Education

• University of Pittsburgh, B.A. 1996
• Duquesne University School of Law, J.D., 2001

Experience

• Obtained a jury verdict and defeated all counterclaims in a federal trademark and breach of contract claim. (POM of Pa., LLC v. Pennsylvania Skill Games, LLC; USDC Western District of Pa., 2:18-cv-722).
• Obtaining a favorable award before the AAA establishing a disputed construction schedule that triggers liquidated damages in favor of our client.
• Successfully trying to verdict before the AAA a commercial pipeline construction case and obtaining multi-million-dollar verdict including attorney fees following a five-day trial
• Obtaining a favorable settlement in a multi-million-dollar UCC and contract claim in federal court involving an international produce company
• Obtaining a consent judgment to rescind a commercial general liability insurance policy involving a large homebuilder
• Representing a large industrial contracting company in a $30 million power plant dispute in federal court that settled on the eve of a trial scheduled for six weeks
• Representing a major manufacturing company in federal court injunction proceedings to enforce an employment agreement and prevent theft of trade secrets, which resulted in a favorable permanent injunction and forensic removal of proprietary information
• Representing, on several occasions, a leading technology company in federal court to enforce trademark rights
• Obtaining favorable verdict in federal court on behalf of a large energy company in a securities fraud case following a three-day trial
• Trying to verdict a multi-million-dollar construction case before the AAA involving a mixed use development/golf course community
• Negotiating full releases on behalf of a university/owner in a complex mechanic's lien dispute among contractors
• Successfully trying to verdict an orphans' court matter involving a dispute over estate proceeds
• Trying dozens of commercial arbitration cases to verdict in Pennsylvania state court
• Successfully defending a high-level sales person and energy company employer in a federal court injunction case, which resulted in settlement and dismissal
• Obtaining an injunction in favor of a regional energy company in an ownership dispute in state court
• Obtaining an injunction in favor of technology company against former employees in trade secret injunction case
• Obtaining several favorable jury and non-jury verdicts in Pennsylvania state court related to commercial contracts
• Former General Counsel of The Rhodes Group
• Marine Corps Veteran and former Drill Instructor
• Former writer and editor for the Associated Press
• Adjunct Professor at Duquesne University School of Law Trial Advocacy Department

Distinctions

• AV® Preeminent™ Peer-Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
• Named to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers® list
• Nominated by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America in the area of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction
• Duquesne University School of Law Adjunct Award, Fall Semester 2017
• JD Supra Readers' Choice Top Author, Construction Law, 2023

Admissions

• Pennsylvania State Bar
• United States District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of Pennsylvania
• United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

Memberships

• Council Member, Allegheny County Bar Association, Civil Litigation Section
• Past Chair, Allegheny County Bar Association Construction Section
• American Bar Association
• American Bar Association Construction Forum
• Allegheny County Bar Association, Local Rules Committee

Publications & Presentations

• Objections: When to Use Them for the Best Results 2021, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2021
• "Barrick v. Holy Spirit — Changes to Pennsylvania’s Rules on Expert Discovery," Lawyer’s Journal
• "Understanding Voir Dire and Jury Selection," National Business Institute, May 2016
• "Advanced Trial Tactics," National Business Institute, March 2015
• "The Future of Presenting Electronic Discovery At Trial," Construction Super Conference, 2013
• Keynote Speaker — 2012 Marine Corps Ball, 2012
• "Legal Research Tips and Strategies," National Business Institute, 2010
• "Electronic Discovery — Proving Your Case at Trial," National Business Institute, 2009
• "E-Discovery — Understanding the Rule Changes," National Business Institute, 2008
• "E-Discovery," National Business Institute, 2007
• "Understanding Pennsylvania’s Mechanics Lien Law," Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2007
• "Negotiating Software Licenses — the Licensee’s Perspective," Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2001

Community Involvement

• Board Member and Secretary, Sewickley Public Library
• East Coast Drill Instructors Association
• Rotary International Member
• Former Vice Chair, Dress For Success Pittsburgh