Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP and Gentile, Horoho & Avalli, P.C. to Merge

2023/08/01

Business and Commercial Litigation Firm Adds Family Law and Estate Administration/Orphans’ Court Practice AUGUST 1, 2023 – Two established Pittsburgh law firms have agreed to merge, bringing a highly-experienced family law and estate planning, administration, and litigation practice to a nationally-recognized business and litigation firm. Effective August 1, 2023, Gentile, Horoho & Avalli, P.C (GHA) will merge with Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP (Pietragallo). All seven GHA attorneys, well-known for their experience in complex and high net-worth divorce and custody disputes as well as intricate estate/trust cases will now join Pietragallo, a multi-disciplined business and commercial litigation firm, with offices in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Sharon, PA, Steubenville, OH, Weirton, WV, and Palm Beach Gardens, FL. The merger comes on the heels of Pietragallo’s expansion into Palm Beach Gardens in 2022. Pietragallo’s clients range from Fortune 200 and large privately-held companies to municipal entities and entrepreneurial businesses in a broad diversity of industries and business sectors. Gentile, Horoho & Avalli brings to Pietragallo more than 30 years of experience in providing exceptional legal counsel in the areas of family law and estates and trusts as well as complex orphans’ court litigation. “We are excited to engage with these outstanding practitioners in a new sphere of domestic-business litigation,” said Pietragallo chairman William Pietragallo II. “Our practices share a common commitment to achieving results.” “The lawyers at Pietragallo have distinguished themselves as leaders in our profession and in the communities they serve,” said Kenneth J. Horoho, Jr. “The blending of our two firms will provide our current clients with experienced business litigation attorneys who are known for problem-solving and results.” The family law/estate litigation attorneys joining Pietragallo include: Kenneth Horoho, Jr., Partner Charles Avalli, Partner Kerri Lee Cappella, Partner Carla Schiff Donnelly, Partner Lorraine W. Mervan, Special Counsel Robert D. Weinberg, Associate Adam J. Read More

Scott Coffina receives National Building Communities of Trust Award for Outstanding Community Service and Policing

2023/07/12

Congratulations to Pietragallo partner Scott Coffina, who has received the National Building Communities of Trust Award for Outstanding Community Service and Policing from National Stop the Violence Alliance. Mr. Coffina was recognized for his work as the Burlington County Prosecutor from 2017 to 2022. During his time as County Prosecutor, Mr. Coffina worked to make the community a safer place and strengthen the relationship between community members and law enforcement. In receiving this award, Scott noted that enhancing “the critical relationship between law enforcement and the residents they serve was a top responsibility, and a joyous one.” He continues these efforts through his leadership roles in several non-profit organizations in the area. National Stop the Violence Alliance’s mission is to help heal our communities through the principles of nonviolence. They are committed to working collaboratively with the community through youth programs, collective conferences with law enforcement agencies and public officials, and educating our national and international societal stakeholders on tolerance, diversity, and outreach. Read More

Former Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina Joins Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP

2023/06/05

Scott Coffina has joined Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP as a partner in the firm’s Government Enforcement, Compliance, & White Collar Litigation, Qui Tam & False Claims Act, and Title IX Practice Groups. Mr. Coffina’s arrival in the Philadelphia Office adds further depth to the firm’s White Collar and Qui Tam & False Claims Act teams and continues Pietragallo’s strong growth in key practices across the firm. In private practice, Mr. Coffina has led and/or conducted numerous internal investigations and defended individuals, corporations and colleges and universities in a wide variety of high stakes matters. He focuses his practice on white collar criminal defense, False Claims Act matters, compliance, political-legal controversies, health care fraud, higher education, and general crisis management. Mr. Coffina most recently spent five years as Burlington County prosecutor, having previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney, senior deputy chief counsel to Governor Chris Christie, associate counsel to President George W. Bush, and staff assistant to President Ronald Reagan.   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 six offices throughout Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, and West Virginia from which we serve our clients in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Read More

Chambers USA Recognizes Pietragallo as a 2023 Leading Law Firm in Pennsylvania

2023/06/01

Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP has been recognized by Chambers and Partners USA in its 2023 guide in the area of Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations in Pennsylvania. Chambers ranks leading law firms and attorneys across the U.S. based on the opinion of their clients and peers, and by the quality of their work. After a rigorous research process, Chambers USA states that “Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti provides expertise in both government investigations and criminal defense proceedings.” Clients and peers that spoke with Chambers USA stated “The lawyers are incredibly engaged with their clients. They are responsive and proactive at every stage of the matter.” While partners William Pietragallo II, Marc Stephen Raspanti, and Kevin E. Raphael were once again recognized in the guide, partners and co-chairs of the the firm’s Government Enforcement, Compliance, & White Collar Litigation practice group, Douglas Rosenblum joined the list of firm lawyers who have been ranked by Chambers. Our partners were ranked in the following practice areas and regions: William Pietragallo— Litigation: General Commercial— Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh & Surrounds (Band 1) Marc S. Raspanti— Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations— Pennsylvania (Band 1) Kevin E. Raphael— Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations— Pennsylvania Douglas Rosenblum—Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations— Pennsylvania   About Pietragallo Pietragallo Gordon Alfano Bosick & Raspanti, LLP is a multi-disciplined business and litigation law firm headquartered in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia with six offices throughout Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, and West Virginia from which we are able to serve our clients in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Read More

Could One Plaintiff’s Phone Call Lead to ADA Litigation? The Supreme Court Will Decide

2023/05/22

Every business or nonprofit open to the public, regardless of size, must comply with Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The ADA permits a plaintiff to sue a business for failing to provide full and equal access to goods, services, and facilities. The ADA’s aim is laudable; however, plaintiff attorneys have begun exploiting its breadth. Plaintiff attorneys are bringing claims against businesses of all sizes on behalf of plaintiffs who may never actually intend to use the defendant’s goods, services, or facilities. These lawsuits may include allegations that a website is inaccessible to the visually impaired or that hotel beds are too high for the mobility impaired. A single law firm may file dozens of nearly identical cases, using the same plaintiff, against similarly situated businesses in a short period of time. This type of ADA litigation has become an epidemic in certain parts of the country, including in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Every business is threatened by it. The proliferation of these cases has raised basic but consequential questions of “standing,” the capacity of a particular party to bring suit. Courts, counsel, and businesses alike are asking – are a plaintiff’s “informational injuries” enough to expose businesses to suit under the ADA? May plaintiffs sue because they learn of a potential ADA violation – such as by visiting a website or calling a hotel’s front desk – or must they personally suffer a concrete injury arising from the noncompliance? The U.S. Supreme Court is stepping in to answer. During the 2023-2024 term, the Court will hear the case of Acheson Hotels v. Laufer. The plaintiff, Deborah Laufer, sued Acheson Hotels LLC for failing to sufficiently provide information on its website about accessible hotel rooms, despite no indication that Ms. Laufer intended to patronize the hotel. Ms. Read More

21 Pietragallo Lawyers Named in 2023 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

2023/05/19

Pietragallo is pleased to announce that 21 lawyers have been named to the 2023 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, a research team at Super Lawyers conducts a multi-phase selection process reviewing independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.  Five percent of lawyers are selected to Super Lawyers and two and a half percent to Rising Stars. The following were recognized in the 2023 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list: Gaetan J. Alfano Joseph J. Bosick Mark Gordon Brennan Hart Christopher A. Iacono Michael A. Morse Shelly R. Pagac William Pietragallo, II Francis E. Pipak, Jr. Kevin E. Raphael Marc S. Raspanti (Top 100 in Pennsylvania and Top 100 in Philadelphia) Lourdes Sánchez Ridge Douglas K. Rosenblum Eric G. Soller Clem C. Trischler Paul K. Vey The following were recognized in the 2023 Pennsylvania Rising Stars list: Jeremy E. Abay Rebecca Johnson Barksdale Ashley Kenny John Kettering Alexander M. Owens 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 six offices throughout Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, and West Virginia from which we are able to serve our clients in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.   Read More

Part One of World Online Lawyers with Excellent Practice’s Interview with Pamela Coyle Brecht Released

2023/04/21

Pietragallo partner Pamela Coyle Brecht sat down with World Online Lawyers with Excellent Practice (WOLEP) for their interview series “WOLEP Talks” which features distinguished lawyers from across the globe. Ms. Brecht’s interview has been split into two parts, with the latter half yet to be released. In part one, Ms. Brecht shares a few anecdotes from throughout her career, dives into the collaboration necessary in Qui Tam & False Claims Act Litigation, and the realities that whistleblowers face. Ms. Brecht mentions fellow Pietragallo partner and leading voice in Qui Tam & False Claims Act practice, Marc Raspanti throughout her interview. The pair are among a handful of lawyers based in the United States who are a part of WOLEP’s expanding network of international network of lawyers. To read part one of Ms. Brecht’s interview, click here. Read More

Michael Morse to speak at the 33rd Annual National Institute on Health Care Fraud

2023/05/05

Pietragallo partner Michael Morse will be speaking at the American Bar Association’s 33rd Annual National Institute on Health Care Fraud on May 3-5, 2023 in Chicago, IL. Mr. Morse will be speaking on “Enforcement and Private Equity” with fellow speakers Kirk Ogrosky, partner at Goodwin Procter, LLP and Kevin Lownds, Deputy Chief in the Office of Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, Medicaid Fraud Division. Their panel will focus on health care fraud enforcement actions against private equity organizations. This two-and-a-half-day event will offer over 13 hours of CLE credit to attendees. Further information and registration can be found here. Read More

Marc Stephen Raspanti to speak at the Federal Bar Association’s “False Claims Act Today”

2023/05/17

Pietragallo partner Marc Stephen Raspanti, seasoned litigator and founder of Pietragallo’s Qui Tam & False Claims Act practice group, will be a speaker for the Federal Bar Association’s “False Claims Act Today” discussion focusing on the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The event will be held virtually on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at noon and offers free registration. The panel will feature a Senior Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, a federal judge, and counsel who will provide both relator and defendant insights on this unique practice area. Interested? Click here for more information. Read More

Let the Record Reflect, There Are No “Usual Stipulations”

2023/02/23

By The Legal Intelligencer’s The Young Lawyer Editorial Board Let’s set the record straight. There are no “usual stipulations” that apply to depositions. Although some attorneys may share a vague understanding about the usual stipulations, the phrase has no established meaning. In fact, there is no rule, case, or statute that defines the usual stipulations. “Everyone purports to know without asking the content of the ‘usual stipulations’ until a dispute arises; the ephemeral nature of the parties’ understanding is then quite apparent.” See United States v. Liquid Sugars, 158 F.R.D. 466, 473 n.8 (E.D. Cal. 1994). Because the phrase has no accepted meaning, an attorney should respond to a proposal for the usual stipulations by asking, “What do you mean by the usual stipulations?” The question might elicit shock, anger, or some patronizing retort like, “I’m surprised you don’t know what the usual stipulations are.” You may feel tempted to agree to the usual stipulations without any clarification. This is especially true for newer lawyers, who fear that asking for an explanation will reveal their inexperience. But there is no reason to be embarrassed. In all likelihood, the attorney proposing the usual stipulations has no idea what the phrase means. Many attorneys simply mimic what they perceive to be a common practice without questioning whether the practice makes sense. These same attorneys might argue, “I’ve done hundreds of depositions, and no one has ever refused the usual stipulations.” That may be true, but a prevalent practice can still be a flawed practice. Consider these two common versions of the usual stipulations: “reserving all objections until trial or there is an attempt to use the deposition” or “reserving all objections except to the form of a question.” While neither helps the taking attorney, both give the defending attorney a strategic advantage beyond what the rules provide. Read More