Jacob  C. Hanley pittsburgh

Jacob C. Hanley

Associate

Overview

Jacob Hanley litigates complex disputes in state and federal courts, including at trial and on appeal, with a particular focus in the areas of commercial and construction litigation.  He has significant experience briefing dispositive issues in connection with pre-trial and post-trial motions, and he has represented clients in both jury and non-jury trials.

Before joining Eckert Seamans, Jacob practiced in the Pittsburgh office of a large national law firm.  Additionally, he gained experience as a legal intern with the United States Attorneys’ Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

While at Duquesne University School of Law, Jacob was the Executive Editor of the Duquesne Law Review and a member of the Appellate Moot Court Board.  He also served as a research assistant to Julia M. Glencer, Professor of Legal Research and Writing, and Duquesne Law School’s Center for Judicial Education.

Representative Matters

  • Obtained summary judgment in declaratory judgment action in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas involving clients’ continued right to fifty-percent (50%) distributions and share of sales proceeds in a large corporation. 
  • Represented general contractor in the McKean County Court of Common Pleas during a seven-day jury trial involving a municipal wastewater treatment plant project and claims for breach of contract. The jury found in the general contractor’s favor in connection with 12 of its claims.  The jury also rejected 11 of the defendant municipal authority’s 13 counterclaims.  Served as second chair at trial.
  • Represented general contractor in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas during a one-day non-jury trial involving a residential construction dispute and general contractor’s claim for breach of contract. The bench trial and post-trial motions practice resulted in a verdict in the general contractor’s favor in excess of $74,000, inclusive of interest, attorneys’ fees, and costs, as well as the compete defense of the defendant’s counterclaim. Served as first chair at trial.
  • Represented subcontractor (concrete supplier) in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of PA during a five-day jury trial involving a large dam rehabilitation project and subcontractor’s claims for breach of contract and violation of the Miller Act. The jury trial resulted in a verdict in the subcontractor’s favor in excess of $7.5 million.  The jury awarded the defendant general contractor just $653 in connection with its counterclaim seeking in excess of $12.4 million. Served as third chair at trial.
  • Represented site-work contractor in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas during a five-day jury trial involving a highway improvement project and contractor’s claims for breach of contract and violation of Pennsylvania’s Contractor and Subcontractor Payment Act. The jury trial resulted in a verdict in the contractor’s favor in excess of $400,000, and the contractor was later awarded an additional post-trial award of attorneys’ fees and interest in excess of $277,000 resulting in a total award of over $678,000. Served as second chair at trial.
  • Represented demolition subcontractor in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas during a six-day jury trial involving a school addition and renovation project and subcontractor’s claims for breach of contract, delay and disruption, and violation of Pennsylvania’s Prompt Pay Act. The jury trial resulted in a verdict in the subcontractor’s favor in excess of $660,000, and the subcontractor was later awarded an additional post-trial award of attorneys’ fees, interest, and penalty interest in excess of $945,000 resulting in a total award of over $1.6 million.  The jury rejected in its entirety the defendant general contractor’s counterclaim seeking $500,000.  Served as second chair at trial.

 

Professional Affiliations

  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Allegheny County Bar Association, Member of the Young Lawyers Division
  • Allegheny County Bar Association, Member of Construction Law Division

Community Involvement

  • Duquesne Law Alumni Association

Awards and Recognition:

  • Justice L. Manderino Honor Society
  • Shalom Moot Court Award
  • Excellence in Legal Writing Award, Duquesne Law Alumni Association
  • Best Brief and Semi-Finalist, 2020 National Appellate Advocacy Competition, D.C. Regional
  • CALI Excellence for the Future Awards for the Highest Grade in: Legal Research and Writing; Advanced Legal Writing: Legal Drafting; and Administrative Law

News and Insights

Publications

  • “Illegitimate Medical Purpose: Resolving the Fundamental Flaw in Criminal Prosecutions Involving Physicians Charged with Overprescribing Prescription Opioids,” 58 Duq. L. Rev. 229 (2020).

 

Interests

A former Division 1 soccer player at Robert Morris University, in his free time, Jacob enjoys staying active and supporting his favorite soccer club, Everton F.C.  Jacob is originally from Windber, Pennsylvania.