Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
12 Client Reviews
PRO
David E. Schwager
Virtual Consultation Available
About David
Biography
A Fellow of the prestigious American College of Real Estate Lawyers and listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Mr. Schwager maintains an active general business, commercial litigation, and transactional practice with particular emphasis in the areas of real estate, property tax assessment appeals, mortgage foreclosure and creditors' rights, business formation and governance, and business litigation.
Mr. Schwager served as the 126th president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and as chair of the the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He has been named a Super Lawyer each year since 2010, the only real estate practitioner in Northeastern Pennsylvania to receive that recognition.
Mr. Schwager is admitted to practice before:
- All Pennsylvania courts
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- Supreme Court of the United States
Mr. Schwager has an “AV Rating” from Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. An “AV Rating” is the organization’s highest honor, and is bestowed only on those who have reached the height of professional excellence. Click here to see his Martindale-Hubbell® Rating.
In 2018, Mr. Schwager was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL). ACREL is a nonprofit association of lawyers established in 1978. Its members are elected to the College by demonstrating the highest level of integrity, commitment to the profession, competence and experience as real estate attornyes. All ACREL members have made substantial contributions to the field of real estate law through writing, teaching and bar leadership activities.
Schwager has served as a member of Pennsylvania’s Joint State Government Commission Advisory Committee on Real Property Law. This is a standing group of attorneys and judges from across the Commonwealth who assist the General Assembly by recommending improvements to Pennsylvania’s laws dealing with real property and related matters.
Mr. Schwager is a past chair of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. He has served as a member of the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association, treasurer and director of the Middle District Bankruptcy Bar Association, and Young Lawyer Division Chair and a member of the executive committee of the Wilkes-Barre Law & Library Association (Luzerne County Bar Association).
In 2012, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania appointed Mr. Schwager to the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and in 2017 named him its chair. The Board is dedicated to protecting the public, maintaining the integrity of the legal profession, and safeguarding the reputation of the courts.
In 2016, Mr. Schwager had the distinction of being appointed chair of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals Bankruptcy Judge Merit Selection Committee.
Active in the organized bar and professional activities, Mr. Schwager also has served as:
- Life Fellow and member of the board of directors, the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation
- Vice Chair, Pennsylvania Bar Association By Laws Committee
- Member, Middle District Bankruptcy Court Rules Committee
- Past Chair, Pennsylvania Bar Association Statutory Law Committee
- Past Chair, Pennsylvania Bar Association Financing of Real Estate Committee
- Past Vice Chair of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law and Business Law Committees of the American Bar Association / Young Lawyers Division
Equally active in many civic and charitable undertakings, Mr. Schwager has served as:
- Board Member, Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry
- Board Member, Greater Wilkes-Barre Industrial Fund
- Board Member, Greater Wilkes-Barre Growth Partnership
- Treasurer, Ecumenical Enterprises, Inc.
- Vice President, Ecumenical Enterprises Foundation
- Member, Executive Committee of the Lafayette College Alumni Association
- Member, Wyoming Seminary President's Council
- Past President, Wyoming Seminary Alumni Association
- Past Vice President, American Cancer Society
- Past Vice President, Greater Wilkes-Barre Jaycees
- Past Campaign Co-Chair, Osterhout Free Library
- Past Officer and Director, Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority
- Past Director, Junior Leadership Wilkes-Barre
- Past President, Temple Israel
- Past President, Jewish Community Center of Wyoming Valley
- Past President, S.J. Strauss Lodge of B'nai B'rith
- Chairman of the Board, United Hebrew Institute
- President, B'nai B'rith Apartments Foundation Board
- Chairman, 2007 Wilkes-Barre Jewish Federation Annual Campaign
- Past Director, Penns Woods Council of Girl Scouts of America
- Solicitor, District 16 Little League
- Solicitor, The Music Box Players, Swoyersville
- Solicitor, Northeast PA Scholastic Ice Hockey League
Mr. Schwager is a graduate of Lafayette College and Penn State Dickinson Law.
Email:
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Probate
30%
Real Estate
30%
Business
25%
Personal Injury
15%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Check
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in Pennsylvania for 37 years
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 1988
No misconduct found
Location
Schwager David E Attorney at Law
(570) 227-1330
Fax
183 Market Street, Kingston, PA, 18704
despalaw.comOnline Presence
Other places you can find David online.
David E. Schwager's Reviews
David E. Schwager's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have known David for over ten years and have frequently had the opportunity to observe his expertise in his field first hand. Over the years I have called on David for advice and therefore can heartily recommend his services."
No Endorsement Data Available Yet
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Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2010
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2010
Superlawyer, Superlawyers
2003
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
N/A
Top 20 Under 40, Northeast Business Journal
N/A
Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
2001 - Present
Assistant County Solicitor, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
1988 - Present
Principal, David E. Schwager Attorney at Law
Associations
2020 - Present
Lackawanna Bar AssociationMember
2018 - Present
American College of Real Estate LawyersFellow
American Bar Association
Member, House of Delegates
Middle District Bankruptcy Bar Association
Treasurer
Wilkes Barre Law and Library Association
Chair, Young Lawyers Division
2020 - 2021
Pennsylvania Bar Association126th President
2017 - 2018
DIsciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of PennsylvaniaChair
Education
1988
Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1984
Lafayette College
AB
Speaking Engagements
2024
Luzerne County Bar Association
Beyond The Basics: Supporting Your Clients with
2023
Luzerne County Bar Association
Luzerne County Bar Association
2022
Luzerne County Bar Association
Cybersecurity Issues Facing Real Estate Lawyers
2021
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Dialogue with the Courts and Legislature
2020
Pennsylvania Bar Association
A Discussion of Diversity and Inclusion
2020
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Election Under Crisis: Assessing the Constitutional & Legal Challenges
2019
Real Estate Law Institute
Real estate law issues
2019
Association for Continuing Legal Education
23rd Annual Real Estate Institute
2018
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Avoiding Legal Malpractice
2017
Luzerne County Bar Association
Chapter 11 & Trump Bankruptcies
Publications
2021
The Pennsylvania Lawyer
Side Bar Columns
2020
The Pennsylvania Lawyer
Side Bar Columns
Languages
German