Death and Dirt

What does a real estate lawyer actually do? In this episode of Death and Dirt , attorney Glenn Smith joins us for a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of a dirt lawyer. We discuss seller disclosure claims...

In this episode of Death and Dirt , we sit down with Marshal Granor, a leading voice in community association law and one of the principal drafters of Pennsylvania’s Uniform Planned Community Act. Marshal brings a rare...

Pennsylvania probate law changed in a big way with Act 50 of 2025, and in this episode of Death and Dirt , the hosts talk with Bryan Tate, York County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court, about what the new...

This episode of Death and Dirt is essential listening not only for law firm owners, but also for attorneys and professionals who are thinking about buying into a firm or acquiring an ownership interest. We sit down with...

Season Two of Death and Dirt opens with a conversation between the co-hosts reflecting on Season One and setting the stage for what’s ahead. We revisit some of our past guests and the insights they shared, talk through...

In this episode of Death and Dirt , Philadelphia trusts and estates attorney Charles Bender joins the show to break down one of Pennsylvania’s most misunderstood inheritance tax provisions: the Qualified Family-Owned...

In this episode, we sit down with Vicky Ann Trimmer—attorney, CPA, and Partner at Daley Zucker, LLC—to talk about how Pennsylvania tax rules affect the transfer of family farms, during life and at death. Vicky shares...

What happens after you buy a house and the deed gets “recorded”? For most of us, the Recorder of Deeds Office feels like a mysterious backroom of government paperwork — but behind those records lies the backbone of...

In this episode, we’re joined by Anna Marie Sossong, Esq., Underwriting Counsel at Conestoga Title Insurance Company, who brings decades of experience in real estate law, commercial transactions, and title work...

In this episode of Death and Dirt , we sit down with Dean Jerry Dickinson, the youngest active dean of any U.S. law school, to trace his remarkable journey—from Pittsburgh native to constitutional law scholar, civil...

In this Special Bonus Episode of Death and Dirt , we sit down with Christine M. (“Chrissy”) Green, a seasoned tax attorney and Member at Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, to break down the sweeping changes introduced by the One...

In this episode of Death and Dirt , we’re joined by Anne N. John, Esq., to discuss her work with the Advisory Council on Elder Justice in the Courts and Pennsylvania’s broader efforts to strengthen protections for older...

In this episode of Death and Dirt , we’re joined by Alison T. Smith, a leading trusts and estates attorney and past Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section. Alison...

In this episode of Death and Dirt , we take a deep dive into the increasingly complex world of real estate ownership and insurance, particularly in the context of trusts and estates. Our guest, Kevin Thomas—Partner and...

In this episode of Death and Dirt , we sit down with Justin Brown, current Chair of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association—and one of the driving forces behind this...