Best's Insurance Professional Resources
Client-Recommended Attorneys, Adjusters and Experts
Best's Insurance Professional Resources
Client-Recommended Attorneys, Adjusters and Experts


Marshall Dennehey, P.C.

Best's Recommended Insurance Attorneys - General Defense

The Union Trust Building, 501 Grant Street, Suite 700, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219

Established: 1993

Practice Areas

  • Accountants' Professional Liability
  • Affordable Care Act
  • Amusements, Sports and Recreation Liability
  • Appellate Advocacy and Post-Trial Practice
  • Architectural, Engineering and Construction Defect Litigation
  • Asbestos and Mass Tort Litigation
  • Automobile Liability
  • Aviation and Complex Litigation
  • Behavioral Health Risk and Liability
  • Birth and Catastrophic Injury Litigation
  • Class Action Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction Injury Litigation
  • Consumer Financial Services Litigation & Compliance
  • COVID-19/Coronavirus
  • Disciplinary Board Representation
  • Electronic Medical Record and Audit Trail Litigation
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Employment Law
  • Environmental & Toxic Tort Litigation
  • Fraud/Special Investigation
  • General Liability
  • Health Care Liability
  • Hospitality and Liquor Liability
  • Insurance Agents & Brokers Liability
  • Insurance Services - Coverage and Bad Faith Litigation
  • Intellectual Property, Technology and Media Litigation
  • Lawyers' Professional Liability
  • Long-Term Care Liability
  • Maritime Litigation
  • Medicare Set-Aside
  • Miscellaneous Professional Liability
  • New York Construction and Labor Law
  • Non-Profit D&O
  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Litigation
  • Premises and Retail Liability
  • Privacy and Data Security
  • Product Liability
  • Property Litigation
  • Public Entity and Civil Rights Litigation
  • Real Estate Errors & Omission Liability
  • Rideshare Liability
  • School Leaders' Liability
  • Securities and Investments Professional Liability
  • Social Services & Human Services Liability
  • Telehealth and Telemedicine
  • Trucking and Transportation Liability
  • White Collar Crime
  • Workers' Compensation

About Us

Unparalleled Growth

Marshall Dennehey, P.C., was founded in 1962. We are very gratified that our growth, much of which has been client-driven, enables us to make available to our clients more than 500 lawyers working out of 20 offices throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Ohio, Florida and New York.

Exclusively Defense

We are exclusively a defense litigation firm with our professional practices encompassing a broad spectrum of litigation matters.

Complex Litigation Experience

Members of our firm have considerable experience handling high-profile and complex litigation, including class actions and mass tort matters.

Regional Presence

The regional presence of our firm affords many advantages to our clients. One client detailed some of these advantages in the publication Of Counsel, where he expressed appreciation of our firm's strategic locations in areas where his company has stores. He praised our ability to handle a wide variety of claims, ranging from fall downs and car damage claims to complex product liability matters. In addition to the six states in which we maintain our offices, we handle many litigation matters in West Virginia, Maryland and Kentucky.

Regional Office Statistics

Nearly 60 percent of our attorneys work in our 19 satellite offices. This statistic underscores the importance of our regional offices to our clients, as well as to our firm. Clients report to us that they are comfortable entering into region-wide arrangements for our representation knowing that we are well staffed in these offices. All of our offices are linked via an Intranet and a firm-wide file management system and library. The attorneys at these locations are native to the area, have a good rapport with and knowledge of local judges and opposing attorneys, and are familiar with the population of potential jurors.

Attorneys Selected by Clients

With more than 500 attorneys on staff, clients have a great deal of legal talent from which to choose. As one of the firm's clients said in Of Counsel, "Their attitude is tremendous. If I say I want a particular attorney on a matter, I have that attorney. If I say I want a conference with the attorney, a conference is arranged."

Minority Hiring

In surveys conducted by The National Law Journal and The Legal Intelligencer, our firm was identified, both on a national and a regional level, as one of the leading large law firms in the categories of minority hiring and advancement. We are especially proud of our minority shareholders and their vitally important roles in the management of our firm.

Peer Ratings

The experience of our firm and our attorneys has been recognized by our peers. At the present time, we have a significantly large number of peer-review rated attorneys as recognized by Martindale-Hubbell, a LexisNexis company. The lawyers of our firm are also recognized in Best's Recommended Insurance Attorneys, as published by AM Best Company. We also have in our ranks lawyers who have been elected as Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers and Fellows of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. In addition, many of our lawyers appear in the Super Lawyers publications in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Ohio, New York and Florida. As well, a number of our lawyers have also been listed in Best Lawyers in America.

Regional & National Coordinating Counsel

We are privileged to serve as Regional Coordinating Counsel and National Coordinating Counsel for a number of major corporations.

Internal Auditing

In 1985, the firm started an internal auditing program that draws upon the expertise of former claims managers and senior attorneys. This program received national attention in an article about innovative law firm management practices appearing in The National Law Journal.

Successful Business Model

In an article appearing in The Legal Intelligencer dealing with the challenges and opportunities for insurance defense firms, it was stated that our firm has clearly dominated the Philadelphia marketplace. In support of that statement, it was noted that the firm has grown dramatically in the past decade and has maintained a healthy shareholder-associate ratio. It was further discussed that major insurance carriers are attracted to our firm through its extensive use of technology as well as the numerous offices we have established throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and Florida. A noted legal consultant with Altman Weil, recommended in this article that some other defense litigation law firms "need to adopt the Marshall Dennehey model" in response to the changing needs and expectations of the insurance industry.

Central Diary System

All of the litigation files entrusted to us are on an electronic diary system that is designed to ensure that action has been taken by the handling attorney on all of his or her files within the past 90 days. Our monthly monitoring of this program discloses a 97-percent compliance rate, and any need for updated attorney reporting or action is immediately addressed. We have further refined this system o provide alerts to our attorneys when a certain percentage of the agreed-to litigation budget has been reached, affording the client and the handling attorney the opportunity to consider the options open to them at that juncture.

Legal Research Supervision

We have a very focused and cost-efficient approach to legal research. Our Manager of Legal Research and Legal Information Services is a practicing attorney well-versed in law firm technology and efficient research techniques.

Measured Performance

It is significant to note that our firm's Case Disposition Program enables us to develop statistics reflecting levels of performance in such areas as case cycle times, indemnity payments made, litigation expenses and case outcomes, which can be broken down by law type and jurisdiction.

Breaking Legal Developments

Since 1992, we have provided our clients with our firm's comprehensive newsletter, Defense Digest. During that time, we have never missed a deadline, ensuring that our clients can consistently rely upon us for advice about legal developments, as well as giving them the benefit of our analysis and practical recommendations. We also advise our clients of breaking legal developments through our quarterly electronic newsletter Law Alerts, and provide our workers' compensation clients with a monthly update, What's Hot in Workers' Comp.

ADR Commitment

We are strongly committed to alternative dispute resolution vehicles. We are an original signatory to the Law Firm Policy Statement of the Center for Public Resources, Inc.'s Initiatives on Alternatives to Litigation.

Published Works

The expertise and professional commitment of our attorneys is evidenced by the fact that they have had hundreds of articles published in such publications as For The Defense, Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel Quarterly, Pennsylvania Bar Association Quarterly, The Philadelphia Legal Intelligencer, Pennsylvania Law Weekly, Journal of Healthcare Risk Management, The PLUS Journal, Pennsylvania CPA Journal, The Florida Bar News, New Jersey Law Journal, Hospital & Healthcare News, Daily Business Review, Financial Advisor Magazine, Litigation Management, New Jersey Defense, National Law Journal, New York Law Journal, Ohio Lawyer, Orlando Medical News, The Florida Defender, Risk & Insurance and Risk Management. To see more of our published articles, visit our Publications page.

Alternative Fee Arrangements

Significantly, the several large annual contract fee and global contract fee arrangements into which we have entered with some of our larger clients have been renewed on an annual basis, clearly evidencing that these arrangements are beneficial to our clients and sufficiently profitable for our firm. Other forms of alternative pricing are also available.

Additional Locations

  • New Haven, Connecticut
  • Granite Square, Suite 303
  • 700 State Street
  • New Haven, Connecticut 06511
    • Telephone: 203-714-4560
  • Wilmington, Delaware
  • Nemours Building
  • 1007 North Orange Street, Suite 600
  • P.O. Box 8888 (19801)
  • Wilmington, Delaware 19801
    • Telephone: 302-552-4300
    • Fax: 302-552-4340
  • Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • 2400 East Commercial Boulevard, Suite 1100
  • Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308
    • Telephone: 954-847-4920
    • Fax: 954-627-6640
  • Jacksonville, Florida
  • 200 West Forsyth Street, Suite 1400
  • Jacksonville, Florida 32202
    • Telephone: 904-358-4200
    • Fax: 904-355-0019
  • Orlando, Florida
  • Landmark Center One
  • 315 East Robinson Street, Suite 550
  • Orlando, Florida 32801-1948
    • Telephone: 407-420-4380
    • Fax: 407-839-3008
  • Tampa, Florida
  • 201 East Kennedy Boulevard, Suite 1100
  • Tampa, Florida 33602
    • Telephone: 813-898-1800
    • Fax: 813-221-5026
  • Mount Laurel, New Jersey
  • 15000 Midlantic Drive, Suite 200
  • P.O. Box 5429 (08054)
  • Mount Laurel, New Jersey 08054
    • Telephone: 856-414-6000
    • Fax: 856-414-6077
  • Roseland, New Jersey
  • 425 Eagle Rock Avenue, Suite 302
  • Roseland, New Jersey 07068
    • Telephone: 973-618-4100
    • Fax: 973-618-0685
  • Melville, New York
  • 175 Pinelawn Road, Suite 250
  • Melville, New York 11747
    • Telephone: 631-232-6130
    • Fax: 631-232-6184
  • New York, New York
  • Wall Street Plaza
  • 88 Pine Street, 21st Floor
  • New York, New York 10005-1801
    • Telephone: 212-376-6400
    • Fax: 212-376-6490
  • Westchester, New York
  • 287 Bowman Avenue, Suite 404
  • Purchase, New York 10577
    • Telephone: 914-977-7300
    • Fax: 914-977-7301
  • Cincinnati, Ohio
  • 312 Elm Street, Suite 1850
  • Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
    • Telephone: 513-372-6800
    • Fax: 513-372-6801
  • Cleveland, Ohio
  • 127 Public Square, Suite 3510
  • Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1291
    • Telephone: 216-912-3800
    • Fax: 216-344-9006
  • Erie, Pennsylvania
  • 717 State Street, Suite 701
  • Erie, Pennsylvania 16501
    • Telephone: 814-480-7800
    • Fax: 814-455-3603
  • Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
  • 100 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 201
  • Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17011
    • Telephone: 717-651-3500
    • Fax: 717-651-9630
  • Scranton, Pennsylvania
  • 50 Glenmaura National Boulevard
  • Moosic, Pennsylvania 18507
    • Telephone: 570-496-4600
    • Fax: 570-496-0567

Personnel Information

Managing Attorney


Scott G. Dunlop

Shareholder

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Public Entity and Civil Rights Litigation
  • Miscellaneous Professional Liability
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 1984
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1988
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 1994
Additional Biographical Details:

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, 2005; Who's Who in American Law; Classes/Seminars Taught: "Local Government Immunity in Pennsylvania," Client Seminar, June 8, 2021; "Hot Topics in 2020 Law Enforcement Liability," Client Webinar, December 2020; "Local Government Immunity in Pennsylvania," Client Seminar, October 2018; "Litigation Ramifications of Bullying in School," School Claims Services LLC, December 12, 2014; "Employment Claims Under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983," Pennsylvania Bar Institute's Employment Law Institute West, Pittsburgh, 2006; "Road Risk: Sources of Liability Arising from Highway Design and Maintenance," Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, Pittsburgh, Meadville and Harrisburg, 2004; "Federalization of Land Use," Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Pittsburgh, 2002; "Writing and Revising Student Handbooks and Other Related School Issues in Pennsylvania," Lorman Education Services, Pittsburgh, 2002

Memberships:
  • Federal and Allegheny County (Gender Equality Committee) Bar Associations
  • Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County (Diversity Committee)
  • Defense Research Institute
Reported Cases:
Doe v. Plum Borough Sch. Dist., 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 139253 (W.D. Pa. 2017); Estep v. Mackey, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 43821; Morrow v. Balaski, 719 F.3d 160 (3d Cir. 2013); Phillips v. Northwest Reg'l Communications, 669 F. Supp. 2d 555 (W.D. Pa. 2009); Phillips v. County of Allegheny, 515 F.3d 224 (3d Cir. 2008); Osiris Enters. v. Borough of Whitehall, 398 F. Supp. 2d 400 (W.D. Pa. 2005); Eichenlaub v. Township of Indiana, 385 F.3d 274 (3d Cir. 2004); Berg v. County of Allegheny, 219 F.3d 261(3d Cir. 2000); Starr v. Veneziano, 747 A.2d 867 (Pa. 2000)
Education:
  • West Virginia University, B.A., History (cum laude), 1981
  • West Virginia University, B.S., 1981
  • University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D., 1984
Honors:
Order of the Barristers; National Merit Scholar; West Virginia University Merit Scholar; Phi Kappa Phi

Born: 1958

Senior Counsel


Dennis J. Roman

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Miscellaneous Professional Liability
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Lawyers' Professional Liability
  • Disciplinary Board Representation
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 1986
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
Additional Biographical Details:

AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®; The Best Lawyers in America©-Pittsburgh Legal Malpractice - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year" (2013, 2022), Legal Malpractice Law-Defendants (2006-Present); Pennsylvania Super Lawyer (2006; 2008-2011, 2019-2022); Classes/Seminars Taught: "Lawyer Exposures Under The 'Continuous Representation Rule' and Conflicts of Interest," Pennsylvania Bar Association In-House CLE Program, September 27, 2005; "Abusive Advocacy: Frivolous Prosecution & Frivolous Defense," Lorman Education Series, February 7, 2001; "Series 2000: Professional Liability, Ethics and Professionalism," Pennsylvania Bar Association In-House CLE Program, May 21, 1999; "The Admission of Judicial Opinions from Underlying Proceedings in Subsequent Litigation Against Attorneys," Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County, April 20, 1999; "Plaintiff's Ultimate Weapon: The Use of Judicial Opinions from Underlying Proceedings in Litigation Against Attorneys," Pennsylvania Westport Defense Panel Conference, March 18-19, 1999; "Managing Conflicts of Interests and Handling Outside Collateral Pursuits," Pennsylvania Bar Association - Professional Liability Committee Annual Meeting, CLE Program, May 13, 1998

Memberships:
  • American (Associate Member, Standing Committee on Lawyer's Professional Liability), Pennsylvania (House of Delegates, 2003-Present; Professional Liability Committee, 1987-Present) and Allegheny County (Judiciary Committee, 2004-Present; Chair, Lawyer Insurance Committee, 1998-2004; Governing Council, Young Lawyers Section, 1990-1991) Bar Associations
  • Pennsylvania Defense Institute
Publications:
  • Author: "Enforceability of Arbitration Clauses in Attorney Retainer Agreements in Pennsylvania," Counterpoint, May 31, 2000
  • Co-Author: "Amicus Curiae Briefs, Pennsylvania Bar Association Glenbrook Leasing Co. v. Beausang, 881 A.2d 1266 (Pa. 2005)," (Principal Author); Ferencz v. Milie, 535 A.2d 59 (Pa. 1987)
Education:
  • Duquesne University, B.S., 1979
  • Duquesne University School of Law, J.D., 1982

Born: 1957

Anthony J. Williott

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Health Care Liability
  • Long-Term Care Liability
  • General Liability
  • Product Liability
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 1985
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 1988
Additional Biographical Details:

AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®; The Best Lawyers in America©, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants (2022-2023); Pennsylvania Super Lawyer (2005, 2013-2016); Classes/Seminars Taught: "Pain and Suffering in Personal Injury: Doctor, Plaintiff, and Defense Perspectives," National Business Institute Webinar, August 2021; "Civil Court Judicial Forum," Moderator, National Business Institute, April 12, 2019; "Civil Court Judicial Forum," National Business Institute, April 13, 2018; "The Rules of Evidence: A Practical Toolkit," National Business Institute, July 31, 2015; "Evidence and Expert Testimony," National Business Institute, April 30, 2014; "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Hot Topics in Long Term Care Litigation," Health Executive Institute, March 7, 2014; "What to Expect When You're Expecting (A Trial)," Health Executive Institute, October 19, 2012; "Litigating to Win Through Advanced Trial Advocacy," National Business Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, June 7, 2012; "Documentation - It's Really That Important," April 24, 2011; "Mechanics of Pennsylvania Civil Procedure," April 21, 2011; "Strictly Speaking: An Overview Of Products Liability Law in Pennsylvania," November 13, 2008; "New Pennsylvania Suggested Jury Instructions in Medical Malpractice Cases," April 4, 2006; "Keys To Successful Pre-Trial Preparation," June 15, 2005; "Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Law in Pennsylvania," August 10, 2004; "The Nuts And Bolts Of The Medical Malpractice Case," April 1, 2004; "Pennsylvania Personal Injury Practice For Paralegals," May 20, 1998; "Insurance Bad Faith In Pennsylvania and West Virginia," 1993

Memberships:
  • Allegheny County Bar Association
  • Fellow, Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County
  • Fellow, Allegheny County Bar Foundation
Publications:
  • Author: "There Are No Hotels in Smethport, Pennsylvania," Defense Digest, Vol. 25, No. 2, June 2019
  • "Plaintiff's Counsel Pies Self in Face," Defense Digest, Vol. 18, No. 3, September 2012
  • "Keeping Faith," Best's Review, March 2001
  • "Understanding O'Donnell - When Aggressive Defense Can Lead To Bad Faith," The Lawyers Journal, October 20, 2000
  • "The Pennsylvania Automobile Lemon Law," Pittsburgh Legal Journal, September 5, 1996
Education:
  • The Pennsylvania State University, B.S. Finance, 1978
  • Duquesne University School of Law, J.D., 1985
Honors:
Order of Barristers; Gourley Cup (Trial Moot Court: Winning Team and Runner-Up Best Advocate, 1985)

Of Counsel


Thomas P. Birris

Co-Chair, Hospitality and Liquor Liability Practice Group

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Product Liability
  • General Liability
  • Hospitality and Liquor Liability
  • Construction Injury Litigation
  • Automobile Liability
  • Amusements, Sports and Recreation Liability
  • Public Entity and Civil Rights Litigation
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 1987
Additional Biographical Details:

AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®; The Best Lawyers in America©-Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants (2010-Present); Classes/Seminars Taught: "Pennsylvania Liquor Liability Claims," Hospitality Mutual Insurance Company, June 2015

Memberships:
  • Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations
Education:
  • University of Pittsburgh, B.A. (magna cum laude), 1984
  • Duquesne University, J.D., 1987
Law Review:
Duquesne Law Review (Member, 1985-1986; Executive Editorial Board, 1986-1987)

Born: 1957

Resident Shareholders


Melissa Devich Cochran

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Asbestos and Mass Tort Litigation
  • Product Liability
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 2003
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania, 2004
Additional Biographical Details:

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Star (2012-2013); The Best Lawyers in America©, Commercial Litigation; Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2020-Present); Classes/Seminars Taught: "Causation Decisions Around the Country," Defense Research Institute (DRI) - Asbestos Medicine Conference, November 2017; "Defending Damages," Panel Moderator, Defense Research Institute (DRI) Asbestos Medicine Conference, November 5, 2015; "The Fair Share Act, Transparency, and the Effect of Bankruptcy Claims on Pending Civil Litigation," National Business Institute CLE Seminar on Asbestos Litigation, August 12, 2014

Memberships:
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
Publications:
  • Author: "PA Superior Court Permits Incomplete Deposition Testimony and Affidavit of 'Unavailable Witness' to Oppose Summary Judgment in Asbestos Claim," Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC-Client Alert Cross Published on LinkedIn, October 31, 2019
  • "Pennsylvania Superior Court Questions Voir dire Procedure in Recent Opinion," Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC-Client Alert Cross Published on LinkedIn, May 22, 2018
  • "PA Superior Court Answers Question of Whether Fair Share Act Applies to Strict Liability Asbestos Claims," Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC-Client Alert Cross Published on LinkedIn, January 9, 2018
  • "Ford Motor Company Obtains Defense Verdict in Allegheny County Mesothelioma Case," Legal Updates for Toxic Torts Litigation, December 2, 2016
  • "Eastern District Court of Pennsylvania Predicts Applicability of the 'Bare Metal' Defense in Pennsylvania Asbestos Litigation," Defense Digest, Vol. 22, No. 3, September 2016
Education:
  • Saint Vincent College, B.A., 2000
  • Duquesne University School of Law, J.D., 2003

John F. Deasy

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Amusements, Sports and Recreation Liability
  • General Liability
  • Product Liability
  • Hospitality and Liquor Liability
  • Premises Liability
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 1991
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
Additional Biographical Details:

AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®; Pennsylvania Super Lawyer (2017-2019); Classes/Seminars Taught: "Defending Roller Skating Claims," Roller Skating Association (RSA) Chapter Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, October 24, 2022

Memberships:
  • Allegheny County Bar Association
Publications:
  • Author: "Pennsylvania's Relaxed Standard for Proving Intoxication in Civil Cases," Defense Digest, Vol. 24, No. 4, December 2018
Education:
  • University of Pittsburgh, B.A. Political Science, 1987
  • University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D., 1991

Born: 1964

Daniel W. Deitrick

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Workers' Compensation
  • Employment Law
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 1993
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
Additional Biographical Details:

AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®; Attorneys Listed by Best Lawyers in America-Workers' Compensation Law-Employers (2020-Present); Classes/Seminars Taught: "Workers' Compensation Case Law Update," Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, October 18, 2018; "Bad Eggs: Defending Injuries Stemming from Violence in the Workplace," Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, October 19, 2017; "Understanding Medical Records," Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, October 19, 2016; "Local Government Pension Management Best Practices and Updates," October 10, 2014

Memberships:
  • American (Law Practice Management Section), Pennsylvania (Workers' Compensation Section) and Allegheny County (Workers' Compensation Section) Bar Associations
  • Pittsburgh Claims Association
Publications:
  • Author: "Employer's Future Subrogation Rights Under Section 319 of the Workers' Compensation Act Limited by Pennsylvania Supreme Court," Defense Digest, Vol. 25, No. 1, March 2019
Reported Cases:
Collier v. WCAB (PRS/Engles Trucking), 805 A.2d 1267 (Pa.Cmwlth. 2002) (app. denied, 818 A.2d 505 Pa. 2003); Barnes v. WCAB (Midland-Ross. Corp.), 684 A.2d 1107 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1996)
Education:
  • Villanova University, B.A. (cum laude), 1990
  • Duquesne University School of Law, J.D., 1993
Honors:
Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society

Born: 1968

Ryan A. Hauck

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Workers' Compensation
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 2011
Additional Biographical Details:

The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch©, Workers' Compensation Law - Employers, 2022; Classes/Seminars Taught: "Strategies to Limit Exposure and Minimize Risk," Marshall Dennehey Workers' Compensation Seminar, October 27, 2022

Memberships:
  • American, Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations
  • Pennsylvania Self-Insurers' Association
Publications:
  • Author: "'Raymour' Decision Benefits Insurers And, Arguably, Claimants," The Legal Intelligencer, Workers' Compensation Supplement, Page 4, October 12, 2021
  • "Notice of An Injury Can Be Extended Beyond 120 Days," Defense Digest, Vol. 27, No. 2, March 2021
Education:
  • Westminster College, B.A., 2007
  • Duquesne University School of Law, J.D. (cum laude), 2011

Paul D. Krepps

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Public Entity and Civil Rights Litigation
  • Miscellaneous Professional Liability
  • Employment Law
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 1994
  • West Virginia, 1995
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia, 1998
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, 2016
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of West Virginia, 2017
Additional Biographical Details:

Municipal Police Officer Education and Training Commission (MPOETC); Florida State Certified Police Field Training Officer; AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®; Classes/Seminars Taught: "Qualified Immunity and Its Significance in Civil Rights Cases," Pennsylvania Defense Institute 2022 Annual Conference & CLE Program, Bedford, PA, July 14, 2022; "mpact of Protection from Abuse Orders: A Case Study," Law Against Violence Continuing Legal Education Program, Allegheny County Bar Association, June 27, 2022; "Litigation & Trial Considerations When Representing/Defending Law Enforcement," NAPO's Annual 2021 Legal Seminar, West Palm Beach, FL, October 4, 2021; "Hot Topics in 2020 Law Enforcement Liability," Client Webinar, December 2020; "Mass Disturbances: Law and Litigation," Allegheny County Law Enforcement, March 2019; "The Wrong Side of the Caption, 42 USC 1983 Turns the Tables on Prosecutors," Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association/Institute, July 2015; "Hot Topics for Local Law Enforcement," Washington County Chiefs of Police Association, May 2015; "Beyond Asking Questions at a Deposition," November 2014; "Challenging §8553 - Tort Claims Act Damages Cap and Damages Recoverable Under the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act," September 2013; "Employment Liability in the Cyber Age," Marshall Dennehey/AIG Employment Seminar, Pittsburgh, PA, May 2, 2013; "Leadership Course for Law Enforcement Executives," Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, December 2011; "Reasonable Expectation of Privacy, the Danger in Enforcing the Wiretap Act," Police Departments from Beaver, Allegheny and Butler Counties, August 2011; "Liability Issues for Municipalities Hosting National Events: Including the Development of Security Plans, Training and Equipping Police Officers, and Executing Law Enforcement and Security Functions During These Complex Events," City of Honolulu, HI, January 2010; "Exposure in Education Cases Related to Due Process and Bullying, Client Seminar, August 2010; "Assisted the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission," Pennsylvania State Police - Preparation and Training to Training Officers, 2006, 2008; "Law Enforcement Issues and Liability," Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors & Delaware Valley Insurance Trust, October 2008; "Constitutional Litigation in the Current Political Climate," Pennsylvania Bar Institute, June 2008; "Section 1983 Civil Rights," Continuing Legal Education, Pennsylvania Bar Association; "Implications of Scott v. Harris on Police Pursuits and Beyond," Lorman Education Services; "Development of a Critical Incident Protocol - City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County," City of Pittsburgh Law Department, Various Chiefs of Police Organizations; "Effective Law Enforcement Through Police Accountability," City of Pittsburgh and Various Municipal Law Enforcement Agencies; "Police Rights and Liabilities," Various Chiefs of Police Organizations; "Police Accountability," Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors and Various Police Departments; "Effective Witness Preparation," Continuing Legal Education for In-House Lawyer Training; "Terrorism and An Analysis of the Events of 9/11," American Inns of Court and University of Pittsburgh; "Workplace Violence," Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh; "Disability of Deriliction?," Claims Management Advisory Board Seminar for a Major Municipal Insurance Carrier; "Litigating an Uninsured Auto Case in West Virginia," Maryland Auto Insurance Fund; "Civil/Criminal Forfeiture and RICO," "Police and Drug Enforcement," and "Immigration and Law Enforcement," University of Pittsburgh; "Crime Scene Investigation," University of Pittsburgh and Various Law Enforcement Agencies; "Property Crimes," "Organized Crime; Asian and African American," "Organized Crime; Russia," and "Community Consideration of Policing Immigrant Populations," University of Pittsburgh; "Probation and Parole," and "Crime Prevention and Property Crimes," St. Vincent College; "Introduction to Criminology," Beaver County Community College

Memberships:
  • Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations
  • West Virginia State Bar
  • Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County
Publications:
  • Author: "Close Judicial Scrutiny of Qualified Immunity And Municipal Liability In An Excess Use-Of-Force Death Case," Defense Digest, Vol. 10, No. 4, December 2012
  • "Palsfraf Revisited - Brisbine v. Outside Inn School of Experiential Education," Defense Digest, Vol. 8, No. 3, September 2002 and Lawyer's Journal, Vol. 5 No. 3, February 7, 2003
Certifications:
  • Certified I.A.I. Crime Scene Analyst
Reported Cases:
Tonya L. Carswell, et ux. v. Borough of Homestead, et al, 381 F.3d 235 (3rd. Cir. 2004)
Education:
  • The Pennsylvania State University, B.S., 1979
  • Duquesne University School of Law, J.D., 1994
Honors:
American Criminal Justice Association (Honor Society)

Born: 1958

Ryan M. Krescanko

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Asbestos and Mass Tort Litigation
  • General Liability
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Workers' Compensation
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 2003
  • West Virginia, 2016
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania, 2003
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third and Fourth Circuits, 2010
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia, 2016
Memberships:
  • Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations
Publications:
  • Author: "Defending Depositions Against Dying Deponents in Asbestos Litigation," The Legal Intelligencer's "Products Liability, Mass Torts & Class Action Supplement," January 28, 2020
  • "New Ruling in Pennsylvania Favors Asbestos Plaintiffs," Weightmans LLP Occupational Disease Newsletter, December 2019
  • "Paying Your Fair Share After Roverano v. John Crane," Defense Digest, Vol. 24, No. 4, December 2018
Education:
  • University of Pittsburgh, B.A., 1999
  • Duquesne University School of Law, J.D., 2002

Douglas C. LaSota

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Construction Injury Litigation
  • Architectural, Engineering and Construction Defect Litigation
  • Environmental & Toxic Tort Litigation
  • Class Action Litigation
  • Real Estate Errors & Omission Liability
  • Commercial Litigation
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 1997
  • West Virginia, 2019
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court, District of Delaware
  • Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Additional Biographical Details:

AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®

Memberships:
  • Allegheny Bar Association (Chair, Construction Law Section)
Publications:
  • Author: "Inspect the Uninspected: Current Pennsylvania Law Regarding Tort Liability Under the Tort Claims Act for Third-Party Municipal Building Inspectors," Defense Digest, Vol. 25, No. 3, September 2019
Education:
  • West Virginia University, B.S., 1987
  • Duquesne University School of Law, J.D., 1997

Joseph V. Lesinski

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • General Liability
  • Automobile Liability
  • Product Liability
  • Hospitality and Liquor Liability
  • Construction Injury Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Trucking and Transportation Liability
  • Premises and Retail Liability
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 2012
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania, 2014
Additional Biographical Details:

AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®; Classes/Seminars Taught: "An Overview of Pennsylvania Law for Auto Law & Premises Claims," Marshall Dennehey Virtual Client Presentation, February 2021; "An Overview of Commercial Auto Insurance in Pennsylvania & Ohio," Marshall Dennehey Client Presentation, January 26, 2021; "Jurisdictional Trends & The COVID-19 Impact on FL NY NJ & PA," Marshall Dennehey Virtual Client Presentation, December 2020; "Vagaries of Product Liability Laws in the Post-Tincher Time Period," Client Seminar, May 2018; "Construction Defect Litigation: From A to Z," National Business Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, April 2015

Memberships:
  • Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations
Publications:
  • Author: "Does the Fair Share Act Apply to Faultless Plaintiffs? A Defense Position in the Wake of Spencer v. Johnson," CounterPoint, Newsletter of the PA Defense Institute, December 2021
Education:
  • University of Dayton, B.A. Political Science, 2003
  • Saint Louis University School of Law, J.D., 2006

Erin N. Margolin

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Asbestos and Mass Tort Litigation
Admitted
  • New York, 2008
  • Pennsylvania, 2016
  • West Virginia, 2021
Publications:
  • Author: "Why Further Testing of Gene Mutations May Be the Right Stuff to Defend Against Occupational Exposure Mesothelioma Claims," Defense Digest, Vol. 27, No. 1, January 2021
Education:
  • Lehigh University, B.A. (magna cum laude), 2004
  • University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D., 2007

Christian D. Marquis

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Public Entity and Civil Rights Litigation
  • Miscellaneous Professional Liability
  • Automobile Liability
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 2000
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 2007
Additional Biographical Details:

AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®; The Best Lawyers in America©-Pittsburgh "Lawyer of the Year" Personal Injury Litigation-Defendant (2019); Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants (2014-Present); Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Star (2005-2006)

Memberships:
  • Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations
Publications:
  • Author: "Taking vs. Tort: Which Is It in Relation to Sanitary Sewer Overflows?," Defense Digest, Vol. 27, No. 2, March 2021
  • "The First Amendment's Protection Applies To Certain Comments Directed Toward Police Officers," Defense Digest, Vol. 13, No. 4, December 2007
  • "Nanty-Glo Rule Applies to Preliminary Objections Raising Issues of Fact," Defense Digest, Vol. 10, No. 1, March 2004
Reported Cases:
Osiris Enterprises v. Borough of Whitehall, 877 A.2d 560 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2005); Osiris Enterprises v. Borough of Whitehall, 398 F. Supp. 2d 400 (W.D. Pa. 2005)
Education:
  • Saint Vincent College, B.A., 1995
  • The Pennsylvania State University, B.S., 1996
  • New England School of Law, J.D. (Dean's List), 1999

Born: 1973

Estelle K. McGrath

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Miscellaneous Professional Liability
  • Public Entity and Civil Rights Litigation
  • Employment Law
  • Real Estate Errors & Omission Liability
  • Insurance Agents & Brokers Liability
  • Non-Profit D&O
  • Workers' Compensation
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 2001
  • West Virginia, 2011
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of West Virginia, 2017
Additional Biographical Details:

AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®; Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Star, (2008, 2012-2016); Classes/Seminars Taught: "Pandemic Coverage Litigation Update / Insurance Broker Best Practices," Client Webinar, September 2022; "The Aftermath of the Pandemic For Carriers and Agents," Client Webinar, July 2021; "Supervisor Training on Discrimination," Client Seminar, June 2021; "Civil Litigation Updates in COVID-19 Litigation - Where Do We Stand One Year Later?," Marshall Dennehey Webinar and "Impact of COVID-19 on Insurance Agents," Client Webinar, May 2021; "Pandemic Coverage Litigation Update: Agent E & O Wars to Come," Client Webinar, March 2021; "Pregnancy Discrimination," Client Seminar, March 2020; "Promoting Diversity & Inclusion," Client Seminar, November 2019; "Police: Handling Critical Incidents," Client Seminar, May 2018

Memberships:
  • Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Allegheny County Bar Associations
  • FETA (2013-Present)
  • Council on Litigation Management
  • Professional Liability Underwriting Society
Publications:
  • Author: "Top 10 Ways an Insurance Broker Can Avoid Liability," National Association of Professional Agents, March 1, 2023
  • "Top Ten Ways an Insurance Broker Can Avoid Liability," Legal Update for Insurance Agents & Brokers, December 21, 2022
  • "HOA Living. It Is Not For Everyone," Defense Digest, Vol. 27, No. 3, June 2021
  • "Ten Ways An Employer Can Reduce Their Chances of Being Sued for Discrimination," PLUS Blog, May 10, 2021
  • "HOA Living. It Is Not For Everyone," Defense Digest, Vol. 27, No. 2, March 2021
  • "House Bill No. 88 to be Signed by Governor Rendell," What's Hot in Workers' Comp, Volume 7, No. 12, December 2003
  • "Supreme Court Reverses Caso Decision," What's Hot in Workers' Comp, Volume 7, No. 12, December 2003
  • "Course of Employment Argument Saves Employer," Defense Digest, Volume 9, No. 2, June 2003
  • "Board's Decision Reversed Where Claimant Failed to Present Evidence," Lawyers Journal, The Journal of the Allegheny County Bar Association, June 27, 2003
  • "Borough of Lewistown v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board: The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Holds Arbitration Award Final and Binding When Participating Joint Employer Failed to Appeal the Award," 9 WIDENER J. PUB. L 615, 2001
Education:
  • Juniata College, B.A., 1998
  • Widener University, J.D., 2001
Law Review:
Editor-in-Chief, Widener Law Journal
Clerkship:
Appellate Clerk, Hon. Joseph T. Doyle, President Judge Emeritus, Commonwealth Court, Media, PA
Honors:
The Carroll C. Arnold Award in Communication

Patricia A. Monahan

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Insurance Services - Coverage and Bad Faith Litigation
  • Employment Law
  • Public Entity and Civil Rights Litigation
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 1990
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 1999
Additional Biographical Details:

AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®; Classes/Seminars Taught: "Handling UM/UIM Cases in Pennsylvania," Marshall Dennehey Client Webinar, May 2021; "Employment Liability in the Cyber Age," Marshall Dennehey/AIG Employment Seminar, Pittsburgh, PA, May 2, 2013; Speaker on Various Topics Including Employment Claims, Civil Rights Litigation, Federal Practice and Insurance Bad Faith

Memberships:
  • American, Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations
Publications:
  • Author: "I've Been Served With a Writ of Summons. Now What?," Defense Digest, Vol. 24, No. 4, December 2018
  • "Defending Claims While Working Within the Tripartite Relationship," The Legal Intelligencer, Insurance Law Supplement, August 30, 2016
  • "When is an Accident Not an Accident?," Life, Health & Disability, the Newsletter of the DRI's Life, Health & Disability Committee, November 21, 2014
  • "Pennsylvania Superior Court Is the First State Appellate Court To Address the Unfair Insurance Practices Act Protection for Victims of Abuse," Defense Digest, Vol. 19, No. 3, September 2013
  • "Pennsylvania Superior Court Panel Has Found That an Insured's Conduct Is Not Subject to Scrutiny in a Subsequent Bad Faith Law Suit," Defense Digest, Vol. 17, No. 3, September 2011
  • "Are Damages For Emotional Distress Recoverable In a Pennsylvania Bad Faith Lawsuit Even Though the Bad Faith Statute Does Not Provide For Such Damages?," Defense Digest, Vol. 16, No. 1, March 2010
  • "Top Court Limits The Scope of a Public Employee's First Amendment Retaliation Claim," Defense Digest, Vol. 12, No. 3, September 2006
  • "The First Amendment's Rising Popularity in Municipal Employment Litigation," Defense Digest, Vol. 10, No. 2, June 2004
  • "Is Every Worker With a Physical Impairment Afforded Protection Under the ADA?," Defense Digest, Vol. 8, No. 1, March 2002­
  • "Pennsylvania Supreme Court Limits Employment At-Will," Defense Digest, Vol. 5, No. 1, 1999
  • Co-Author: The Anatomy of a Civil Rights Malicious Prosecution Claim," Defense Digest, Vol. 8, No. 1, March 2002
Reported Cases:
Creasy v. Slippery Rock Area School District, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 80523; Whitesell v. Dobson Communications, 102 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. (BNA), aff'd 2009 LEXIS 25791 (U.S. App.); Diede v. City of McKeesport, 654 F. Supp. 2d 363 (W.D. Pa. 2009); Moore v. Darlington Township, 690 F. Supp. 2d 378 (W.D. Pa. 2009); Heller v. Fulare, 454 F. 3d 174 (3d Cir. 2006); Keefer v. Durkos, 2006 US Dist LEXIS 68519 Loughren v. USAA, 909 A.2d 896 (Pa. Super. 2006); Loughren v. USAA, 909 A.2d 896 (Pa. Super. 2006); Borough of West Mifflin v. Lancaster, 45 F.3d 780 (1995)
Education:
  • University of Florida, B.S. Business Admin. (with honors), 1986
  • University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D., 1990

Born: 1965

Darren M. Newberry

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • General Liability
  • Product Liability
  • Hospitality and Liquor Liability
  • Automobile Liability
  • Construction Injury Litigation
  • Architectural, Engineering and Construction Defect Litigation
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 2009
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania, 2012
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 2014
Memberships:
  • American, Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations
Education:
  • Ithaca College, B.A., 2005
  • Duquesne University School of Law, J.D., 2009

Kristin L. Pieseski

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Health Care Liability
  • Product Liability
  • General Liability
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 1995
  • West Virginia, 2010
Additional Biographical Details:

AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®; The Best Lawyers in America©, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, 2023; Classes/Seminars Taught: University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine Annual Medical Malpractice Seminar, 2001-Present

Memberships:
  • American, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Allegheny County Bar Associations
  • Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County
  • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
  • Defense Research Institute
Education:
  • Duquesne University, B.A. (magna cum laude), 1992
  • Duquesne University School of Law, J.D., 1995
Honors:
Phi Eta Sigma, Lambda Sigma, Phi Chi and Justice Louis L. Manderino Honor Societies

Ronald M. Puntil, Jr.

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Health Care Liability
  • Birth and Catastrophic Injury Litigation
  • Long-Term Care Liability
  • Workers' Compensation
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 1984
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania, 1985
Additional Biographical Details:

The Best Lawyers in America©, Litigation - Health Care (2013); Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants (2022-2023); Pennsylvania Super Lawyer (2006-2014; 2017-2020); Classes/Seminars Taught: Various Seminars on Workers' Compensation for NBI as well as Insurance Carriers; Various Lectures to Physician Groups and Nursing Personnel on Medical Malpractice Issues

Memberships:
  • Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations
  • Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County
Publications:
  • Author: Several Books used in CLE Classes for NBI
Education:
  • Villanova University, B.A. (cum laude), 1981
  • University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D., 1984

Patrick T. Reilly

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Product Liability
  • Hospitality and Liquor Liability
  • Automobile Liability
  • Asbestos and Mass Tort Litigation
  • General Liability
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 2006
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Additional Biographical Details:

Northside Common Ministries (Advisory Board Member); Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Star (2013-2021); Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition: Ally-Ready Training Program (2021), Retention Committee (2021-Present), Survey Committee (2022-Present); Classes/Seminars Taught: "Pursuing and Defending Attorney Fee Claims," Allegheny County Bar Association, Pittsburgh, PA, August 30, 2022; "The New Marketing Tool-Creating a Podcast that People Want to Hear," Pennsylvania Defense Institute (PDI) 2021 Annual Conference, Bedford Springs, PA, July 16, 2021; "Defending Liquor Liability and Hospitality Claims," "On a Roll" Podcast with Nichole Perzel, Produced by W.N. Tuscano Agency, March 2021; "What's Trending in Liquor Law? Help Your Bars and Restaurants Mitigate Their Risk," Marshall Dennehey Client Presentation, February 9, 2021; "Voir Dire and Jury Selection in 2020," Allegheny County Bar Association Civil Litigation Section - Webinar, August 18, 2020; "Liquor Law and Insurance Needs: Risk Management for Bars and Restaurants," Client Hospitality & Liquor Lines Team Virtual Conference, June 18, 2020; "PENNSYLVANIA Liquor Law AND Insurance Needs: Risk Management for Bars and Restaurants," Marshall Dennehey Client Seminar, January 13, 2020; "Voir Dire and Jury Selection in Allegheny County," Pennsylvania Defense Institute, December 4, 2019; "Civil Litigation Skills Training - Conducting Voir Dire in Allegheny County," Allegheny County Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, April 8, 2019; "Jury Selection Process in the Western District of Pennsylvania and the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas," Women's Bar Association of Western Pennsylvania, June 21, 2018; "Civil Litigation Skills Training - Conducting Voir Dire in Allegheny County," Allegheny County Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, April 5, 2018; "Discoverability and Proper Use of Claim Notes," Berkley Mid-Atlantic, October 2011

Memberships:
  • Allegheny County Bar Association
Publications:
  • Author: "Protecting Your Bar From Claims in the Wake of 'Mortimer'," The Legal Intelligencer Liquor Law Supplement, February 15, 2023
  • "Employers (Still) Not Liable For Serving Alcohol to Intoxicated Employees," The Legal Intelligencer, Liquor Law Supplement, February 10, 2022
  • "Assessing the Risk of Takeout Alcohol Under the Pa. Dram Shop Law," The Legal Intelligencer's Liquor Law Supplement, February 17, 2021
  • "Should Mandatory Liquor Liability Insurance Be in PA's Future?" The Legal Intelligencer Liquor Law Supplement, February 25, 2020
  • "Compulsory Arbitration Useful in Small-Exposure Cases," The Legal Intelligencer, ADR Supplement, January 20, 2015
  • "Don't Bother Trying to Fix It, We'll Just File Suit!," Defense Digest, Vol. 18, No. 1, March 2012
  • "Substituted Judgment: Does Pennsylvania Law Provide an Appropriate Standard for Withdrawal of Life Support in Non-terminal Patients?" Duquesne Law Review, Volume 44, Spring 2006
Education:
  • Saint Joseph's University, B.A., History (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa), 2003
  • Duquesne University School of Law, J.D., 2006
Law Review:
Associate Recent Decisions Editor, Duquesne Law Review

Brett C. Shear

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Health Care Liability
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 2003
  • West Virginia, 2010
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania, 2004
  • U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia, 2010
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2012
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 2014
Additional Biographical Details:

Classes/Seminars Taught: "Uncovering and Proving Financial Fraud," Pennsylvania Bar Institute, February 2014

Memberships:
  • Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Allegheny County Bar Associations
Publications:
  • Author: "The EHR Report: Communication, Social Media, and Legal Vulnerability," Internal Medicine News, April 27, 2017
  • "The Shrinking Scope of the Peer Review Protection Act," Defense Digest, Vol. 21, No. 3, September 2015
Education:
  • West Virginia University, B.S. (cum laude), 2000
  • University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D. (cum laude), 2003

Teresa O. Sirianni

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Public Entity and Civil Rights Litigation
  • Employment Law
  • School Leaders' Liability
  • Premises and Retail Liability
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 2003
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
Additional Biographical Details:

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Star (2013); Classes/Seminars Gaught: "Employment Claims Involving Law Enforcement: Prepare to Defend," The Western Pennsylvania Chiefs' of Police Association, November 19, 2021; "Effective Practices for General Educators in Inclusive Classrooms," November 18, 2018; "The Role of the General Educator in the Special Education Process," January 15, 2018; "How A Student Can Make A Successful Return to School - Liabilities and Responsibilities - Concussion Presentation," February 28, 2014; "Employment Liability in the Cyber Age," Marshall Dennehey/AIG Employment Seminar, Pittsburgh, PA, May 2, 2013; "Employment in Crisis: Workplace Security & Lessons from the Sandusky Case," Marshall Dennehey, Erie, PA, October 11, 2012; Speaker on Various Topics Involving Employment Claims and Federal Practice

Memberships:
  • Allegheny County Bar Association
Publications:
  • Author: "EEOC Guidance on the PDA: Has Anything Changed?" Defense Digest, Vol. 20, No. 4, December 2014
Education:
  • The Pennsylvania State University, B.S., 1995
  • Duquesne University School of Law, J.D., 2002

Stuart H. Sostmann

Co-Chair, Construction Injury Practice Group

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Construction Injury Litigation
  • Product Liability
  • Property Litigation
  • Automobile Liability
  • Architectural, Engineering and Construction Defect Litigation
  • Hospitality and Liquor Liability
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Premises and Retail Liability
  • General Liability
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 1999
Additional Biographical Details:

AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®; The Best Lawyers in America©, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2022-2023); Pennsylvania Super Lawyer (2018-2022); Classes/Seminars Taught: "Civil Litigation State of Affairs - The Impact of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania and New Jersey & What's Next," Marshall Dennehey Client Webinar, May 2021; "An Overview of Construction Defect Litigation in Pennsylvania," Nationwide Insurance Company, December 16, 2014; "Commercial Defense Practice in New York, New Jersey & Pennsylvania," Nationwide Insurance Company, December 5, 2014; "Brief Overview of Pennsylvania Contractual Indemnity and Additional Insured Issues," Nationwide Insurance Company, April 2012; "Discoverability and Proper Use of Claim Notes," Berkley Mid-Atlantic, October 2011

Memberships:
  • American and Allegheny County Bar Associations
  • Pennsylvania Defense Institute (President, 2022-2023; Executive VP of Operations, 2021-2022; Executive VP of Programming, 2020-2021)
Publications:
  • Author: "Yes! Waivers of Liability for Recreational Activities Are Still Effective in Pennsylvania," Defense Digest, Vol. 23, No. 1, March 2017
  • "Timing Is Everything, Even for Bad Faith Claims," Defense Digest, Vol. 6, No. 1, February 2000
Education:
  • University of Pittsburgh, B.A. Political Science (cum laude), 1996
  • University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D., 1999
Honors:
CALI Future Excellence Award in Federal Income Taxation

Born: 1974

Danielle M. Vugrinovich

Chair, Consumer Financial Services Litigation & Compliance Group

Pittsburgh, PA

Practice Areas
  • Consumer Financial Services Litigation & Compliance
  • Asbestos and Mass Tort Litigation
  • Premises and Retail Liability
  • Automobile Liability
  • Employment Law
  • Public Entity and Civil Rights Litigation
Admitted
  • Pennsylvania, 2001
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 2017
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania, 2021
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2022
Additional Biographical Details:

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Star (2016); Classes/Seminars Taught: "Stop! Gavel Time!: A Collection and Cross Claim Mock Trial," National Creditors Bar Association, Fall Convention, Nashville, TN, October 2018; "We Don't Know Where We Are, But We Are Making Really Good Time: Keeping Up with Ever Changing Technology and the Conundrums It Presents," National Creditors Bar Association, Spring Convention, Austin, TX, May 2018; "Solving the 'Meaningful Involvement' Puzzle," National Creditors Bar Association, Washington, D.C., Fall Convention, October 2017; "Recent Litigation Trends and How to Avoid Them," National Association for Retail Collection Attorneys Spring Convention, May 2015; "Primer on the Fair Credit Reporting Act," Pennsylvania Bar Institute, June 10, 2014; "Reasonable Investigations" under the Fair Credit Reporting Act," ACA International Convention, San Diego, CA, July 2013; "Primer on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act," Pennsylvania Bar Institute, June 18, 2013; "Employment Liability in the Cyber Age," Marshall Dennehey/AIG Employment Seminar, Pittsburgh, PA, May 2, 2013; "Primer on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act," Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2010-2011; "The FDCPA: Jerman v. Carlisle and the Impact on the Bona Fide Error Defense," Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2010

Memberships:
  • Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations
  • ACA International (The Association of Credit and Collection Professionals)
  • The National Creditors Bar Association
Publications:
  • Author: "'Because of an Individual's Sex'-The Supreme Court of the United States Holds that Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Qualify for Protection Under Title VII," Defense Digest, Vol. 27, No. 1, January 2021
  • "Best Practices Regarding Stacking Waivers in Pennsylvania," Legal Updates for Insurance Agents & Brokers, June 2019
  • "The Need for Clarity in Counseling Customers," Legal Updates for Insurance Agents & Brokers, November 16, 2018
  • "Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Are Not Protected Classes Under Title VII - Or Are They?," Defense Digest, Vol. 23, No. 2, June 2017
  • "No Proof That Firing Was Retaliation for Intent to Promote Black Employee," SHRM Court Reports, March 4, 2016
  • "Qualified Immunity Not Strictly for Governmental Employees Anymore," Defense Digest, Vol. 18, No. 3, September 2012
  • "The Supreme Court Considers the Privacy Rights of a Public Employee's Communications on an Electronic Device Provided by the Public Employer," Defense Digest, Volume 16, No. 3, September 2010
Education:
  • Duquesne University, B.A., 1998
  • Duquesne University School of Law, J.D., 2001

Resident Associates


  • Nicholas A. Cerimele
  • James P. Cullen
  • Danielle M. Deklewa
  • Carly P. Edman
  • Gregory P. Graham
  • Brad E. Haas
  • Malcolm X. Hines
  • Edward L. Kelly
  • Taylor E. Kosko
  • Nathan Marinkovich
  • Alexander B. Possino
  • Lauren E. Purcell
  • Renee D. Severino
  • Michael D. Winsko
(See profile under Philadelphia, PA for additional information)

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