Stephen M. Zaffuto
Real Estate Law Attorney
Real Estate Attorney Stephen M. Zaffuto's practice areas include small business, municipal, startup, entrepreneurship, and employment law.
High Swartz
Norristown Office
Montgomery County, PA
Stephen Zaffuto concentrates his practice on real estate law, including real estate transactions, land use and zoning, real estate taxation, and title issues, as well as business, corporate, and commercial law, franchise law, and environmental law. He has extensive experience drafting and reviewing documents for residential and commercial property transactions, including commercial leasing. He has successfully represented clients in tax assessment and exemption appeals for commercial and residential properties. He is also experienced in counseling clients in zoning and land use matters and has successfully obtained zoning approvals from municipalities throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania. He also has experience in drafting real estate title opinions, navigating subdivision and land development processes, assisting both buyers and sellers in private sales or FSBO transactions, drafting and recording deeds, easement agreements, pursuing litigation related to boundary line disputes, and adverse possession, and with environmental compliance issues.
Stephen also counsels small businesses, start-ups and non-profit clients on various general corporate and commercial matters,including entity formation, acquisition, merger, dissolution, drafting and reviewing various types of agreements, leasing and other real estate transactions, intellectual property issues, regulatory compliance, and fundraising and financing issues.
Prior to joining High Swartz in early 2018, Stephen was an Associate at Tucker Arensberg in Pittsburgh. He has an interest in entrepreneurship and start-up culture, and is himself a co-founder of a custom menswear brand, Moda Matters, based out of Philadelphia. He is also a member of the Justinian Society of Philadelphia, a non-profit organization of lawyers whose ancestry is Italian.
Affiliations & Honors
- Best Lawyers in America© – Ones to Watch, 2021
- Montgomery Bar Association, Member, 2018 – present
- Montgomery Bar Association, Real Estate Committee, Member, 2018 – present
- Philadelphia Bar Association, Member, 2018 – present
- Pennsylvania Housing Alliance, Member, 2018 – present
- Pennsylvania Developers Council, Member, 2018 – present
- Justinian Society of Philadelphia, Member, 2019 – present
Practice Areas
Background
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania, 2011
Education
- Temple University Beasley School of Law, J.D., 2011
- The Pennsylvania State University, B.A., 2006
Stephen Zaffuto's Legal Insights
Boundary Disputes in Pennsylvania
Boundary disputes between neighbors and their properties are nothing new, and are probably just about as old as the concept of privately-owned real estate. Disputes between adjoining property owners regarding the location of their common property line can arise from a multitude of different factual situations. The property descriptions contained in some ancient deeds written […]
2021 *Updated* Real Estate Tax Appeal Deadlines in Southeastern Pennsylvania
Tax appeal deadlines are approaching for the filing of tax appeals throughout Pennsylvania. Make sure you know when your appeal must be submitted to be considered for the 2021 tax year. PA County Important Dates Montgomery County: The official deadline for filing appeals in Montgomery County is August 1 – since that date falls on […]
Client Testimonials
Benjamin M.
I was considering contesting my property taxes and emailed High Swartz with some basic information to see if it was worth pursuing. Stephen Zaffuto responded quickly with both great information and evidence of his having done some research on my specific situation. He gave me great counsel quickly, which is rare and much appreciated.
Tammy L.
I needed an attorney that could help me with my Zoning Board Hearing. I had a complicated situation that involved new residential construction in an AE flood zone. I needed to request zoning relief for several items to build my home. After two consultations, I decided to hire Stephen to assist me with my complex journey. I was a little nervous because I went with the attorney who did not have experience in my township. I pre-judged him but boy did he prove me wrong. Stephen exceeded my expectations. He followed up in a timely manner, collaborated with my architect, engineer, and Township officials to make sure we were well prepared for my hearing. Five minutes into my hearing, I could tell that Stephen was prepared and ready to present my case (he was in full lawyer mode and ready to go😀). To make matters worse, I had an unhappy neighbor who opposed and sent a 3-page email that we were presented with only hours before the hearing. During the hearing the neighbor also interrogated every witness, but Stephen was able to handle every obstacle thrown at us; he was very professional and knows his stuff. Before the decision was made, I told Stephen that win or lose I was very happy and impressed with his services. I really meant that because he presented one heck of a case and I knew that if I didn’t win it wasn’t because of his doing. In the end, Stephen was able to get me APPROVED for all seven of my zoning relief requests. I’m so grateful for him as this has allowed me the opportunity to rebuild on my grandparent’s property and continue their legacy. I would recommend him for any of your real estate/zoning needs. Competitive rates.