s roster of attorneys handling municipal governance, property development and land use disputes in Chester County and the surrounding region.
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