Butler County Lawyers

Attorney Bill Copetas has been practicing law since 1993 after completing both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Pennsylvania. Over the span of his nearly 25 year career, he has chosen to focus his work in the areas of workers’ compensation, personal injury, and litigation.

After many years of representing defendants in workers’ compensation and personal injury cases, Mr. Copetas now represents plaintiffs exclusively. His prior experience on the other side of the courtroom affords him a well-rounded perspective of how these cases, and insurance companies, work. When you choose to work with Mr. Copetas, you can rest assured that he...

Vanessa’s extensive legal training began at the University of Duquesne School of Law, where she graduated cum laude with a Juris Doctor (J.D.). Vanessa’s strong academic credentials gained the attention of numerous employers eager to capitalize on her legal talents. Over the years, she has served as a Law Clerk at Steele Schneider, an Attorney Advisor for the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, an Associate Attorney for McMorrow Law, and as an Associate Attorney for May Law Group. Today, Vanessa focuses her practice exclusively on United States immigration law. She has achieved numerous successful outcomes and will fight...

Richard Ernsberger's practice focuses on litigation in state court on insurance and investment sales practice and contractual disputes. He has a broad range of experience, including drafting motions, conducting legal research and analysis, and arbitration practice. Richard is a graduate of the Ohio Northern School of Law and he earned a Bachelors of Science from the George Washington University in Economics. Richard was an intern for the Honorable Congressman William Coyne as an undergrad and was employed by the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, D.C. following graduation from George Washington. Richard attended the Ohio Northern University School of...

James Doring is an associate at Goldberg, Persky & White, P.C. Several years after receiving his bachelor’s degree in business software, Mr. Doring became interested in the legal profession and graduated summa cum laude from Duquesne University with his Juris Doctor. Jamie Doring joined Goldberg, Persky & White, P.C. in 2014 and is dedicated to helping those suffering from asbestos-related injuries and harmful chemical exposures.

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...

Danielle M. Parks is an Associate in Post & Schell's Workers' Compensation Department, defending employers, third-party administrators (TPAs), and insurers in workers' compensation claims throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Prior to joining Post & Schell, Ms. Parks was an associate with a regional firm and represented employees in labor and employment-related claims. Prior to that, she was a legal assistant and paralegal for several Pittsburgh area law firms for almost ten years.

Ms. Parks graduated from Duquesne University's School of Law in 2016. Before law school, Danielle graduated in 2007 from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown with a Bachelor’s...

Matt is a trial attorney focusing on business, construction, collections, and probate, estate and trust litigation matters. Matt routinely represents his clients in both federal and state court, along with private arbitration and mediation.

As part of his business litigation practice, Matt frequently handles breach of contract claims, tort litigation claims, non-competition/non-solicitation matters, and shareholder disputes. As part of his construction law practice, Matt frequently represents architects and engineers in design defect cases, and assists all his construction clients, including design professionals, contractors, and suppliers in filing, when applicable, mechanic’s lien claims or making claims through the CASPA and...

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...

Jessica Nelson in an associate at SWMW Law, Ms. Nelson began her journey at SWMW Law, as a paralegal. Inspired by the firm’s practice and dedication to its clients, Ms. Nelson decided to pursue her Juris Doctor at Duquesne University; taking classes at night while working full time for the firm. Jessica Nelson’s primary focus is in asbestos litigation, products liability, and premises liability.

I am an experienced family law attorney with a law practice primarily focused on divorce, child custody, child support, and pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements. After nearly thirty-five years of practice, I have the knowledge, skill, and patience it takes to assist individuals through what can be a difficult transition in their life. Most cases settle without court and my practice focuses on keeping clients out of court, if possible, by using the collaborative law process, mediation, or traditional negotiation. I have completed the basic collaborative law training and have more than 100 hours of additional collaborative law training. I also...

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...

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...

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.

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

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.

Matt Logue is the founder of Logue Law Firm LLC, with offices in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Focusing his practice on litigation, he represents clients in civil matters, including business disputes, medical malpractice, wrongful death, motor vehicle accidents and other personal injury litigation. Mr. Logue also provides criminal defense counsel to those who have been charged with felonies or misdemeanors, including driving under the influence and white collar crimes. In addition to his civil and criminal trial practice, he has represented clients in hearings before state and federal agencies, including the United States Merit Systems Protection Board, the United States...

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...

Blaire Patrick, an employment litigation attorney at KM&A in Pittsburgh, grounds her practice on her experience representing clients who need Social Security disability benefits. Her humanitarian work in Boston and Pittsburgh solidified the knowledge that the law is vital in offering relief and aid to workers in difficult circumstances. Blaire pierces to the center of every legal issue and strategizes to obtain the best possible outcome.

Real life experience of the difficulty of employment issues spurs her to champion the needs of her clients. Blaire listens to her clients. She knows that being unable to work, facing employment discrimination, or being...

Eric Davis is one of the founding members of Elliott & Davis, PC. His experience in structuring transactions, including joint ventures, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, business trusts and corporations makes him a valuable resource to businesses in need of a "strategic lawyer." Mr. Davis concentrates in providing corporate, business and tax counseling to privately-held companies, including representing clients in transactions involving equity and debt financing, formation and start-up, venture capital, sales, mergers and acquisitions, technology licensing, and information technology. He also drafts asset purchase agreements, by-laws, articles of incorporation, and operating agreemeents. In terms of contract drafting,...

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.

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...

Attorney Merwin grew up in New Bethlehem Pennsylvania. He received his high school diploma from Redbank Valley High School, his Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and his Doctorate of Juris Prudence from the Massachusetts School of Law. Attorney Merwin's areas of practice include, but are not limited to, Divorce, Bankruptcy, Estates/Probate, Criminal Defense, DUI, Family Law, Landlord/Tenant and Civil Litigation. Attorney Merwin is admitted to the bar of: Pennsylvania Massachusetts Federal District of Massachusetts Federal Western District of Pennsylvania

Arthur H. Stroyd is a founding partner at the firm Del Sole Cavanaugh Stroyd, LLC, where he and a team of lawyers offer counsel for personal injury, commercial litigation and appellate litigation matters. Mr. Stroyd has been practicing law for over four decades. In his legal career, Attorney Stroyd has assisted countless Pennsylvania residents. He has been recognized as a Martindale-Hubbell® AV Rated® lawyer for the past three decades, and selected for inclusion in the list of Super Lawyers® for the past 11 years. The Best Lawyers in America named him as Lawyer of the Year in 2014. To receive...

My practice is primarily focused on civil litigation. I joined Behrend and Ernsberger, P.C. as an associate attorney in 2011. I graduated magna cum laude from the University of South Florida in 2008 with two degrees: a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in International Relations. I also minored in Economics. While in college, one of my favorite activities was to volunteer as a tutor with the Urban Scholars Outreach Program, a program that provided free tutoring on Saturday mornings to underprivileged children of all grade levels. I also served as an intern for the Honorable Congresswoman Kathy...