Insight

The 2021 Best Lawyers In Pennsylvania

Our 2021 Best Lawyers in Pennsylvania publication features Pennsylvania's top-ranked legal talent and legal insights from Pennsylvania's top lawyers.

Written by Best Lawyers

Published: March 18, 2021

The 2021 Pennsylvania Best Lawyers publication includes Pennsylvania’s top-ranked legal talent as well as the inaugural appearance of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in print.

In this issue, we feature a cover story on Victor Pribanic of Pribanic & Pribanic and his reflections on his challenges and inspirations while practicing injury law amid a global pandemic in 2021.

We also caught up with three Best Lawyers recognized attorneys and asked them to weigh in on what it's like to practice law in Pennsylvania in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the full issue:

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Pennsylvania

Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio

Joseph M. Patchen

Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Banking and Finance Law

Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)

Construction Law

Recognized since 2024 in

Joseph M. Patchen

Joseph M. Patchen is a Partner at Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP, representing businesses, financial institutions, owners, and professionals in business and real estate matters. His business law practice emphasizes corporation and limited liability company formation, mergers, and succession planning. His commercial real estate representation focuses on finance, construction, leasing, and acquisition. Joe joined CPM in June 1987. He serves as Chair of CPM’s Real Estate Practice Group.

Joseph M. Patchen

Kathryn S. Wallrabenstein

Taft

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense: General Practice

Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Recognized since 2026 in

Kathryn S. Wallrabenstein

Kathryn S. Wallrabenstein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Kathryn S., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kathryn S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

 
Kathryn S. Wallrabenstein
  Website    Email    Address

John J. Joseph

Joseph & Joseph & Hanna Co., LPA

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Litigation - Real Estate

Real Estate Law

Recognized since 1993 in

John J. Joseph

Position: Managing Attorney/Principal Born: Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada Admitted to bar,1981, Ohio. (Also a member of the Pennsylvania Bar) Education: The Ohio State University B.S., summa cum laude, 1978 J.D., cum laude, 1981. Best Lawyers in America from 1993 to present. Also named one of Ohio's Super Lawyers Listed in Columbus Monthly (Nov 2003) article Top lawyers The city's best & brightest Recipient, Judge Joseph M. Harter Memorial Award. Bar Memberships: Columbus Bar Association: C...

 
John J. Joseph
  Website    Address    Phone Number

Dennis E. Horvath

Wolinetz, Horvath & Brown LLC

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Family Law

Recognized since 2018 in

Dennis E. Horvath

Dennis E. Horvath is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Dennis E., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dennis E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

 
Dennis E. Horvath
  Website    Email    Address

Eric Michael Brown

Wolinetz, Horvath & Brown LLC

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Family Law

Recognized since 2024 in

Eric Michael Brown

Eric Michael Brown is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Eric Michael, who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Eric Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Eric Michael Brown

Brian P. Barger

Eastman & Smith LTD

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Natural Resources Law

Recognized since 2024 in

Brian P. Barger

“The object is not for me to win your case in court; the object is for us to win in such a way that we do not need to go to court.” The name Brian P. Barger is well known in the surface mining industry for his decades of work on its behalf which includes: twenty-five years as legal counsel to the Ohio Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association. former executive with one of the state’s largest aggregates and industrial minerals producers where he was involved with all f...

Brian P. Barger

David DeVillers

Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Recognized since 2024 in

David DeVillers

David DeVillers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. David, who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David DeVillers

Justin D. Cook

Taft

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Tax Law

Recognized since 2021 in

Justin D. Cook

Justin D. Cook is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Justin D., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Justin D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Justin D. Cook

Kevin O'Donnell Stanek

Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Government Relations Practice

Recognized since 2026 in

Kevin O'Donnell Stanek

Kevin Stanek brings nearly a decade of experience working in the executive and legislative branches of Ohio state government, including as Gov. John R. Kasich's assistant director of policy for asset management and assistant chief counsel. Kevin’s hands-on government experience supports him in providing practical solutions and comprehensive plans of action for clients. Kevin represents governmental clients on policy matters and other legal issues before the Ohio General Assembly, execut...

Kevin O'Donnell Stanek

Philip J. Fulton

Philip J. Fulton Law Office

Columbus, OH

Practice Areas

Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants

Specific Focus

Social Security Disability

Recognized since 1995 in

Philip J. Fulton

Philip J. Fulton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Philip J., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 1995. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Philip J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

 
Philip J. Fulton
  Website    Address    Phone Number

The Family Law Loophole That Lets Sex Offenders Parent Kids

by Bryan Driscoll

Is the state's surrogacy framework putting children at risk?

Pribanic Secures Milestone Verdict in Rural PA County

by Justin Smulison

Ten-time honoree Victor H. Pribanic secured one of 2023’s most notable verdicts in a Pennsylvania county that historically has not been empathic to plaintiffs.

Lawyer sitting at desk with notepad and laptop

"Lawyer of the Year"

Harris J. Chernow

Franchise Law

Philadelphia, PA

2024

"Lawyer of the Year"

Shannon P. Fellin

Workers' Compensation Law - Employers

Harrisburg, PA

2022

IN PARTNERSHIP

Resolving the Toughest Cases

by Justin Smulison

Eight-time “Lawyer of the Year” Victor H. Pribanic reflects on a critical birth injury trial in 2022 and how his firm’s advocacy resonated with jurors.

"Lawyer of the Year"

Nancy R. Frandsen

Trademark Law

Philadelphia, PA

2023

Pennsylvania Court Ruling Could Close School Funding Gap

by Gregory Sirico

Best Lawyers highlights the current legislative battle to close the Pennsylvania school funding gap.

Animated child stands on top of a tower of books

Courtroom Mastery

by Justin Smulison

Victor H. Pribanic recalled the excitement of returning to the courtroom in late 2021 for a medical negligence case that could help set a new course for Pribanic & Pribanic’s trial advocacy.

Victor H. Pribanic, 2021 marks a new course for his firm

Pennsylvania "Lawyer of the Year" 2022

by Best Lawyers

Wendelynne J. Newton is honored as 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in Pennsylvania for Litigation-Healthcare.

Wendelynne J. Newton, 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in Pennsylvania for Litigation-Healthcare

Pennsylvania’s Best Lawyers 2022

by Best Lawyers

Our Pennsylvania’s Best Lawyers 2022 digital publication features top-ranked legal talent in Pennsylvania.

Cover title page for the Best Lawyers 2022 Edition of Pennsylvania

Daniel Clearfield - Harrisburg 2021 Lawyer of the Year

by Best Lawyers

Energy Law Harrisburg, PA

Daniel Clearfield - Harrisburg 2021 Lawyer of the Year

Pennsylvania’s Legal Life in 2021

by Megan Edmonds

The top players in the legal community in Pennsylvania have done their part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by pivoting to remote arrangements and embracing new technologies. We asked three of our Best Lawyers recognized attorneys for their perspective of Pennsylvania’s legal life in 2021.

Cartoon Pennsylvanian man running over hurdles with IPad in hand

Howard Bruce Klein - Philadelphia 2020 Lawyer of the Year

by Best Lawyers

Qui Tam Law Philadelphia, PA

Howard Bruce Klein - Philadelphia 2020 Lawyer of the Year

Turning Down the Heat

by Janice Zhou

What sort of legal and legislative action is necessary to help put Pennsylvania on the front lines of the battle against climate change?

Giant planet with multi-colored swirls with a black background

In the News: Pennsylvania

by Best Lawyers

A Legal Roundup Featuring Best Lawyers in Pennsylvania

Courtroom Graphic Split to Illustrate Misinterpretation of Testimony

Education by Trial: Cultivating Legal Expertise in the Courtroom

by Margo Pierce

The intricacies of complex lawsuits require extensive knowledge of the legal precedent. But they also demand a high level of skill in every discipline needed to succeed at trial, such as analyzing technical reports and deposing expert witnesses.

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Holiday Pay Explained: Federal Rules and Employer Policies

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Can a Green Card Be Revoked?

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New Texas Family Laws Transform Navigating Divorce, Custody

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Anthropic Class Action a Warning Shot for AI Industry

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Understanding the terminology and consequences of impaired driving charges.

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The 2021 Best Lawyers In Pennsylvania

Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio

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