Belle Vernon Lawyers

Law Clerk, Honorable Murray H. Falk, Special Trial Judge, U.S. Tax Court, 1980-1981.

Vanessa’s extensive legal training began at the University of Duquesne School of Law, where she graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor (J.D.). Vanessa’s strong academic credentials gained the attention of numerous employers eager to capitalize on her legal talents. Over the years, she has served as a Law Clerk at Steele Schneider, an Attorney Advisor for the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, an Associate Attorney for McMorrow Law, and as an Associate Attorney for May Law Group. Today, Vanessa focuses her practice exclusively on United States immigration law. She has achieved numerous successful outcomes and will fight...

Robert M. Silverman is highly regarded throughout the legal community and the automotive industry for his continuing efforts in helping consumers with their Lemon Law and Breach of Warranty claims. Mr. Silverman has been featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer and in other newspaper stories across New Jersey and Pennsylvania as an expert in warranty litigation. Mr. Silverman has worked hard for consumer rights, trying his cases in the Federal and State Courts in which he practices. He has also successfully briefed and argued cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Mr. Silverman earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree...

Todd W. Elliott, Esq. is a Pittsburgh area resident and a litigator by vocation. For 16 years, he practiced civil litigation (plaintiff and defense) throughout Western Pennsylvania. Having worked for two prominent regional firms, Mr. Elliott's areas of practice include breach of contract, construction law, mechanic's liens, invention design cases, contractor/sub-contractor disputes, covenant not-to-compete (non-compete clauses), employee defense of non-compete, business enforcement of non-compete, trade secret violations, theft of mailing lists/recipes, professional negligence, premises liability, unfair trade practices, trade disparagement, and multistate litigation. Over the course of his career, Mr. Elliott handled the mediation of disputes, several trials by jury,...

At SMT Legal, our personal injury attorneys will work aggressively to win your case and make a positive difference in your life. Our experienced lawyers will fight for just compensation in personal injury cases and will rigorously defend your rights and personal liberties against criminal charges. We also provide Mediation and Arbitration services. For personal injury cases we do not charge a fee unless we win your case. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. The sooner we can start helping you, the more likely it is that we will collect the best evidence, witnesses and...

I am an experienced family law attorney with a law practice primarily focused on divorce, child custody, child support, and pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements. After nearly thirty-five years of practice, I have the knowledge, skill, and patience it takes to assist individuals through what can be a difficult transition in their life. Most cases settle without court and my practice focuses on keeping clients out of court, if possible, by using the collaborative law process, mediation, or traditional negotiation. I have completed the basic collaborative law training and have more than 100 hours of additional collaborative law training. I also...

Danielle M. Parks is an Associate in Post & Schell's Workers' Compensation Department, defending employers, third-party administrators (TPAs), and insurers in workers' compensation claims throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Prior to joining Post & Schell, Ms. Parks was an associate with a regional firm and represented employees in labor and employment-related claims. Prior to that, she was a legal assistant and paralegal for several Pittsburgh area law firms for almost ten years.

Ms. Parks graduated from Duquesne University's School of Law in 2016. Before law school, Danielle graduated in 2007 from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown with a Bachelor’s...

Ben’s practice is focused on representing injured individuals in medical malpractice, products liability, motor vehicle accidents, and general personal injury claims. Having represented injured individuals for years, Ben understands how an accident, malpractice, or a dangerous product can affect a person and their family. He also understands what is necessary to obtain the results his clients deserve when they are injured. For a sample of the types and results of cases Ben has handled, click here.

Ben has been named a Rising Star by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers® each year since 2015. The Rising Star category consists of a selection of top...

Sean Ruppert, a business law and litigation attorney, merged his independent practice with KM&A in 2015, becoming a core member of the team. He now focuses on two main areas of law: business law and civil litigation. Sean guides business owners in avoiding costly mistakes and making good decisions with their contract negotiation, insurance decisions, employment practices, and entity formation. When employers mistreat employees, he fights for the fair compensation of the employees. Sean is a strategic thinker and a savvy negotiator when advising small businesses and fighting in court.

Sean is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of...

Richard Ernsberger's practice focuses on litigation in state court on insurance and investment sales practice and contractual disputes. He has a broad range of experience, including drafting motions, conducting legal research and analysis, and arbitration practice. Richard is a graduate of the Ohio Northern School of Law and he earned a Bachelors of Science from the George Washington University in Economics. Richard was an intern for the Honorable Congressman William Coyne as an undergrad and was employed by the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, D.C. following graduation from George Washington. Richard attended the Ohio Northern University School of...

Fallon Carroll Stephenson is a native of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington & Jefferson College, where she majored in Political Science and minored in Philosophy. At Washington & Jefferson, Fallon was the President of Delta Gamma Fraternity, a member of The Pre-Law Society and Mock Trial Team. Fallon received her Juris Doctor Degree from Duquesne University School of Law. While at Duquesne, Fallon received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Legal Research and Writing. During law school, Fallon gained valuable experience in complex litigation matters working as a law clerk for Blumling...

Gwen R. Acker Wood, PhD., Esq., is a registered patent attorney with over 18 years experience in all forms of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks and copyrights. Her practice includes preparation and prosecution of U.S. and foreign patent applications, patentability and infringement/freedom-to-operate opinions, due diligence analyses, U.S. and foreign patent portfolio strategy and management, trademark searches and registration, and copyright registration. Dr. Acker Wood has a doctorate in biology, and her areas of expertise include biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biomechanical and mechanical devices, chemistry and life sciences. Dr. Acker Wood is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State...

Jessica Nelson in an associate at SWMW Law, Ms. Nelson began her journey at SWMW Law, as a paralegal. Inspired by the firm’s practice and dedication to its clients, Ms. Nelson decided to pursue her Juris Doctor at Duquesne University; taking classes at night while working full time for the firm. Jessica Nelson’s primary focus is in asbestos litigation, products liability, and premises liability.

Vincent A. Colianni came to the Virgin Islands in 1968 with the United States Department of Justice. He became the United States Attorney in 1969. In 1970 he became a partner in the St. Croix law firm of Isherwood and Colianni. Early in his career Mr. Colianni represented many major corporations in the Virgin Islands, including General Motors, Mitsubishi Motors, Alcoa, Shell Oil and International Harvester. Since 1985 his practice has focused on personal injury cases. In 2000 Mr. Colianni and his son formed the law firm of Colianni & Colianni, LLC. The firm specializes in plaintiff personal injury, employment,...

John B. Payne, Attorney, established his practice in 1983, becoming a full-service general practice and litigation firm in 1988, when John received his LL.M. in Taxation. John lectures on estate planning and other topics to groups interested in legal issues. He is the author of Michigan Probate and Counseling the Elderly Client in Michigan, plus numerous articles and seminar manuals. Experienced in appellate matters John has appealed many criminal, civil rights and tax cases in state and federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

Corrie focuses his practice on appellate, criminal, and post-conviction cases. Corrie also authors SCOPABlog, which provides comprehensive coverage of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s docket. Corrie serves as Chair of the Allegheny County Bar Association Appellate Practice Committee, which promotes excellence in appellate advocacy. He is also a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association Criminal Litigation Section and Solo and Small Practitioners Section, and a member of the Washington County Bar Association. In connection with these organizations, Corrie has presented numerous continuing legal education seminars. Before founding Woods Law Offices, Corrie served as a staff attorney...

John T. Haller, Jr.(Jack) has over twenty five years of legal experience, representing clients in nearly every county in Western Pennsylvania. He has practiced in a wide range of areas, including criminal, family and business law. With his wealth of knowledge and experience, Attorney Haller negotiates the best outcome outside the courtroom when possible, and vigorously defends in the event that your matter requires litigation. Attorney Haller received his law degree from the University of Akron and his undergraduate degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is a retired Professor of Business Law from Slippery...

Thomas D. Berret has been a personal injury and wrongful death attorrney since he graduated from the University of Akron School of Law in 1995. In those nearly three decades, he has represented thousands of Pennsylvania residents who were injured or killed as the result of the carelessness of others. Over the past twenty eight years, Tom has successfully represented clients in a wide variety of personal injury or wrongful death suits such as ATV accidents, tractor-trailer collisions, car crashes, motorcycle collisions, construction accidents, dog bites, and slip and falls. Although Tom has successfully resolved most of his client’s...

As founder and owner of the Pisanchyn Law Firm, Attorney Michael Pisanchyn started his working life at a chrome-plating company, and not as an attorney. Through that experience, namely a former co-worker he befriended who lost their life due to poor working conditions, he came to know what he wanted in life, and that was to give a voice to those that have been injured. Attorney Michael Pisanchyn has gone up against some of the biggest corporations, and shown those corporations the law is not just reserved for rich. It is something that can mean the difference between life and death...

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, I focus my practice on representing injured persons in cases involving motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, dog bites and other types of personal injury claims. I have also represented business clients in litigation matters, assisted families in estate administration proceedings and handled the firm’s criminal practice and zoning cases. I am licensed to practice in all Pennsylvania courts, including U.S. District Court of the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Attorney Jason Matzus is widely recognized by his peers and colleagues for his professionalism, skill, integrity, and knowledge. He is currently the president of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, which is the largest organization for trial lawyers in Pennsylvania and one of the most prominent trial lawyer organizations in the country. He has also served as the president of the Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association. Attorney Matzus considers election by his peers to these leadership positions to be one of the highest professional compliments that a lawyer can achieve.

Mr. Matzus has consistently been selected to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers®, named a...

Mike established the firm in 2002 after 15 years in the field of Health Care and Insurance law.
As former Special Counsel at Tucker Arensberg.P.C., Now principal of Laffey & Associates and Other Party Liability Inc. Mike has established one of the premier law firm subrogation departments in the country dedicated to serving Employee Benefit Plans subrogation interests. As former in-house counsel for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Mike has assisted in the design and delivery of several managed health care systems from design of the benefit package, through contracting, regulatory approval, and the marketing of the new programs. Mike...

Victor H. Pribanic is an award-winning Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice attorney, who also frequently practices in the areas of: Automobile Defects, Birth Injuries, Business Litigation and Employment Issues, Civil Trials and Arbitration, Criminal Law and Trials, and Product Liability and Defective Products. 95% of Victor’s practice is devoted to Litigation. Victor is the founding member of Pribanic & Pribanic, a Pittsburgh based regional trial practice firm. He is a graduate of Bowling Green State University and Duquesne University School of Law. He began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in Pittsburgh and founded the present firm in 1984. Best Lawyers...

Pittsburgh attorney Mark F. McKenna has over 35 years of trial experience with a concentration in the area of Civil Litigation, including products liability, medical malpractice, nursing home negligence and personal injury litigation.