Search for "Federal Public Defender Western District of Pennsylvania"

As Managing Partner at Berger and Green, Attorney Amanda J. Bonnesen is dedicated to representing individuals in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia in Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases. With extensive experience and a deep commitment to her clients, she understands the life-changing impact these benefits can have. She takes pride in guiding her clients through the disability process, ensuring they receive the support they need to move forward with their lives. Education and Early Career Graduated from The Linsly School (1999) Earned a B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina Participated in the National Student Exchange...

Attorney Helen Stolinas has been practicing in the field of criminal defense and trying cases for over 25 years. She has represented thousands of individuals in matters ranging in seriousness from summary and misdemeanor offenses, up to and including capital homicides.

Helen began her career in the Bradford County Office of the Public Defender, first as Assistant and eventually being promoted to Chief of that office. Helen became involved with the Public Defender’s Association of Pennsylvania, and served as President of that organization.

In January, 2016, Helen joined The Mazza Law Group, where she continues to practice Criminal Defense, as...

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...

As Senior Counsel at Tully Rinckey, Richard Jennings concentrates his practice in Family Matrimonial Law and Criminal, Vehicle and Traffic law. He represents clients in cases involving divorce, child support, child custody, child visitation, spousal support and paternity. Rick also represents clients facing criminal charges, from misdemeanors and felonies under New York State’s Penal Law and Vehicle and Traffic Law, as well as federal criminal charges.

Prior to joining Tully Rinckey PLLC, Rick had been a solo practioner at Jennings Law Office in Sayre, Pennsylvania since 2012. Through the ownership of his own practice, Rick became become well-versed in an array...

Michael Burns (“Mike”) started his own practice in August 2017. Following a career in information technology, he switched careers and after graduating from Brandeis School of Law in 2004, spent the next 11 years practicing insurance defense. Mike now focuses his practice representing a wide variety of personal injury victims, including wrongful death, commercial trucking collisions, slips and fall, premises liability, insurance bad faith, and motor vehicle collisions. Having defended the very same types of cases for 11 years, he has knowledge that will help him better serve his clients. Mike currently serves on the boards of...

I am an aggressive, experienced criminal defense lawyer. I handle all types of criminal cases including but not limited to: traffic tickets, assaults, domestic assaults, sexual assaults, OWI, public intoxication, drug charges, federal drug charges, federal child pornography charges, federal medicare fraud, state & federal gun charges, harassment, stalking, burglary, robbery, forgery, theft, fraud, murder etc. I also handle state and federal appeals from all types of criminal cases. My goal is to get you the best possible outcome on your case. This involves a skilled evaluation of the charges, the evidence and available strategies. I will never back...

Attorney Vilushis knows that a run-in with the law is often one of the worst days anyone could experience. That’s why he brings great understanding to his clients facing DUI or other criminal charges.

Vilushis cites his time as a law clerk with the Honorable Ernest J. DiSantis Jr. as a catalyst for his passion for law. He worked tirelessly as both an Assistant District Attorney and a First Deputy District Attorney, and is no stranger to the courtroom having personally tried over 60 jury trials.

Attorney Vilushis was honored as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers...

John Weber (Johnny) is an attorney in Gulfport, Mississippi, with a focus on federal and state criminal defense, complex litigation and appeals. Johnny represents clients in admiralty and maritime litigation, commercial and business litigation, white-collar criminal defense, and government investigations. Johnny served as senior litigator and supervising attorney in charge of the Gulfport office of the Federal Public Defender, Southern District of Mississippi where he tried over 30 felony jury trials, including a number of high-profile cases, and obtained not guilty verdicts and dismissals for many of his clients. In that capacity, Johnny has argued several cases before the Federal...

Michael Kawi is the founding attorney of Michael Kawi Law, LLC, where he dedicates his career to fighting for the rights and freedoms of individuals in both state and federal courts. With extensive jury trial experience, Michael has earned a reputation as a top-tier attorney capable of finding ways to succeed even in the most challenging cases. Before starting his own practice, Michael worked as an Assistant Federal Public Defender at The Office of the Federal Public Defender in the Northern District of Texas in Dallas, TX. In this role, he represented clients sentenced to death in federal post-conviction proceedings. Michael...

Stephen S. Stallings is an experienced trial lawyer with over two decades of public and private experience providing counsel in False Claims Act/qui tam matters, white collar defense, commercial and securities litigation, FCPA, corporate compliance and internal investigations. He frequently serves as lead trial counsel in complex federal cases.

Mr. Stallings served for over seven years as an Assistant United States Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, where he prosecuted fraud and public corruption matters through investigation, indictment, trial and appeal in the U.S. Attorney's Offices for the Southern District of Florida in Miami and the Western District of...

Cody Cofer is a master of the courtroom. His trial skills have helped thousands of clients get justice. He has been practicing criminal law for more than 16 years. Along the way, he worked as a prosecutor and a federal public defender. His defense style is characterized by imagination and ferocity. As a result of his experience and reputation, he serves as a law professor and is booked throughout Texas to speak to other criminal law attorneys. His cases have been featured on 20/20, Dateline, Snapped, and many other legal news and entertainment programs. He has obtained dismissals from prosecutors, “No...

For over 32 years, Mr. Jordan has dedicated his practice to defending individuals who have been charged with misdemeanor and felony crimes. He has represented clients charged with a felony in Cuyahoga County, Portage County, Geauga County, Lake County, Lorain County, Ashtabula County, Summit County, Erie County and other counties across the State of Ohio. Mr. Jordan also represents individuals accused of Federal Law violations such as: drug trafficking, conspiracy, tax evasion, theft, bank robbery and failure to report as a sex offender. He has practiced in the United States District Court Northern District of Ohio, United States District...

Matt Kaiser has represented hundreds of clients through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Matt has represented corporate executives and folks living on the streets. He has represented large corporations in sophisticated civil cases, and individuals in less complicated matters. He has defended people accused of almost every kind of federal crime including tax evasion, bribery, fraud, drug dealing, arson, weapons charges, and violating export controls. Matt has helped people with trials, appeals, and post conviction petitions, and he has represented people and corporations in both state and federal courts. Matt Kaiser is a magna cum laude graduate of...

As the Owner of ARK Law, PLLC, I am passionate about representing juveniles and adults charged with crimes in Washington State. Juvenile Defense is where my heart truly lies. I have a great deal of experience defending adults against Domestic Violence and DUI cases. I tell my clients' stories so that the prosecutor and Court see who they are, not just what they did.

I studied Political Science and Criminal Justice at Washington State University. I then attended Seattle University School of Law to fulfill my dreams of becoming a criminal defense attorney. During law school I interned with the Associated...

Caitlin Gillies has been with Murphy & Spagnuolo, P.C. since October 2023. Ms. Gillies has experience with a variety of legal issues, including municipal prosecution, workers’ compensation defense, and civil litigation. Ms. Gillies graduated cum laude from Olivet College before going on to graduate with her Juris Doctor from Ohio Northern University College of Law, where she served as a legal intern for the Lima Public Defender Clinic. Ms. Gillies is a member of the State Bar of Michigan, Women Lawyer’s Association, Federal Bar Association – Western District of Michigan Chapter, and the Ingham County Bar Association. Ms. Gillies worked...

Melinda Ghilardi brought years of experience as a trial lawyer to her position at Munley Law. She began her career as an Assistant District Attorney in Lackawanna County. She then spent almost three decades serving as a First Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

I am counsel at the Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, where I focus my practice in the energy, intellectual property, and complex civil litigation areas. In particular, I have represented plaintiffs and defendants in dozens of lawsuits throughout the country. I also have experience representing clients at trial, having successfully represented plaintiffs in a case with in a multi-million dollar jury verdict, and on appeal, having successfully argued before the Federal Circuit. I am licensed to practice in the states of Pennsylvania and Illinois, as well as being a registered patent attorney before the US Patent and Trademark...

Celena graduated from Case Western Reserve University School of Law with a criminal law concentration. During law school, Celena worked for the Cuyahoga County Public Defender's Office where she defended clients against a variety of charges, including numerous OWIs in the City of Cleveland. Celena also worked in the Juvenile Division and has experience with emergency custody situations and juvenile delinquency. At the Federal Public Defender's Office for the Northern District of Ohio, Celena gained additional experience with complex drug charges and crimes against children.

Celena graduated from Indianola High School and Simpson College. She majored in International Relations and Political...

"I've been fortunate to have had the opportunity to practice in areas of law that are fascinating and challenging. More than thirty-eight years of litigating cases involving technology and business innovation means that every case is different and interesting. I am continually learning about technological advancements that I might not otherwise learn about and meeting clients who are super intelligent, entrepreneurial and adventuresome." Spending his entire law career with Feldstein Grinberg Stein & McKee, Stanley Stein concentrates his practice in Business-Related and Commercial Litigation, including Trade Secret, Non-Compete, and Intellectual Property Litigation, including Patent and Trademark Litigation. In addition, he litigates...

Christian W. Francis is a trial lawyer serving Northeast Pennsylvania and the surrounding region. His practice is focused on representing individuals and small businesses in civil and commercial matters.

In his civil practice, Christian concentrates on car and tractor trailer accidents; medical malpractice lawsuits; slip and fall accidents; and, product liability lawsuits. Christian also defends individuals in all types of misdemeanor and felony crimes, from drunk driving (driving under the influence/DUI) to major crimes, in both state and federal courts.  Christian has successfully handled trials and appeals to the Superior Court on behalf of his civil and criminal clients.

Christian completed his...

Heather J. Mattes is an experienced criminal lawyer. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has lived and practiced here throughout her career. Ms. Mattes grew up in Delaware County where she attended public school and participated in the music program graduating as a national honor society member. In 2003, she was inducted into Sun Valley’s “Wall of Fame.”

Ms. Mattes attended The Pennsylvania State University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Communications Studies emphasizing ethics and philosophy. She graduated from the Villanova University School of Law and began her early practice as an Assistant Public Defender...

Mr. Rowan concentrates his practice in the areas of litigation and labor/employment law, primarily representing commercial and business clients. His litigation practice focuses the representation of business clients in both state and federal courts, including bankruptcy courts, in Maryland, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. His practice includes handling complex commercial and class action matters through all stages of litigation, including appeals. With regard to labor and employment law, Mr. Rowan focuses his practice on the representation of both public and private sector employers in union and nonunion environments. His experience includes litigation of employment discrimination actions (including Title VII and...

Joseph R. Carnicella is an associate with Picadio Sneath Miller & Norton, P.C. and focuses his practice in the areas of intellectual property and commercial litigation. Joseph also works with clients to register, monitor and defend trademarks. Joseph received his J.D. degree in 2005 from Duquesne University School of Law and his B.S. degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from The Pennsylvania State University in 2002. While in law school, Joseph served as a judicial extern for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Joseph is admitted in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the...

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

Education

1995- J.D. in Law Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico ranked 8th.
1999- LLM Master in Laws American Legal Studies, St. Mary’s University School of Law
2001- Jurisprudence Doctorate St. Mary’s University School of Law

Employment

2016- Founded Afonso Otero Attorney at Law, P.C.
2001- Founded Gonzalez & Otero, P.C.
2001- Present Attorney Consultant for the Mexican General Consulate in San Antonio, Texas
Participated as an expert in Mexican and immigration law for the Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Texas.

Memberships:

Texas Bar Association 2001 – Present

Western District of Texas

Southern District of Texas

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Admit to the practice of...

Attorney McShane is a trial attorney who specializes in using forensic science in defending citizens amongst us who have been accused of a crime by the Government. He is nationally known and well regarded for being a skilled and fierce litigator, but is also well known for his strong understanding and in-depth knowledge in all forms of forensic science. He earned the American Chemical Society-Chemistry and the Law Division (ACS-CHAL) designation as Forensic Lawyer Scientist (The first attorney in the United States to be designated as such). He has earned Board Certification both in DUI Defense Law by the National...

Attorney Dean Fankhauser was raised in Chadron, Nebraska and is the son of former business owners who still reside in Chadron today. After graduating from Chadron State College, Dean studied at The University of South Dakota School of Law and graduated in 2014 with a Juris Doctor. While in law school, Dean had many great experiences, including advancing to the Elite 8 of the Sam Masten Appellate Advocacy Competition and completing an internship at the Federal Public Defender’s office in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dean moved to the Siouxland Community after law school and shortly began working as an associate attorney....

Steven C. Townsend is a graduate of Indiana State University (B.A. Criminal Justice) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law (J.D., Civil Litigation Program). He serves as a Criminal Justice Act Panel Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania District Court and was a member of the Conflict Attorney Panel for Beaver County.He is a speaker and instructor for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s Criminal Law Update, which is held each year to inform update and inform other members of the bar of recent and important changes in criminal law and he serves on the Veteran’s Court Task Force. He...

Eugene Welch is a Partner in Tully Rinckey PLLC’s Rochester office, where his practice encompasses federal and state litigation and governmental issues. After being specially invited to do so by all of the Federal Judges in the Western District of New York, Gene is a Certified Federal Court Mediator available to mediate your litigation. Gene’s experience as a Federal Prosecutor, trial instructor for Justice Department attorneys and his experience in the New York State Attorney General’s Office give him unique qualifications to assist clients to make sure they are in compliance with both New York State and Federal laws and...

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,...

James T. Chiles has dedicated his career exclusively to criminal defense here in the Lone Star State. He has several years of experience defending felonies including murder, family violence and domestic assaults, aggravated assault with deadly weapon, sexual assaults and crimes against children, drug crimes, gun charges, and all variety of misdemeanors. Mr. Chiles has handled hundreds of cases in at least 20 counties throughout the State of Texas, primarily the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and surrounding counties. He takes particular pride in an extremely high rate of dismissals. Mr. Chiles graduated with a Juris Doctorate from Southern Methodist University (SMU) Dedman School...

Ryan Mergl is a former prosecutor and respected trial attorney. He represents clients throughout Pennsylvania and in the United States Federal Courts.

Awards & Recognition
Super Lawyers selected Mergl to their list as a Rising Star, noting his high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, he is a Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorney in Pennsylvania as named by the Association of American Trial Lawyers, and Pittsburgh Magazine named Mergl one of Western Pennsylvania’s "40 Under 40”.

Background
Mergl is admitted to practice before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the...

Laurel Marois Ackerman was born and raised in St. Pete and is happy to still call it home today! Laurel graduated from the University of Florida with her Bachelor’s degree cum laude in 2015, and from UF’s Levin College of Law with her Juris Doctor cum laude in 2018, making her a PROUD Double Gator. In law school, she clerked at the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Tampa, served as a CLI at the 8th Judicial Circuit Public Defender’s Office in Gainesville, and worked at the United States Department of Justice Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section in Washington, D.C....

Right out of law school, I knew I wanted to work in criminal defense. For two years, I served as an Assistant Public Defender in Roanoke, VA, my 1st murder case being only six months after I passed the bar. Finding a passion for criminal law, I went on to be a prosecutor in Newport News for 5 years, gaining invaluable trial experience and of the prosecutorial mindset. I recognized the importance of educating the next generation, teaching as an Adjunct Professor of Law at my alma mater, William & Mary. In 2002, I served as an Assistant Federal Public...

Russell S. Warner is the Managing Partner of the law firm of MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP in Erie, Pennsylvania. He is the founder and past Chairman of the firm's Environmental Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of business and environmental law, including matters involving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, as well as matters before the USEPA Environmental Appeals Board and the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board.

Mr. Warner's practice includes representation of businesses, financial institutions, economic development organizations and municipal entities regarding business and environmental matters, as well as acquisitions, capital...

Attorney Kruszewski is a member of the firm's Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights Practice Group. His practice involves the representation of corporate debtors, secured creditors and unsecured creditor committees in business reorganization proceedings. His practice also includes commercial loan work-outs, bankruptcy-related and commercial litigation, and general collection matters. He has also been approved as a mediator for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Attorney Kruszewski has been named as a Rising Star in the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers magazine in each year of publication from 2008-2016. He is also an active member of both the Erie County Bar...