Lenahan & Dempsey opens local office

BY STACI WILSON

The explosion of Marcellus shale gas development in recent years has brought an influx of development, jobs and people to theSusquehannaCountyarea.

That growth, however, also brings with it the potential of injury to the innocent, said Attorney Alan Schoen.

Schoen’s firm, Lenahan & Dempsey, opened an office onMaple St., Montrose, in mid-February.

Featured in television commercials, the Scranton-based two-family law firm founded in the late 1940s, specializes in personal injury, worker’s compensation and Social Security disability cases.

Although the office opened only recently, Schoen said Lenahan & Dempsey have been working with clients from the county for years.

Schoen said, “We’ve always been coming up here.”

“There’s a benefit,” he said, “to have someone local who has been local for 50 years.”

That local connection will become more apparent. Billboards have gone up on Routes 29 and 706; and the firm has started advertising with local media.

Schoen said, “We’re not here to wish harm on anyone but we are here in case you need someone capable and qualified to handle a matter. We provide that throughout the state.”

“I consistently hear, ‘I never thought it would be me,’” Schoen said of his work in personal injury law.

Schoen has been with the firm for 25 of his 30 year career and has had ties to the Lenahan family since his days spent in kindergarten with Tim Lenahan.

In his spare time, Schoen serves as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Lackawanna County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Although he lives inLackawannaCounty, Schoen says he’s always loved coming to theSusquehannaCountyarea and has recently joined the Montrose VFW.

The father of two teenage sons and a pre-teen daughter has also put together a safe driving program aimed at teens.

Schoen has presented the program – which talks about the newly enacted Lacy’s Law, seatbelt use, speeding and the dangers of distracted driving – in several high schools.

Since he began driving to the area on a regular basis, Schoen has noticed the large number of trucks on the road.

He said the increased activity brings not only economic prosperity but it also changes the area’s pace of life.

“The best thing aboutNortheast Pennsylvaniais the people in it,” Schoen said. “They’re a better natural resource than the Marcellus shale.”