Rixford Lawyers

Born and raised in Erie, Adam went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Clarion University, where he graduated summa cum laude. After college, he went on to earn his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the West Virginia University College of Law in Morgantown, West Virginia. While in law school, Adam was a zealous advocate in West Virginia University’s Clinical Law Program and West Virginia University’s Immigration Clinic, where he fought for immigrants’ rights. Adam has focused his practice on Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, and Social Security Disability law. Adam has earned a great deal...

Matt is a lifelong Pennsylvania resident, having lived in Bucks, Centre, and Erie counties. As an undergraduate, he attended The Pennsylvania State University’s main campus, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Afterwards, he went on to earn his Juris Doctor degree from The Pennsylvania State University, The Dickinson School of Law, where he graduated in the top third of his class. While at Penn State Law, Matt was a member of the Rural Economic Development Clinic and was recognized as a Public Interest Advocate for providing free legal assistance to small businesses in rural...

Nate is a lifelong resident of the Erie area. After graduating from Girard High School, Nate attended Cornell University where he earned his undergraduate degree in Industrial & Labor Relations. Afterward, he attended the Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. While at Penn State Law, Nate was a senior editor of the Yearbook on Arbitration and Mediation. Since joining Bernard Stuczynski Barnett & Lager, Nate has focused his practice on Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Estate Administration, and Workers’ Compensation.

James J. Stuczynski is a lifelong resident of the Erie area. After graduating from Cathedral Prep in 1971, he attended and graduated from Alliance College in 1975, summa cum laude. He furthered his education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, graduating in 1979 and returning to Erie to accept a position with Ely & Bernard. In 1985, he became a partner in Bernard & Stuczynski and has continued to practice with its successor firm, Bernard Stuczynski & Barnett. After a practice which handled a wide variety of legal claims, Attorney Stuczynski has specialized in handling insurance and...

Attorney Grant C. Travis is the founder of The Travis Law Firm. A very highly regarded personal injury and criminal defense law firm in northwestern Pennsylvania. Attorney Travis is highly respected in the motorcycle community for his work representing those injured on motorcycles. He is a tireless advocate for families who have suffered the loss of a loved due to the negligent acts of another whether in motorcycle, or car accidents, or other tragedies including medical negligence and nursing home abuse. Attorney Travis and his firm is also the go-to team for injured workers. He and...

Concerto Law and Christine Jarzab Kuntz, Esq. counsel nonprofit organizations. I provide both one-time services (such as entity formation, contract drafting and negotiation, or obtaining tax-exempt status) and long-term services, such as providing on-call legal services to your organization. A concerto is a musical term for a collaboration between a soloist (your business) and the orchestra (me, your attorney). At Concerto Law I value long-term client relationships, practical advice, and sensible, manageable solutions. Sometimes, though law may be on your side, the value of my services is in designing a solution that best protects your legal...

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.

Bankruptcy Law, Debt Counseling, Foreclosure Defense, Debt Settlement Don Hahn was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, on October 20, 1964. He graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 1987 and the Villanova Law School in 1992, and was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1992. He practices before the U.S. District Courts for the Middle and the Western Districts of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Don is board certified in consumer bankruptcy law by the American Board of Certification since 2001. He is the only lawyer who is certified by...

Michael P. Thomas is a Partner with MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP. He assists individuals, closely held companies, and larger entities on a wide variety of estate planning, estate and trust administration, wealth transfer, succession planning, tax, and business matters.

Mike routinely assists clients with the design and implementation of both basic and complex estate plans that focus on accomplishing the client's individual objectives and minimizing the related tax consequences. He works closely with individual and corporate fiduciaries throughout estate and trust administrations. Mike has experience advising clients on a wide variety of sophisticated business transactions, employee benefit plan matters,...

Tim McNair is an attorney admitted to practice in 1981. He concentrates his practice in the field of litigation, representing people who have been injured physically, as in car crashes, at work, or financially through unfair and discriminatory job termination or refusal to hire. He also closes real estate and handles estate settlements.

Attorney McNair is a member of the American Association for Justice (formerly, Association of Trial Lawyers of America), the Pennsylvania Association for Justice (formerly Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association), Pennsylvania and Erie County Bar Associations. He has served as the Chair of the PAAJ Workers Compensation Section, the Erie...

Attorney Kruszewski is a member of the firm's Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights Practice Group. His practice involves the representation of corporate debtors, secured creditors and unsecured creditor committees in business reorganization proceedings. His practice also includes commercial loan work-outs, bankruptcy-related and commercial litigation, and general collection matters. He has also been approved as a mediator for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Attorney Kruszewski has been named as a Rising Star in the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers magazine in each year of publication from 2008-2016. He is also an active member of both the Erie County Bar...

Jay Alberstadt is a senior partner with MacDonald Illig. He concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate, commercial and economic development ,and conventional and tax-exempt financing. He provides legal services to individuals, business entities, lending institutions, municipal authorities and development agencies. Mr. Alberstadt handles matters ranging from residential real estate transactions to detailed title and development issues. He also provides representation in commercial financings and tax-exempt municipal, industrial development and 501(c)(3) bond issues. He is co-chair of the Firm's real estate practice group and chair of the firm's marketing committee.

I represent individuals and families in Erie, Crawford and Warren counties in Pennsylvania. I focused on civil litigation helping victims navigate the legal process.

I have over 20 years-experience handling personal injury cases. I have personally been lead trial counsel in over 50 personal injury trials. I have been selected as a Top 10 Attorney for Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys awarded to attorneys demonstrating exceptional and outstanding client service. I have been selected by Super Lawyers on several occasions and have been rated as “excellent” by Avvo a lawyer rating service.

BOARD APPOINTMENTS
In addition,...

I represent corporate and individual clients before the trial, administrative, and appellate courts of Pennsylvania, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. I also provide general counsel services to small businesses, municipalities, sole proprietors, artists, writers and musicians. I am an active member of the Lycoming Law Association, serve as solicitor for the City of Williamsport, and as an assistant solicitor for the County of Lycoming.

For 30 years, "Jack" Mehler has helped public and private companies, banks, developers, non-profit corporations and individuals in a wide range of legal matters. Jack concentrates in the areas of general business matters, real estate, banking, and financial transactions.

Jack also represents taxpayer-clients and developers in real estate tax assessment (value) appeals, and tax exemption cases throughout western Pennsylvania on many different types of properties as diverse as marinas, waterfront shipping facilities, hospitals, shopping centers and malls, industrial plants, truck terminals and warehouses, commercial and professional office buildings, corporate headquarters, hotels, and senior living facilities.

Jack has written numerous articles and is...

Chris is a founding member of Haberl, Buell & Rice, PLLC, where he focuses on oil and gas, real estate, corporate, litigation, and estate matters. Chris represents oil and gas operators in land issues, litigation, regulatory appeals, and general commercial matters. He also regularly represents businesses and individuals in civil litigation, real estate transactions, corporate formations and counseling, and estate planning and administration. Chris has been named a Rising Star by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers® from 2012 through 2020.

Jamie R. Schumacher is an Associate in the Litigation Department at MacDonald Illig where she concentrates her practice in the areas of commercial litigation, employment litigation, insurance defense, and municipal/ordinance enforcement. She is also a member of the firm's Commercial/General Litigation Practice Group, Labor & Employment Practice Group, Government Services Practice Group, Marketing Committee, and the Recruitment Committee. Ms. Schumacher is licensed to practice in all Pennsylvania state courts, the United States District Courts for the Western and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

Ms. Schumacher is the former chair of the Young Lawyers Division...

Matthew C. Parson is a high-quality, veteran defense attorney based in Franklin, Pennsylvania. He practices criminal law, family law, contract law, and estate law. Matthew and his team can help you with divorce and custody problems, even if they are complex and emotionally charged. Our satisfaction comes from helping those in need of advocacy, information, or advice. We also serve clients in need of criminal defense, and/or probate law and estate settlement. Call us today – your first consultation is free! If you'd like more information, check out our website here! https://lawfirmfranklin.com

Attorney Jan Janin's practice involves the representation of debtors, secured creditors and unsecured creditors in bankruptcy. Particular emphasis is placed on Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 debtors. His practice also involves extensive collection work on behalf of banks and credit unions. Michael's practice involves litigation in both state and federal courts of western Pennsylvania. Specifically, he is admitted to practice before all courts under the purview of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, as well as the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the Supreme Court...

Attorney Snavely’s civil litigation practice includes the defense of healthcare providers in professional negligence and licensure actions; the representation of both defendants and plaintiffs in premises liability, auto accident, product liability, and construction actions; and the representation of plaintiffs and defendants in other civil litigation matters.

Attorney Snavely also represents and provides advice to healthcare providers on a variety of matters, including employment contracts, credentialing, peer review, end of life issues, medical records, risk management, controlled substances and nonprofit corporation law.

Attorney Snavely is admitted to all Pennsylvania courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the...

Roger H. Taft is a trial lawyer at MacDonald Illig whose primary areas of practice are employment litigation, including employment discrimination and wrongful discharge cases, and complex commercial litigation.

In his litigation practice, Mr. Taft represents clients in federal and state courts throughout Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio, as well as in federal courts throughout the United States.

Mr. Taft enjoys travel, golf, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Attorney Scipione, the founder of Nittany Group, LLC, focuses on contract law, business planning, real estate, and matters concerning oil and gas. He has been a distinguished speaker on various oil and gas panels, serves as a consultant on historical land records at Bucknell University, and has been teaching an oil & gas land title course at Penn State University since the spring of 2013. With extensive experience representing both the oil & gas industry and landowners, he has adeptly handled negotiations involving sales, purchases, leases, and pipeline right-of-way agreements. Mr. Scipione has a proven track record in successfully litigating...

John A. Lauer is a Senior Partner with the law firm of MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP, where he is Chairman of the firm's Trusts & Estates Group. He is also a member of the firm's Business and Tax Groups. John's practice consists primarily of Estate and Tax Planning, Estate and Trust Administration, Elder Law, and Business Law.

John received his Bachelor of Science in accounting from Gannon University in 1986 and his Juris Doctor from the Wake Forest University School of Law in 1996. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Prior to beginning...

Attorney Kuhn has over 40 years of experience practicing in the areas of residential, commercial and investment real estate transactions, land use matters and municipal law. Mr. Kuhn's practice also focuses on estate planning, estate and trust administration, taxation, elder care planning and business formation and post formation counseling. He is admitted to practice before all Pennsylvania Courts, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States Tax Court and the Supreme Court of the United States. Mr. Kuhn has also taught several law-related courses as an Adjunct Lecturer...

Since he started his law practice in 1997, Attorney Melaragno has worked with individuals who were injured, through no fault of their own, in car accidents, motorcycle accidents, tractor trailer accidents, slips and falls and a variety of other circumstances. Attorney Melaragno and his partners have tried or settled cases with a success rate of over 99%, recovering more than $3.2 Million for their injured clients in the last 4 years alone.


Attorney Melaragno was selected to serve on the Panel for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustees for the Western District of Pennsylvania on February 6, 2004 and from that...

Attorney Stumpf develops estate plans for her clients and competently assists in the administration of estates of all sizes. She also provides expertise in the areas of trust administration, asset protection, elder law and guardianship issues. Attorney Stumpf's business law practice includes entity formation for both for-profit and non-profit organizations, structural questions, general counsel and the development of succession plans. Additionally, she assists in the representation of several school districts, an intermediate unit and multiple private schools.

Attorney Stumpf received her undergraduate degree from Grove City College in 2003 and her Juris Doctor from the Penn State - The Dickinson School...

Bryan focuses his practice in the areas of Oil & Gas Law, Estate Planning & Administration and Real Estate Law. Bryan has 15 years experience in private practice and working as in-house counsel for oil and gas-related companies. In the last 5 years, Bryan has acquired approximately 30,000 acres of oil and gas properties, divested some 10,000 acres of oil and gas rights and placed a 100-mile potential pipeline right-of-way for divestiture. Additionally, he has completed the transfer of more than 1,000 properties and been responsible for the performance of due diligence and title analysis on more than...

Attorney Justin P. Miller’s clients benefit from his extensive experience and knowledge gained from representing hundreds of clients as a public defender and working as a judicial law clerk. He has made hundreds of court appearances, including nearly daily appearances while working in the busy Centre County Public Defender Office. He has successfully negotiated complete dismissals of serious cases and other resolutions that protect his clients’ liberty and dignity.

Russell S. Warner is the Managing Partner of the law firm of MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP in Erie, Pennsylvania. He is the founder and past Chairman of the firm's Environmental Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of business and environmental law, including matters involving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, as well as matters before the USEPA Environmental Appeals Board and the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board.

Mr. Warner's practice includes representation of businesses, financial institutions, economic development organizations and municipal entities regarding business and environmental matters, as well as acquisitions, capital...

Julian Allatt is a dedicated criminal defense attorney and partner at Rehmeyer & Allatt, a law firm in State College, PA. He is experienced in representing clients charged with minor summary offenses, DUI and minor drug possession cases, to violent felonies including armed robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, attempted murder and related offenses. Additionally, Julian has extensive experience representing clients charged with the possession and distribution of controlled substances in prosecutions commenced by county district attorney’s offices as well as the Attorney General of Pennsylvania. He is a highly experienced and respected courtroom advocate who prides himself in his ability...