Wiliam G. Halligan | The Law Offices of Halligan & Keaton
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William G. Halligan

    Founder / Owner

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Being a lawyer is more than a job - it is more than a profession - being a lawyer is a way of life, and you must embrace it with zeal and enthusiasm.  You are not just an attorney from 9-5 in your office: you are an attorney at family functions, in your church or synagogue, and with your neighbors and friends."


With all due humility, I consider myself blessed to be the only attorney in the tri-county area (Delaware, Chester and Montgomery Counties) that has been counsel to the Orphans’ Court (Estate Court) for over 50 years, as well as continuously being a practitioner.  I get to see legal issues from both the judicial and practitioner's point of view. What happens after a matter is filed with the Court is not a mystery to me; it is my function to shepherd it through the judicial system. I believe I am unique in that I can guide a client through document preparation with first-hand experience of the judiciary process.


Over 50 years as counsel for the Delaware County Orphans' Court, I have assisted ten president judges.  I have conducted settlement conferences for hundreds of disputes.  I bring these same skills to each and every client I have the privilege of assisting.

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Contact Bill:  william@halligankeatonlaw.com

Estate
Administration

Estate
Planning

Wills & Trusts

Powers of Attorney

Areas of Practice

Professional Experience

Education

Villanova University, B.A. 1966

Temple University, J.D. 1972

Villanova University, L.M.M. (Taxation), 1984

Bar Admissions

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1972-present

Supreme Court of The United States, 1975-present

United States Tax Court, 1987-present

Professional Experience

  • Law Offices of Halligan & Keaton, Media, PA, 1998–present

  • Higgins & Halligan, Media, PA, 1986-1998

  • Higgins, Halligan & Gillin, Media, PA, 1984–1986

  • Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach & Monte, Media, PA, 1981–1984

  • Farber & Halligan, PC, Media, PA, 1972–1981

  • Marple Township Municipal Authority (Solicitor), 1988–1994

Academic Positions

Widener University, PA

  • Adjunct Professor of Law (litigation), 1975–1990

Villanova University, PA​

  • Adjunct Professor of Law (litigation), 1982–2004

  • College Advisory Board, 1984

Awards

  • 2015 Recipient of the Frank T. Hazel Hall of Fame Award

  • 2015 Recipient of the Honorable Francis J. Catania Memorial Award (recognition of distinguished service to the Magisterial District Judges’ Association)

  • “Top Lawyer" Mainline magazine, 2011

  • Elizabeth C. Price Award (given by the Delaware County Bar Association to a person for dedication, integrity and loyalty to the Bar Association), 2006

  • Honorable Paul A. Sand Award (given to a person in grateful appreciation for efforts in fostering interest and respect for the law in general and for the Bar Association in particular), 2004

  • Villanova University Special Recognition Award (given in recognition of William G. Halligan’s dedication and service to his students and for the Villanova University Paralegal Certificate program for the years 1983 through 2003)

  • Delaware County E. Wallace Chadwick Award (given to William G. Halligan in recognition of his service to the legal profession in the furtherance of intra-professional development, communication and education), 1992

  • Man of the Year, Delaware County Lawyers Club, 1991

Professional Organizations

Pennsylvania Bar Association

  • Member of the House of Delegates (1986–1988, 1994–2012)

Delaware County Bar Association

  • Director of the Delaware County Bar Association (1974–1976, 1980–1982, 1987–1989, 1991)

  • President of the Delaware County Bar Association (1994)

  • Chairman, Legislative Committee (1991)

  • Chairman, Legal Services Committee (1987)

Delaware County Estate Planning Council (1995-2020)

  • Member, Board of Directors

Magisterial District Judge Association (1998–present)

  • Solicitor (1998–present)

Southeast Regional Bench Bar Conference

  • Charter Member (1994–present)

Delaware County Estate Planning Council – Board of Directors

Other Professional Experience

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  • Law Clerk to the Honorable Francis J. Catania, President Judge, Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County (1973–1990)

  • Law Clerk to the Honorable William R. Toal, President Judge, Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County (1990–1995)

  • Law Clerk to the Honorable Leo Sereni, President Judge, Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County (1995–2000)

  • Law Clerk to the Honorable Joseph F. Battle, President Judge, Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County (2000–2003)

  • Law Clerk to the Honorable Kenneth Clouse, President Judge, Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County (2003–2008)

  • Law Clerk to the Honorable Edward J. Zetusky, President Judge, Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County (2008–2009)

  • Law Clerk to the Honorable Joseph P. Cronin, President Judge, Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County (2009–2012)

  • Law Clerk to the Honorable Chad F. Kenney, President Judge, Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County (2012–2017)

  • Law Clerk to the Honorable Kevin F. Kelly, President Judge, Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County (2017–2022)

  • Law Clerk to the Honorable Linda Cartisano, President Judge, Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County (2022–2023)

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