Elk County Lawyers

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.

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...

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...

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...

For 25 years, Mark has been serving the cause of justice in Clarion County. From his earliest days in the Public Defender’s office, to five terms as Clarion County’s elected District Attorney, Mark’s temperament and judgement have been tested and refined.

Mark has earned his reputation as a tough litigator. Your case will be handled with your best interests constantly in mind. Whether that means negotiating an appropriate settlement or, when justice requires, to try the case before a jury, Mark has the expertise to ensure that you receive the best possible result.

• Tried 119 jury trials in Clarion...

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...

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...

C.J. Zwick is a founding partner of Zwick Law. He is an independent thinker with a passion for helping his clients resolve their legal needs. C.J. maintains a healthy respect for intellectual thoroughness even if it challenges the status quo. C.J. decided to become an attorney to help and serve clients in Western Pennsylvania with their legal needs. While C.J. always knew that he would return to his hometown of DuBois, Pennsylvania to practice law, he first gained valuable experience at a prestigious Harrisburg-based law firm. While in Harrisburg, C.J. helped many Fortune 500 companies with their legal...

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.

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...

Matt Zwick is a founding partner of Zwick Law. After gaining valuable experience at a prestigious law firm in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Matt was very eager to bring his legal skills and client-centered approach back to his hometown. While working in Pittsburgh, Matt fought for businesses, municipalities, and individuals, alike, in state and federal courts, throughout Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Matt is passionate about helping others and he is dedicated to solving his clients' legal problems, big or small, through innovative and mindful legal practices. Matt grew up in Sykesville, Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of the DuBois Area...

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

Bryan W. Shook is the principal the internationally recognized trial litigation firm of Shook Legal, Ltd. Although Bryan Shook's office is headquartered in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania area he has an office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and his practice regularly takes him across the country with clients continents away. During his career, Mr. Shook has not only become a powerful advocate for his clients but also one of the principal collector, antique, and automotive attorneys in the world. For nearly a decade, Bryan Shook worked to carve out and create the market that is Vintage Car Law®. It is through...

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...

Frank Botta understands the unique issues faced by companies in the transportation industry and has decades of experience counseling local, regional, national and international clients in logistics, supply chain and transportation operations. He served as the President of The Transportation Lawyers Association (2017 – 2018), an independent, international bar association whose members assist providers and/or commercial users of logistics and transportation services, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Transportation Lawyers’ Association.

In addition to his transportation practice, Frank has extensive experience in advising and assisting clients with labor and employment matters including employment discrimination, sexual harassment,...

We have handled hundreds of criminal and civil litigation matters throughout southwestern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia.

Daniel P. Lynch, Founder and Managing Partner of The Lynch Law Group, has been a practicing attorney for more than 26 years. His areas of strength and experience include commercial litigation; securities litigation; employment law counseling and litigation; business succession planning; mergers and acquisitions and general corporate transactions.

Dan is a success-driven leader with superior organization and communication skills. He has practical business experience, a solid work ethic and brings an entrepreneurial approach to his practice of law.

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...

Corey Sacca has been helping clients since 2009. He has experience in bankruptcy, tax, family and civil legal matters. He has assisted clients in Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 bankruptcies and has been named a Super Lawyers: Rising Star in 2012 through 2019. Corey understands that your legal issues cause stress; especially when dealing with issues involving your children, family, debt or taxes. He works hard to resolve your legal matters as quickly and as cost- effectively as possible. Corey graduated from Latrobe High School. After high school, he...

Trent is a lawyer in Pittsburgh focusing on Personal Injury and Oil and Gas Law. Trent is known for being a versatile lawyer that goes to bat for his clients. His experience includes: whistleblower cases, class actions, labor & employment suits, estate litigation, and complex business disputes. Trent has extensive experience with personal injury cases, including numerous death lawsuits, brain injuries, death cases, burns, and industrial accidents. Trent has recovered tens of millions of dollars for his clients, with notable results including Washington v. EDMC ($95.5 Million whistleblower suit) and McLaughlin v. Phelan Hallinan & Schmieg...

My name is Samir Sarna, and I am a Partner at Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC. I moved to Pittsburgh in 2007 to attend the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. While in Pittsburgh, I met my wife, fell in love with the city, and decided to settle down here and dedicate my legal career to defending the rights of those accused of committing crimes.

After graduating law school, I clerked at the Office of the Public Defender for Allegheny County and later became an Associate Counsel at the Allegheny County Office of Conflict Counsel. Serving at...

Attorney Eric J. Purchase represents individuals and families suffering from injury or the death of a loved one. He was born and raised in Erie County, Pennsylvania. He is a 1988 graduate of Gannon University. In 1991, he received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh, graduating with honors. While at the University of Pittsburgh, Mr. Purchase served as editor of the University of Pittsburgh Law Review. In recognition of his class standing upon graduation, Mr. Purchase was inducted into the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Order of the Coif.

Before opening his Pennsylvania personal injury practice, Mr. Purchase was...

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,...

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...

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...

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.

Kimberly A. Oakes is a partner in the law firm of MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP, where she is the head of the firm’s Family Law Practice Group.

Ms. Oakes focuses her practice primarily in the area of family law. She has experience in handling divorces, adoption, alimony and spousal support, child support, child custody and visitation, domestic violence, paternity, prenuptial agreements and postnuptial agreements.

As a litigator, Ms. Oakes also has experience in Insurance Defense and Workers Compensation matters.

Vincent Colianni is a graduate of Santa Clara University’s School of Law, and he began his legal career as a federal judicial law clerk for the Hon. Robert P. Aguilar of the Northern District of California. After his clerkship, Vince worked as a commercial litigator for Bingham McCutchen in San Francisco and Cooley LLP in Palo Alto, California. Vince’s practice focuses on representing individuals in personal injury, products liability, employment, and civil rights matters. He has tried over 20 cases to verdict in federal and state courts. Vince is a member of the American Bar Association and the Allegheny County Bar Association....

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.

I live in Pittsburgh, PA. I am married with two children. I graduated from Syracuse Law School in 1992. I opened my own practice in August, 2001. I sue abusive debt collectors.

I am the principal of Michael J. Betts LLC and have over thirty-eight years of experience handling a broad range of civil litigation matters, with an emphasis on commercial litigation and business disputes, securities litigation, FINRA arbitrations and other investment-related claims, trade secret and restrictive covenant litigation and professional negligence claims.

I also serve as an alternative dispute resolution neutral and have been selected by litigants to serve as mediator in numerous cases. I am certified as a mediator by the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. I also am on the national arbitrator rosters...

Born and raised in the Pittsburgh area, Mark has practiced law in Pittsburgh as counsel to businesses of all sizes for over 30 years. He represents business clients in transactions because the work focuses on the achievement of a future event—and all parties to the transaction work towards a common goal. His practice is fast-paced and provides him with experience in a number of industries.

Mark provides general corporate legal services primarily to owner-managed businesses, including family-owned businesses. His practice includes securities law, acquisitions, various forms of debt and equity financing, including investment crowdfunding and private placements; real estate transactions, including...

Attorney Martinucci's practice is concentrated on providing public and private sector employers with legal advice and representation in various employment and civil rights matters in both union and non-union settings. He represents clients before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the Erie County Human Relations Commission against allegations of employment-related discrimination and harassment, and he has had favorable results. Attorney Martinucci has also successfully litigated wrongful discharge and employment discrimination cases before various state and federal courts in western Pennsylvania and conducts collective bargaining negotiations for public and private sector clients. His clients include private...