Tim has obtained over one hundred defense verdicts as lead or sole trial counsel in courts throughout the country. He has tried cases in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, Kentucky, Texas, Indiana, Michigan, Maine, Massachusetts, California, Rhode Island, West Virginia and Wisconsin. His work in this area has included successful defense of punitive damage claims, catastrophic injury and wrongful death matters.
Misdemeanors
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Velez worked as a prosecutor at the Bronx District Attorney’s Office. There she prosecuted both misdemeanors and felonies as a member of Trial Bureau 40 and the General Crimes Bureau. She graduated from Loyola University New Orleans College, where she also worked as a student practitioner in the New Orleans District Attorney’s Office, was a member of both Moot Court and Trial Advocacy, and won the Excellence in Trial Advocacy Award.
Theresa Rabbia joined Kelley Jasons McGowan Spinelli Hanna & Reber, LLP’s Pittsburgh office in 2023 after passing the PA Bar Exam. During law school Ms. Rabbia served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Duquesne Business Law Informant as well as on the Executive Board for the Public Interest Law Association. Ms. Rabbia also worked as an intern in the Family Division and Civil Division of Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas under Judge Mary McGinley.
Joseph Vassalotti’s civil litigation practice includes defense of general liability, premises liability, product liability and toxic tort matters. Mr. Vassalotti’s practice focuses on the defense of manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in asbestos cases.
Construction Litigation
A seasoned litigator with more than two decades of trial experience, Mr. Hannan currently serves as the lead partner in the firm’s New York office and is responsible for the management of hundreds of complex civil litigation cases. His practice focuses on a wide array of areas with particular emphasis on Products Liability, Professional Liability, Catastrophic Injury, and Construction Litigation matters. Mr. Hannan has also served as National Coordinating and Trial Counsel in asbestos litigation for several major domestic and international manufacturers.
Property Damage
Our firm represents a broad range of manufacturers, designers, and distributors in product defect claims. These cases frequently involve catastrophic injuries, extensive property damage, and complex engineering questions, and our lawyers are adept at presenting these issues to a jury. We have obtained successful outcomes in cases involving cranes, electrical equipment, computer equipment, flow control equipment, automobiles, and industrial presses.
Chris Arnold joined the firm in February 2017. An experienced litigator with a proven track record of delivering proactive and practical legal representation, Mr. Arnold serves as legal counsel in the firm’s Pittsburgh and office and is responsible for handling numerous complex civil litigation cases in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Since 2001, his practice has focused on general civil litigation with an emphasis on mass tort/toxic tort products liability litigation. In addition to his primary practice area, Mr. Arnold is experienced in complex litigation involving catastrophic personal injury cases, defending class action claims and commercial litigation arising out of the mortgage and oil & gas industries.
Medical Malpractice
Thomas Hanna is a founding partner of the firm. Tom concentrates his practice on mass tort, toxic tort and product liability litigation. Mr. Hanna represents clients in significant litigation in several states. He has tried high stakes cases throughout the United States, trying cases to verdict in jurisdictions as far west as California and as far south as Texas. He has developed a reputation as a skilled trial lawyer having tried more than 100 cases to verdict involving mass/toxic torts, general liability, and medical malpractice. Mr. Hanna is also recognized as a valued litigation strategist and currently represents two Fortune 100 drug companies in major litigation in several states.
Slip and Fall Injury
Our firm has represented major retailers and restaurants in slip-and-fall injury and false arrest cases. We have handled high profile workplace violence cases, obtaining summary judgment in a case involving the shooting death of an employee by another employee. Effective defense of these cases requires aggressive use of video evidence and a thorough understanding of building standards. Our lawyers are well versed in these issues.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Schneider worked at other well-established defense firms, representing and defending insurance companies and their insureds in toxic tort, premises liability and other negligence cases. He also previously clerked at a prominent Long Island law firm, representing lenders in residential foreclosure actions.