DeForest Koscelnik & Berardinelli

Managing Partner: Walter DeForest
Number of partners: 4
Number of lawyers: 7
Languages:English

Firm Overview:
For over 27 years, DeForest Koscelnik Yokitis & Berardinelli has built a nationwide practice in federal and state courts and before administrative tribunals.

Main Areas of Practice:

Commercial Litigation: 

3 partners, 7 fee earners, based in Pittsburgh and New York

Firm has litigated matters in more than 20 states, ten federal courts of appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Examples include:
■ Succeeded in having previously entered $2 million default judgment against client stricken; subsequently filed motions to dismiss resulted in plaintiff voluntarily dismissing claim against firm’s client
■ Successful defense of lawsuit involving local sports stadium saved millions in taxpayer funds
■ Successfully tried breach of contract and fraud in shareholder rights case
■ Achieved dismissal of claims involving malicious prosecution, computer fraud, and conspiracy in federal court
■ Achieved dismissal of breach of contract, unjust enrichment and fraudulent representation claims in federal court
■ Obtained substantial relief for director in derivative suit

Key Clients: Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, PNC Bank, NA, Carnegie Mellon University

Contact: Walter DeForest
Tel: 412 227 3101
Email: [email protected]

White Collar Criminal Defense: 

2 partners, 5 fee earners, based in Pittsburgh and New York

Headed by former federal prosecutor from the Southern District of New York.

■ Successfully defended executive in a federal export fraud investigation; no criminal charges were brought against firm’s client
■ Achieved dismissal of charges against client charged with a money-laundering conspiracy in federal court
■ Successfully negotiated a Rule 11(c)(1)(C) plea resulting in a sentence of 54 months for client originally facing a Sentencing Guidelines range of between 135-168 months in a federal health care fraud prosecution
■ Achieved declination of prosecution for client in an environmental crimes investigation when we took over the representation only after the prosecutor had informed the client that he would be criminally charged
■ Successfully defended a member of the clergy in case involving false accusations of abuse
■ Successfully guided client through grand jury investigation into COVID-19 related deaths at health care facility

Contact: David Berardinelli
Tel: 412 227 3135
Email: [email protected]  

Technology Law: 

2 partners, 3 fee earners, based in Pittsburgh

■ Comprehensive experience in technology matters, including E-Commerce, Internet Law, Technology Transfer and commercialization programs, policies and agreements, Licensing and Outsourcing transactions, Dispute Resolution and International Collaborations

Key Clients: Baptist Health South Florida, Inc.

Contact: Walter DeForest
Tel: 412 227 3101
Email: [email protected]

Products Liability and Toxic Torts: 

3 partners, 9 fee earners, based in Pittsburgh and New York

Successfully litigated products liability cases across the country. Examples include:
■ Obtained summary judgment for clients on claims by an upstream component manufacturer in a major aviation products liability case.
■ Successfully achieved dismissal of lawsuit against client for landfill clean-up costs.
■ Successfully achieved summary judgment for clients in numerous asbestos defense matters.

Key Clients: Teledyne Technologies Incorporated

Contact: Marie DeForest Garcia
Tel: 412 227 3126
Email: [email protected]

Mediation Services: 

1 partner, based in Pittsburgh

The firm’s most experienced litigator, who has actively practiced law for over 50 years, serves as a Mediator.

■ Clients describe the firm’s mediator as cost-effective, practical, and responsive

Contact: Walter DeForest
Tel: 412 227 3101
Email: [email protected]

Employment Law: 

4 partners, 9 fee earners, based in Pittsburgh and New York

National labor and employment law practice is headed by partners who are consistently recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for their employment related work. Examples include:
■ Achieved summary judgment in favor of client in Title VII federal court case.
■ Achieved jury verdict in favor of client in state court case involving claims for sales commissions brought by former salesman employee.
■ Successful assertion of executive bonus claims in arbitration.

Key Clients: Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, Sinclair Broadcasting, Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation d/b/a Wabtec Corporation, PNC Bank, NA, St. Barnabas Health System

Contact: Marie DeForest Garcia
Tel: 412 227 3126
Email: [email protected]

Health Law: 

2 partners, 4 fee earners, based in Pittsburgh and Florida

Extensive knowledge of the legal and regulatory landscape and industry forces affecting the health care industry both nationally and internationally, including health care fraud and abuse, tax exemption, medical malpractice, research compliance, medical technology, innovation and commercialization, operations policies, procedures, and contracts, business transactions, governance, and litigation.
Key Client: UPMC, Baptist Health South Florida, Inc., St. Barnabas Health System

Contact: Walter DeForest
Tel: 412 227 3101
Email: [email protected]

Local Counsel Services: 

3 partners, 7 fee earners, based in Pittsburgh

National and international law firms that do not have Pittsburgh offices depend on the firm’s experience in the Pennsylvania state and federal courts, as well as its broad knowledge in commercial litigation and other matters to serve as their local counsel.

Contact: David Berardinelli
Tel: 412 227 3135
Email: [email protected]