The roots of the Dilts & Koester law firm extend deeply in the history and fabric of Hunterdon County, beginning with founding partner George Dilts' family, which settled
here nearly two hundred years ago. After a judicial clerkship, George Dilts began the practice of law nearly thirty years ago at the venerable Herr
& Fisher law firm in Flemington. Herr & Fisher originally included Lloyd Fisher, an attorney in the "Trial of the Century" Lindbergh baby kidnapping case at the historic
Flemington Courthouse. In 1976, Mr. Dilts went on to co-found Bernhard, Durst & Dilts, which became one of the larger law firms in the area. The senior member of
the firm, Edmund R. Bernhard, was later appointed Superior Court Judge by Governor Thomas Kean. In 1992, the firm evolved to become Dilts & Pursel when
John H. Pursel, also a former partner of Herr & Fisher, joined the firm. Mr. Pursel was subsequently appointed to the Superior Court bench by Governor Christie
Whitman. In 1999, the firm became known as Dilts & Koester when Tony Koester joined as partner. Mr. Koester brings litigation and trial experience to combine
with Mr. Dilts' longstanding real estate development, business and estate practice.
George M. Dilts
specializes in commercial and residential real estate and development, having appeared on behalf of private developers before the planning and zoning boards in nearly all
the municipalities in Hunterdon County. Local government law has also been a hallmark of Mr. Dilts' practice, having represented the West Amwell Planning Board for nearly 12 years
and the East Amwell Township Committee for nearly 10 years. Mr. Dilts also has a focus on corporate, business planning as well as trust and estate planning administration. Mr. Dilts received his J.D. from
Seton Hall University School of Law and a B.A. in finance from the School of Business and Public Administration of the University of Maryland. He is licensed
to practice in New Jersey and Florida. Upon graduating from law school, Mr. Dilts completed a judicial clerkship for the Honorable A. Warren Herrigel, a judge of the Superior Court of Hunterdon County.
Mr. Dilts's recent community activities and achievements include:
Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce for over 15 years including Chairman
in 1991, two term on the Board of Directors, and general counsel Lions Club of Flemington (over 25 years including three terms as President)
1989 Boy Scouts Distinguished Citizen Award, awarded by The George Washington
Council of the Boy Scouts of America Hunterdon Medical Center Foundation
Anthony E. Koester specializes in civil litigation including personal injury, commercial, employment and construction
matters. He also has extensive experience in representing police and public officials in litigated matters. Mr. Koester received his J.D. from Albany Law School of Union University, Albany, New
York, where he was Director of Moot Court, was admitted to the Order of the Barristers and received the Dean Barker Award. He received a B.A. in English Literature from St. Lawrence University
in Canton, New York. He is licensed to practice in the states of New Jersey and New York.
From 1996 through 1999, Mr. Koester served as Deputy Township attorney for the
Township of Bridgewater, Somerset County, New Jersey representing the Township regarding residential, commercial and litigated issues as well as maintaining a
private legal practice in Somerville, New Jersey with a focus on litigation including construction and municipal law. Previously, Anthony Koester was affiliated with
major law firms in New Jersey and New York practicing environmental law.
Mr. Koester's current community involvements include: Trustee, Hunterdon Healthcare System Trustee, Hunterdon Medical Center Board Member, Raritan Valley Community College, Paralegal Study Program Civil Practice Committee, Hunterdon County Bar Assoc. Vicinage Best Practice Implementation Committee,
Hunterdon County Bar Assoc.
