Valencia Lawyers

Attorney John Stember concentrates on employment and labor matters, including sexual harassment, employee pension and health benefits and ERISA. He regularly represents executives in negotiation and enforcement of employment contracts and severance packages, and in actions involving non-competes. He also represents a number of Unions, including the Arena Football Players Union (AFLPU) and International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) at KDKA and WQED. Over the last decade, John has litigated a number of ERISA and benefit class actions against some of Americaâs largest companies that tried to eliminate or reduce retiree healthcare. These cases involved thousands of union retirees, including...

Mr. Behrend was the first lawyer to sue Domino’s Pizza, Inc. over the injuries and death caused by the delivery drivers rushing to comply with the corporate policy of the 30 minute delivery deadline. His case created a new tort in Pennsylvania which recognized the concept of a “negligent corporate policy.” This theory was then recognized in nearly every jurisdiction of the United States. As part of the nationwide Domino’s Pizza litigation, the American Trial Lawyers Association named Mr. Behrend as head of the Delivery Service Negligence Litigation Group. In that capacity, Mr.Behrend coordinated the discovery and trial efforts of...

Robert M. Silverman is highly regarded throughout the legal community and the automotive industry for his continuing efforts in helping consumers with their Lemon Law and Breach of Warranty claims. Mr. Silverman has been featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer and in other newspaper stories across New Jersey and Pennsylvania as an expert in warranty litigation. Mr. Silverman has worked hard for consumer rights, trying his cases in the Federal and State Courts in which he practices. He has also successfully briefed and argued cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Mr. Silverman earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Having more then 20 years in the legal field and specializing only in worker's compensation helps to maximize your results.

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...

Dean Phillips is an attorney that focuses his practice in corporate and business representation, real estate, and civil litigation. Dean prides himself on his responsiveness and attention to detail. Dean is a 2019 graduate of Allegheny College where he received a bachelor's degree in History, with honors. In 2022, Dean graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar later that year. Dean is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Attorney Jeffrey Weinberg is a native Pittsburgher who has successfully defended clients in front of judges and juries in multiple counties across Western Pennsylvania and in Federal Court. He attended law school at Duquesne University where upon graduation he was admitted to practice in Pennsylvania as well as all Federal Courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

He has been in practice for 37 years.

Areas of Practice
Criminal Law
Civil Ligitation
Personal Injury
Workman's Compensation
Immigration Law
Estates/Contracts Law

Bar Admissions
Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania

Education
Washington and Jefferson College
B.A. 1977?
Duquesne University School of Law, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
J.D. 1980

Professional Associations and Memberships
Allegheny County Bar Association, Member