Experience:
Merle Ochrach has an established reputation in the field of real-estate law. She practices an integrated approach to resolving issues using her extensive knowledge in financing and general contract work as well as business law and employment law. Although she represents a wide variety of clients, from developers through brokers of commercial, industrial and residential properties, she has developed a niche in the representation of municipalities and water and sewer authorities.
Areas of Concentration:
Real-Estate Transactions
Through Merle's experience in representing all of the various parties to a real-estate transaction -- builders, developers, purchasers and sellers of commercial, industrial and residential property, as well as landlords, tenants, real-estate brokers and agents -- she has gained significant expertise in achieving positive results for her clients.
She regularly assists clients in obtaining multi-million-dollar financing and construction loans, negotiating the most favorable position in terms of the loan documents. These negotiated points have often saved her clients significant funds and protected many clients against difficulties with the lender throughout the course of the loan.
In one transaction, Merle represented a developer to secure funds to purchase needed property under an agreement which was expiring. Under exceedingly tight deadlines, Merle was able to conclude a successful transaction by selling a portion of subdivided property to another developer while allowing her client to fulfill a substantial legal obligation under another outstanding agreement.
Merle also prepares form agreements of sale for builders and regularly reviews agreements of sale for purchasers. She has extensive experience in negotiating and drafting commercial leases and has developed an expertise in addressing lease issues for retail, commercial and industrial centers. Additionally, Merle aids realtors with advice on problematic issues that arise in the course of a real-estate transaction.
Banking/Financing
Merle represents lenders in preparing loan documentation and due diligence review. She also handles IDA transactions from the IDA, the Lender and the Borrower perspective. Merle is also on the Board of the Montgomery County Development Corporation which makes loans under the Small Business First Fund Program.
Municipal/Local Government Law
Merle represents numerous municipalities, municipal authorities, developers and homeowners. By representing such a wide variety of clients, Merle has obtained a clear insight which translates into positively resolving problems that benefit all involved parties with differing interests. Because of her in-depth knowledge of the requirements of local governments as well as the procedures for obtaining approvals and permits, she is sought after by developers and homeowners in a wide array of issues.
For example, Merle has recently been successful in quickly gaining zoning approval to use a portion of a residentially zoned property for a church and school, although the prior non-conforming school use had previously ceased.
Merle has acted as counsel to municipal entities with regard to bond issuances and has also served as bond counsel to lenders.
Employment Law
Representing both employers and employees, Merle advises her clients on appropriate courses of action with regard to employment questions and problems arising in the work place. For employers, she drafts and reviews employee handbooks and prepares employment policies, confidentiality agreements, non-compete agreements and employment agreements. In representing employees, Merle's practice includes negotiation and preparation of employment agreements, severance agreements and advising employees as to their rights under the law.
Professional and Civic Activities:
Merle is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and is very active with the Montgomery Bar Association. Merle has served on the Board of Directors, has been a member and Chairperson of the Real Estate/Land Use Committee, has been Chair of the Montgomery Law Reporter Committee and has been a member and Chairperson of the Municipal Law Committee of the Montgomery Bar Association. Merle was the co-recipient of the first Committee of the Year Award for her efforts as Co-Chair of the Montgomery Bar's Continuing Legal Education Committee. Merle also served as a delegate to the Pennsylvania House of Delegates for the Montgomery Bar Association.
She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Montgomery County Development Corporation, a county organization that administers several State loan and grant funds.
An active speaker, Merle has made presentations to numerous organizations, including the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors, Montgomery Bar Association, Philadelphia Bar Institute, Rotary groups and the Business Focus group.
Merle is a partner and has been practicing at the firm since 1988. Prior to joining the firm, Merle worked for three years at a general-practice firm in southern New Jersey.
EDUCATION
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Merle has a double major in Economics and American History. Her J. D .degree was received from Rutgers University School of Law - Camden.
Merle R. Ochrach 
