The Most Expensive Estate Planning Mistake Isn’t Taxes. It’s Silence.

2026/03/17

For many years, estate planning conversations began with taxes. Clients wanted to understand how to reduce estate tax exposure, how much they could transfer during life, and what strategies would preserve wealth for the next generation. The focus was technical and forward looking, often centered on financial efficiency.  Those discussions still matter, but the risks facing families and business owners today look different than they did even a decade ago. Federal estate tax exemptions remain historically high, and most planning professionals understand how to implement sophisticated transfer strategies when needed. Yet despite better tools and more advanced planning opportunities than ever before, families continue to experience conflict during transitions, and closely held businesses often struggle at precisely the moment continuity matters most. In my experience, these outcomes rarely stem from flawed documents or poor tax planning. More often, they arise from something far simpler. Important decisions were never fully explained. Many clients assume their intentions will be obvious. A parent believes children will understand why assets were divided a certain way. A business owner assumes successors know the long term vision for leadership. A trustee accepts appointment without fully appreciating the practical responsibilities that will follow. When the time comes to administer an estate or transition a business, those unspoken assumptions surface. Without context, even thoughtful decisions can feel unexpected or unfair. Questions arise not because the plan was poorly designed, but because the reasoning behind it was never shared. This challenge is particularly pronounced for business owners. Founders often spend decades building successful enterprises while quietly developing succession plans in parallel. Legal agreements may clearly define ownership and control, yet employees, family members, and even key advisors may have only a partial understanding of how the transition is meant to unfold. When leadership changes occur, uncertainty can spread quickly. Employees look for direction, lenders look for stability, and family members look for reassurance that decisions were made thoughtfully. Read More

Pietragallo Adds Two New Associates to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia Offices

2026/02/02

Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP is pleased to announce the addition of two new associates to the firm’s Pittsburgh and Philadelphia Offices, Hannah M. Franke and Michael T. Sweeney. These talented attorneys bring valuable experience and insight that build upon our firm’s strengths and contribute to our continued growth. Meet the two new associates here: Hannah M. Franke has joined Pietragallo as an associate in our Employment & Labor Practice Group in the firm’s Philadelphia Office. Hannah’s practice concentrates on advising and representing employers in a broad range of labor and employment matters, including defending against employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and their state-law counterparts. She previously practiced at a regional law firm and served as an Assistant Prosecutor with the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office. She also clerked for the Honorable Faustino J. Fernandez-Vina (Ret.), Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey. She earned her J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law and her B.A., cum laude, from Rutgers University. Michael T. Sweeney has joined Pietragallo as an associate in our Commercial Litigation and Estate & Trust Litigation; Estate Planning and Administration Practice Groups in the firm’s Pittsburgh Office. Mike’s practice concentrates on commercial litigation, including business disputes, professional liability matters, and complex contractual claims. He previously practiced at a national law firm where he focused on civil litigation with an emphasis on medical malpractice defense. He earned his J.D., cum laude, from the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University and his B.A. from State University of New York (SUNY).   About Pietragallo Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP is a multi-disciplined business and commercial litigation firm headquartered in Pittsburgh with five offices throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia from which we serve our clients in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Read More

Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP Builds Premier Estate and Business Succession Group

2026/02/01

PITTSBURGH, PA, –  Responsive to what has been described as “the largest wealth transfer in human history,” Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP (Pietragallo) announces the continued expansion of its Estate and Business Succession Group, assembling one of the most experienced and capable teams in the region to advise clients on sophisticated succession planning, estate and trust administration, and complex litigation. Effective Sunday, February 1, 2026, Pietragallo expands the group with seven new lawyers through a strategic merger with Citron Alex, P.C. (Howard M. Alex, partner, Michael S. Robinson, partner, Daniel A. Seibel, partner, Kay L. Stonemetz, special counsel, and Timothy B. Thurman, partner) and the addition of Nicole Phatak, partner, and Julie Patter Rapaport, partner. The growth builds on the firm’s prior expansion following its merger with Gentile, Horoho & Avalli, P.C. in 2023, further strengthening Pietragallo’s position as a market leader in estate and business succession matters. The expanded group brings together 12 premier lawyers with experience representing individuals, families, fiduciaries, nonprofits and closely held businesses in matters involving multi-generational wealth transfer, business succession, fiduciary governance, tax and high-stakes disputes. The strategic growth reflects Pietragallo’s commitment to meeting the evolving legal needs created by the historic wealth transition now underway across the United States. “Clients today are confronting complex questions around succession, governance, and preservation of wealth,” said Managing Partner William Pietragallo, II. “We have strategically assembled a group of lawyers with the depth, judgment, and litigation strength required to guide families and business owners through these issues — whether in planning, administration, or dispute resolution.” Our Estate and Business Succession Group includes: William Pietragallo, II Charles J. Avalli, co-chair Peter St. Tienne Wolff, co-chair Howard M. Alex Michael S. Robinson Daniel A. Seibel Kay L. Stonemetz Timothy B. Thurman Nicole Phatak Julie Patter Rapaport Adam J. Garret Cameron Gallentine Together, the group offers integrated counsel across the full lifecycle of estate and business succession matters, including advanced planning strategies, administration of complex estates and trusts, representation of fiduciaries, and resolution of high stakes issues through negotiation, arbitration, and trial. Read More

Pietragallo recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms®

2025/11/06

Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP has been recognized in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms®, receiving National rankings in Tier 2 and 3, as well as Regional rankings in Tiers 1, 2, and 3. Under the Regional Tier 1 ranking, Pietragallo was recognized for 18 practice areas in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, including: Commercial Litigation (PGH & PHL) Corporate Compliance Law (PHL) Criminal Defense: White-Collar (PGH & PHL) Employment Law – Individuals (PHL) Employment Law – Management (PHL) Family Law (PGH) Health Care Law (PHL) Insurance Law (PGH) Litigation- Insurance (PGH) Litigation – Labor and Employment (PHL) Litigation – Trusts and Estates (PGH) Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs (PGH) Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants (PGH) Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (PGH) Trusts and Estates (PGH) Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers (PGH) Pietragallo received six Tier 2 and Tier 3 Regional rankings: Tier 2 Regional in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia for the  practice areas of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Construction Law, and Litigation – Real Estate. Tier 3 Regional in Pittsburgh for the practice areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Corporate Law, and Litigation – Construction. Pietragallo has been named as a Tier 2 National firm for Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Labor & Employment and a Tier 3 National firm for our work in Health Care Law. Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. Clients were asked to provide feedback on firm practice groups, addressing: expertise, responsiveness, understanding of a business and its needs, cost-effectiveness, civility, and whether they would refer another client to the firm. Lawyers also voted on expertise, responsiveness, integrity, cost-effectiveness, whether they would refer a matter to a firm, and if they consider a firm a worthy competitor. Read More

Pietragallo Expands with Four New Associates

2025/10/20

Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP is pleased to announce the addition of four new associates to the firm’s Pittsburgh Office. The group of four new associates includes: Cameron T. Gallentine joins our Estate & Trust Litigation; Estate Planning and Administration Practice Group. He previously served as a law clerk at Pietragallo, gaining experience in litigation and transactional matters focused on estate & trust litigation, and was also a law clerk with Lawyers for Nonprofits. He earned his J.D. from the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University and his B.A. from The Ohio State University. Madison G. Lawrie joins our Commercial Litigation Practice Group. She previously served as a law clerk at Pietragallo, gaining experience in commercial litigation, assisting with matters from case development through resolution and supporting clients in navigating complex business disputes. She earned her J.D. from the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University and her B.A. from PennWest Edinboro. Eleanor M. Miller joins our Family Law Practice Group. She previously served as a law clerk at Pietragallo, assisting clients in a wide range of family law matters and disputes. She was also a law clerk for Judge Ranjan of the U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania. She earned her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and her B.S. from Juniata College. Brooklyn A. Thomas joins our Product Liability Practice Group. She previously served as a law clerk at Pietragallo, gaining experience in complex product liability matters. She was also a legal extern with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General in the Conviction Integrity Unit. She earned her J.D. from the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University and her B.S. from The Pennsylvania State University.   About Pietragallo Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP is a multi-disciplined business and commercial litigation firm headquartered in Pittsburgh with five offices throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia from which we serve our clients in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Read More

Pietragallo Strengthens Leadership Team with Two New Partners

2025/10/15

Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP is pleased to announce the promotion of two lawyers to partnership: Matthew R. Barnes and Robert D. Weinberg. “We are pleased to recognize the outstanding professionalism and legal abilities of our newest partners, Matthew Barnes and Robert Weinberg. They are and will be a part of our bright future,” said William Pietragallo, Managing Partner of Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP. Both partners are members in the firm’s Pittsburgh office. Matthew R. Barnes focuses his practice on Commercial Litigation, with deep expertise in Class Actions. He has tried multiple cases to verdict as lead trial counsel and has obtained notable dismissals of his clients from state and federal court cases.  He became the first attorney to successfully argue in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania that online-only businesses cannot be sued for website accessibility under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) in federal courts located within the Third Circuit. Robert D. Weinberg focuses his practice on Family Law and Estate & Trust Litigation; Estate Planning and Administration. He has worked on complex cases, including multi-day hearings and trials dealing with the valuation of businesses, complicated asset distribution, tax matters, and protracted discovery disputes. A devoted advocate for children, Mr. Weinberg regularly handles custody matters both within and outside Pennsylvania, always centering the best interests of minors. He describes his approach as “aggressively reasonable”—favoring resolutions that balance pragmatism with principled advocacy, while retaining the willingness to litigate when necessary.   About Pietragallo Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP is a multi-disciplined business and litigation law firm headquartered in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia with five offices throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia from which we are able to serve our clients in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Read More

23 Pietragallo Lawyers Named in 2026 The Best Lawyers In America and Ones to Watch

2025/08/21

Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP is pleased to announce that 23 lawyers have been named as 2026 The Best Lawyers in America® and Ones to Watch. In addition, partner Douglas Rosenblum has been named “Lawyer of the Year” for his work in Criminal Defense: White-Collar in Philadelphia. Best Lawyers recognition is determined entirely through peer review, aiming to reflect the consensus of leading attorneys on the professional excellence of their colleagues within the same region and practice area. The following is a full list of our 2026 honorees: Gaetan Alfano Bet-the-Company Litigation Commercial Litigation Employment Law – Individuals Employment Law – Management Litigation – Labor and Employment Charles J. Avalli Family Law Litigation – Trusts and Estates Trusts and Estates Joseph J. Bosick Commercial Litigation Construction Law Litigation – Construction Pamela Coyle Brecht Health Care Law Qui Tam Law Kerri Lee Cappella Family Law Scott A. Coffina Criminal Defense: White-Collar Mark Gordon Insurance Law Litigation – Insurance Transportation Law Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers Kenneth J. Horoho, Jr. Family Law Latia R. J. Hubbard Railroad Law James F. Marrion Product Liability Litigation – Defendants Michael Morse Criminal Defense: White-Collar Richard J. Parks Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/ Insolvency and Reorganization Law Corporate Law Litigation – Real Estate William Pietragallo II Bet-the-Company Litigation Commercial Litigation Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants Francis E. Pipak, Jr. Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers Marc S. Raspanti Corporate Compliance Law Criminal Defense: White-Collar Health Care Law Qui Tam Law Douglas K. Rosenblum Corporate Compliance Law Criminal Defense: White-Collar – Lawyer of the Year Clem C. Trischler Commercial Litigation Product Liability Litigation – Defendants Robert D. Weinberg Family Law Peter St. Tienne Wolff Commercial Litigation Litigation- Trusts and Estates Mass Tort Litigation/ Class Actions – Plaintiffs Trusts and Estates The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch®: Matthew Barnes Commercial Litigation Quintin DiLucente Commercial Litigation Ashley Kenny Criminal Defense: White-Collar About Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP is a multi-disciplined business and commercial litigation firm headquartered in Pittsburgh with five offices throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia from which we serve our clients in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Read More

20 Pietragallo Lawyers Named in 2025 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

2025/05/22

Pietragallo is pleased to announce that 20 lawyers have been named to the 2025 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list. Super Lawyers is a service of Thomson Reuters legal division which compiles a list of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas. Each year, Super Lawyers select attorneys based on peer nominations and evaluations combined with their own independent research. Selections are made on an annual, state by state basis to develop an extensive list of remarkable attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and individuals seeking legal assistance. Only five percent of lawyers are selected to Super Lawyers and two and a half percent to Rising Stars. The following were recognized in the 2025 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list: Gaetan J. Alfano (Top 100 in Philadelphia) Charles Avalli Joseph J. Bosick Kerri Lee Cappella (Top 50 Women in Pennsylvania, Top 50 in Pittsburgh) Mark Gordon Brennan Hart Kenneth J. Horoho, Jr. Christopher A. Iacono Michael A. Morse William Pietragallo, II Francis E. Pipak, Jr. Marc S. Raspanti (Top 100 in Philadelphia) Douglas K. Rosenblum Clem C. Trischler Robert D. Weinberg The following were recognized in the 2025 Pennsylvania Rising Stars list: Anthony Sarafino “Fino” Caliguire Alyssa Dedola Quintin DiLucente Ashley Kenny Peter St. Tienne Wolff To read more, click here.   About Pietragallo Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP is a multi-disciplined business and commercial litigation firm headquartered in Pittsburgh with five offices throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia from which we are able to serve our clients in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Read More

Pietragallo recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms®

2024/11/07

Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP has been recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms®, receiving sixteen Tier 1 Metro rankings in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. These sixteen rankings include: Commercial Litigation (PGH & PHL) Criminal Defense – White Collar (PHL) Employment Law – Individuals (PHL) Employment Law – Management (PHL) Health Care Law (PHL) Family Law (PGH) Insurance Law (PGH) Litigation – Insurance (PGH) Litigation – Labor & Employment (PGH & PHL) Litigation – Real Estate (PGH) Litigation – Trusts & Estates (PGH) Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs (PGH) Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants (PGH) Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (PGH) Trusts and Estates (PGH) Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers (PGH) In addition to the Tier 1 Metro rankings, Pietragallo also received ten Tier 2 and Tier 3 Metro rankings: Tier 2 Metro firm in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia in the respective practice areas of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Corporate Compliance Law, Construction Law, Criminal Defense: White Collar, Employment Law – Management, and Litigation – Intellectual Property. Tier 3 Metro firm in Pittsburgh in the practice areas of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Corporate Law, and Litigation – Construction. Pietragallo has also been named as a Tier 2 National firm in Commercial Litigation and Litigation – Labor & Employment and a Tier 3 National firm for our work in Health Care Law. Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. Clients were asked to provide feedback on firm practice groups, addressing: expertise, responsiveness, understanding of a business and its needs, cost-effectiveness, civility, and whether they would refer another client to the firm. Read More

Pietragallo Expands to New Jersey

2024/09/10

Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP is delighted to announce the opening of our newest office in Marlton, New Jersey. Pietragallo currently has ten attorneys barred in New Jersey to serve our clients throughout the Garden State, with additional attorneys in the process of becoming members of the State bar. Their practices cover several specialties including government enforcement and white collar litigation, qui tam and False Claims Act litigation, internal investigations, employment, health care, commercial litigation, professional liability, and Title IX and sexual misconduct. Our New Jersey office will be led by Scott A. Coffina, former Burlington County Prosecutor from 2017-2022, and former Senior Deputy Chief Counsel to Governor Chris Christie. Scott is the co-chair of our Government Enforcement, Compliance, & White Collar Litigation practice group. Scott also has served as an Assistant United States Attorney in Philadelphia and served as Associate Counsel to the President under President George W. Bush. “We are very excited to expand into New Jersey with our new Marlton office,” said Pietragallo founding partner and Chairman, William Pietragallo, II. “Our firm already serves a number of clients in New Jersey,” he added. “Although our Philadelphia office is nearby, New Jersey is a different legal market and court system, and we are confident that we and our clients will benefit from our physical presence in the Garden State.” The Marlton office is located at 50 Lake Center Drive, Suite 110, Marlton, NJ 08053.  The office’s main number is 856-817-2600. Scott can be reached at 856-817-2601 or by email at SAC@Pietragallo.com.   About Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP Pietragallo is a multi-disciplined litigation and business law firm headquartered in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with six offices throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and now New Jersey. Read More