Three Commercial Litigation Members Rejoin Eckert Seamans’ Pittsburgh Office
February 20, 2024
National law firm Eckert Seamans has welcomed three accomplished Members to its Commercial Litigation practice: Ray F. Middleman, Amy J. Roy, and Shane D. Valenzi. Middleman, Roy, and Valenzi return to Eckert Seamans and rejoin the firm from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP.
Middleman focuses his practice on a diverse and broad range of litigation matters, including products liability cases, oil and gas disputes, non-competition suits, Municipal Tort Claim Act cases for local authorities and municipalities, common carrier cases, construction claims, and shareholder rights litigation, among other civil litigation matters. In addition to significant trial work in state and federal courts in Pennsylvania and other jurisdictions, he also represents both purchasers and sellers in multi-million dollar transportation company acquisitions and in general corporate contracts with clients from a diverse array of industries and sectors. Middleman has also worked with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission for over 30 years on issues ranging from litigating fines and compliance matters to the preservation of the self-insurance status of the largest taxi company in the Commonwealth. He holds a J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law and a B.A. from Cornell University.
Roy concentrates her practice on food liability and product liability matters, representing manufacturers in the defense of product liability claims and in state and federal courts in national, regional, and local counsel roles. She also represents public and private corporations, partnerships, and individuals in federal and state courts in a variety of matters, including contract and employment disputes, regulatory compliance, pharmaceutical defense, environmental claims, and litigation arising out of complex commercial transactions. Additionally, Roy coordinates the defense of national mass tort litigation involving pharmaceutical products, including the preparation of discovery responses for thousands of cases pending in federal multidistrict litigation courts and state courts. She holds a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law and a B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh.
Valenzi focuses his practice on a wide range of commercial litigation matters, including fiduciary duty claims, oil and gas litigation, construction litigation, business divorce disputes, and intellectual property litigation. He regularly represents clients in state and federal courts in Pennsylvania and Illinois. Valenzi is also a frequent author and lecturer on copyright law and serves as Chair of the Allegheny County Bar Association Committee on Arts and the Law. He holds a J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School and a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.
“Having worked with Ray, Amy, and Shane for many years, I knew both the high quality of their legal skills and their cultural fit as colleagues at our firm,” said Scott D. Cessar, Chief Executive Officer. “Not long after being named CEO, I met with Ray and told him he needed to come back home. We are all so happy they are back with Eckert Seamans.”
The firm is recognized as a National Tier 1 firm for Commercial Litigation in the 2024 edition of Best Law Firms®. The addition of the three-member team will continue to add to the firm’s multijurisdictional litigation capabilities with extensive experience to guide clients skillfully, cost-effectively, and successfully through disputes nationwide.
“We are thrilled that Ray, Amy, and Shane have decided to rejoin the firm, having been dedicated members of our Commercial Litigation group previously,” said Matthew B. Kirsner, Chair of Eckert Seamans’ Commercial Litigation practice. “Our practice has seen tremendous growth over the past year, and we look forward to continuing to grow our attorney roster to further serve our clients.”
The group’s arrival closely follows the rejoining of Tax, Estates and Employee Benefits Special Counsel Laura Delfratte to Eckert Seamans’ Pittsburgh office last month. The firm’s Commercial Litigation practice advises on business disputes across a broad spectrum of local, regional, and national industry sectors, counseling clients on all stages of litigation, from pre-suit counseling and investigations through trials and appeals.