Timothy S. Wachter

Shareholder

As a member of the Governmental, Public Finance & Bonds and Business & Tax Practice Groups, and as lead for Knox Law Public Strategies, Tim regularly advises governmental, business and nonprofit clients on highly complex legal, regulatory and public policy related matters. He also regularly provides counsel on matters related to the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law to dozens of agencies throughout Western Pennsylvania, is recognized as a national thought leader in Federal Opportunity Zone Development and regularly advises businesses and stakeholders regarding Opportunity Zone investments. He was named as a 2021 and 2020 Top 25 Attorney Influencer by Opportunity Zones Magazine. In 2020, Tim was appointed to serve as a Commissioner on the Pennsylvania Commission for the American Semiquincentennial, or America250Pa.

Prior to joining Knox Law, Tim served as an aide to Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, as the Special Assistant for Special Projects to Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schweiker, and worked with the Pennsylvania Site Advance Team for the White House. Additionally, he gained economic development experience while working as an Economic Development Analyst at the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Tim also serves as an advisor to candidates for various local, state and national level offices.

Follow him on Twitter @twachter and @KnoxLawPublicStrategies.

Practice Areas

Education

The Dickinson School of Law, J.D.
Gannon University, B.A

Admissions

Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court, Western District of PA

Representative Experience

Opportunity Zones: Invited to attend White House Opportunity Zone Conference; testified to the Pennsylvania House Urban Affairs Committee; regarded as national thought leader
Testified on behalf of the Pennsylvania School Board Association before the Pennsylvania House of Representatives State Government Committee on proposed amendments to the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law
Represented a business development entity in the preparation of an economic plan for a region with over 6,000,000 visitors a year, focusing on the development of water and sewer infrastructure to support anticipated economic development
Represented a private client in the development of a 135-acre parcel into a recreational complex in a highly regulated industry
Advised a public school district through the development and receipt of the largest per capita funding increase in Pennsylvania’s history

Representative Clients

School District of the City of Erie
Erie County Community College of PA
Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority
Summit Township
Summit Township Industrial & Economic Development Authority (STIEDA)
Union City Municipal Authority
City of Meadville
City of Titusville
Borough of Edinboro
Wattsburg Borough
Erie Downtown Partnership
Erie County Tax Collection Committee

Honors

Included in The Best Lawyers in America®, (Land Use and Zoning Law, 2025)

Selected as a Pennsylvania Advisory Committee Member for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition
Included on 2021 and 2020 Lists of Top 25 Attorney Influencers, Opportunity Zone Magazine
Included in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers®, 2024, and Rising Stars, 2013-2017
Selected as one of 2014 Erie’s 40 Under 40, Erie Reader
Nominated for 2015 RAVE Award, Junior League of Erie/Get Connected
2008 Generation E Award, Young Erie Professionals (YEP)

Community and Professional Service

U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC), Pennsylvania Advisory Committee Member (April 2017-present)
Lake Erie and Genesee Basin Regional Water Resources Committee, Appointed Member (Nov 2019-present)
Pennsylvania Commission for the American Semiquincentennial (America 250PA), Commissioner and Executive Committee Member (2020-present)
Barber National Institute, Board Member (2024-present)
Penn State Dickinson Law Center for Government Law and Public Policy Studies, Advisory Committee Member (2017-present)
Erie Neighborhood Growth Partnership, Member (2014-present)
Flagship Community Bank, Business Advisory Board Member
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Council of Trustees, Former Trustee (2014-2021)
Erie Downtown Partnership, Former Member and Board Chair
Erie Homes for Children and Adults, Former Member and Board Chair
Barber National Institute, 2011 Christmas Ball Chair
Young Erie Professionals, 2008 ImPAct Conference Committee
National Eagle Scout Association, Member

Professional Affiliations

Erie County Bar Association
Pennsylvania Bar Association, Education Law Section, Secretary and Treasurer
Lawyers Associated Worldwide (LAW), Opportunity Zones Group Co-Chair
Pennsylvania Association of Bond Lawyers, Member and Board Secretary (2023-present)
National Association of Bond Lawyers, Member
Pennsylvania Society, Member
Federal Judicial Nominating Panel, Former Advisory Committee Member

Presentations and Publications

Speaking Engagements

Firm's Annual Municipal Law Symposium (multiple years)
Pennsylvania Economic Development Association (PEDA) Fall Conference, "Activating Opportunity Zones for Community Advancement," October 2024
Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) Conference: The Latest on Short-Term Rentals, August 2022 and via webinar in October 2022
Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association (PMAA) Conference, September 2022: Panel Moderator
Several national, regional and local speaking engagements on Opportunity Zones and Funds, Fall 2018 - present
McKean County Industrial Development Authority, November 2021: Understanding Tax Exempt Financing
Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association (PMAA) Spring Meeting, May 2015
Firm's Next Generation Happy Hour, April 2015
79-80 Interstate Development Corporation Annual Meetings, March 2014 & 2015 and Follow-Up Meeting, November 2014
PA Municipal Authorities Association Annual Board Member Training, Solicitor Panel at Western Location, March 2015
Warren County Intergovernmental Co-Op Monthly Meeting, March 2014
PA State Association of Township Supervisors: Fall Solicitors Seminar, November 2013
PA Municipal Authorities Association 70th Annual Conference, August 2012
PA Open Records Seminar, 2008 and 2009

Articles and Publications

Audio Presentations

News

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