About Us

In legal practice for almost fifty years, Niles S. Benn and his staff at BennLawFirm provide unparalleled counsel and representation to a broad base of clients on a local and national scale. From media companies and business corporations to individuals and medical professionals, BennLawFirm is there to ensure its clients receive the fullest attention and best potential outcomes.

Our attorneys take pride in emphasizing a personal approach to the practice of law. We believe in fostering strong individual relationships with our clients and providing personal attention and care with respect to all matters when our representation is needed. In addition, our team approach in the handling of legal issues ensures that each of our clients has an attorney available at all times to answer questions and effectively serve their interests. At BennLawFirm, we recognize that if it matters to you, it matters to us. We endeavor to focus all of our energy and resources toward achieving your goals.

Find out more about the attorneys and staff below:

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Client Testimonials

“Although I have had the pleasure of working with Niles for 40 years, it was not until recently that I had the need to retain his legal services. There were no surprises. Augmenting his long experience, Niles’ strong work ethic guarantees the best possible outcome for his clients. I am not one to recommend people in professional services, but I would not hesitate to recommend Niles to anyone seeking superior legal counsel in his areas of expertise.”
- David B

“Niles Benn assisted me with a large medical group contract. He is extremely professional. He met with me and my wife and took the time to explain every paragraph of the contract. He was very thorough and enjoyable to work with. After the explanation he answered all of my questions. The fact that he is a professor and teaches law comes as no surprise given his expertise. I can recommend him without reservation.”
- Richard C. Trevino, MD

Attorneys

Niles S. Benn

Niles is a graduate of Temple University, where he majored in Business and Accounting and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. He is a 1972 graduate of the Dickinson School of Law where he was Chairman of the Legal Aid Society and a member of the Moot Court Board. He has been admitted to practice before all of the Courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States. He is a member of the York County Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

Niles concentrates his practice in media law, business and corporate law, real estate transactions, and medical professionals. He had been member of the Libel Defense Resource Center and the Newspaper Association of America serving on both the Employee Relations Committee and the Legal Affairs Committee. He is also an Affiliate Member of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association and has lectured on their behalf on numerous occasions both in America and overseas. He has served as Co-Chairman of the Fee Dispute Committee for the York County Bar Association since 1996 and acts as a Mediator for the Realtors Association of York and Adams Counties. Additionally, he is Co-Chairman of the Bar/Press Committee for the Pennsylvania Bar Association serving in that capacity since 2016.

Since 1978, Niles served as a Board Member of Holy Spirit Hospital located in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, and from 1995 to 2000 he was Chairman of the Board of the hospital. Niles was elected as the first Chairman of the Board of Holy Spirit Health System in 2000 and served in that position until 2011. The Holy Spirit Health System encompasses seven separate corporate entities. Niles had served as Chairman of the Board of the American Cancer Society, Pennsylvania Division, Inc. from 1988 to 1990 and was also a former Member of the National Board of the American Cancer Society. In 1984, Niles received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the American Cancer Society, Pennsylvania Division, Inc. and in 1993 received the National Award from the American Cancer Society the St. George Medal for Outstanding Contributions to the Control of Cancer.

The surgical wing of The Ortenzio Heart Center of Holy Spirit Hospital has been named “The Niles S. Benn, Esquire Cardiac Surgery” floor, for his years of volunteered service as Chairman of the Health System.

Niles has been an adjunct professor at York College of Pennsylvania, where he teaches Legal, Ethical, and Global Environment of Business since 2012. Additionally, Niles is an accomplished sculptor, specializing in bronze and marble, and has shown his pieces in juried competitions as well as public exhibits. His works appear in private residences, offices and public facilities. Niles has served as Vice Chairman of the Foundation Board of The Harrisburg Area Community College and was Chairman of the Allocations Committee and a member of the Finance Committee. Currently, Niles is a members of the board of trustees of HACC and serves as Assistant Secretary of that board as well as a member of the Human Resources Committee. Additionally, Niles is a board member of Keystone Kidspace, an organization that is constructing an interactive children’s museum in York, Pennsylvania.

Niles has had the privilege of serving as lead counsel in various media lawsuits that have had national attention including Dover’s “Intelligent Design” Trial in which he represented two reporters from different newspaper publications. He also was successful in securing public records that were archived for more than thirty years with respect to a Civil Rights murder and the investigation of a public official that led to that individual’s resignation from office. Most recently, he had argued a case involving the release of time response logs under Pennsylvania’s Right to Know legislation on behalf a media client. Because that case was argued at the Appellate level it resulted in new law being created affecting the entire state.

Niles is an AV Rated Attorney and has attained this status through a strenuous Peer Review Rating process that is managed and monitored through the Martindale- Hubbell Peer Review rating system. It is the highest rating in legal ability and ethical standards.

Education

DICKINSON SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 1972

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
B.S., Business and Accounting

Activities & Affiliations

Holy Spirit Health System, Former Chairman of the Board
Harrisburg Area Community College’s Foundation Board of Directors Former Executive Committee Member, Investment Committee Member, Allocations Committee Chair
Access York, Former Board Member
York Arts, Inc., Former Board Member
The Strand Capitol Performing Arts Center, Former Board Member
Jewish Community Center, Former Board Member
American Cancer Society
Keystone Kidspace, Board Member

Bar Admissions

• Pennsylvania

Katharine S. Marteny

Katharine practices Family Law, Estate Law, and Civil Litigation. Her children were raised in York County, and she is a proud resident of York.

Katharine has over18 years of legal experience. She is a former Divorce Hearing Officer (previously referred to as “Master”) and Custody Conciliator. In her capacity as a Divorce Hearing Officer, Katharine presided over every phase of the divorce litigation from discovery through special relief through equitable distribution in hundreds of divorce proceedings. As a Custody Conciliator, Katharine presided over hundreds of custody conciliations. She spent 6 years as a prosecutor in the Frederick County Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office. Following a relocation to Pennsylvania, she worked as a paralegal and studied to take the Pennsylvania bar exam at night to advocate for the citizens of York County. Katharine has worked in the York County family courts since 2016. She considers it an honor to assist clients with their personal lives.

Katharine is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. She is a 2005 graduate of the Temple University School of Law where she was President of the International Moot Court. She is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Katharine is a member of the York County Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association. She is the former Vice President of the Family Law Section of the York County Bar Association. Katharine is a Hearing Committee Member serving on the Attorney Disciplinary Board for the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Katharine is appointed to serve as an Arbitrator for the York County Court of Common Pleas compulsory arbitration system. She is the Vice President of the Dallastown School District March Band Boosters. She is on the Executive Board of the Dallastown School District Educational Foundation. Katharine is on the board of the York County Literacy Council. She volunteers with Buck A Buck and the Exceptional Children’s Committee of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Katharine is a past volunteer for Wills for Heroes. She is a Committee Chair for Theater Arts for Everyone and an active supporter of local theater. She is a former elementary school reading tutor.

Activities & Affiliations

York County Literacy Council, Board of Directors
Dallastown School District March Band Boosters, Vice President
Dallastown School District Educational Foundation, Executive Board Member
Theatre Arts for Everyone, Committee Chair

Bar Admissions

Pennsylvania
Maryland

Education

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 2005

PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
B.S., Science

William D. Schrack, III

Bill is a veteran of the United States Navy, a graduate of Elizabethtown College and the Dickinson School of Law. He has practiced law in York County, Pennsylvania since 1972 and has served numerous Municipalities and Governmental Authorities as the Solicitor throughout his career. Bill’s focus has been in the area of Real Estate Law as well as Estate Planning, Estate Administration and Elder Law.

In addition to his extensive professional life, Bill has also found time to serve his community as a volunteer, having been President of the Board of Directors of the Dillsburg Senior Activity Center, and a member of the Dillsburg Lions Club for better than 47 years and an active member of the Northern York County Historical and Preservation Society serving as the Treasurer of that Organization since 2012.