Contact Information:

17 West Gay Street, Suite 200
West Chester, PA 19380

Phone: 610.692.1371
kladd@utbf.com

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Kristen Wetzel Ladd

Kristen Ladd pursues creditors’ rights and remedies in collections, asset recovery, loan workouts, mortgage foreclosures, confession of judgments, contract disputes, garnishments, replevin actions, levies, preference actions and bankruptcies. She represents institutional lenders in state and federal courts, as well as in forums involving alternative dispute resolution.

Kristen is appreciated for her unwavering commitment to her clients and their often specific needs and objectives. Kristen’s personal dedication to those she serves allows her to consistently respond quickly and with actionable solutions to requests and concerns. Over the course of her career, Kristen has recovered tens of millions of dollars on behalf of her clients, who value her acute ability to safeguard their assets and serve as a catalyst to achieving the best possible result.

Listed among Main Line Today’s “Top Lawyers” 2017 to present, Kristen thrives under the challenge of advocating her client’s position both in court and behind the scenes. She always strives to identify the appropriate argument in order to persuade judges in her client’s favor, which incorporates not only the critical elements of the law, but also the equities associated with any given matter. Her comprehensive understanding of creditors’ rights law, calming presence and effectual oral and written skill are key in delivering client satisfaction.

Having worked at the firm for over a decade, Kristen’s work ethic is enhanced not only by her determination, but also by her ability to establish relationships of trust across all fronts. Passionate about the law and litigation, Kristen remains focused on the cost-effective delivery of high-quality legal services.

Practice Areas

Education

  • Temple University School of Law, J.D. (2008)
  • Dickinson College (2001)
    • B.A., International Studies

Admissions

  • United States Supreme Court (2018)
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (2015)
  • United States District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania (2016)
  • Supreme Court of Pennsylvania (2008)
  • Supreme Court of New Jersey (2008)
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania (2008)
  • United States District Court, District of New Jersey (2009)

Memberships

  • Chester County Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association

Community Involvement

  • Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania
    • Co-Chair of Trial Run Committee
  • Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce
    • Chamber Ambassador Committee
Kristen Wetzel Ladd

Rated by Super Lawyers

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Main Line Today Top Lawyer 2023

Latest From Kristen Ladd

24

Jul

17 Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Attorneys Named Top Lawyers By Main Line Today

Unruh Turner Burke & Frees is proud to announce that 17 firm attorneys have been named to the 2024 Top Lawyers List by Main Line Today. This recognition highlights our attorneys’ skill, dedication, and professionalism across multiple practice areas.

Main Line Today, a prominent regional magazine showcasing the best of Philadelphia’s western suburbs, curates this …

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22

Jul

Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Attorneys Named to Chester County’s Top Lawyers List for 2024

We are thrilled to announce that 21 of our attorneys have been named to the Daily Local News’ Reader’s Choice Top Lawyers of Chester County list for 2024! This is the fourth consecutive year firm attorneys have received this honor.

We would like to extend our sincere congratulations to the following attorneys for being recognized …

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7

Aug

Fourteen Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Attorneys Named to Main Line Today’s 2023 Top Lawyers List

We are pleased to announce that fourteen Unruh Turner Burke & Frees attorneys have been recognized on Main Line Today’s distinguished “2023 Top Lawyers” list!

Main Line Today, a prominent regional magazine spotlighting the essence of Philadelphia’s western suburbs, annually curates this prestigious list featuring outstanding legal professionals. The selection process involves nominations from peers …

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21

Jul

Every Attorney At Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Named To The Daily Local News 2023 Top Lawyers List For The Second Consecutive Year

Daily Local News readers voted for Chester County’s Top Lawyers in the annual Top Lawyers Readers’ Choice Poll earlier this year. Readers voted online for their favorite lawyers in various practice areas.

This is the second year that every lawyer at the firm has been recognized and the third consecutive year that firm attorneys have …

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12

Aug

Fourteen Attorneys at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Named to “2022 Top Lawyers” List by Main Line Today Magazine

Unruh Turner Burke & Frees is honored to have fourteen attorneys named to Main Line Today’s “2022 Top Lawyers” list. Each year Main Line Today publishes a list of “Top Lawyers” in the region. Attorneys are nominated by their peers and vetted through the magazine’s editorial process. Main Line Today is a regional magazine focusing …

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25

Jul

Every Attorney at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Receives the Daily Local 2022 Top Lawyers Reader’s Choice Award

Chester County has voted and the results are in. Every attorney at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees (UTBF), one of Chester County, Pennsylvania’s largest law firms, has been voted a Top Lawyer for 2022 by Daily Local readers. Unruh Turner Burke & Frees’ attorneys were recognized in the following practice areas:

Brian D. Boreman

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30

Jul

Main Line Today Magazine Recognizes 13 Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Attorneys as “Top Lawyers” in 2021

Unruh Turner Burke & Frees is honored to once again have multiple attorneys named to the annual “Top Lawyers” list by Main Line Today magazine. Main Line Today is a regional magazine focusing on the communities, traditions and lifestyles of Philadelphia’s western suburbs. Attorneys are nominated by their peers and vetted through the magazine’s editorial …

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16

Jul

Twenty UTBF Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in Chester County by the Daily Local News Readers Choice

Unruh Turner Burke & Frees is honored to have twenty attorneys named to the Daily Local News 2021 Best Lawyers Readers Choice list. UTBF attorneys recognized are:

Brian D. Boreman was selected in Labor & Employment and Employment Discrimination William J. Burke, III was selected in Real Estate Theodore F. Claypoole was …

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31

Jul

Fifteen Attorneys at UTBF Named Top Lawyers by Main Line Today Magazine

We are proud to announce that fifteen attorneys at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees were named to the 2020 “Top Lawyers” list by Main Line Today magazine. Main Line Today is a regional magazine focusing on the communities, traditions and lifestyles of Philadelphia’s western suburbs. Attorneys are nominated by their peers and vetted through …

READ MORE

23

Jul

Every Partner at UTBF Named a Top Lawyer by Main Line Today Magazine

For the second year in a row, every partner at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees was named to the 2019 “Top Lawyers” list by Main Line Today magazine. Attorneys are nominated by their peers and vetted through the magazine’s editorial process. Sixteen attorneys at the firm, including all partners, were named to the list in …

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27

Jul

Every Partner at UTBF Named a 2018 Top Lawyer

The results are in…

Every partner in our firm was named among the 2018 “Top Lawyers”

We are pleased to announce that 16 attorneys at Unruh Turner Burke & Frees, including all partners, are named to Main Line Today’s “Top Lawyers” list for 2018.

Alternative Dispute Resolution Stephen P. Lagoy*

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9

Jul

Kristen Ladd Joins West Chester Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Committee

Kristen Ladd became a volunteer member of the Chamber Ambassador Committee for the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber Ambassadors are responsible for connecting with new Chamber members, explaining the benefits of membership, encouraging new members to attend Chamber events, and sharing their own business’ Chamber success stories and positive experiences.

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25

Jun

UTBF Sponsors 14th Annual Trial Run

Unruh Turner Burke & Frees, P.C. was proud to sponsor the 14th Annual Trial Run held on Saturday, June 23rd on the Struble Trail in Downingtown. Special thanks to Kristen Ladd, Lauren Shea, Whitney O’Reilly and Krista Chew for helping to make this year’s race a success. Kristen served on the race committee, Lauren …

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22

May

Ten UTBF Attorneys Recognized By Super Lawyers® This Year

UTBF is pleased to announce that nearly half of the firm’s attorneys were included among this year’s “Super Lawyers” and “Rising Stars” lists.

This year’s “Super Lawyers” include:

Brian D. Boreman William J. Burke, III John K. Fiorillo David M. Frees, III Stephen P. Lagoy Andrew D.H. Rau READ MORE

12

Jan

Unruh Turner Burke & Frees Announces the Naming of a New Partner, Kristen Ladd

Kristen Ladd has been with the firm since 2010 and is a valued and respected member of the firm’s Creditors’ Rights and Bankruptcy and Litigation Departments. Kristen’s practice is focused primarily in representing institutional lenders, in both commercial and residential mortgage foreclosures, confessions of judgment, contract disputes, garnishments, replevin actions, levies, loan workout actions, …

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31

Jul

Fifty Percent of UTBF Attorneys Named to Main Line Today’s Top Lawyers 2017

UNRUH TURNER BURKE & FREES is honored to have half the firm’s attorneys named to Main Line Today’s Top Lawyers list for 2017.

Litigation: Our litigation department concentrates on business disputes, construction claims, creditor’s rights, employment and labor disputes, estate and orphans court litigation, mortgage foreclosures, real estate contract and title disputes, and shareholder …

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31

Jan

The Importance Of Notarizing Loan Documents: “Wasn’t Me” Defense

By: Kristen Wetzel Ladd

What happens in a situation where an obligor on a debt disputes that the signature on the loan document was that of the obligor? Further, assume that the signature on the loan document was notarized. Many creditors have their loan documents notarized precisely to avoid …

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17

Aug

New Form Act 6/91 Notice as of September 1, 2016

By: Kristen Wetzel Ladd

The link below is a new form of the combined Act 6/91 pre-foreclosure notice, which must be sent at least 33 days (30 days plus 3 days for mailing) before commencing an owner-occupied residential mortgage foreclosure, or executing on a “residential mortgage obligation” (which can include a money judgment …

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9

Oct

Direct Relation Test Challenged in PA Supreme Court – Why Disclosure for Confession is Essential

By: Kristen Wetzel Ladd

A recent case challenging the denial of a petition to open a confessed judgment has been granted appeal by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.  The case of Graystone Bank v. Grove Estates, 58 A.3d 1277, 2012 PA Super 274 (2012) has been appealed to determine the validity of the warrant of …

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14

Dec

Execution on a Confessed Judgment Against Personal Property

By: Kristen Wetzel Ladd

Pennsylvania law provides for two alternative methods of execution on a confessed judgment against personal property.[1] After judgment has been confessed and the creditor wants to proceed with execution, the creditor must decide whether to proceed with the 30 day notice procedure under Pennsylvania Rule 2958.1 or proceed with …

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29

Jul

The Utility of Confessed Judgments

By: Kristen Wetzel Ladd

Pennsylvania is one of the few states that allows judgment to be entered by confession in connection with a commercial credit transaction. Obtaining judgment by confession is desirable for a creditor in that it is usually easier, faster, and less costly than acquiring judgment through normal litigation procedures. …

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25

Apr

Acquiring Judgment Liens in Pennsylvania and Enforcement of Judgments

As the holder of an unsecured debt (that is, a debt which is not secured by a mortgage on real estate or a security interest in personal property), how does a creditor proceed with collecting its debt in the event that its borrower ceases payment? The first step is...

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16

Sep

Debtors that Transfer Assets so that there is Nothing Left

By: Kristen Wetzel Ladd

For a creditor, obtaining a judgment against a debtor is only the first step to recovering a debt owed.  Executing on that judgment is the next, trickier step to satisfying the debtor’s obligation.  The creditor must find the debtor’s assets in order to levy, attach, and garnish them.  However, …

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7

Oct

Preparing for Your First Domestic Relations Support Conference

For many separated couples the first step on the road to divorce is a domestic relations conference for spousal and child support. Even before a complaint for divorce is filed, many dependent spouses will file a complaint with the county domestic relations office for both spousal and child support.

When you receive a domestic relations …

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West Chester, PA
17 West Gay Street
P.O. BOX 515
West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 692-1371
Phoenixville, PA
120 Gay Street
P.O. Box 289
Phoenixville, PA 19460
(610) 933-8069