On the Pulse...Profile of Erie, PA Office

The City and County of Erie sit on the southeastern shore of Lake Erie and anchor the thirteen-county northwestern corner of Pennsylvania. The name "Erie" derives from the warring Native American Indian tribe known as the "Eries" or "Eriez" that first inhabited the territory. French explorers later settled the key outpost on the Great Lakes and named the lake and surrounding area "Erie." The British obtained control of the region not long after an expedition there in 1754 led by General George Washington. Erie became known as the "Flagship City" after the ship that led the famous Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812 that finally wrestled control of the area for our new nation from the British. Erie is now home to Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin's northernmost office, which is situated conveniently between Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo.

The firm's Erie office opened in 1996. Since then, the attorneys of the firm have represented local hospitals and physicians, long term care facilities, financial and educational institutions, insurance companies and agencies, manufacturers, retail establishments, the City and County of Erie, and other local municipalities in major litigation matters.

The Erie office is capably staffed by four experienced lawyers, each of whom brings unique talents to their representation of clients in litigation.

Jay Habas is a shareholder in the firm and manages the Erie office. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame Law School, he works primarily with employers on employment and workers' compensation cases, along with defending professional and general liability claims. Jay has enjoyed success both as a civil trial lawyer and in administrative proceedings with his zealous advocacy. He is involved in civic activities, the local bar association, and insurance associations.

Thomas Lent is a shareholder who concentrates in the defense of healthcare cases. He has successfully tried to verdict dozens of medical negligence lawsuits throughout northwestern Pennsylvania on behalf of physicians and other healthcare professionals over a quarter century as a local attorney. Thom, a graduate of Ohio Northern Law School, is well respected in the medical and legal communities for his skills in advocacy and working with healthcare professionals. He also has taught medical jurisprudence to students at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Patrick Carey is an experienced trial lawyer, having tried more than 80 cases to jury verdict. These talents have enabled him to obtain favorable results for his clients in several high-profile cases, including the defense of a local police officer in a civil rights trial. Pat is a shareholder in the firm who practices in all areas of general litigation, including vehicle and premises liability, civil rights, and municipality defense. He also graduated Ohio Northern Law School.

Jennifer Martin Singh is an associate in the firm's Healthcare Practice Group, who also defends employment and premises liability cases. Jennifer earned a Masters in Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Arizona before graduating from the University of California, Hastings College of Law. She joined the firm in 2006 and has handled cases in state and federal courts and in administrative proceedings.

The Erie office, with its experienced, responsive, and energetic attorneys and capable staff, is building on its historical roots in this key geographic area to provide top notch service to clients of Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin.

*Jay, a shareholder and managing attorney of our Erie, Pennsylvania, office, can be reached at (814) 480-7802 or gjhabas@mdwcg.com.

Defense Digest, Vol. 16, No. 1, March 2010