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Attorney Profile
Patrick T. Reilly
Areas of Practice
Contact Info
Overview
Patrick manages the firm’s asbestos and toxic tort practice in western Pennsylvania. His practice includes serving as local counsel, trial counsel and national coordinating counsel for various insured and self-insured product manufacturers. Additionally, he represents both major corporate clients and small businesses in product liability, toxic tort and complex environmental and commercial litigation, including defending talc, asbestos, and negligence claims.
In addition to his work in toxic tort defense, Patrick is a member of the firm’s Casualty Department. In this capacity he defends all types of general and commercial liability cases, ranging from product liability cases to fall downs. He has worked defending bars and restaurants in both general liability and liquor liability matters for more than ten years.
Patrick also continues to represent automobile manufacturers, car dealerships, and automobile service facilities in claims made for breach of warranty, fraud, unfair trade practices and negligence.
Patrick has both jury and non-jury trial experience. He has tried hundreds of cases within the Commonwealth's Compulsory Arbitration system.
Results
Obtained voluntary dismissal of a dram shop death case where he was able to prove prior to the filing of a complaint that plaintiff's decedent was intoxicated as a result of liquor contained within his home, rather than alcohol allegedly purchased at the client's bar.
Prepared successful Motion for Summary Judgment in a conveyor belt death case in which we represented the company who purchased the assets of the bankrupt corporation which manufactured the conveyor belt at issue.
Prepared successful Motion for Judgment on the pleadings in a death case on behalf of a methadone clinic. Plaintiff's theory was that plaintiff's decedent was killed by a driver who had been either improperly treated at the methadone clinic or had been improperly permitted to drive following treatment. He successfully argued that no duty exists to a third party motorist under such circumstances under Pennsylvania law.
Has handled well over 50 compulsory arbitration cases in counties throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Has utilized ADR when appropriate, referring a number of cases to mediation where appropriate.
Has assisted in the handling of numerous cases against bars filed by plaintiffs who alleged improper service of alcohol, either to themselves or to other patrons. These cases have involved fatal motor vehicle accidents, assaults, suicide and other significant and serious injuries.
Thought Leadership
"Protecting Your Bar From Claims in the Wake of 'Mortimer', The Legal Intelligencer Liquor Law Supplement, February 15, 2023
"Employers (Still) Not Liable For Serving Alcohol to Intoxicated Employees," The Legal Intelligencer Liquor Law Supplement, February 10, 2022
"Assessing the Risk of Takeout Alcohol Under the Pa. Dram Shop Law," The Legal Intelligencer Liquor Law Supplement, February 17, 2021
"Should Mandatory Liquor Liability Insurance Be in PA's Future?" The Legal Intelligencer Liquor Law Supplement, February 25, 2020
"Compulsory Arbitration Useful in Small-Exposure Cases," The Legal Intelligencer ADR Supplement, January 20, 2015
“Don't Bother Trying to Fix It, We'll Just File Suit!,” Defense Digest, Vol. 18, No. 1, March 2012
"Substituted Judgment: Does Pennsylvania Law Provide an Appropriate Standard for Withdrawal of Life Support in Non-terminal Patients?" Duquesne Law Review, Volume 44, Spring 2006
Liquor Liability: The Do’s and Don’ts, Marshall Dennehey Client Seminar, August 2024
Pursuing and Defending Attorney Fee Claims, Allegheny County Bar Association, Pittsburgh, PA, August 30, 2022
The New Marketing Tool—Creating a Podcast that People Want to Hear, Pennsylvania Defense Institute (PDI) 2021 Annual Conference, Bedford Springs, PA., July 16, 2021
Defending Liquor Liability and Hospitality Claims, “On a Roll” Podcast with Nichole Perzel, produced by W.N. Tuscano Agency, March, 2021
What's Trending in Liquor Law? Help Your Bars and Restaurants Mitigate Their Risk, Marshall Dennehey Client Presentation, February 9th, 2021
Voir Dire and Jury Selection in 2020, Allegheny County Bar Association Civil Litigation Section - Webinar, August 18, 2020
Liquor Law and Insurance Needs: Risk Management for Bars and Restaurants, Client Hospitality & Liquor Lines Team Virtual Conference, June 18, 2020
PENNSYLVANIA Liquor Law AND Insurance Needs: Risk Management for Bars and Restaurants, Marshall Dennehey Client Seminar, January 13, 2020
Voir Dire and Jury Selection in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Defense Institute, December 4, 2019
Civil Litigation Skills Training - Conducting Voir Dire in Allegheny County, Allegheny County Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, April 8, 2019
Jury Selection Process in the Western District of Pennsylvania and the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, Women’s Bar Association of Western Pennsylvania, June 21, 2018
Civil Litigation Skills Training - Conducting Voir Dire in Allegheny County, Allegheny County Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, April 5, 2018
Discoverability and Proper Use of Claim Notes, Marshall Dennehey Client Seminar, October 2011