My practice is focused exclusively on handling commercial property tax assessment issues for taxpayers throughout Pennsylvania's 67 counties. I manage the firm's Pennsylvania practice which is located in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA. I am experienced in handling entire client portfolios state-wide for all commercial property types: retail, industrial, senior care, hotel, apartments, special purpose properties and affordable housing. I have handled thousands of property assessment appeals to successful conclusion via negotiated settlements, trial and and the appellate level. My practice is state-wide.
Practice areas
Practice exclusively devoted to commercial real estate tax assessment appeals
28 years, 1,000 cases
Languages spoken
Spanish
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
PA | Active | 1995 | 07/01/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Cum Laude | University of Pittsburgh School of Law | 1994 |
Outstanding Leadership Award | University of Pittsburgh Law Alumni Association | 1993 |
Truxall Scholarship | University of Pittsburgh School of Law | 1991 |
Journal of Law and Commerce, Managing Editor | University of Pittsburgh School of Law | 1991 |
Self-Starter Award | USMaintenance Corporation | 1990 |
Inner Circle Award | USMaintenance Corporation | 1989 |
Faculty Award for Excellence in Secondary Education | Duquesne University | 1988 |
Kappa Delta Epsilon President's Award | Duquesne University | 1988 |
Outstanding Service Award | Duquesne University | 1988 |
Senior Leader Award | Duquesne University Alumni Association | 1988 |
Magna Cum Laude | Duquesne University | 1988 |
Integrated Honors Program | Duquesne University | 1984 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Siegel Jennings, Co., LPA | 2011 - Present |
Partner | Reed Smith LLP | 2010 - 2011 |
Partner | Pepper Hamilton | 2006 - 2010 |
Of Counsel | Pepper Hamilton | 2005 - 2005 |
Associate | Pepper Hamilton | 1995 - 2003 |
Associate | Doepken Keevican Weiss & Medved | 1994 - 1995 |
USMaintenance Corporation | 1987 - 1991 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
American Property Tax Counsel | Representative for Western PA, Client Seminar Committee | 2011 - Present |
Institute for Professionals in Taxation | Member | 2011 - Present |
Assessor's Association of Pennsylvania | Affiliate Member | 2011 - Present |
Allegheny County Bar Association, Real Property Section | Member | 2001 - Present |
Allegheny County Bar Association | Member | 1994 - Present |
Pennsylvania Bar Association | Member | 1994 - Present |
American Bar Association | Member | 1994 - Present |
Holy Family Learning | Trustee | 2004 - 2013 |
The Midwife Center for Birth and Women's Health | Director | 2004 - 2007 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Commercial Property Executive | Finding Relief: Property Tax Appeals for Industrial Assets Yields Rewards | 2015 |
The Morning Call | Sharon DiPaolo quoted in "PPL Center Loses Tax Appeal" | 2015 |
Tribune Review | Sharon DiPaolo quoted in "Century III Mall in West Mifflin Slides into Retail Abyss" | 2014 |
National Real Estate Investor Online | Property Assessments Present Opportunities to Reduce Taxes | 2014 |
Pittsburgh Tribune Review | Sharon DiPaolo quoted in "Century III Mall in West Mifflin Slides into Retail Abyss" | 2014 |
National Real Estate Investor Online | Pittsburgh Taxpayers Face Double Jeopardy on Assessments | 2014 |
Pittsburgh Tribune Review | Sharon DiPaolo quoted in "Allegheny County Schools, Municipalities Unsettled by Pending Appeals of Reassessments" | 2014 |
Assessors' Association of Pennsylvania Journal | Avoiding Spot Reassessment | 2013 |
National Real Estate Investor Online | Buying Property? Beware of Inflated Assessments | 2013 |
The Pew Charitable Trusts, Philadelphia Research Initiative | Sharon DiPaolo quoted in "The Actual Value Initiative: Overhauling Property Taxes in Philadelphia | 2012 |
Northeast Real Estate Business Journal | Ruling Creates Property Tax Appeal Opportunities | 2012 |
Assessors' Association of Pennsylvania Journal | PA Supreme Court Decision in Tech One: Road Map to Uniformity | 2012 |
Risk: Health, Safety and Environment | Threshold Procedural Considerations in Right-to-Die Cases | 1995 |
Journal of Law and Commerce | The Application of the Uniform Commercial Code Section 2-201 Statute of Frauds to Electronic Commerce | 1992 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Cum Laude | JD - Juris Doctor | 1994 |
Duquesne University, Magna Cum Laude in an Honors Curriculum | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1988 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Speaking Engagement: Mock Assessment Trial at Assessors' Association of Pennsylvania 67th Annual Conference | Mock Assessment Trial at Assessors' Association of Pennsylvania 67th Annual Conference | 2015 |
Southpointe Chamber of Commerce Monthly Networking Luncheon | Washington County Reassessment | 2015 |
Institute for Professionals in Taxation Annual Property Tax Symposium, Austin, TX | Speaking Engagement: The Client-Attorney-Appraiser Relationship in a Complex Industrial Case | 2015 |
Property Tax Symposium, Ft. Lauderdale, FL | Litigation Management for Tax Appeals | 2014 |
Annual Conference, Austin TX | Preparing the Expert Witness for Trial Testimony | 2014 |
20th Annual Client Seminar | "Celebrating 20 Years of Property Tax Success: Looking Forward to Challenges and Opportunities for the Next 20 Years" | 2014 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
1,000,000 square foot shopping mall | $122 Million assessment reduction |
World headquarters corporate campus | $6 Million assessment reduction |
3,000,000 square foot manufacturing plant | $13 Million assessment reduction |
630,000 square foot Class A office building | $23 Million assessment reduction |
2,100,000 + square foot distribution center | $9 Million assessment reduction |
Posted by John M.
November 23, 2016
Posted by James
December 5, 2014
Evan Oshan, Real estate Attorney on Jan 24, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Michael Werner, Real estate Attorney on May 2, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
It is difficult to overstate the depth of knowledge that Sharon DiPaolo has in the realm of Pennsylvania Property Assessments. Sharon has a unique ability to quickly analyze complicated cases and to explain complicated matters to property owners in a way that they easily understand. Over the past year, I have gained a great deal of respect for Sharon and I strongly endorse her work.
Christian Lassen, Litigation Attorney on Dec 24, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.