Brian K.
Cressman

Brian is a partner at MacDonald Illig and a member of the firm’s Business Transactions, Trusts & Estates, Real Estate, and Education Law Practice Groups. He advises businesses, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and individuals on a wide range of corporate, transactional, and planning matters. Brian focuses on helping clients navigate sophisticated legal issues while identifying practical and efficient solutions aligned with their goals.

Brian Helps Clients With:

• Business and corporate transactions
• Corporate formation and dissolution
• Business acquisitions and entity transactions
• Commercial and employment contracts
• Corporate governance matters
• Development of corporate policies and handbooks
• Executive compensation and employee benefit plan matters
• Work visa-related business issues
• Estate planning and estate administration support
• Business succession planning considerations
• Tax-related planning and analysis
• Orphans’ Court matters
• Real estate matters
• Education law and regulatory compliance

Brian regularly advises clients ranging from startups to established businesses across multiple industries throughout the corporate lifecycle.

Approach to Client Service

Brian approaches legal matters with a focus on thoughtful analysis, efficiency, and practical problem-solving. He works closely with clients to understand their objectives and develop solutions that balance legal complexity with business and operational realities.

Experience and Professional Background

As a member of the firm’s Business Transactions Practice Group, Brian advises for-profit and nonprofit organizations on a wide range of corporate and transactional matters. His work includes assisting clients with acquisitions, entity formation and dissolution, contract drafting and negotiation, corporate governance, and internal policy development.

Brian also has experience advising clients on matters involving executive compensation plans, employee benefit plans, and work visa-related issues.

Within the firm’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group, Brian assists with complex estate planning and estate administration matters, including issues involving business succession planning, tax analysis, and Orphans’ Court litigation.

Education Law Experience

As a member of the Education Law Practice Group, Brian advises school districts and post-secondary educational institutions on a broad range of legal and regulatory matters. His work includes:

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating public and private contracts
• Addressing labor and employment matters, including EEOC issues
• Advising on compliance with the Sunshine Act and Right-to-Know Law
• Counseling clients on Pennsylvania School Code matters
• Advising on Pennsylvania and U.S. Department of Education guidance
• Assisting with collective bargaining matters
• Preparing opinion letters, memoranda, policies, handbooks, and procedures
• Addressing state and federal compliance matters and constitutional issues

Brian regularly assists educational institutions in navigating operational, regulatory, and governance-related legal challenges.