Jenna Kraycer Tuzze

JENNA KRAYCER TUZZE

A native of Peckville, Jenna Kraycer Tuzze is a 2010 graduate of Valley View High School. Attorney Tuzze received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she graduated summa cum laude. Attorney Tuzze attended the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where she served as a Senior Editor to the Penn State Law Review, and obtained a Juris Doctor degree. She is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

Attorney Tuzze is an adjunct lecturer of several classes at Marywood University including Legal Environment of Business and Legal Aspects of the Management Process.

Attorney Tuzze joined the firm in 2017 and concentrates her practice on estate planning and administration, civil litigation, municipal law and education law.

NEWS:
Joseph A. O’Brien and Jenna Kraycer Tuzze recently assisted a local religious organization in the sale of three nursing homes in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The services included preparation and review of agreements to ensure compliance with civil and church law, obtaining the approval of the Attorney General of Pennsylvania and the Orphans’ Court for the sale and disposition of the proceeds, as well as, zoning, subdivision and other real estate and title matters.

Joseph A. O’Brien and Jenna Kraycer Tuzze recently assisted a local healthcare corporation in the acquisition of a new facility which will house a behavioral healthcare program providing a complete range of evaluative and treatment services, a community based primary health care center and a pharmacy. The transaction involved an exchange of real property and included preparation and review of agreements of sale, leases, deeds, architects and construction contracts. The transaction also involved the formation of an acquisition of tax exemption for a not for profit title holding company. The project was financed through a combination of New Market Tax Credits, state grants and private funding.

Joseph A. O’Brien and Jenna Kraycer Tuzze recently assisted three local religious organizations in the sale and acquisition of a licensed nursing facility. Services included preparation and review of financing documents, assisting in the preparation of the agreement of purchase and sale, and the obtaining of approval of the Attorney General and Orphans’ Court for the transfer and the future use of the facility.

Jenna Kraycer Tuzze and Joseph O’Brien recently obtained dismissal of a case on First Amendment grounds. The case was filed against members of a local church who were sued by a former pastor alleging that they improperly encouraged ecclesiastical authorities to remove him from his position. The legal theory presented by the claimant was tortious interference with contractual relations and tortious interference with prospective contract relations. The court dismissed the case on the grounds that the First Amendment prohibited inquiry into the decision making of ecclesiastical authorities and to allow the suit would involve an unconstitutional intrusion into the decision making power of ecclesiastical authorities. This case is presently on appeal before the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.

Joseph O’Brien and Jenna Kraycer Tuzze recently successfully pursued an assessment appeal in Monroe County. The appeal involved a large commercial property in the hospitality industry. Prior to the recent County wide reassessment in Monroe County, the property had an assessed value of $870,960.00 and was subject to a total real estate tax obligation of approximately $150,000.00. The County wide reassessment increased the assessed value to $10,968,300.00 and as a result, the real estate tax obligation was increased to approximately $280,000.00. O’Brien and Tuzze appealed on behalf of the property owner and the appeal was successfully resolved with the assessment being reduced to $3,850,000.00 and the tax obligation reduced to approximately $100,000.00. This reflected a $180,000.00 reduction in taxes had the County wide reassessment remained in place and a $50,000.00 reduction in taxes from the previous level.