Dive into our journey, meet the team, and see what makes us your trusted legal partner.
Discover the Story Behind JustLaws
We believe that true advocacy goes beyond the courtroom—it’s about understanding the intricate dynamics of government, community, and the law, and using that knowledge to drive real change. Our team is composed of seasoned professionals who have spent their careers not just practicing law, but shaping the policies and communities around them.
With unmatched expertise and a deep commitment to social impact, Steve Masters and his team, bring a unique blend of insider experience and a passion for justice to every case they handle. Whether it's navigating the complexities of municipal law, advocating for sustainable business practices, or ensuring compliance with intricate regulations, they are dedicated to making a difference both in and out of the courtroom.
AT JUSTLAWS...
...It goes way beyond the courtroom.
Courtney Gorman
Succeeding LawNY, Courtney went to Woods Oviatt Gilman in Rochester, NY doing Zoning and Development in their Real Estate Department. Courtney is passionate about community work and social and climate change. She is actively involved with the Philadelphia Bar Association, participating in groups like Women in the Profession, the Wellness Committee, and the Young Lawyers Division. She holds leadership roles, including sitting on the Executive Committee of the Real Property Section and founding the first Paralegal Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association. Outside the Bar Association, she volunteers as a notary for Philadelphia VIP and Community Legal Services. Courtney lives in Gloucester County, NJ, with her husband and dog.
Courtney Gorman (maiden name Volpe) is originally from South Jersey and graduated from Stockton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in Pre-Law.
Throughout her time at Stockton, she worked on mayoral and congressional campaigns spanning from Philadelphia, PA to Edison, NJ. Upon graduation, Courtney moved to Upstate New York to work as an AmeriCorps Paralegal at Legal Assistance of Western New York (LawNY).
At LawNY, she worked primarily in Elder Law/Estate Planning and Disability Advocacy where she would draft advance directive documents and assist with SSI/SSD appeals and terminations.
Courtney Gorman, Paralegal and Notary
Steve Masters
For over a decade, Steve wrote groundbreaking legislation in City Council and also served as Council President Anna Verna’s zoning lawyer. During this time, he helped developers and community groups settle their differences, earned decisive legal victories in court when settlement wasn’t possible and used innovative solutions to improve the quality of life in all Philadelphia neighborhoods. In addition to his zoning experience, Steve wrote the nation’s strictest anti-predatory lending law, created the mechanism for ballot referenda in Philadelphia, wrote path breaking bills to promote sustainability and created landmark labor legislation. Steve also created and led City Council’s local nuisance task forces, which brought state and local law and code enforcement agencies together with community and political leaders to proactively tackle major nuisance business issues in neighborhoods across the city.
When Steve decided to start his own business, he created an innovative, social impact law firm to combine his expertise in the environment, labor, business, advocacy and municipal government issues and give political access to businesses and nonprofit advocates who don’t usually have a seat at the table. A proud member of both the American Sustainable Business Council and the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia, Steve has translated his track record of public service into supporting a community of triple-bottom-line businesses and promoting a strong, local impact economy.
Steve is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Steve Masters is an unparalleled advocate. With decades of experience in municipal government, leadership positions with both national and local nonprofit boards and a deep background in issue advocacy and political organizing, Steve is an outside advocate with insider experience.
Whether you need help wining at the Zoning Board of Adjustment or other City agencies, developing a winning lobbying strategy at Philadelphia City Council or keeping your PAC or political campaign in compliance with the complex federal, state and local campaign finance and lobbying, Steve’s expertise will give you an edge.
Steve Masters, Founder and Lead Attorney
LET'S MEET THE TEAM
JustLaws is a proud member of:
DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE NAME JUSTLAWS COMES FROM?
Our name comes from Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail, where he wrote:
"There are two types of laws: just and unjust. I would be the first to advocate obeying just laws. One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. . . . . Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust.”
Fun fact about our firm!
