Tafton Lawyers

Attorney Nanda Palissery earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Texas A&M University in 1989. After and during a career as an engineer and associate professor of engineering technology at the Luzerne County Community College, he earned his Juris Doctor at the Temple University Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia in 1994.

Returning to his native home in Northeast Pennsylvania to raise his family, Mr. Palissery opened his private practice in 1994, focusing on criminal defense litigation. Mr. Palissery is admitted to the United States Supreme Court, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and the...

The focus of my law practice is Bankruptcy Law, representing individuals, businesses, and creditors in Chapters 7, 11, and 13 cases. Our firm represent clients in the Middle District of Pennsylvania, primarily those assigned to the Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport court locations. In addition to client representation, I have served on the Attorney Advisory Panel for the Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania; Board of Directors of the Middle District Bankruptcy Bar Association; Local Rules Committee for the Bankruptcy Court; and Judicial search committees, as both Chair and member; and volunteered for the Luzerne County, PA consumer debt and...

Practicing law for more than two decades, William Vinsko has built up an impressive portfolio of successful cases. He has a wide-ranging legal background, handling cases involving real estate law and litigation, government law, business litigation, estate planning and probate, divorce and child custody issues. His dedication to his clients, and getting them positive results in their legal cases, has not gone unnoticed. Attorney William Vinsko has been selected for inclusion on the Super Lawyers' Rising Stars list every year from 2005 through 2018, and a Super Lawyer in 2019. No more than 2.5 percent of lawyers in Pennsylvania ever...

I am a business, real estate and litigation attorney in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I serve clients mainly in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties.

Jason M. Rapa, Esquire is the founder of Rapa Law Office, P.C. Jason practices together with his brother Matthew J. Rapa. Together they provide services not only in the Poconos and the Lehigh Valley but throughout the State of Pennsylvania. Jason focuses his practice in the areas of Bankruptcy, Consumer Protection and Civil Litigation, while Matthew focuses on Criminal Defense and Consumer Protection. Together Jason & Matthew have handled hundreds of cases against abusive debt collectors and Jason routinely speaks at national, state and local legal events regarding debt collection harassment.Jason has recently be names a Rising...

My firm is focused on helping clients with financial difficulties. My area of expertise is consumer and small business bankruptcy cases, including Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. My goal is to put clients back in control of their financial situation and regain their financial freedom from debt. My primary focus is always the client. I offer comprehensive advice, discreet representation, and individualized attention. I am committed to helping financially distressed individuals obtain freedom from financial oppression and a fresh start through bankruptcy relief. With my experience gained from over 17 years of specializing in bankruptcy and consumer credit issues, I help...

Melinda Ghilardi brought years of experience as a trial lawyer to her position at Munley Law. She began her career as an Assistant District Attorney in Lackawanna County. She then spent almost three decades serving as a First Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Ed has devoted his life to the law, having practiced his craft in Northeastern Pennsylvania for nearly four decades. Currently a member of Munley Law, Ed specializes on pre-litigation and workers compensation cases. Throughout his career, he has worked on a variety of personal injury cases including motor vehicle accidents, premise liability cases and product liability in addition to being experienced in Social Security disability claims, and handling wills and estates. Ed's prior experience includes serving as a law clerk for the Honorable Forrest Schaeffer of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas, participating in countless arbitration and...

Upon cofounding The Slocum Firm, Matthew placed an emphasis on seeking out cases where his defense of clients’ rights had compounding impact beyond an individual case, thereby positively affecting the lives/health of the greater community.

I was originally trained and certified as a mediator by the Cincinnati Institute of Justice in 1982, when serving as a neutral for the City of Cleveland, Ohio. In 2013, I refreshed my training with a 40-hour American Arbitration Association mediation skills training seminar. While I maintain a modest private law practice representing small businesses in NEPA, the focus of my practice is now as a neutral, facilitating the resolution of conflicts and settlement of disputes for businesses and individuals. I am equipped to facilitate the resolution of most any kind of conflict, but my three decades...

My practice is primarily focused on business litigation. I hold the AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which is their highest distinction, awarded based on the confidential opinions of judges and members of the bar regarding legal ability and ethical standards. Previously, I served as a Hearing Committee Member for the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. I am also an Associate Member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and a Member of the American Bar Association (ABA). Additionally, I am part of the Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) and the Lackawanna County Bar Association (LBA). Throughout my career, my...

Bernard Walter has been licensed to practice law since 1978 — over 40 years! He's an estate planning and estate administration attorney and a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum for attorneys who have won jury verdicts of more than $1 million. He's listed in Martindale-Hubbell's Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers AV with the highest possible peer review rating in legal ability and ethical standards.

The Pennsylvania Bar Foundation awarded attorney Walter its Pro Bono Publico Certificate of Achievement. He founded and is the co-chairman of the Elder Law Committee of the Luzerne County Bar Association. He also founded the...

J. Zac Christman is a bankruptcy attorney in Stroudsburg , Pennsylvania, admitted to practice law generally in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Specifically, Zac is admitted to practice before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, to name a few. Zac graduated from Dartmouth College in 1993, then Cornell Law School in 1997, after which, he returned to open a solo practice in the Stroudsburg area, focusing on bankruptcy, landlord/tenant law,...

Attorney Fitzgerald has been serving clients in the areas of Estate Planning, Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, and Elder Law since 2013. In 2016, Barbara was invited to join Cramer, Swetz & McManus & Jordan, P.C., focusing on private Estate Law, in particular Probate; Wills; Trusts and Estates; Estate Planning; Elder Law; Special Needs Law.

In addition to her training and experience in Estate Law matters, Barbara has successfully tried many cases before judges and juries. As such, she is uniquely qualified to assist her clients with any issues that may require litigation during the course of settling an estate. While no...

Sean P. McDonough is a 1983 graduate (cum laude) of the University of Scranton and a 1986 graduate of the Dickinson School of Law. Upon graduation from law school, he entered the private practice of law with the firm of Dougherty, Leventhal & Price, a regional litigation law firm. He has been a partner with the firm since 1993. Over the years, Mr. McDonough has concentrated his practice in the areas of personal injury litigation; he has also represented governmental entities and officials in federal civil rights and employment lawsuits throughout Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. Mr. McDonough has appeared in front...

John T. O'Malley graduated from the Scranton Preparatory School in 1979, from the University of South Florida in 1986 and from Widener University School of Law in 1994. Attorney O'Malley has focused on a family based practice since his admission to the Pennsylvania Courts over 20 years ago. The firm handles cases ranging from divorce and custody, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, child and spousal support, alimony and APL, guardianships, wills and trusts and miscellaneous civil litigation.

ADMISSIONS Lackawanna County Bar – December 8, 1992 Middle District – December 8, 1992 Eastern District – May, 2017 EXPERIENCE 1992 – 1996 Associate at the Law Offices of Brian J. Cali, Esquire Dunmore, PA 18512 1992 – 1996 Associated with the Law Offices of Cali, Cecchini & Riccardo 1996 – 2019 Principal in the Law Offices of Frank J. Santomauro, LLC Associated with Ruggiero and Campolieto 1996 – Present Owner/Managing Member Law Offices of Frank J. Santomauro, L.L.C. Bankruptcy Civil Litigation Criminal Defense Family Law Personal Injury Wills & Estates LEGAL EXPERIENCE & DUTIES Over 25 years of legal research, motion/petition drafting, appellate work in Pennsylvania Superior, Supreme Court and Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, includes: Brief preparation and oral argument Spousal and child support...

Since 1999 we've helped people who are having problems with debts or debt collectors. Some of our clients file bankruptcy. Others file suit against aggressive debt collectors. I am Board Certified in Consumer Bankruptcy law by the American Board of Certification.

Jason R. Ohliger represents victims of motor vehicle accidents, defective products, dog bites, and medical malpractice.

Attorney Ohliger is a graduate of the Temple University Beasley School of Law. Upon graduation, he served as a law clerk for the Honorable Joseph F. Kameen, President Judge of the Pike County Court of Common Pleas.

He is licensed (and actively practices) in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Pennsylvania and Pike County Bar Associations.

In 1997, Attorney Todd A. Johns established the Law Offices of Todd A. Johns, a personal injury law firm with offices in Wilkes Barre and Scranton, PA. Attorney Johns and his legal team are committed to helping clients obtain the most advantageous outcome possible to their case, and to ensure that their rights are protected at all times. Among the numerous cases we handle at the Law Offices of Todd A. Johns are personal injury accidents such as auto accidents, truck accidents, work injuries, defective products, slip and fall accidents, dog attacks, and wrongful death. We also handle criminal defense...

Christian W. Francis is a trial lawyer serving Northeast Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. His practice is focused on representing individuals and small businesses in civil and commercial matters.

In his civil practice, Christian concentrates on car and tractor trailer accidents; medical malpractice lawsuits; slip and fall accidents; and, product liability lawsuits. Christian also defends individuals in all types of misdemeanor and felony crimes, from drunk driving (driving under the influence/DUI) to major crimes, in both state and federal courts.  Christian has successfully handled trials and appeals to the Superior Court on behalf of his civil and criminal clients.

Christian completed his...

Martricia McLaughlin graduated magna cum laude from LaSalle University in l976 and from Rutgers School of law in December 1978. She has been active in her profession and community especially regarding non-violence, education and family safety. She has a general law practice including criminal law and family law and also practices on Family and Elder Mediation.

Philip Gelso, Esquire concentrates his practice in the area of criminal and civil litigation. He is admitted to practice before the state and federal courts in Pennsylvania as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL) where he serves as President and formerly served as President Elect, Vice President for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and formerly served as the Chairperson of the Continuing Education Committee. He also serves as a non-voting member of the...

CALL ATTORNEY MACK NOW 24/ 7 7 DAYS A WEEK. 570-287-1388 For over 34 years solid, Mark M. Mack has dedicated himself to providing legal assistance to individuals and groups facing the challenges of a criminal prosecution. With a systematic approach, Mack Law Offices combines investigation, research, and support personnel to deliver the highest quality of legal representation available to its clients. MACK LAW OFFICES is an award winning trial tested defense team that strives to provide each client with the highest caliber defense, to...

Pat completed his undergraduate studies at the Pennsylvania State University and received his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Pat has been a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania since 2015 and has worked in numerous practice areas throughout that time. His primary focus is in the practice area of personal injury law.

Our firm serves the residents of northeastern Pennsylvania and our Scranton and Wilkes-Barre based attorney’s have decades of experience in personal injury, real estate, and family law. H&M Law specialized in personal injury cases including auto accidents, slip and falls and dog bites cases. We...

Attorney Gary J. Saylor, II, is a Monroe County native and a graduate of Stroudsburg Area School District. He attended undergraduate college at Delaware Valley University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy and Environmental Science. Attorney Saylor pursued a Law Degree from Charlotte School of Law in Charlotte, North Carolina. During law school, Gary participated in the mock trial team and the Charlotte School of Law clinic, where he helped clients establish new businesses and non-profit organizations. In 2014, Gary graduated from Charlotte School of Law and successfully sat for the February 2015 Pennsylvania Bar...

Attorney Madden has experience representing individuals charged with serious criminal offenses such as attempted homicide, aggravated assault, drug delivery and possession, sex crimes and theft crimes. Additionally, she represents individuals charged with D.U.I. and traffic related offenses.

Attorney Madden primarily practices in Monroe County but also accepts cases in Northampton and Carbon County.

Attorney Madden's objective is to not only advocate for her client's rights, but to also ensure each client fully understands each step of the criminal process.

Need help? Call 570-620-0320 for a free consultation.

Attorney Shane Scanlon was admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in 2003.

Mr. Scanlon served as the Lackawanna County District Attorney from January 2016 to January of 2018 after being unanimously appointed by the Judges of the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas. Mr. Scanlon joined the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office in 2003. From 2003 to 2010 Mr. Scanlon handled the prosecution of juvenile matters, DUI offenses and high profile criminal prosecutions. In 2010 he became the Chief Prosecutor of the County’s Narcotics Unit...

Thomas P. Cummings has been a Partner with Dougherty, Leventhal & Price, LLP since 1996 has been with the firm since 1991. He focuses his practice on workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability cases. Tom works primarily from DLP’s Moosic, Pa. office and is a certified member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives. He has held various Board positions with the Lackawanna County Bar Association (Board Member, Young Lawyers\’ Division, 1991-1993 Secretary, Young Lawyers\’ Division, 1994-1995; Vice-President, Young Lawyers\’ Division, 1995-1996; President Young Lawyers\’ Division, 1997; Member of Executive Board, 1994-1998; Bar Association Finance Committee, 1996 Civil Rules Committee,...

I am the elected President of the Lackawanna County Bar Association in Northeast Pennsylvania for 2018. I have 30 years experience in the areas of Personal Injury and Estates. I represent persons injured at work or injured in vehicle and slip and fall accidents. My staff and I pride ourselves in putting in place investigative resources at the very beginning of a case so that witness statements and evidence are preserved for trial and settlement discussions with insurance companies. We assemble photographic and video presentations to enhance the value of the cases we take. We also carefully select...