Exhibits preeminence in the law by way of outstanding legal ability…
possesses the highest reputation for integrity and temperament…
exibits outstanding citizenship by way of community and professional contributions and
is an exceptional individual who will enhance or has enhanced the competence, dignity,
and public perception of the bench.
Judiciary Committee of the Allegheny County Bar Association, November 13, 2008
EDUCATION
1992 University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Pittsburgh, PA, J.D.
1982 Northwestern University, Medill School of Journalism, Evanston, IL, M.S. in Journalism
1978 Columbia College, New York, NY, B.A. in English
LEGAL EXPERIENCE
2007 - Present WARD McGOUGH, LLC, PITTSBURGH, PA
- Representing individuals, including public officials, and employers in civil and criminal matters,
grand jury investigations and complex civil litigation;
- Solicitors for the City of Pittsburgh Citizen Police Review Board;
- Court-Appointed Mediator, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
1998 – 2007 ASSISTANT SOLICITOR and LABOR RELATIONS MANAGER, CITY OF PITTSBURGH
- Lead attorney in employment-related cases in state and federal courts;
- Author of the non-discrimination/ anti-harassment policy for City workforce;
- City negotiator in collective bargaining with public employee unions;
- City's advocate in approximately 200 labor arbitrations; -Advisor to Pittsburgh Bureau of
Police on Consent Decree reforms and compliance.
1994 – 1998 MEYER, UNKOVIC & SCOTT, LLP, PITTSBURGH, PA
- Represented individuals, small businesses and government in employment and labor
litigation, including personnel matters, discrimination claims, and benefit disputes.
1992-1994 LAW CLERK TO THE HONORABLE GLENN E. MENCER, U. S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE
WESTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA
- Drafted legal opinions and assisted in conducting trials in federal court.
REPRESENTATIVE CASES AND CLIENTS:
Building Owners & Managers Association v. City of Pittsburgh & Service Employees International Union Local 3, 929 A.2d 267 (Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, 2007), appeal granted, 957 A.2d 228 (Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 2008) - Defending the constitutionality of ordinance protecting janitors' jobs when office buildings are sold.
City of Pittsburgh v. FOP, Fort Pitt Lodge No. 1, 938 A.2d 225 (Pa. 2007) - Upholding negotiated terms of public employee retirement benefits.
City of Pittsburgh v. Bachner, 912 A.2d 368 (Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, 2006), appeal denied, 937 A.2d 447 (Pa. 2007) - Denying challenge to public employer's pre-employment screening of job applicants for certain public safety positions.
Lamar Advertising v. Doug Shields, et al, G.D. 08-7180 (Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, 2008) - Defended Pittsburgh City Council President Shields and three Council members against a retaliatory lawsuit filed against them for challenging improperly issued zoning permit for electronic billboard in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Henson v. University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission, 2000 - Defended against University's constitutional challenge of City of Pittsburgh's Home Rule Charter and the protections afforded by City Human Relations Ordinance.
UNITE HERE Local 57 - Special Counsel on municipal law matters.
Green Building Alliance - Special Counsel on revisions to Pittsburgh City Code.
OTHER EMPLOYMENT
1983 - 1990 NEWS PRODUCER AND REPORTER, KDKA-TV & WPXI-TV
- Recipient of the Golden Quill Award from Pittsburgh Press Club;
- Producer of KDKA’s Noon News with Bill & Patti Burns;
- Union Member, American Federaton of Television & Recording Artists, 1983-1985.
1988 – 1989 ADJUNCT PROFESSOR OF JOURNALISM, UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
- Writing instructor at the Main Campus and in prison outreach program at
Western Penitentiary.
1979-1980 NEWSPAPER REPORTER, THE INTELLIGENCER, WHEELING, WV
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
1987 – Present PITTSBURGH AIDS TASK FORCE (PATF)
- Board of Directors, 1996-2003 & Board President, 2002-2003;
- Volunteer "Buddy" and Education Advocate, 1987-1996;
- Recipient of "Founders' Award" from PATF Board of Directors, March 2008.
2000 – 2006 “OFF THE RECORD I-VI"
- Performer in annual benefit sponsored by the Newspaper Guild and AFTRA to support the
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
2002 - 2007 GEMINI CHILDREN'S THEATER
– Member of Board of Directors & Board President, 2004-2006.
2007 - 2008 PITTSBURGH GLSEN, MEMBER OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2006 - 2008 EAST END COOPERATIVE MINISTRIES, MEN'S SHELTER VOLUNTEER
2002 - 2008 RENAISSANCE CITY CHOIRS, TENOR II & BARITONE
1996 - 1998 BETHLEHEM WOMEN'S SHELTER - PRO BONO ATTORNEY
1996 - 1997 ARTISTS EQUITY OF PITTSBURGH, MEMBER OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1994 - 1996 SHADYSIDE ACTION COALITION, MEMBER OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS