Jefferson County Lawyers

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I am a graduate of the Dickinson School of Law, where I served as Editor of the Law Review. I have been in continuous practice since October of 1984. I am also a proud veteran of the United States Air Force.

I am not presently licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania. If you need legal advice or experienced representation for your family law matter, call Attorney Tara L. Hutchinson at 412-371-4500.

From Centre Hall, PA. Attended Penns Valley Area High School, the Pennsylvania State University and Ohio Northern University. Admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar on October 24, 1979.
I have been Chair of the Domestic Relations Section, Secretary and President of the Centre County Bar Association.
I have been practicing law in Central Pennsylvania for 41 years.
My practice is concentrated on family law, wills, and estates.

My interest in medicine began because of my experience as a navy corpsman. After the navy I found that my training in the navy enabled me to find work in Pittsburgh Hospitals as a respiratory therapist. Then I continued my work as a respiratory therapist for seven years while completing my undergraduate education. I even worked summers as a respiratory therapist while in law school. I went to law school for the specific purpose of representing victims of medical malpractice. I began this crusade at a time when few lawyers handled medical malpractice cases in...

I have over 14 years of experience handling complex family law matters. In 2000, I graduated from Duquesne University School of Law. I have worked in private practice representing clients in a variety of civil and criminal matters. For two years, I clerked for a Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge. My experience as an appellate law clerk has enhanced my knowledge of the law and my understanding of the legal process. I opened my law offices in 2009. My law offices are conveniently located in the Southside of Pittsburgh within two (2) blocks of the...

Since 1976, Melvin L. Vatz has been faithfully providing legal counsel and guidance to clients. As a Pittsburgh lawyer, he handles a comprehensive range of cases. Whether you have been injured on the job, hurt in an accident, charged with a crime, or caught up in an employment law issue, Attorney Mel is there for you. He has tried cases in both federal and state courts and has taken on major appeals. With nearly 40 years of legal experience, Mel is the advocate you want in your corner. As a former Assistant District Attorney in Allegheny County, he brings a...

Matt is a graduate, magna cum laude, of Duquesne University School of Law and The Pennsylvania State University. Matt was admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Western District of Pennsylvania in 2011. Matt’s practice focuses primarily in the areas of personal injury and general litigation, including, civil, employment, criminal, family, business, estate, and real estate matters. Matt also heads our bankruptcy department and represents consumers in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings throughout Pennsylvania.

During Law school, Matt was a writer and senior staff member for the Duquesne Law Review and an...