Burnside Lawyers

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...

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...

Attorney Gordon received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude and earned membership in the Order of the Coif and the Order of the Barristers. He also graduated with the John P. Gismondi certificate in civil litigation. During his time at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, he interned for a United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania, served on the Editorial Board of the University of Pittsburgh Law Review, was a certified legal intern for Neighborhood Legal Services, and a legal writing teaching assistant....

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,...

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...

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...

Representing individuals throughout Western Pennsylvania in claims for Social Security disability benefits or Veteran's compensation in the following counties: Allgeheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Forest, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Venango, Warren, Washington, and Westmoreland County

Litigation attorney focusing on criminal defense and general civil litigation. Licensed in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Attorney Weber graduated Magna Cum Laude from Lycoming College in 1983 and graduated from Temple University with her law degree in 1986. She was selected as a federal judicial law clerk for The Hon. Louis C. Bechtle, Federal District Judge, Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She then accepted a position as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

In 2001, Attorney Weber returned to Central Pennsylvania. She joined the firm in 2004, becoming a Principal of Marshall, Parker & Weber in 2010 and assumed the role of Managing Principal in 2011. Attorney Weber is part of...

A former chief public defender and assistant district attorney, with extensive trial experience, who is dedicated to serving Central Pennsylvanians.

The great-grandson of Eastern European immigrants, Michael takes great pride in being the first attorney in both his mother and his father's sides of his family. Born and raised in Mercer County, Michael T. Muha came home after years of schooling to make a difference to the area he loves, Western Pennsylvania. Attorney Muha was born in Greenville, raised in Hermitage, and was educated in the schools of the Hermitage School District, where he became the first Academic Games Leagues of America National Champion in Hickory High School history, winning a National Title in the game World Events in his sophomore...

Brian J. Bluth was born in Brooklyn, New York City. In 1998, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in biology, concentration in genetics, from Carnegie Mellon University, and in 2001 he graduated cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law with a J.D. and an Advanced Certificate in health law. Mr. Bluth has been with McCormick Law Firm in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, since his admission to the Pennsylvania Bar in 2001. Over the past 20+ years, his practice has concentrated on medical malpractice defense litigation, representing physicians, nurses and other practitioners, hospitals and health systems in northcentral...

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...

Mr. Chaffin is admitted to the Bars of the States of New York and West Virginia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, the Western District of Pennsylvania and the Southern District of West Virginia. He is additionally confessed to practice under the watchful eye of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second and Third Circuits.

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.

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.

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...

I have successfully defended individuals in DUI cases for over 30 years. Over those 30 years I have developed relationships with local District Judges, Prosecuting Attorneys and State and Local Police Officers. Those relationships can allow me to secure a good result in your case even when the DUI laws are not on your side. With over 30 years of experience, I have tried thousands of cases before judges and juries. Through my trial experience, knowledge of law and the relationships I have developed, I can protect your future.

We have been providing compassionate legal services at reasonable prices in the Mount Pleasant area since 1990. I was born and raised in Mount Pleasant Township, have always been a part of the community, and intend to remain in the Mount Pleasant community for many years. I enjoy spending sufficient time with my clients so that we can best determine how we will be able to assist you. We routinely handle Estates and Estate Planning matters. We also handle general practice matters, including Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcies. As a debt relief firm, we help people file for relief...

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...

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,...

I am an estate planning and personal injury lawyer with deep roots in Westmoreland County. I specialize in safeguarding legacies through estate planning and advocating for personal injury cases. When you choose me as your attorney, you're partnering with a dedicated member of this community who will stand by your side every step of the way. Let's work together to protect your future and ensure your rights are upheld.

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.