Pamela J. Beech

Associate

Pam joined O’Brien & Ryan, LLP in 2025. Her practice concentrates on complex medical malpractice defense. Prior to joining O’Brien & Ryan, Pam worked in legal academia, serving as a Director at Delaware Law School, where she taught and oversaw the Master of Laws (LL.M.) and International Law programs. In this role, she advised and supported attorneys from around the world, helping them navigate the U.S. legal system and advance their careers. She previously worked in personal injury and medical malpractice litigation, where her legal career started as a paralegal before attending law school.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2007

Education:

• Widener University Delaware Law School, Wilmington, Delaware, 2006, J.D.
• Widener University, Chester, Pennsylvania, 2002, B.S.

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Chester County Bar Association

• American Bar Association

Charles E. DeSantis-Weiner

Associate

Charles joined O’Brien & Ryan, LLP in 2024.  His practice concentrates on medical malpractice. While in law school, Charles won the A.W. Scheer-Widner Innovation competition focusing on novel uses of AI prior to joining O’Brien & Ryan. Prior to going to law school Charles was a property adjuster at a national carrier. Before and after being admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar, Charles worked at Margolis Edelstein in the commercial property defense practice.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2024

Education:

• Temple University- Fox School of Business, Philadelphia, PA, 2018, B.A
• Widener Delaware Law School, Wilmington, DE, 2024, J.D.

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Pennsylvania Bar Association

• Philadelphia Bar Association

• Delaware County Bar Association

Carolyn M. Bohmueller

Partner

Carolyn concentrates her practice in the areas of medical malpractice and professional liability.  She has successfully defended numerous physicians, practice groups and institutions in all areas of medicine, including neurosurgery, orthopedics, obstetrics, gynecology, psychiatry, anesthesia, dentistry, and general medicine, among others.

Carolyn serves as an arbitrator in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.  She has lectured on new developments in medical malpractice and presented mock trials to various groups.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice
• Health Care Law
• Appellate Litigation

Recent Representative Matters:

• Defense Verdict in Favor of Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist in Stillbirth Case
• Defense Verdict in Favor of Emergency Room Physicians and Hospital in Breast Cancer Case
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Hand Surgeon
• Defense Verdict in Favor of Hospital in Montgomery County

Named to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers:

• 2005 (Rising Stars)
• 2006 (Rising Stars)
• 2007 (Rising Stars)
• 2008 (Rising Stars)
• 2010 (Rising Stars)
• 2011 (Rising Stars)
• 2024 (1st Selection)
• 2025
• 2026

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 1996
• New Jersey, 1996
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2003
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 3d Circuit, 2008

Education:

• Widener University School of Law, Wilmington, Delaware, 1996, J.D.
• Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 1992, B.A.

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Philadelphia Area Society for Healthcare Risk Management
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Montgomery County Bar Association
• Vice-Chair, Rules of Civil Court Committee
• Montgomery County Medical Legal Committee

Classes/Seminars Taught:

• Gynecology in the Courts, Grand Rounds, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, October, 2019
• The Anatomy of a Medical Negligence Lawsuit, Grand Rounds, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, January, 2019
• Peer Review After Reginelli, Are You Protected?, Double Tree Hotel, Plymouth Meeting PA, October, 2018
• Legal Concerns in Management of Stroke Patients, 17th Annual Cerebrovascular Update: The Dawn of a New Era, Bellevue Hotel, Philadelphia, March, 2018
• The Arbitration of a Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcer Lawsuit, Jefferson Health’s 2nd Annual Global Pressure Ulcer Prevention Conference, Philadelphia, PA, November, 2015
• Nursing Law and Liability, Thomas Jefferson University School of Nursing, October, 2015
• Suggestions & Ethics for Preparing & Arguing Non-Discovery Motions, with Judge Lisa Rau, Judge Rosalyn Robinson, & Robert Sachs, Jr. Esq., Philadelphia, PA, November, 2014
• Facing a Lawsuit: Preparing for a Deposition, Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association’s 105th Annual Clinical Assembly, King of Prussia, PA, May, 2013
• Pennsylvania Bar Institute CLE Program, Medical Malpractice Update, Philadelphia, PA, March, 2013
• Mock Trial, PAHCOM Conference, Malvern, PA, September, 2012
• Coordinator, Mock Trial Presented by O’Brien & Ryan, LLP, Plymouth Meeting, PA, April, 2012
• Medical Malpractice: Today and Tomorrow, Personal Injury Potpourri CLE, Philadelphia Convention Center, April, 2006

Past Employment Positions:

• Honorable Sandra Schultz Newman, Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Judicial Clerk, 1996 – 1998
• White and Williams, 1998-2000
• Plakins Rieffel, 2001-2002
• Honorable Sandra Schultz Newman, Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, Judicial Intern 1995-1996
• Honorable Vincent Cirillo, Superior Court of Pennsylvania, Judicial Intern, Summer 1994

Anthony P. DeMichele

Partner

Anthony joined O’Brien & Ryan, LLP in 2004 and serves on its Management Committee.  Anthony’s practice consists of general litigation, representing both businesses and individuals in matters ranging from professional malpractice to breach of contract.  His clients include business owners, general contractors, subcontractors, insurance companies, lawyers, law firms, doctors, nurses, nurses’ aides, physical therapists, administrators, hospitals, and nursing homes.  His litigation practice includes premises liability claims, professional liability claims, and insurance coverage disputes.  He has extensive experience in contract review and negotiation, with agreements in areas such as healthcare, real estate and construction.  He handles cases in state and federal courts throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  He also has extensive experience with mediation and arbitration.

Anthony also serves as an arbitrator for the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.

Practice Areas:

• Commercial Litigation
• Nursing Home and Long-term Care Litigation
• Medical Malpractice
• Professional Liability
• Premises Liability
• Legal Malpractice
• Construction Litigation
• Insurance Coverage Disputes
• Directors’ And Officers’ Liability

Recent Representative Matters:

• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Hospital
• Successful Defense of Attorney and Firm at Arbitration
• Successful Defense of MRI Facility & Technologist at Arbitration
• Summary Judgment for Attorney and Firm in Legal Malpractice Action in Philadelphia
• Dismissal of All Claims for Kidney Transplant Team in New Jersey
• Defense Verdict for Office Products Company
• Declaratory Judgment for Insurance Company
• Summary Judgment for Insurance Company in Declaratory Judgment Action
• Defense of Buyers at Arbitration Involving Failed Residential Real Estate Transaction
• Defense of Real Estate Holding Company in Successor-In-Interest Liability, Fraudulent Conveyance, and Piercing the Corporate Veil Matter
• Arbitration Award for Employee Against Former Employers
• Dismissal of All Claims for Insurance Agent

Named to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers:

• 2010 (Rising Stars)
• 2011 (Rising Stars)
• 2014
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021
• 2022
• 2023
• 2024
• 2025
• 2026

In The Media:

• Legal Malpractice Insurers Off the Hook in Pair of Cases – Published in The Legal Intelligencer May 25, 2010.

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2001
• New Jersey, 2001
• U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, 2001
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2002
• U.S. Court of Appeals 3d Circuit, 2010

Education:

• Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey School of Law, Camden, Camden, New Jersey, 2001, J.D.
• Top Oralist, Hunter Advanced Moot Court
• Octo-Finalist, Hunter Advanced Moot Court
• Member of the Board, Hunter Advanced Moot Court
• Center for Forensic Economic Studies Excellence in Litigation Award
• Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, 1993, B.A.

Published Works:

• Co-Author, Recent Legal Concerns In Regard to Opthalmology, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today, Feb. 2007 Supp. at 22-23.

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Philadelphia Area Society for Healthcare Risk Management
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• New Jersey Bar Association
• Montgomery County Bar Association
• Professional Liability Defense Federation
• Benchmark School Board of Trustees (2019 – 2020)
• Harriton High School Mock Trial Team – Attorney Advisor (2006 – 2021)
• Montgomery Bar Association “Young Lawyers Section Mock Trial Award” (2018)

Classes/Seminars Taught:

• Legal Guidance on Electronic Patient Communication/Disclosure and Responding to Dissatisfied Patients, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, June 2024
• Medical Malpractice, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC), Stratford, NJ, May 2020
• Medical Malpractice – Avoiding Litigation, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ, February 2020
• Effectively Dealing with Pro Se Litigants, Minnesota Lawyers Mutual, Minneapolis, MN, August 2019
• Cybersecurity, Pennsylvania Defense Institute – Middle District North, March 2019
• Controlling Costs in High Exposure Cases, International Association of Defense Counsel, Webinar, October 2016
• Professional Liability Roundtable, International Association of Defense Counsel, Chicago, IL, May 2016
• The Arbitration of a Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcer Lawsuit, Jefferson Health’s 2nd Annual Global Pressure Ulcer Prevention Conference, Philadelphia, PA, November 2015
• Understanding Implicit Bias and How it Impacts the Practice of Law and a Lawyer’s Ethical Responsibility, April 2015
• Ethical Considerations for Lawyers as Business Associates under HIPAA, April 2014
• Comprehensive State Law Breakdown for Long Term Care Litigation Hotbeds, American Conference Institute’s 3rd Annual Long Term Care Litigation Conference, January 2013
• Eight Common Errors Resulting in Malpractice and Ethics Complaints, August 2012
• The Affirmative Duty to Investigate Social Media Evidence and Legal Malpractice Trends 2012, April 2012

Dorothy Duffy

Partner

* NOT CURRENTLY PRACTICING

Dorothy has handled complex litigation, with an emphasis on medical malpractice defense. She has defended hundreds of cases in Philadelphia and the surrounding Pennsylvania counties and has had tried dozens of cases in both the Pennsylvania state and federal courts.  Dorothy’s attention to detail has been a hallmark of her successful representation of healthcare providers.

Dorothy has served as lead trial counsel in complex medical trials resulting in defense verdicts including cases involving vascular surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, radiology, psychiatry, emergency medicine and general surgery. She has also represented defendants in mass tort litigation involving products liability, including silicone gel breast implants and various drug litigation, and has served as liaison counsel for mass torts in state litigation, as well as on a national level in federal multi-district litigation.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice
• Medicare Fraud
• General Liability and Casualty
• Health Care Law
• Medical Device, Mass Tort and Pharmaceutical Litigation
• Nursing Home and Long-term Care Litigation

Recent Representative Matters:

• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Surgeon in Philadelphia County

Named to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers:

• 2006
• 2007
• 2008
• 2009
• 2010
• 2013
• 2014
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 1986
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of PA

Education:

• Temple University School of Law, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1986, J.D.
• Catholic University of America, 1983, B.A.
• Magna Cum Laude
• Phi Beta Kappa

Classes/Seminars Taught:

• Mock Trial, Philadelphia Obstetrical Society, May 2017
• 28th Annual Civil Litigation Update – Encore, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, July, 2015
• 28th Annual Civil Litigation Update, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, March, 2015
• Becoming an Expert on Expert Witnesses, Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law Symposium, October 2014
• Work Product Admissibility in Light of Barrick v. Holy Spirit Hospital, Drexel Law Review Symposium, Philadelphia, October 2014
• 27th Annual Civil Litigation Update, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, July 2014
• 26th Annual Civil Litigation Update, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, March/July 2013
• 25th Annual Civil Litigation Update, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Mechanicsburg, 2012
• Tort Law Update, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Atlantic City, 2011
• 24th Annual Civil Litigation Update, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, 2011
• 23rd Annual Civil Litigation Update, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia / Mechanicsburg, 2010
• Maximizing Your Client’s Recovery in Challenging Times, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2009
• Update-Preventing Legal Malpractice Claims and Ethics Complaints in Your Law Practice, 2008
• Preventing Legal Malpractice Claims and Ethics Complaints in Your Law Practice, 2007
• Trial of a Medical Malpractice Case, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2007
• The Nuts and Bolts of the Medical Malpractice Case, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2006
• Masters in Trial, American Board of Trial Advocates, 2006
• Medical Malpractice, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, 2006
• Proving Damages in Personal Injury and Death Cases, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2006
• 10th Annual Personal Injury Update, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2003
• Tort Law Update, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2003
• Personal Injury Update, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2000
• Breast Implant Litigation, American Bar Association National Institute, 1993
• Medical Malpractice, American Bar Association National Institute, 1993
• National Vice Chair Committee in Medicine and Law, American Bar Association, 1990

Published Works:

• Co-author, Of Surgical Sponges and Flour Barrels, and Why Medical Experts are Needed Even with a Res Ipsa Loquitur Instruction, Drexel Law Review, Volume 7, Spring 2015, Number 2

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Philadelphia Area Society for Healthcare Risk Management
• Montgomery County Bar Association
• Montgomery County Medical Legal Committee
• Defense Research Institute
• American Board of Trial Advocates

Heather Hansen

Partner

Ms. Hansen is a litigator and has tried cases in Philadelphia County, the surrounding counties and the Federal Courts. She has successfully defended hospitals and physicians in complex medical negligence litigation. A substantial portion of her practice involves catastrophic obstetric and orthopedic claims. Ms. Hansen has lectured extensively on these issues and has made presentations to the National Judicial Conference and at Grand Rounds at numerous hospitals. She has also co-authored two chapters in medical texts regarding medical malpractice litigation. She has served as a trained mediator for medical negligence claims for Health Care Resolutions and is certified in Mediation through the Drexel University College of Medicine Mediation Program and Pepperdine University School of Law, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution & Vermont Law School, East Coast Professional Skills Program, STAR – A Systematic Approach to Mediation Strategies. Heather has served as a Judge Pro Temp for the Philadelphia Courts.  She is also a volunteer Child Advocate Attorney for the Support Center for Child Advocate and was honored for her pro bono work by the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania in 2013.

Heather is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Fellowship in the College is by invitation extended to the top one percent of trial lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional skill as advocates and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism and civility.

Heather also speaks frequently for hospitals, universities and professional / legal associations.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice
• Appellate Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Corporate Law
• General Liability and Casualty
• Health Care Law
• Medical Device, Mass Tort and Pharmaceutical Litigation
• Nursing Home and Long-term Care Litigation
• Professional Liability
• Criminal Defense

Recent Representative Matters:

• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Orthopaedic Surgeon
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Internal Medicine Physician
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Obstetrician
• Defense Verdict in Favor of Orthopedic Surgeon
• Directed Verdict Obtained on Behalf of Orthopedic Surgeon
• Defense Verdict in Favor of Emergency Medicine Physician in Philadelphia County
• Defense Verdict for Orthopedic Surgeon in Philadelphia County
• Defense Verdict for Urologist in Philadelphia County
• Defense Verdict for Orthopedic Surgeon
• Defense Verdict for Neurosurgeon

Named to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers:

• 2005 (Rising Stars)
• 2006 (Rising Stars)
• 2007 (Rising Stars)
• 2008 (Rising Stars)
• 2011
• 2012 (Top 100 Philadelphia, Top 50 Women)
• 2013 (Top 50 Women)
• 2014 (Top 50 Women)
• 2015 (Top 50 Women)
• 2016 (Top 50 Women)
• 2017 (Top 50 Women)
• 2018 (Top 50 Women)
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021
• 2022
• 2023

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 1997

Education:

• Villanova University School of Law, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 1997, J.D.
• The American University, Washington, D.C., 1994, B.A.
• Major: Psychology

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Philadelphia Area Society for Healthcare Risk Management
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Philadelphia Bar Association – Co-Chair of the Medical Legal Committee
• Montgomery County Bar Association
• Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, LLC (2008-2016)
• Fellow, The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation, 2014
• Fellow, The American College of Trial Lawyers, 2018

Published Works:

• Author, The Elegant Warrior: How To Win Life’s Trials Without Losing Yourself, April 2019
• Co-author, Infection Following Total Joint Arthroplasty is the Main Cause of Litigation: Data from One Metropolitan Area,The Journal of Arthroplasty, December 2017
• Author, How To Maintain Humanity In An EMR World, Law360.com, January 2014
• Co-author, Legal Concerns of EMR and PACS, Advance for Imaging & Radiation Oncology, February 2011
• Co-author of Chapter, Legal Implications and Strategies, The Textbook of Spinal Surgery, 3rd ed. (Paul Craig, R.N., J.D., et al., 2011)
• Co-author, Legal Implications and Strategies for Managing Complications in Spinal Surgery, Complications of Pediatric and Adult Spinal Surgery, Chapter 47, (Alexander R. Vaccarro et al. eds. 2004)

Classes/Seminars Taught:

• Faculty, The Dispute Resolution Institute’s 23rd Annual Personal Injury Potpourri Seminar, Virtual CLE Webinar, April 2021
• Faculty, The Dispute Resolution Institute’s Annual Personal Injury Practicum CLE, Philadelphia, PA, November 2019
• Faculty, The Dispute Resolution Institute’s 21^st Annual Personal Injury Potpourri Seminar, Philadelphia, PA, April 2019
• Faculty, The Dispute Resolution Institute’s Personal Injury Practicum Seminar, Philadelphia, PA, November 2018
• Panelist, Philadelphia Bar Association Bench-Bar & Annual Conference 2018, Discussing Damages-How to Maximize or Limit Recovery, Atlantic City, NJ, October 2018
• Faculty, Philadelphia Bar Association Lunch Program, A View From the Bench: What Persuades Jurors These Days in Medical Malpractice Trials?, Philadelphia, PA, August 2018
• Faculty, Drexel University College of Medicine, Ground Rounds, Building Relationships Among Healthcare Team to Ensure Better Health for Patients and Providers Alike, Philadelphia, PA, March 2018
• Speaker, Lessons from Lawsuits: How to Use Health IT to Avoid Being Sued and Improve Healthcare Teams, HIMSS Conference & Exhibition, March 2018
• Presenter, Winning Med Mal Cases at Arb or Trial, PA Association for Justice, November 2017
• Keynote Speaker, Leading HealthCare Organizations Conference, Vigor Events, Kuwait, October 2017
• Keynote Speaker, Stryker Women in Spine, Washington, D.C., September 2017
• Keynote Speaker, Global Health Equity Session-World Woman Summit 2017, Clinton Presidential Centre, Arkansas, September 2017
• Stanford Medicine’s Medicine X 2017, Stanford School of Medicine, September 2017
• Medical-Legal Documentation, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Einstein Medical Center Montgomery, March 2017
• How to Ask a Question, University of California – Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco, CA, February 2017
• Advanced Torts: Law and Practice, Medical Malpractice Class at Stanford Law School, Stanford, CA, February 2017
• Advanced Torts: Law and Practice, Medical Malpractice Class at Berkeley Law, University of California, Berkeley CA, February 2017
• Spine Surgery Trial: Anatomy and Prevention, Tufts University Grand Rounds, Medford MA, January 2017
• The Arbitration of a Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcer Lawsuit, Jefferson Health’s 2nd Annual Global Pressure Ulcer Prevention Conference, Philadelphia, PA November 2015
• Medical Indemnity Challenges for Acute Hospital Services: The United States and Pennsylvania Experience, Irish Hospital Consultants Association’s Annual Conference, Dublin, Ireland, October 2015
• Recent Changes in PA and NJ Medical Malpractice Law and Practice, Coverys Law Day, Princeton, NJ, September 2015
• Electronic Medical Records, Main Line Health’s Physician Symposium, Philadelphia, PA, September 2015
• End Distracted Driving, CertainTeed Environmental Health & Safety Day at Saint-Gobain, Malvern, PA, September 2015
• Down The Shore: Tort Law Update, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Atlantic City, NJ, August 2015
• Medical Malpractice Update, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, November 2014
• The Ethics of Covering a Moving Media Target, Opening Plenary, Philadelphia Bar Association’s Bench-Bar & Annual Conference, October 2014
• Medical Malpractice Update, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, March 2013
• What MedMal Defense Lawyers Need to Know about the New Benevolent Gesture Law…, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, November 2013
• What Pennsylvania Lawyers Need to Know About New Jersey Personal Injury Practice, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, August 2013
• Depos-for P.I. Lawyers, The Dispute Resolution Institute, Pennsylvania Convention Center, July, 2013
• Brain Injury Claims & Litigation, American Conference Institute 2nd Annual Summit for Med Mal and Other Personal Injury Leaders, The Union League, Philadelphia, PA, March, 2013
• Medical Malpractice and Electronic Medical Records, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, February 2013
• What Pennsylvania Lawyers Need to Know About New Jersey Personal Injury Practice, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, November 2012
• Navigating the Current Medical-Legal Environment, Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood, PA, April 2012
• Breaking Down the Basics Series-Civil Procedure Practicalities, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, May, 2011
• Medical Legal Issues, Drexel University College of Medicine, Department of Medicine Grand Rounds, Philadelphia, PA, April, 2011
• The Pulse of Med Mal: Advanced Issues in Your Practice, Pennsylvania Association for Justice, Philadelphia, PA, April, 2011
• Grand Rounds, Drexel University College of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Philadelphia, PA, July 2010
• Medical Legal Issues in Ultrasound, Virtua Hospital Voorhees, Voorhees, NJ, June 2010
• Medical Legal Issues in Ultrasound, 30th Annual Leading Edge in Diagnostic Ultrasound Conference, Atlantic City NJ, May 2010
• Mock Trial, Pennsylvania American College of Emergency Physicians Annual Scientific Assembly, April 2010
• Trial of a Medical Malpractice Case, Pennsylvania Bar Institute Seminar, Philadelphia, PA, December 2009
• Practical Aspects of Personal Injury Depositions, Pennsylvania Bar Institute Seminar, Philadelphia, PA, December 2009
• Electronic Medical Records, Drexel University College of Medicine, Psychiatry Department Grand Rounds Philadelphia, PA, November 2009
• Medical Legal Electronic Medical Record Program, Drexel University College of Medicine, Nephrology Department Philadelphia, PA, April 2009
• Medical Legal Update, 9th Annual Thomas Jefferson Spine Fellows Alumni Symposium, Orlando, FL, July 2009
• Management Options and Their Implications, Globus Medical Complex Case Review Meeting, San Diego, CA, March 2009
• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, February 2009
• Medical Legal Electronic Medical Record Program, Drexel University College of Medicine, Department of Medicine’s Grand Rounds, January 2009
• The Defense Perspective On Medical Malpractice, University of Pennsylvania – Torts Class, November 2008
• Legal Documentation, Riddle Memorial Hospital Grand Rounds, October 2008
• Thomas Jefferson Spine Fellows Symposium, Newport, Rhode Island, July 2007
• Innovative Technology in Spine Surgery, Los Cabos, Mexico, June 2007
• ER: Trying the Emergency Room Med Mal Case, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, Philadelphia, 2007
• Mock Trial, Temple University School of Medicine, 2007
• The Labor of Litigation, Ross Conference for Hospital Nurse Managers, Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories Inc., December 2006
• Mock Trial, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 2006
• Prevention of Medical Chart Irregularities and Preparation for Case Defense,  Medicine Department Grand Rounds, Drexel University College of Medicine, 2006
• Thomas Jefferson Spine Fellows Symposium, Newport, Rhode Island, July 2006
• Innovative Technology in Spine Surgery, Los Cabos, Mexico, June 2006
• Innovative Technology in Spine Surgery, Los Cabos, Mexico, July 2005
• Mock Trial, Drexel University College of Medicine, 2005
• Documentation & Communication, Psychiatry Grand Rounds, Drexel University College of Medicine, 2005
• 11th Annual Health Law Update, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2005
• Mastering Med Mal Mediation, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2005
• Documentation and Communication, Physicians’ Assistant Grand Rounds, Drexel University College of Medicine, 2004
• Maximizing Efficiencies in Arthroplasty, Pennsylvania Hospital, 2002

Jaime N. Johnson

Partner

Jaime’s practice focuses on medical malpractice and nursing home and long-term care litigation.  Her clients include doctors, nurses, nurses’ aides, administrators, hospitals and nursing homes.  She also has experience in the areas of personal injury, bankruptcy and estate planning.  In addition to her work at O’Brien & Ryan, Jaime also serves as an arbitrator for the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas and is an active member of the Montgomery County Bar Association.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice
• Nursing Home and Long-term Care Litigation

Named to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers:

• 2020 (Rising Stars)
• 2021 (Rising Stars) 
• 2022 (Rising Stars)
• 2023 (Rising Stars)
• 2024 (Rising Stars)
• 2025 (Rising Stars)
• 2026 (Rising Stars)

Recent Representative Matters:

• Defense Verdict in Favor of Emergency Room Physicians and Hospital in Breast Cancer Case
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Hospital

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2011
• New Jersey, 2011

Education:

• Widener University School of Law, Wilmington, Delaware, 2011, J.D.
• Widener University, Chester, Pennsylvania, 2008, B.A.
• Magna Cum Laude

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Montgomery County Bar Association

Brett M. Littman

Partner

Brett’s current practice focuses on the area of professional liability, specializing in the defense of healthcare providers and long term care facilities. He has represented physicians, nurses, nurse aides, physician assistants, and licensed nursing home administrators in federal and state courts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

In addition to his practice, Brett has published numerous articles focused on assisting employees of longterm care facilities through the litigation process.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice
• Commercial Litigation
• Health Care Law
• Professional Liability
• Medical Device, Mass Tort and Pharmaceutical Litigation
• Nursing Home and Long-term Care Litigation

Recent Representative Matters:

• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Internal Medicine Physician and Infectious Disease Physician
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Surgeon and Hospital
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Thoracic Surgeon
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Emergency Medicine Physician
• Defense Verdict in Fraud and Breach of Fiduciary Duty Action
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Family Practice Physician
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Surgical Oncologist

Named to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers:

• 2008 (Rising Stars)
• 2010 (Rising Stars)
• 2011 (Rising Stars)
• 2015 (Rising Stars)
• 2016 (Rising Stars)
• 2017 (Rising Stars)
• 2018 (Rising Stars)
• 2023
• 2024
• 2025
• 2026

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2004
• New Jersey, 2004
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of PA
• U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
• United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

Education:

• George Washington School of Law, Washington, D.C., 2004, J.D.
• Pennsylvania State University. State College, Pennsylvania, 2000, B.A.
• Schreyer’s Honors College

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Montgomery County Bar Association
• Montgomery County Medical Legal Committee

Published Works:

• Author, Service of a Subpoena: What Does It Mean and What Should I Do?, Care Management, October/November 2010
• Co-author, Breach of Contract and Consumer Fraud Claims, Assisted Living Consult, March/April 2009
• Co-Author, New Legislation Only the Beginning in Pennsylvania, Assisted Living Consult, March/April 2008
• Co-author, Legal Corner: Under Oath: Preparing for a Deposition, Assisted Living Consult, January/February 2008
• Co-author, Legal Corner: Electronic Health Records, Assisted Living Consult, September/October 2007
• Co-author, Mediation: New Rules for Physicians and Providers, Medicare Patient Management, Vo. 2, No. 5, September/October 2007
• Co-author, Legal Corner: Legal Update in NJ, PA, and TX…and Beyond, Assisted Living Consult, July/August 2007
• Co-author, Overcaution in Emergencies Risks Wide-ranging Costs, Assisted Living Consult, Vo. 3, No. 3, May/June 2007
• Co-author, Legal Corner: An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Malpractice, Medicare Patient Management, Vo. 2, No. 3, May/June 2007

Classes/Seminars Taught:

• Mock Trial, Philadelphia Obstetrical Society, May 2017

Mary Ann Martillotti

Partner

It is with the most profound sadness that O’Brien & Ryan shares the news that Mary Ann Martillotti passed away on 12/15/2023. Mary Ann was a truly talented and admired attorney, but more importantly, she was a trusted friend.  We will all miss her dearly. A celebration of Mary Ann’s spirit can be found HERE.

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Mary Ann joined O’Brien & Ryan, LLP in 1994, and served on its Management Committee. After starting her career as a judicial law clerk, Mary Ann became an Assistant District Attorney in Luzerne County where she gained invaluable trial experience prosecuting defendants in criminal jury trials. For the past twenty-seven years, Mary Ann concentrated her practice on the defense of healthcare providers in professional liability matters. She successfully tried medical malpractices cases to verdict as lead trial counsel in multiple venues, including Philadelphia County, Delaware County, Montgomery County and Bucks County, and defended health care institutions and providers throughout Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. Mary Ann had particular expertise handling high exposure cases involving catastrophically injured infants and adults, and extensive experience mediating and arbitrating these complex matters. She routinely defended claims of corporate liability and/or systemic negligence against health care institutions. Her practice entailed significant involvement and interaction with department heads of major health care institutions. Her clients included physicians, nurses, mid-level providers, hospitals, substance abuse treatment facilities, health systems, universities, physician practice groups, and insurance companies. Mary Ann defended physicians in a variety of medical specialties, including obstetrics and gynecology, neonatology, pediatrics, neurosurgery, cardiology, anesthesiology, genetics, radiology, gastroenterology, neurology, orthopedics, emergency medicine and cardiothoracic surgery.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice
• General Liability and Casualty
• Health Care Law
• Professional Liability
• Appellate Litigation

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 1991
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Education:

• The Dickinson School of Law, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 1991, J.D.
• King’s College, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, 1987, B.A.

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Philadelphia Area Society for Healthcare Risk Management
• Pennsylvania Association of Healthcare Risk Management
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Montgomery County Bar Association

Classes/Seminars Taught:

• Gynecology in the Courts, Grand Rounds, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, October, 2019
• Warning Fatigue Now a Matter of Criminal Liability: The Radonda Vaught Story, PAHCRM Quarterly Meeting, Omni Bedford Springs Resort, July, 2019
• Peer Review After Reginelli, Are You Protected?, Double Tree Hotel, Plymouth Meeting PA, October 2018
• EMTALA and Physician Peer Review, Analysis and Case Updates, Pennsylvania Associates for Health Care Risk Management (PAHCRM) Summer Education Day, July 2017
• Mock Trial, Philadelphia Obstetrical Society, May 2017
• Peer Review – For Whose Benefit Is It?  Philadelphia Bar Association, Medico-Legal Committee Meeting CLE, November 2016
• Impact of Documentation on Pressure Ulcer Cases, Main Line Health, Riddle Annex, June 2016

Recent Representative Matters:

• Non-pros obtained for neurosurgeon and hospital.
• Dismissal of all claims against reproductive endocrinologist and hospital.
  
• Non-pros obtained for radiologist and hospital.

Past Employment Positions:

• Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas, Assistant District Attorney, 1992-1993
• Honorable Peter J. O’Brien, Monroe County Court of Common Pleas, Judicial Law Clerk, 1991-1992

Melissa L. Mazur

Partner

Melissa’s current practice is focused on medical malpractice, and represents the interests of hospitals and medical professionals in the defense of medical malpractice claims.  Melissa participates in all stages of litigation, from initial client meetings through the preparation of trial.  Prior to joining the firm in 2008, Melissa worked briefly as a law clerk for the United States Senate on the Judiciary in Washington, D.C., providing legal support during judicial nomination hearings.  She is a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Montgomery County Bar Association and also serves as an arbitrator for Montgomery County.

In addition to her responsibilities at the firm, Melissa is heavily involved in her community.  She is a member of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, which advocates to lawmakers, for the community, in bringing awareness and revisions to the laws and policies related to cancer and cancer awareness, as well as a Patient Ride Coordinator for “Philly Patient Ride”, a program that provides cancer patients no-cost transportation to and from their cancer treatments among Philadelphia hospitals. In addition, Melissa is the main organizer of an annual charity event to raise money for Lehigh Valley Senior Services Council, which promotes awareness and provides services to senior citizens, and has volunteered her time for the Montgomery County Child Advocacy Project.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice
• General Liability and Casualty

Recent Representative Matters:

• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Obstetrician
• Defense Verdict in Favor of Orthopedic Surgeon
• Defense Verdict in Favor of Hospital in Bucks County
• Defense Verdict In Favor of Hospital In Montgomery County

Named to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers:

• 2023
  

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2008
• New Jersey, 2008
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2014
• U.S. District Court of New Jersey, 2016

Education:

• Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, Michigan, 2007, J.D.
• Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 2004, B.A.
• National Institute of Trial Advocacy
• Trial Skills, 2016
• 60 Hour Intensive Professional Program
• Deposition Skills, 2015
• 25 Hour Intensive Professional Program

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Montgomery County Bar Association
• Member – Young Lawyers Section
• American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
• Philly Patient Ride

Classes/Seminars Taught:

• Lecturer, Professional Liability and Medical Documentation, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, February 2020
• Guest Speaker, “Professional Practice II Course-Professional Negligence and Malpractice”, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Nursing, September 2019
• Speaker, Legal Issues in Nursing, LaSalle School of Nursing, February 12, 2019
• Lecturer, Professional Liability and Medical Documentation, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, February 11, 2019
• Guest Speaker, “Legal Issues, Negligence and Malpractice”, LaSalle University School of Nursing and Health Sciences, October 2018
• Guest Speaker, Professional Liability and Medical Documentation, Penn School of Nursing, September 2018
• Guest Speaker, Professional Practice Course-Professional Negligence and Malpractice, Thomas Jefferson University, College of Nursing, September 2018
• Mock Trial, Philadelphia Obstetrical Society, May 2017
• Medical Malpractice Defense Panel, Villanova University, March 2016
• Medical Malpractice Defense Panel, Villanova University, April 2015

Caitlin E. McCauley

Partner

Caitlin joined O’Brien & Ryan, LLP in 2014, where her practice concentrates on complex medical malpractice defense representing the interests of hospitals and healthcare providers in all stages of litigation from initial client meetings through the preparation for trial, mediation, and arbitration. Caitlin has successfully defended hospitals and nurses as well as physicians in a variety of specialties including obstetrics and gynecology, family medicine, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, gastroenterology, hospital medicine, neurology, orthopaedic surgery, emergency medicine and physical therapy. Prior to joining O’Brien & Ryan, Caitlin clerked for the Honorable Emil Giordano at the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas where she was exposed to a variety of cases, including medical malpractice, family law, contract law, criminal law and various orphans’ court matters including will disputes and incapacity proceedings.

Caitlin is currently a member of the Pennsylvania and Montgomery County Bar Associations.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice
• Personal Injury

Recent Representative Matters:

• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Hospital in Pressure Wound Matter

Named to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers:

• 2023 (Rising Stars)

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2013
• New Jersey, 2013

Education:

• Widener University School of Law, Wilmington, Delaware, 2013, J.D.
• Cum Laude
• Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 2010, B.A.
• Cum Laude

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Montgomery County Bar Association

Paul E. Peel

Partner

Paul concentrates on appellate litigation, directors’ and officers’ liability, complex medical malpractice litigation and commercial litigation. He has successfully represented many professional clients before the Pennsylvania Superior, Commonwealth and Supreme Courts, as well as the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Peel has obtained numerous favorable decisions addressing diverse appellate issues involving informed consent, improper venue and excessive jury awards.

Practice Areas:

• Appellate Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Medical Malpractice

Recent Representative Matters:

• Defense Verdict in Favor of Orthopedic Surgeon
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Family Physicians in Discrimination Case in District Court
• Defense Verdict in Fraud and Breach of Fiduciary Duty Action in Chester County
• Favorable Ruling from Superior Court of Pennsylvania in Certificate of Merit Matter
• Superior Court of Pennsylvania Affirms Trial Court’s Entry of Judgment on Verdict in Favor of Two Physicians and Hospital
• Favorable Ruling for Nursing Home from Superior Court of Pennsylvania

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 1995
• New Jersey, 1997
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1996
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3d Circuit, 1998
• U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, 2012

Education:

• Villanova University School of Law, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 1995, J.D.
• Loyola University, Baltimore, MD, 1990, B.S.

Published Works:

• Co-Author, “Transplant Program Liability and Risk Factors for Litigation” for the book, Contemporary Liver Transplantation

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Montgomery County Bar Association
• Villanova Moot Court Board

Classes/Seminars Taught:

• CLE, Appeals for Trial Lawyers, Montgomery County Bar Association, March 2022
• Mock Trial, Philadelphia Obstetrical Society, May 2017
• Lectured at several CLE classes on appellate law and procedure

Lisa J. Peters

Partner

Lisa concentrates her practice on medical malpractice defense. Before joining O’Brien & Ryan, Lisa clerked for the Honorable William Nicholas, the Honorable Mardi Pyott, and the Honorable William Walls, Jr. at the Kent County Family Court in Dover, Delaware. During this clerkship she was exposed to a variety of family law issues, including child custody, property division, alimony, and various other matters. Prior to her clerkship Lisa worked in the practice area of plaintiff’s personal injury.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice

Recent Representative Matters:

• Orthopedic Surgeon Found Not Liable by Jury on Claims of Two Unnecessary Surgeries in Delaware County
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Philadelphia Hospital in Wound Care Matter

Named to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers:

• 2019 (Rising Stars)
• 2020 (Rising Stars)
• 2021 (Rising Stars)
• 2022 (Rising Stars)
• 2023 (Rising Stars)

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2014
• New Jersey, 2013

Education:

• Widener University School of Law, Wilmington, Delaware, 2013, J.D.
• Cum Laude
• Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 2009, B.A.

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Montgomery County Bar Association

Michael O. Pitt

Partner

Michael concentrates his practice on the defense of healthcare providers in medical malpractice cases in both State and Federal Courts.  For over twenty years, Michael has defended hospitals, physicians, dentists, nurses and nurse practitioners throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Michael lectures annually to healthcare providers regarding issues surrounding risk management and litigation tactics.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice
• Appellate Litigation
• General Liability and Casualty
• Health Care Law
• Medical Device, Mass Tort and Pharmaceutical Litigation
• Professional Liability

Recent Representative Matters:

• Defense Verdict on behalf of Anesthesiologist & Pain Management Physician in Epidural Steroid Case
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Gastroenterologist in Matter involving Gastrointestinal Bleeding
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Urologist
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Family Practice Physician in Philadelphia County
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Cardiologist in Philadelphia County
• Defense Verdict for Anesthesia Pain Management Group In Montgomery County
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Neurologists and Nurse Practitioner in Philadelphia County

Named to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers:

• 2009
• 2010
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013
• 2014
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021
• 2022
• 2023
• 2024
• 2025
• 2026

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 1994
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1996
• U.S. Court of Appeals 3d Circuit, 1997

Education:

• Western New England College School of Law, Springfield, Massachusetts, 1993
• Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 1989, B.A.
• Malvern Preparatory School, 1985

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Philadelphia Area Society for Healthcare Risk Management
• Chester County Bar Association

Classes/Seminars Taught:

• Sepsis & Septic Shock: Deadly Risk & Liabilities, 4th Annual Sepsis Symposium, Jefferson Hospital, September 2019

Mary Kay Plyter-Eigner

Partner

Mary Kay concentrates her practice in complex medical malpractice litigation, representing healthcare providers including hospitals, nursing homes, physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, registered nurses and healthcare support staff.  She draws upon her prior experience as a clinical nurse in various settings, including long term care, rehabilitation nursing, telemetry, and critical care, to dissect the underlying medical issues and strengthen the defense of her peers.

Mary Kay also serves as an arbitrator in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice
• Nursing Home and Long-term Care Litigation
• General Liability and Casualty
• Professional Licensure Defense

Recent Representative Matters:

• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Urology Group in Bowel Perforation Case
• Defense Verdict on behalf of Anesthesiologist & Pain Management Physician in Epidural Steroid Case
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Gastroenterologist in Matter involving Gastrointestinal Bleeding
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Pulmonologist

Named to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers:

• 2013 (Rising Stars)
• 2014 (Rising Stars)
• 2015 (Rising Stars)
• 2016 (Rising Stars)

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2006
• New Jersey, 2006

Education:

• Widener University School of Law, Wilmington, Delaware, 2005, J.D.
• Cum Laude
• Excelsior University, Albany, New York, 1996, B.S.N.
• Frankford Hospital School of Nursing, 1995, Diploma in Nursing

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• The American Association of Nurse Attorneys
• Philadelphia Area Society for Healthcare Risk Management
• Philadelphia Bar Association
• Montgomery County Bar Association

Steven F. Reilly

Partner

Steve began his career with O’Brien & Ryan, LLP in 1989.  From 1989-2000 Steve concentrated his practice on the defense of physicians, dentists and other health care providers in malpractice actions, successfully trying multiple cases to verdict.

From 2000-2018 Steve operated his own litigation firm and handled a wide array of litigation cases before returning to O’Brien & Ryan in June 2018.

In his career, Steve has successfully litigated a significant number of State cases in the 5-county area of Pennsylvania, as well as many other counties.  He also has experience litigating Federal cases in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and serves as an arbitrator for the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas and in private arbitration.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice
• General Liability and Casualty
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Litigation
• Title Insurance Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 1989
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1997
• Supreme Court of the United States of America, 2002

Education:

• Widener University School of Law J.D. 1989
• Millersville University of Pennsylvania B.S. 1986

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Montgomery County Bar Association

Heather Hulit

Associate

Heather joined O’Brien & Ryan in 2023 where she represents doctors, hospitals, and healthcare providers in medical malpractice matters. Heather comes to O’Brien and Ryan after having spent 13 years of her legal career in the public interest sector handling a variety of civil legal matters. Among other things, she has experience with special education law, landlord-tenant disputes, family law, criminal record clearing, estate planning, and estate administration. In addition to her work at O’Brien & Ryan, Heather continues to assist low-income individuals with estate planning, estate administration, and other civil matters. Heather resides in Philadelphia with her husband, their daughter, and their very large dog.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2012
• New Jersey, 2012

Education:

• Temple University School of Law, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2012, J.D.

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Philadelphia Bar Association

Nate Grefe

Associate

Nate joined O’Brien & Ryan, LLP in 2025, where his practice focuses on complex medical malpractice defense, specializing in the defense of doctors, nurses, hospitals, and healthcare providers at all stages of litigation. While in law school, Nate worked as a conflicts counsel intern at Cozen O’Connor and spent a semester in both Temple Law School’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic and Temple Health’s Compliance Department. Nate also worked in insurance defense litigation, as a legal intern at Amy F. Loperfido & Associates, during his final year of law school.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2025

Education:

• Temple University Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2025, J.D.
• Cum Laude
• Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 2011

 Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Philadelphia Bar Association
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Montgomery County Bar Association

Molly C. Thompson

Associate

Molly joined O’Brien  & Ryan in 2024, where she concentrates her practice on medical malpractice matters representing the interests of hospitals and healthcare providers. Prior to joining O’Brien & Ryan, Molly practiced personal injury and insurance defense in the Lehigh Valley. While in law school, Molly was a member of the Law Review Editorial Board, as well as a Dean’s Merit Scholar. Molly also completed externships with the Honorable Wallace H. Bateman Jr., President Judge of the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas, as well as the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2022

Education:

• Widener University Delaware Law School, Wilmington, Delaware, 2022, JD
• Summa Cum Laude

• Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 2018, B.S

Michael J. Schoen

Associate

Michael joined O’Brien & Ryan, LLP in 2024, where his practice focuses on professional liability specializing in the defense of doctors, nurses, hospitals, and long-term care providers.

Previously, Michael served as an Assistant District Attorney at the Berks County District Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted hundreds of criminal cases to conviction, ranging from driving under the influence, narcotics, firearms, and homicide. 

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice
• Professional Liability

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2019

• Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2024

Education:

• Temple University Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2018, J.D.

• Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 2014, B.A.
• Major: Political Science
• Minors: Business; Spanish

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• American Bar Association
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Philadelphia Bar Association
• Berks County Bar Association

John A. Mercurio

Associate

John joined O’Brien & Ryan, LLP in 2024. His practice concentrates on complex medical malpractice defense representing the interests of hospitals and healthcare providers in all stages of litigation from initial client meetings through the preparation for trial, mediation, and arbitration. While in law school, John served as a judicial intern to the Hon. Thérèse Wiley Dancks of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York and spent a semester in Washington D.C. working with the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section of the U.S. Department of Justice. John also served as a legal intern at the Office of the New York State Attorney General during his final year of law school. Prior to joining O’Brien & Ryan, John worked as an associate attorney at Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP in their global shareholder litigation department.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2021
• Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2024
• New Jersey, 2025

Education:

• Syracuse University College of Law, Syracuse, New York, 2021, J.D.
• Magna Cum Laude
• Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2018, B.A.
• Summa Cum Laude

Named to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers:

• 2025 (Rising Stars)
• 2026 (Rising Stars)

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Philadelphia Bar Association

Daniel F. Ryan III

Partner

Dan Ryan retired in July, 2026.

Dan Ryan co-founded O’Brien & Ryan, LLP in 1986 and serves on its Management Committee. Dan has tried hundreds of cases in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania in state and federal courts. He has successfully defended hospitals and physicians of virtually every specialty in complex medical negligence litigation. In addition to his representation of physicians, hospitals and health care systems, Dan has served as liaison counsel for medical specialists in consolidated state and multi-district litigation. Dan’s practice also includes the defense of attorneys in legal malpractice actions and the mediation of a wide range of major claims and disputes. In 2016, he addressed the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges on the subject of medical liability litigation; and in 2019, he addressed the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges on the subject of MCARE – Update on Medical Malpractice.

Dan is a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. To be admitted to Fellowship in the Academy, the candidate must possess and demonstrate to an exceptional degree the following qualifications: (1) superior skill and recognized ability in trial and appellate practice; (2) a history of providing services which promote the best interests of the legal profession, and the highest standards and techniques of advocacy; and (3) excellent character and absolute integrity.

Dan is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Fellowship in the College is by invitation extended to the top one percent of trial lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional skill as advocates and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism and civility.

Dan is a past-president of the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and currently serves on its executive committee.  Membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates is by invitation extended to qualified trial attorneys whose careers have been characterized by demonstration of skill, integrity and experience in the special art of advocacy.

Chosen as an Accomplished Leader in the Law by Ten Leaders, Dan was twice designated one of the top 10 lawyers in Pennsylvania by Law and Politics magazine.

Dan has a Peer Review rating 5.0 out of 5 (Preeminent) on Martindale.com.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice
• Appellate Litigation
• Health Care Law
• Medical Device, Mass Tort and Pharmaceutical Litigation
• Nursing Home and Long-term Care Litigation
• Professional Liability

Recent Representative Matters:

• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Hand Surgeon
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Internal Medicine Physician
• Favorable Ruling from District Court in Bad Faith Action on Behalf of Insurance Company
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Neurologists and Nurse Practitioner
• Dismissal of All Claims for Kidney Transplant Team
• Summary Judgment on Behalf of Attorney in Legal Malpractice Case
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Emergency Medicine Physician
• Defense Verdict In Favor of Hospital
• Defense Verdict at Trial on Behalf of Cardiologist
• Superior Court of Pennsylvania Affirms Trial Court’s Entry of Judgment on Verdict in Favor of Two Physicians and Hospital
• Defense Verdict for Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
• Defense Verdict for Cardiothoracic Surgeon
• Defense Verdict for Orthopedic Surgeon
• Defense Verdict for OB/GYN
• Defense Verdict for Internist
• Defense Verdict in Favor of Internist

Named to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers:

• 2004
• 2005 (Top 100 Pennsylvania, Top 100 Philadelphia)
• 2006 (Top 100 Pennsylvania)
• 2007 (Top 100 Pennsylvania, Top 100 Philadelphia)
• 2008 (Top 10 Pennsylvania, Top 100 Philadelphia)
• 2009 (Top 10 Pennsylvania, Top 100 Philadelphia)
• 2010 (Top 100 Pennsylvania, Top 100 Philadelphia)
• 2011 (Top 100 Philadelphia)
• 2012 (Top 100 Pennsylvania, Top 100 Philadelphia)
• 2013 (Top 100 Pennsylvania, Top 100 Philadelphia)
• 2014 (Top 100 Pennsylvania, Top 100 Philadelphia)
• 2015 (Top 100 Pennsylvania, Top 100 Philadelphia)
• 2016 (Top 100 Pennsylvania, Top 100 Philadelphia)
• 2017 (Top 100 Pennsylvania, Top 100 Philadelphia)
• 2018 (Top 100 Pennsylvania, Top 100 Philadelphia)
• 2019 (Top 100 Pennsylvania, Top 100 Philadelphia)
• 2020 (Top 100 Pennsylvania, Top 100 Philadelphia)
• 2021 (Top 100 Pennsylvania, Top 100 Philadelphia)
• 2022 (Top 100 Pennsylvania, Top 100 Philadelphia)
• 2023 (Top 100 Pennsylvania)
• 2024
• 2025
• 2026

In The Media:

Q&A With Daniel Ryan – Article Published in Pennsylvania Super Lawyers 2010

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 1978
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 3d Circuit, 1979
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit, 1982
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1985

Faculty:

• Trial Advocacy, Villanova University School of Law, 2004 – 2012
• Temple University School of Law Academy of Advocacy, 2004

Education:

• Villanova University School of Law, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 1978, J.D.
• Georgetown University, 1975, A.B.

Published Works:

• Co-Author, “Transplant Program Liability and Risk Factors for Litigation” for the book, Contemporary Liver Transplantation
• Co-Author, Medical Expert Testimony, The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American), 92(15):e24, November 2010
• Co-Author, Strict Liability Claims Against Health Care Providers in Breast Implant Litigation, 29 Tort and Insurance Law Journal 818 (1994)

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers (By Invitation)
• Committee Chair, Georgetown University Alumni Admissions Program, 1985 – Present
• Board Member, David T. Horn, Jr. Scholarship Fund, 2008 – Present
• Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers (By Invitation)
• Past President, Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (By Invitation)
• Philadelphia Area Society for Healthcare Risk Management
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Montgomery County Bar Association
• Philadelphia Bar Association

Speaking Engagements:

• Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges, Hershey, Pennsylvania, July 2019
• Presenter, Informed Consent After Shinal, 2018 Health Law Institute, Philadelphia, PA, March 2018
• Panelist, Lights, Camera, Evidence!, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, December 2017
• Gaining an Advantage Through Jury Selection, Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association, October 2017
• Hot Topics in Medical Malpractice for Philadelphia Civil Judges, Philadelphia, PA, March 2017
• Case Law Update, Philadelphia Area Society for Healthcare Risk Management, Plymouth Meeting, PA, February 2017
• Winning Techniques at Trial, Including Effective Proof of Damages Under MCare, Pennsylvania Association for Justice, Medical Malpractice Seminar, Philadelphia, PA November 2016
• Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges, Hershey, Pennsylvania, July 2016
• The Arbitration of a Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcer Lawsuit, Jefferson Health’s 2nd Annual Global Pressure Ulcer Prevention Conference, Philadelphia, PA November 2015
• American College of Physicians, Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter, Young Physician Dinner, Philadelphia, PA April 2015
• Dispute Resolution Institute, 17th Annual Personal Injury Potpourri CLE, Philadelphia, PA, April 2015
• Philadelphia Area Society for Healthcare Risk Management, Case Law Update, Plymouth Meeting, PA, October 2014
• Thomas Jefferson University, Obstetric Grand Rounds, Philadelphia, PA, February 2014
• Pennsylvania Association for Justice Master’s CLE, Courtroom Strategies to Maximize (or Minimize) Damages in the Catastrophic Injury Case, Philadelphia, PA, December 2013
• How Lawyers Use ADR in Their Practice, Civil Litigation Section Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 2013
• Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges, Hershey, Pennsylvania, July 2013
• Leading the Neurosciences in New Jersey: The Future is Now,Capital Institute for Neurosciences 5th Annual Conference, Atlantic City, NJ, April 2013
• Pennsylvania Association for Justice, 7th Annual Medical Malpractice Seminar, Philadelphia, PA, October 2012
• Aria Health Grand Rounds, Philadelphia, PA, October 2012
• The State of Obstetric Malpractice: Litigation Trends and Beyond, Fourth Annual Philadelphia Prenatal Diagnosis & Obstetrics Conference, Philadelphia, PA May 2012
• Comprehensive Care of the Neuroscience Patient, Capital Institute for Neurosciences 4th Annual Conference, Atlantic City, NJ, May 2012
• Medical Malpractice Considerations with Medical Records, Electronic and Otherwise, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Department of Otolaryngology Grand Rounds, Philadelphia, PA, May 2012
• The Use of Mediation and Arbitration in Medical Malpractice Cases, Pennsylvania Association for Justice, Medical Malpractice Seminar, Philadelphia, PA, April 2012
• Pennsylvania’s New Joint and Several Liability Law, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, August 2011
• Risk Avoidance: Myths vs. Realities, Malpractice Responsibility: Yours, Mine, Ours Conference, Philadelphia, PA, April 2011
• Current Issues in Medical Malpractice, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, February 2011
• Legal Concerns in Management of Stroke Patients, Trends in Stroke Care Conference, Reading, PA, October 2010
• Legal Aspects of Stroke, Capital Region Stroke Symposium, October 2010
• Legal Perspective on the Medical Care of the Neurovascular Patient in NJ, Capital Health 2nd Annual Comprehensive Care of the Neurovascular Patient in New Jersey Conference, Atlantic City, NJ, April 2010
• “Beyond Medical Liability Reform: Keeping Our House in Order”, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2010 Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 2010
• 6th Annual Evidence & Technology Spine Summit, Steamboat Springs, CO, January 2010
• Stroke Quintessentials – From Clinical Care to Legal Aspects Conference, The Reading Hospital and Medical Center, September 2009
• 8th Annual Advanced Forum on Preventing, Managing and Defending Claims of Obstetric Malpractice, Philadelphia, PA, June 2009
• 122nd Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Association, Bonita Springs, FL, June 2009
• 10 Best and Worst Things Trial Lawyers do in the Courtroom, CLE Program, May 2009
• Current Care of the Neurovascular Patient in NJ: What You Need to Know, Stroke & Cerebrovascular Center of New Jersey, April 2009
• Fifth Annual Emerging Technologies Spine Education Summit, Steamboat Springs, CO, February 2009
• 6th Annual Interclerkship Day, Jefferson School of Health Policy and Population Health, January 2009
• Current Issues in Medical Malpractice Seminar, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, November 2008
• Invited J. Aitken Meigs Medical Association Annual Dinner, January 2008
• Current Issues in Medical Malpractice, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, December 2007
• Medico-Legal Roundtable, “Lawyers, Guns, Money and Medicine,” reprinted in Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today, Feb. 2007 Supplement
• Current Issues in Medical Malpractice, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, December 2006
• Refractive IOL Symposium, Aspen, CO, 2006
• Bad Faith Litigation, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2006
• Refractive IOL Symposium, Scottsdale, AZ, 2006
• Philadelphia Bar Association Bench-Bar Conference, 2006
• Emerging Medical Liability Issues in Bucks County, Bucks County Medical Society Annual Dinner, 2006
• Wrongful Death & Minors’ Action, PaTLA Seminar, 2006
• Physician Insurance Association of America Meeting, 2005
• Fox Chase Cancer Center, Effect of Statutory Changes, 2005
• Trial of a Medical Malpractice Case, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2005
• Medical Malpractice, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2004
• Evidence for the Trial Lawyer, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, 2004
• Preventing Legal Malpractice Claims and Ethics Complaints in Your Law Practice, 2004
• Successful Trial Techniques, Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel, 2004
• Mediation, Jefferson University Physicians Risk Management Committee, 2004
• Medical Malpractice Mediation and Arbitration, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2004
• Nursing Home Malpractice in Pennsylvania, National Business Institute, 2004
• The Academy of Advocacy of Temple University, 2004
• Medical Malpractice Mediation and Arbitration, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2004
• Recent Legislative Developments and Amendments to the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, Philadelphia Bar Association, 2004
• Medical Malpractice Litigation, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2003
• Anesthesia Grand Rounds: Impact of Recent Legislation on Medical Malpractice Litigation, Drexel University College of Medicine, 2003
• Recent Legislative Developments, Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges, 2003
• Medical Malpractice Reform, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, 2003
• Jury Selection, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, 2003
• Litigation Issues Seminar for Physicians’ Assistants, Hahnemann Hospital, 2002
• Medical Malpractice Insurance: The New Legislation, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, 2002
• MCARE Statutory Requirements, JCAHO and the Pennsylvania Code: Experience at Trial, Thomas Jefferson University, Grand Rounds, Departments of Radiology, Neurology, Emergency, Family Medicine, OB/GYN, Surgery Otolaryngology, Neurosurgery, Urology, Dermatology, Rehabilitation, and Pathology, 2002
• New Legislation, Thomas Jefferson University, 2002
• Tough Problems in Medical Malpractice, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2002
• Physician Strategies to Reduce Risk in the Current Medical Liability Environment, Reading Hospital, 2002
• Medical Liability and Reduction of Error Act of 2002, Thomas Jefferson University, 2002
• Disclosure of Unanticipated Outcomes under JCAHO Standards and House Bill 1802, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 2002
• Philadelphia Area Society for Healthcare Risk Management, Case Law Update, Plymouth Meeting, PA, February 2017

Marshall L. Schwartz

Partner

Marshall joined O’Brien & Ryan, LLP in 1998 and serves on its Management Committee.  He is currently trial counsel in medical malpractice, nursing home, long term acute care and legal malpractice cases.  He has successfully tried cases to verdict in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Chester counties.

Marshall’s clients include hospitals, nursing homes, long term acute care and rehabilitation facilities as well as doctors, physical therapists and lawyers.  In addition, Marshall has experience in mass tort litigation, including HRT (hormone replacement therapy), orthopedic bone screw, silicone breast implants and fen-phen.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice
• Medical Device, Mass Tort and Pharmaceutical Litigation
• Nursing Home and Long-term Care Litigation
• Professional Liability

Recent Representative Matters:

• Defense Verdict in Pressure Wound Matter on Behalf of Hospital
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Internal Medicine Physician and Infectious Disease Physician
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Philadelphia Hospital in Wound Care Matter
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Two Cardiologists
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Surgeon and Hospital
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Thoracic Surgeon
• Superior Court Affirms Judgment of Non Pros on Behalf of Attorney
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Family Physicians in Discrimination Case in District Court
• Summary Judgment in US District Court on Behalf of Attorney in Legal Malpractice Case
• Defense Verdict in Favor of Hospital in Bucks County
• Defense Verdict in Favor of Orthopaedic Surgeon in Montgomery County
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Surgical Oncologist in Philadelphia County
• Defense Verdict for Surgeon in Montgomery County
• Arbitration Award for General Contractor
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of General Surgeon in Philadelphia County 

Named to Pennsylvania Super Lawyers:

• 2005 (Rising Stars)
• 2006 (Rising Stars)
• 2007 (Rising Stars)
• 2008 (Rising Stars)
• 2010 (Rising Stars)
• 2011 (Rising Stars)
• 2013
• 2014
• 2015
• 2016
• 2017
• 2018
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021
• 2022
• 2023
• 2024
• 2025
• 2026

In The Media:

Attorneys Don’t Have to Share in Judgment Against Ex-Client – Published in The Legal Intelligencer December 28, 2011.

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 1998
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1999

Education:

• Widener University School of Law, Wilmington, Delaware, 1997, J.D.
• Elmira College, Elmira, New York, 1993, B.S.
• Germantown Academy, 1989

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Philadelphia Area Society for Healthcare Risk Management
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Montgomery County Bar Association

Classes/Seminars Taught:

• Sepsis & Septic Shock: Deadly Risk & Liabilities, 4th Annual Sepsis Symposium, Jefferson Hospital, September 2019
• Fundamentals of Personal Injury, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, June 2014

Tracie A. Vizza

Partner

Tracie came to O’Brien & Ryan having already tried many criminal cases before judges and juries. Since joining the firm in 1998, Tracie’s courtroom knowledge has continued to broaden. She has experience in all aspects of civil litigation, in Philadelphia as well as the surrounding counties. Concentrating on complex medical liability cases, she handles arbitrations, mediations and trials. She has defended individual physicians, group practices and hospitals and has defended claims in the areas of neurosurgery, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedic surgery, general surgery, neurology, podiatry, oncology, pain management and psychiatry. Tracie also handles minor criminal matters, and sits as an arbitrator in Montgomery County handing down rulings on a variety of civil cases.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice
• Health Care Law
• Medical Device, Mass Tort and Pharmaceutical Litigation
• Nursing Home and Long-term Care Litigation
• Minor Criminal

Recent Representative Matters:

• Defense Verdict in Philadelphia County on behalf of Podiatrist in Spinal AVM Case

• Orthopedic Surgeon Found Not Liable by Jury on Claims of Two Unnecessary Surgeries in Delaware County

• Defense Verdict for OB/GYN in case involving Wound Infection after Caesarean
• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Pulmonologist
• Defense Verdict for Family Doctor and Practice in Montgomery County

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 1993
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of PA, 2006

Education:

• Widener University School of Law, Wilmington, Delaware, 1993, J.D.
• Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 1990, B.A.

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Philadelphia Area Society for Healthcare Risk Management
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Montgomery County Bar Association

Classes/Seminars Taught:

• Initial Case Assessment: Key Considerations for Sizing up Liability, Damages and Defenses CLE, July 2019
• Faculty, Maximizing the Outcome of Personal Injury Cases, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, July 2019
• Risk Management & Professional Liability, Drexel University, 2018-2019
• ACI’s 17th Obstetric Malpractice Claims Conference, American Conference Institute, Philadelphia, PA, June 2018
• Mock Trial – Anatomy of a Deposition, Obstetrical Society of Philadelphia Annual Resident Education Day, Philadelphia, PA, May 2018
• Grand Rounds: Managing Risks in Multidisciplinary Care, Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, February 2015
• Managing Your Risk: Practicing in a Difficult Judicial Climate, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, May 2014
• How a Litigation Notebook Can Help You Win, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, July 2013

Past Employment Positions:

• Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, Norristown, Pennsylvania, Assistant District Attorney, Major Crimes Unit, 1993 – 1998

Joana Gaizelyte-Lacy

Associate

Joana’s practice currently involves defending medical malpractice actions involving orthopedic surgery, gynecology and obstetrics, maternal-fetal medicine, oncology and hematology, gastroenterology, neurology/neurosurgery, and various delayed diagnosis claims on behalf of hospitals and physicians. In addition, Joana also has experience in contract disputes, personal injury matters, wrongful death, survival actions, assault matters and labor and employment law. She has represented plaintiffs, in both private and public sectors, in various forums in New Jersey and Pennsylvania during the first ten years of her career. Joana was born in Kaunas, Lithuania. She is fluent in Russian and Lithuanian. Currently, Joana resides with her husband and their three daughters in Delaware County. In addition to law, her passion is tennis and English bulldogs.

Recent Representative Matters:

• Defense Verdict in Favor of Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist in Stillbirth Case

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice
• Personal Injury

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2009
• New Jersey, 2009
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of PA, 2012
• U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, 2012
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 2014

Education:

• Temple University School of Law, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2008, J.D.
• Member: Political & Civil Rights Law Review
• Fox School of Business at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2003, B.A.
• Summa Cum Laude
• Marvin Comisky Award Recipient
• Bachelor of Science in Economics

Emily A. Giradi

Associate

Emily joined O’Brien and Ryan, LLP in 2022, where her practice concentrates on complex medical malpractice defense representing the interests of hospitals and healthcare providers in all stages of litigation from initial client meetings through the preparation for trial, mediation, and arbitration. While in law school, Emily served as a certified legal intern in the Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Clinic, where she represented indigent clients in criminal matters.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice

Recent Representative Matters:

• Defense Verdict on Behalf of Urology Group in Bowel Perforation Case

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2022
• New Jersey, 2025

Education:

• Widener University Delaware Law School, Wilmington, Delaware, 2022, J.D.
• Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2019, B.S.

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Philadelphia Bar Association
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Montgomery County Bar Association
• Member – Young Lawyers Section
• Chester County Bar Association
• Member – Young Lawyers Section

Alexis Romney

Associate

Lexi Romney proudly returns as an Associate to O’Brien & Ryan, where her practice mainly encompasses defense medical and professional malpractice matters. Lexi joined O’Brien & Ryan as a paralegal in August 2009 and remained with the firm until she entered Temple Beasley School of Law in August 2020. She completed Temple’s Integrated Trial Advocacy Program and spent two years in both the Community Lawyering Clinic and Family Law Clinic of Temple Legal Aid Office, providing pro-bono services and representation to low-income individuals and families. Lexi is also trained and certified through the Alternative Dispute Resolution Services at the Philadelphia Municipal Court Civil Division where she served as a Court Appointed Mediator for the Municipal Court’s Small Claims and Housing Court Units.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2023

Education:

• Temple University Beasley School of Law School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2023, J.D.
• Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2019, B.S.

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• American Bar Association

• Pennsylvania Bar Association

Stephen G. Schroy

Associate

Steve joined O’Brien & Ryan, LLP in 2020. His practice concentrates on medical malpractice and long-term care litigation. While in law school, Steve won several brief-writing awards while competing for his school’s moot court team. He also won the “Best Student Performer” and received the “CALI Excellence for the Future Award” in his trial advocacy class for his role as the defense attorney in a personal injury case. Prior to joining O’Brien & Ryan, Steve worked for the Honorable Anthony M. Pugliese at the Superior Court of New Jersey, Camden Vicinage.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice
• Nursing Home and Long-term Care Litigation

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2020
• New Jersey, 2021

Education:

• St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA, 2012, B.A.
• Magna Cum Laude
• Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law, 2019
• Cum Laude

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Philadelphia Bar Association

Skyler R. Morgan

Associate

Skyler joined O’Brien and Ryan, LLP in 2023, where her practice concentrates on complex medical malpractice defense representing the interests of hospitals and healthcare providers in all stages of litigation from initial client meetings through the preparation for trial, mediation, and arbitration. Prior to joining O’Brien & Ryan, Skyler worked as a social studies teacher and as a law clerk focused on bankruptcy and commercial litigation. While in law school, Skyler completed a judicial externship with the Honorable Magistrate Judge William Arbuckle for the United States District Court of the Middle District of Pennsylvania in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Skyler also drafted preliminary agreements for small businesses as a legal intern for the Entrepreneur’s Assistance Clinic.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2023

Education:

• Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, 2022, J.D.
• Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi, 2017, M.A.
• Alabama State University, Montgomery, Alabama, 2015, B.A.
  • Summa Cum Laude

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Philadelphia Bar Association

Brianna D. O’Donnell

Associate

Brianna joined O’Brien and Ryan, LLP in 2023, where her practice focuses on medical malpractice defense representing the interests of hospitals and healthcare providers in all stages of litigation from initial client meetings through the preparation for trial, mediation, and arbitration. While in law school, Brianna worked as a legal intern at Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and as a law clerk at Franklin and Prokopik, P.C., focusing on workers’ compensation defense.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2023
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2023

Education:

• Widener University Delaware Law School, Wilmington, Delaware, 2022, J.D.
• Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 2019, B.S.

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Pennsylvania Bar Association

Shannon Sweeney

Associate

Shannon joined O’Brien and Ryan, LLP in 2022, where his practice concentrates on medical malpractice defense. Prior to joining O’Brien & Ryan, Shannon was an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia, where he prosecuted a wide range of violent felony and misdemeanor crimes, including assault, attempted murder, drug dealing, DUI, illegal gun possession, reckless endangerment, robbery, and theft. Shannon was a fierce advocate on behalf of the city’s victims and brings invaluable trial experience to O’Brien & Ryan, having conducted over 50 trials and over 200 preliminary hearings. He also mentored and trained over 70 law school interns, newly hired attorneys, and police officer recruits on proper investigation documentation and trial preparation.

Prior to law school, Shannon served in the United States Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer, where he deployed to Asia and the Middle East in various roles on the ships USS Benfold (DDG 65), USS Peleliu (LHA 5) and USS Green Bay (LPD 20). Shannon continues his service today in the Navy Reserve, currently with the rank of Lieutenant Commander, and as the Executive Officer of a 100-person ship maintenance unit out of Naval Reserve Center Fort Worth, Texas. Prior to starting his legal career, he deployed to the Headquarters Staff of the Commanding General of U.S./NATO forces in Kabul, Afghanistan.

In addition to his zealous advocacy for our clients and military service, Shannon continues to support his local community. He volunteers on the Board of Trustees for Hope Partnership for Education, a co-ed middle school and adult education program in North Philadelphia.

Practice Areas:

• Medical Malpractice

Bar Admissions:

• Pennsylvania, 2018

Education:

• Temple University Beasley School of Law, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2018, J.D.
• Rubin Public Interest Honor Society Fellow
• The College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts, 2008, B.A.
• NCAA Division 1 Men’s Varsity Swimming and Diving Team
• Co-Captain for 2007-08 season

Professional Associations and Memberships:

• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Philadelphia Bar Association

Published Works:

• Rocks v. Islands: Natural Tensions Over Artificial Features in the South China Sea, Temple International and Comparative Law Journal, Volume 31, Number 2 (Fall 2017)