The Pennsylvania Association for Justice’s (PAJ) mission is to promote a fair and effective justice system – and to support attorneys who share those goals.
Put more simply, we are trial lawyers who fight every day to level the playing field for people who are victimized by corporations and deep-pocketed special interests.
Our members do not end their service to our communities at the courthouse doors. Our members serve their communities in so many other important ways:
- Mentor youth in underserved communities
- Lead nonprofit organizations
- Provide pro bono services to vulnerable populations
- Serve charitable organizations
- Volunteer at local schools and community centers
- Serve on civic boards
- Support grassroots community initiatives
- Serve in our military and our government
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Carin A. O'Donnell Carin O'Donnell, a construction accident attorney and the incoming president of PAJ, emphasizes the importance of community service and education on workplace safety. Her commitment is evident through her volunteer work with NOVA and her efforts to engage directly with construction workers, all aimed at fostering connections and providing assistance to those in need. |
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Joyce Novotny-Prettiman Joyce Novotny-Prettiman, a personal injury attorney at Quatrini Law Group in Pittsburgh, who is dedicated to serving her community. In our latest Beyond the Courtroom feature, Joyce shares her passion for giving back. For Joyce, it's about more than just service. It's about staying connected and making a difference. |
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Patrick J. Fitzgerald Patrick Fitzgerald, Esq. of Kline & Specter, PC recognizes that sports serve as a vital platform for fostering skills such as collaboration, camaraderie, strategic thinking, commitment, and effort. His experience as a trial lawyer has equipped him to coach a group of young children, revealing numerous parallels between the realms of sports and law. Patrick's focus is on highlighting the enjoyment, process, and sportsmanship inherent in athletic activities. He aspires to instill a lifelong passion for sports in the children he coaches, encouraging them to remain active throughout their lives. |
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Ricky L. Liss, Esq. Ricky Liss of Liss & Marion, P.C. joined the Board of Children’s Scholarship Fund Philadelphia (CSFP) https://www.csfphiladelphia.org, a non-profit organization that annually provides more than 6,000 needs-based scholarships for safe, quality education for K-8th grade children. CSFP scholarships help students in under-resourced families overcome the cycle of generational poverty. CSFP students substantially outperform their public-school peers, and they build academic and social foundations for long-term success. By advocating for CSFP’s students and fundraising through Pennsylvania’s generous tax credit program for donors https://www.csfphiladelphia.org/support/tax-credits/, Ricky has raised critical funds for scholarships, eliminated educational inequities, and expanded access to quality life-changing education. Last year, Ricky raised over $1,000,000 which provided hundreds of scholarships to transform the lives of Philly kids. |
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Jamie J. Anzalone, Esq. Since 2015, Anzalone & Doyle Trial Lawyers has proudly sponsored a local high school senior football all-star game, which has successfully raised an average of $30,000 for the community each year. These funds are allocated to various organizations that apply for charitable grants, with a significant focus on those dedicated to mental health and disability support. Through their contributions from the game, they aim to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals in need within the community and beyond the courtroom. |
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Arthur L. Bugay, Esq. PAJ had the opportunity to speak with PAJ member Art Bugay, who shared his journey of transforming the profound loss of his brother to suicide into a dedicated mission beyond the courtroom. |
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Adam Wolfe, Esq. Adam Wolfe of Shollenberger Januzzi & Wolfe elaborates on the partnership his firm has cultivated with Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network. He emphasizes the significance of observing the philanthropic efforts of Trial Lawyers across the Commonwealth, highlighting the collective impact of their contributions to the community. |
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John Gismondi, Esq. John Gismondi, the founder of Gismondi & Associates, discusses the fulfillment he experiences as a philanthropist in our Beyond the Courtroom series. Together with his wife, Lisa, he established a foundation dedicated to enhancing education, healthcare, and job training initiatives in Pittsburgh. |
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Shanin Specter, Esq. Shanin Specter of Kline & Specter is dedicated to community service and volunteerism. In the context of PAJ's Beyond the Courtroom series, he discusses his role as a Big Brother in Philadelphia, emphasizing the significance of community engagement and support. |
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Sud Patel, Esq. |
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Paul Lagnese, Esq. Paul Langese and his family pay tribute to Muriel’s legacy by fulfilling her desire to assist patients and families in managing the substantial expenses related to Cystic Fibrosis care. In her cherished memory, he founded the Muriel’s Breath of Life Foundation. This organization is dedicated to ensuring that patients can access essential treatments by addressing the financial barriers they face. |
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Cathy O'Donnell, Esq. Cathy O'Donnell is motivated not by the desire for accolades, but by her passion for assisting others and her conviction that communities thrive when united. This belief inspired her journey to become a lawyer, a devoted wife, and a nurturing mother, all while relentlessly working to support those around her. She exemplifies the profound influence trial lawyers have on our lives, extending their impact far beyond the confines of the courtroom. |
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