A local government /municipal lawyer. An appellate lawyer. A public interest lawyer.

(267)-563-6842

Municipal law. Appellate litigation.

Public interest law.

A lawyer who is ethical, practical, efficient, and focused on justice.

Municipal law. Appellate litigation.

Public interest law.

A lawyer who is ethical, practical, efficient, and focused on justice.

About Us

Who We Are

Core Practice Areas

Richard Feder, J.D., is the firm name for the law practice of Richie Feder, a Pennsylvania lawyer with 38 years of experience.

Prior to establishing the firm, Richie worked for the City of Philadelphia Law Department for 27 years, where he was Chief Deputy City Solicitor for Legislation for 20 years and Chief of Appeals for 15 years. He

Richard Feder, J.D., is the firm name for the law practice of Richie Feder, a Pennsylvania lawyer with 38 years of experience.

Prior to establishing the firm, Richie worked for the City of Philadelphia Law Department for 27 years, where he was Chief Deputy City Solicitor for Legislation for 20 years and Chief of Appeals for 15 years. He currently teaches part-time at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and the Temple University Beasley School of Law, as an adjunct member of the faculty.

Prior to working for the City, Richie practiced general litigation, with a focus on plaintiffs' class actions, particularly consumer class actions, at the Philadelphia law firm of Fine, Kaplan, and Black. He also served for one year as Law Clerk to the Honorable Edward R. Becker on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Richie received his J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School; and his A.B., magna cum laude, from Brown University.

The firm is located in the West Mount Airy neighborhood of Northwest Philadelphia.

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Core Practice Areas

Many of the firm's projects cross practice-area boundaries, but Richie's three main practice areas are Municipal Law, Appellate Litigation, and Public Interest Law.

The firm's practice is focused on Southeastern Pennsylvania, but the firm is available to handle any Pennsylvania matter or, in appropriate circumstances, matters outside of Pennsylvania.

who are our clients

Core Practice Areas

who are our clients

The firm represents government agencies, elected officials, political candidates, for-profit and not-for-profit entities, and regular people. No client is too large or too small.

Municipal Law

Appellate Litigation

who are our clients

Developed primarily during his 27 years at the City Law Department, Richie has extensive expertise and experience in virtually every aspect of municipal law, including legislative drafting and process; tax policy and law; administrative law; zoning; governmental powers; government ethics; and public records.

Richie particularly enjoys

Developed primarily during his 27 years at the City Law Department, Richie has extensive expertise and experience in virtually every aspect of municipal law, including legislative drafting and process; tax policy and law; administrative law; zoning; governmental powers; government ethics; and public records.

Richie particularly enjoys sharing his expertise on the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter; and the Pennsylvania Constitution.

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Appellate Litigation

Richie has briefed and argued dozens of appeals, and closely supervised hundreds more, in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

The Third Circuit recently appointed Richie to serve as amicus to the Court. He also has handled many administrative appe

Richie has briefed and argued dozens of appeals, and closely supervised hundreds more, in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

The Third Circuit recently appointed Richie to serve as amicus to the Court. He also has handled many administrative appeals in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

Like any good appellate lawyer, Richie is a generalist. Many of his appeals have related to municipal law, civil rights, or labor and employment, but he is a proficient appellate advocate no matter the subject.

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Public Interest Law

Appellate Litigation

Richie believes that his law license is a privilege that comes with an obligation: to use it to make the world a better place. Doing so also makes the practice of law incredibly satisfying.

Richie is available to assist you or your organization in any project that is intended to make this world -- including but not limited to the City that he loves -- a better place to live, work, or play.

More About Our Practice

Recent Representations

Here is a representative sample of our work:

We have served as an expert witness for a municipality on ethics and civil rights litigation issues.

We represented a municipal government in federal litigation involving State-local preemption and State constitutional legislative procedure, in both the trial and appellate courts. We also argued a related matter in the State trial court.

We advised a not-for-profit advocacy organization on various options to address a housing discrimination matter.

We represented an elected official on matters relating to election law and filling of official vacancies.

We have represented a not-for-profit public policy organization in its development and legal defense of various proposed changes in State and local tax laws.

We represented a coalition of constitutional law professors, as amici, in litigation challenging the constitutionality of Pennsylvania's school funding scheme.

We served as an amicus, appointed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, on a complex question of federal jurisdiction relating to a mortgage foreclosure action.

We drafted complex financing legislation on behalf of a municipality.

We provided advice regarding municipal power to community members fighting municipal use of a trash-burning incinerator.

We have provided moot court assistance for appeals in the State and federal courts, including cases relating to preemption, civil liberties, legislative power, among others.

We litigated an appeal to the City of Philadelphia License and Inspection Review Board of a "retaining wall" violation notice.

We regularly provide legislative consulting services, including drafting municipal ordinances and advising on municipal power issues.

How we operate

Recent Representations

Call or e-mail to discuss your legal problem. We offer flexible rates, hourly or flat fee, appropriate to the project and your circumstances.

If we can't help you, or we think someone else can handle the matter more efficiently or effectively, we won't hesitate to tell you. We want to find the best and most practical solutions for you. And it costs nothing to ask.

Our offices are located at 623 Westview Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19119, in the Mt. Airy section of the City. We are also happy to travel to meet you where convenient, or to meet by phone or Zoom.

Come see us if . . . .

Recent Representations

Come see us if . . . .

Come see us if . . . .

You prevailed in the trial court and want an experienced appellate advocate to preserve the judgment on appeal.

You believe a government agency exceeded its authority and you want to explore your options.

You are a Township Manager and you want to rewrite your Township Ethics Code, or train Township employees on compliance with the Township's existing Ethics Code.

You are a journalist and believe the local water and sewer authority is illegally withholding documents from public review.

You are the President of a neighborhood association and you want to draft a zoning overlay to propose to your local Councilmember.

You have drafted an appellate brief and you need a second set of eyes to critically review it; or you want help preparing for oral argument.

You are the executive director of an advocacy organization, and the Legislature recently cut corners to rush through a bill that undercuts your organization's mission.

Your company was denied a license, and you believe the decisionmakers improperly met in secret, or had a conflict of interest, or relied on improper factors. Or you are a borough procurement officer on the receiving end of such a complaint.

For these or dozens of other similar problems, call us!

A lawyer who is ethical, practical, efficient, and focused on justice.

A lawyer who is ethical, practical, efficient, and focused on justice.

About Us

Who We Are

Core Practice Areas

Core Practice Areas

Core Practice Areas

Core Practice Areas

Core Practice Areas

who are our clients

Core Practice Areas

who are our clients

Municipal Law

Appellate Litigation

who are our clients

Appellate Litigation

Appellate Litigation

Appellate Litigation

Public Interest Law

Appellate Litigation

Appellate Litigation

More About Our Practice

Recent Representations

Recent Representations

Recent Representations

How we operate

Recent Representations

Recent Representations

Come see us if . . . .

Recent Representations

Come see us if . . . .

More About Richie Feder

READ AN INTERVIEW WITH RICHIE

City Council ceremony honORING RICHIE AFTER 27 YEARS OF CITY SERVICE

Contact Us

Call us at: (267)-563-6842