Pennsylvania Lawyers

Joseph Alexander Paletta was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area. After graduating cum laude from Washington & Lee University in Virginia in 1982, he returned to Pittsburgh, achieving his Juris Doctor from Duquesne University Law School in 1985. His father, Leonard J. Paletta, was a highly respected trial lawyer in Pittsburgh in the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, and was the inspiration for Joseph becoming a lawyer. In fact, a Paletta has maintained a law office in the Frick Building, the heart of the Pittsburgh legal community, for almost 50 years.

Attorney Paletta has been engaged in the...

FEATURED TWICE ON “SUPER LAWYERS” COVER - HONORED AMONG WORLD’S “INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE” - DESCRIBED AS "FIERCE" One of only two lawyers in the U.S. to be selected by an international non-profit organization featuring “Inspirational People” around the world (including Nobel prize winners, business leaders), NiaLena is the only criminal defense lawyer ever featured on the Super Lawyers cover in Philadelphia Magazine and also in the Super Lawyers 20th Anniversary Edition Cover and in the Cover Story entitled “The Essence Of Being A Good Lawyer” and was also featured by Super Lawyers in an article entitled "Fierce". She is also honored repeatedly...

Karen Ulmer is the founder of Karen Ann Ulmer P.C., a law firm handling family law, estates and probate,. Ms. Ulmer is a family law attorney, author, and speaker who handles complex custody litigation including relocation cases, custody with a narcissist, grandparent visitation and custody and stepparent custody. In addition, she represents high net worth divorce matters involving businesses, investments, commercial real estate, pensions, military cases, and other litigated divorce issues. In addition to her trial experience, Ms. Ulmer has significant training in mediation and has settled many cases out of court and served...

Attorney Gabriel Levin is known as a tenacious fighter who protects his client's interests as though they were his own; he has tried hundreds of cases and handled all types of personal injury matters and prides himself on helping victims. Every case is meticulously prepared for trial. Trying cases to juries is what Mr. Levin enjoys the most. Clients know that Gabriel Levin is a very responsive attorney, keeps client fully informed, and always gets back to them in a timely manner. Mr. Levin has continuously been named as a Super Lawyer and was also named to the...

The area of my chosen practices that I am truly the most passionate about is assisting the elderly. I have helped many clients who are facing the most financially difficult times of their lives to have certainty as they enter their golden years. I am up to speed in the latest techniques and in fact have had other lawyers refer their cases to me.

Lauren Wimmer is a top rated Philadelphia criminal defense attorney. Founder of Wimmer Criminal Defense, PC, she defends clients in federal and state courts for charges such as aggravated assault, homicide, robbery, Driving Under the Influence (DUI/DWI), drug crimes and weapons offenses. Ms. Wimmer is on the SuperLawyers Rising Star list, which recognizes the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state 40 years old or younger. She is a member of the Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, a Lawyers of Distinction Member, America's Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys, National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40,...

Philadelphia injury lawyer helping people hurt in car accidents, slip and fall accidents, work place accidents, bus accidents, truck accidents, uber and lyft accidents, and medical malpractice claims. Graduate of Temple University Beasley School of Law. and undergraduate bachelors degree in Finance and Real Estate from Temple University Fox School of Business.

With my background in accounting as well as law, I can share my unique background and experience when working with individuals, families and small and mid-size businesses in the areas of estate planning, taxation, corporations and business planning, business acquisitions and sales, succession planning, business exit strategies and real estate.

Kathryn L. Sullivan never backs down, even with the most difficult of cases. President Theodore Roosevelt’s famous quote — Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far — resonates with her in practice. She works as hard as possible to resolve her client’s cases efficiently and cost-effectively, bringing a willingness to work with the other party’s attorney amicably and collaboratively. However, if litigation is unavoidable, Kathryn loves nothing more than to be in the courtroom. She works relentlessly and without intimidation to protect her client’s best interests. Always the first attorney to arrive at the courthouse, Kathryn...

Wendy J. Ashby, Esquire prides herself on the responsiveness she provides to each and every client. Her philosophy of service is to pursue the most efficient resolution of each matter. Ms. Ashby is recognized for the creativity she brings to her legal strategies and negotiations. She is also revered for the aggressiveness in which she will fight for her clients' entitlements. Ms. Ashby has devotedly pursued the practice of law in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey since 1992 in the areas of Wills/Estates, Elder Law, Mediation, Family Law and Adoptions. Ms. Ashby is the owner of the...

Divorce and other family law problems do not need to devastate you financially or ruin your relationship with your children. Call my office toll-free at 1-844-VARI-LAW (1-844-827-4529) or our main office in Pittsburgh at 412-281-9906 to learn how we can help you resolve your family law or divorce issues.

I represent clients before the Immigration Court (EOIR), USCIS, and other sub-agencies of the Department of Homeland Security such as Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs & Border Protection (CBP). I am licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I have 15 years of experience within the immigration law field in matters such as, but not limited to: family-based permanent residency, employment-based permanent residency (PERM, I-140, EB1), deportation defense (cancellation of removal, asylum, adjustment of status, litigation), VAWA, nonimmigrant work visas (H-1B), naturalization, U visas, P visas and other speciality nonimmigrant visas. Feel free to call...

Dawn Padanyi is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and Syracuse University College of Law where she was the Co-Director of the Grant Opportunity Program and a member of the Community Development Law Clinic While at Syracuse, Ms. Padanyi was chosen to receive two grants to perform legal work at the local and state level. Ms. Padanyi is a Pennsylvania and Massachusetts licensed attorney. She is a member of the Bucks County Bar Association as well as the Pennsylvania Bar Association. She is also proud to be selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Bucks...

I am passionate about family law issues and write about them routinely for The Legal Intelligencer’s online family law column. If you need help with adoption, custody, divorce, name change, protection from abuse or support issues in either Philadelphia or surrounding Pennsylvania counties – or Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties in New Jersey – I’m here for you, either as an advocate or mediation coach. I co-chair the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Equitable Distribution Committee, and have been named as a Super Lawyer in Pennsylvania and listed on the First Judicial District’s Pro Bono Roll of Honor for exemplary pro bono...

Attorney Rick is a member of the State Bar of Pennsylvania and is admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Pennsylvania. Attorney Rick has tried cases in state court, before administrative agencies, and before arbitration panels. He regularly appears before the local magisterial district courts as well as the Montgomery, Berks, and Chester County Courts of Common Pleas. Attorney Rick is also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. Chad previously volunteered for several years with the VITA organization, a pro bono program that offered free...

Rebecca Laniewski Sporar earned her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. She graduated Cum Laude from Susquehanna University with a B.A. in Political Science and Communications. Rebecca’s practice is solely dedicated to family law, including child support, spousal support, alimony, equitable distribution, child custody, protection from abuse, and pre- and post-nuptial agreements. Rebecca practices in Allegheny, Westmoreland, Washington, & Butler Counties. As a law student, Rebecca completed an externship with the Honorable Joy Flowers Conti, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. She also served as a Certified Legal Intern...

Whitney S. Graham is a partner at Graham & Mauer, P.C. She earned her J.D. from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law, where she was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society. Ms. Graham competed in Moot Court competitions in Philadelphia and Washington D.C. and was a semi-finalist in the Samuel Polsky Moot Court Competition. Ms. Graham was also a member of the Rubin Public Interest Law Honor Society for her law-related volunteer activities.
Ms. Graham has focused her career on litigation since her first summer in law school when she had the privilege to work an an intern for...

Jason M. Weinstock is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Labor Studies. He received his law degree from The Dickinson School of Law in 1993. He focuses his practice in Workers’ Compensation, Union Side Labor Law, and Employee Rights. He is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America and Pennsylvania Super Lawyers for his representation of injured workers in the field of Workers’ Compensation. He was listed as a Rising Star in the Pennsylvania “Super Lawyer” Philadelphia Magazine. In 2014, he was named in Best Lawyers in America as Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimant’s...

Chari Alson Maddren has been practicing in the areas of trust and estate administration, estate planning, and elder law since 2003.
Chari received her juris doctor degree from Temple University, her masters in Public Health and a Gerentology Certificate from Boston University School of Public Health.
Chari holds the Certified Trust and Financial Advisor Designation.

Chari is a member of NAELA, the Delaware County Bar Association, the Chester County Bar Association, and the Chester County Estate Planning Council.

Philosophy
Katherine McShane believes that knowledge is power. By improving her skill set and knowledge base as an attorney, she can better serve her clients. Katherine is also a strong believer in the constitution and protecting the rights of those who stand accused from the strong arm of the government.
Personal Background
Katherine attended law school at California Western School of Law. Based on academic achievement, Katherine was invited to be a part of the CSWL law review. She served as an associate writer and associate editor for both the California Western Law Review and International Law Journal. During school, Katherine also interned...

Lori A. Frio-Walker, Esquire, devotes her practice primarily to all aspects of family and matrimonial law matters. Lori gained family law litigation experience in divorce, custody and support matters at Petrelli Law, P.C. Prior to working at Petrelli Law, P.C., Lori worked in the area of collaborative and amicable divorce. Lori received her J.D. degree from Villanova University School of Law and was the Editor-in-Chief of its Women’s Law Forum and Associate Editor of its Journal of Catholic Social Thought. Lori began her professional career as an associate attorney at a large regional firm in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....

Joseph D'Annunzio's diverse work background makes him stand out as an extraordinary Attorney. With over 44 years of legal experience, he instills the confidence needed to provide successful outcomes for each client. His career path began upon receiving his license to practice law in October of 1976. He landed his first legal occupation as an Assistant Public Defender for the Montgomery County Public Defenders Office in 1976, where he represented indigent clients charged with crimes. During his years as a Public Defender, he pursued his dreams of having his private Firm. He succeeded in opening his office in his hometown of...

A Fellow of the prestigious American College of Real Estate Lawyers and listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Mr. Schwager maintains an active general business, commercial litigation, and transactional practice with particular emphasis in the areas of real estate, property tax assessment appeals, mortgage foreclosure and creditors' rights, business formation and governance, and business litigation. Mr. Schwager served as the 126th president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and as chair of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He has been named a Super Lawyer each year since 2010, the only real estate practitioner in Northeastern Pennsylvania...

Animal welfare is my passion and my office seeks to use the justice system to create a world where animal welfare is the primary consideration in any animal case. We work on all kinds of animal related cases. If you have a problem involving (an) animal(s), call us today at 303-623-4000 in Colorado or (215) 664-8448 in Pennsylvania or New Jersey to talk to us about how we can help you.

My practice focuses on civil, criminal and family law litigation with over 20 years of tested experience throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and Maryland. I have successfully tried civil and criminal jury trials, contested family law hearings, administrative proceedings and appeals. My passion is assisting individuals and small businesses with their legal issues.

Many moons ago, I earned an Ivy League degree in philosophy from Columbia University, and then my law degree from the University of Miami. While in law school, I was involved in graduate student government and was a contributing author and editor of the University of Miami...

MATTHEW TRAPANI devotes his legal career to representing the seriously injured and their families across Pennsylvania.

Attorney Trapani handles a variety of serious personal injury cases including auto and truck accidents, premises liability, liquor liability violations, sexual abuse and wrongful death litigation. Licensed to practice in all of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, Trapani has litigated against some of the largest insurance companies in the U.S., and effectively negotiated substantial settlements for his clients. Recently, attorney Trapani was inducted into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. The forum is a group of attorneys, made up of less than 1% of all lawyers in the...

Philadelphia area personal injury trial attorney. Helping people throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey for over 35 years. Exceptional client services and outstanding results is what we do at www.kaplunmarx.com.

Matt is a Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice attorney in Pittsburgh. Matt is a founding partner of Echard Marquette. For many years he was the head of the personal injury/medical malpractice department of a large Pittsburgh Law Firm. Matt focuses on injury/medical malpractice and death cases and uses his experience and hands-on approach to help his clients get their lives back on track. He has recovered millions and millions of dollars for his clients both at trial and through negotiated settlements. When you hire Matt, he will be at your kitchen table and in your living room meeting you...

I have had an interest in helping families and individuals navigate the difficult issues of separation, divorce, support and custody since long before I began practicing family law. I have found in the more than a decade I have been practicing family law, that litigation, and the adversarial process, is not for everyone. In an effort to meet the needs of my clients, I completed a mediation training approved by the Association for Conflict Resolution, focused specifically on Family Conflict mediation. In family law mediation, instead of going to Court and relying upon the rulings...