Joseph E. Palma
610-431-7300
After graduation from Saint James High School and Saint Joseph's University, Joe attended Temple University School of Law. After graduation, Joe entered private practice and joined the Delaware County Public Defender's Office, where he served as an assistant public defender until his election as a District Justice of the Peace in 1974.
Joe served as the Administrator of the Chester Regional District Court, a post he held until his resignation in 1984. During his tenure, he was instrumental in the implementation of the Protection from Abuse project at the court and was honored by the Delaware County Domestic Abuse Project as the Person of the Year in 1984.
In addition to his engagement in private practice and while serving as a District Justice, Joe returned to school at night and was granted a master's degree in Taxation, Summa Cum Laude, in 1984 by the Widener University School of Business.
After graduation he moved his practice to West Chester where he remained engaged in litigation until 2000. Thereafter he has specialized in transactional representation and planning for the small to middle sized businesses and individuals.
Areas of Practice
- 45% Business
- 15% Real Estate
- 25% Estate and Succession Planning, Wills and Trusts
- 15% Taxation
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania, 1973
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1973
- U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 1978
- U.S. Tax Court, 1994
Education
- Temple University School of Law, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- J.D. - 1972
- Law Review: Temple University School of Law, Candidate, 1970
- Widener University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Master of Science (Summa Cum Laude) - 1985
- Major: Taxation
- Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- B.S. - 1969
- Honors: Dean List - 1968-69
- Major: Political Science
Honors and Awards
- Delaware County Domestic Abuse Project - Man of the Year, 1983
- Law Review Candidate, 1969 - 1970
- Dean's List, 1968 - 1969
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Chester County Bar Association, Member, 1984 - 2009
Past Employment Positions
- District Justice of the Peace for the City of Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Administrative Justice, 1976 - 1984
- Edward J. Zetusky Law Office, Attorney, 1973 - 1974
- Pileggi & Associates, Attorney, 1974 - 1975
- Nolan & Battle, Attorney, 1975 - 1976
- Higgins, Gorbey, George & DiOrio, Partner, 1976 - 1977
- Solo Practitioner, Owner, 1978 - 1984
- Shaffer, Palma & Dougherty, Partner, 1984 - 1989
- Pitt, Palma, Dougherty & Sbarbaro, Partner, 1989 - 1991
- Palma & Sbarbaro, Partner, Partner, 1992 - 2003
- Solo Practitioner, Owner, 2003 - 2005
- Gollatz, Griffin & Ewing, Of Counsel, 2005 - 2008
- Goldberg Meanix & Muth, Partner, 2009 - Present
Fraternities/Sororities
- Phi Kappa Phi
