Carbon County Lawyers

Attorney Kim Gillen received her Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law — Harrisburg Campus in 2007 and was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar the same year. Through many years of practice, she has acquired deep experience in essential legal disciplines, with particular concentrations in family law, estate planning, labor law, landlord/tenant law and contracts. On the criminal side, her caseload includes defense for traffic offenses, misdemeanors, felonies, DUI offenses, and juvenile cases. She is appointed as Conflicts Counsel in Carbon County for criminal cases and is also a court-appointed arbitrator, having served as chair on arbitration panels. In...

Kaitlyn A. Burke is a Palmerton native. Following her graduation from The Pennsylvania State University with a degree in International Politics, Kaitlyn went on to Lehigh Carbon Community College and received a certificate in paralegal studies. Kaitlyn continued her legal studies at Widener University Commonwealth Law School where she graduated from in May 2022. While at Widener, Kaitlyn focused her studies on environmental law and received an Environmental Law Certificate in addition to her Juris Doctorate. After law school, Kaitlyn returned to Carbon County and clerked for Monroe County Court of Common Pleas Judge C. Daniel Higgins, Jr. It was...

Jason M. Rapa, Esquire is the founder of Rapa Law Office, P.C. Jason practices together with his brother Matthew J. Rapa. Together they provide services not only in the Poconos and the Lehigh Valley but throughout the State of Pennsylvania. Jason focuses his practice in the areas of Bankruptcy, Consumer Protection and Civil Litigation, while Matthew focuses on Criminal Defense and Consumer Protection. Together Jason & Matthew have handled hundreds of cases against abusive debt collectors and Jason routinely speaks at national, state and local legal events regarding debt collection harassment.Jason has recently be names a Rising...

I have dedicated my practice to helping clients in the areas of workers' compensation, personal injury, family law and divorce, social security disability, and general civil litigation. As the son of a coal miner from a small town, I understand the unique challenges facing many blue collar working families. I have extensive litigation experience, including argument before the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. I have handled hundreds of workers' compensation cases to a favorable outcome, including successfully arguing employee status of a truck driver fatally injured on the job. I have successfully handled hundreds of simple and complex...

Attorney Goldberg concentrates his practice in the areas of Workers' Compensation, personal injury and general litigation. However, Attorney Goldberg does practice in the areas of family law, wills and estates, and landlord/tenant matters for both landlords and tenants. Attorney Goldberg has handled all aspects of Workers' Compensation matters; including throughout the appeals process. He also has handled a variety of personal injury matters ranging from automobile accidents to slip and falls. His general litigation experience has taken him to numerous arbitrations and several trials. He also argued on several occasions before the Pennsylvania Superior Court. Representative Matters: Workers' Compensation: -Litigation of all...

Keith R. Pavlack is a 1986 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. He received his Doctor of Laws degree from Widener University School of Law in 1989. While at Widener he received the American Jurisprudence Award for commercial transactions.

During law school, Attorney Pavlack worked as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Anthony Semerraro in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas. After his admission to the Bar of Pennsylvania Courts in 1989, Attorney Pavlack worked for the Philadelphia Housing Authority where he continued until 1991. Attorney Pavlack worked as an associate for Martin H. Philip Law Office, P.C until...

I have been practicing law in Northeast, PA since 1990, after moving from Philadelphia. I currently live in Palmerton, PA with my wife Sandra, who I have been married to for over 30 years. I spend my time working across multiple offices of our firm, including the Monroe County Law Office, Bethlehem Office, Carbon County Law Office, and Pittston Office. At these locations, I work closely with my wife, who is the Chief Operating Officer of our firm, and my son Dillon, who is both my paralegal and social media specialist. Since the beginning of my career, I have focused primarily...

Lauren E. Beal was born and raised in Quakertown, PA. Lauren graduated from Marist University with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice. She then attended Albany Law School where she graduated with honors in May 2024. During law school, Lauren was a member of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society and Family Law Society. She also participated in the Family Violence Litigation Clinic. After law school, Lauren clerked for Carbon County Court of Common Pleas Judge Joseph J. Matika, and is currently an associate attorney at ARM Lawyers in Bethlehem...

Adam R. Weaver, Esquire is a graduate of Ohio Northern College of Law in 2008. He graduated with a double major in Philosophy and Psychology from Duquesne University in 2005. Attorney Weaver is also a proud graduate of 2010 Class of Leadership Carbon sponsored by the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce. After graduating law school in 2008, for approximately five years, Attorney Weaver began his legal career working for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee and honed his skills in the practice of bankruptcy. In September, 2013, Attorney Weaver opened his own law office in Lehighton, Pennsylvania.

Attorney Weaver has a general...

Patrick J. Best (“PJ Best”) is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and the Rochester Institute of Technology. He was born and raised in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. After graduating from law school he served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Carmen D. Minora of the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas. Attorney Best is frequently featured in the media including US News & World Report, WFMZ, and has an extensive resume speaking to attorneys and bar associations regarding a number of legal issues. At present, Attorney Best serves clients throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Maryland in...

Brandie J. Belanger joined ARM Lawyers in 2020 and focuses primarily on family law matters including divorce, custody, support, and protection from abuse matters. Brandie has successfully tried custody trials, including relocation hearings, while handling a number of other matters in Monroe and the surrounding counties. Brandie began her legal career as a judicial law clerk in the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas. After her clerkship ended in 2009, Brandie joined the law firm Kash and Fedrigon, later becoming partner in 2016. Prior to attending law school, Brandie lived in areas of Upstate New York, North Carolina...

John DiBernardino, Esquire has been practicing law since 1986. Originally from the Philadelphia area, he graduated from St. Joseph's Preparatory High School in Philadelphia in 1978. He graduated from American University in Washington, DC with a Bachelor's Degree in 1982. He then attended what is now known as Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, DE, graduating with his Juris Doctor degree in 1986. While attending law school he clerked at a personal injury law firm in Philadelphia as well as with the Delaware County, Pennsylvania, District Attorney's Office, gaining valuable courtroom experience representing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at preliminary...

MATTHEW TRAPANI devotes his legal career to representing the seriously injured and their families across Pennsylvania.

Attorney Trapani handles a variety of serious personal injury cases including auto and truck accidents, premises liability, liquor liability violations, sexual abuse and wrongful death litigation. Licensed to practice in all of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, Trapani has litigated against some of the largest insurance companies in the U.S., and effectively negotiated substantial settlements for his clients. Recently, attorney Trapani was inducted into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. The forum is a group of attorneys, made up of less than 1% of all lawyers in the...

J.T. Herber, III primarily practices in the fields of criminal defense and civil litigation, including personal injury. His criminal defense practice includes the representation of clients facing felony and misdemeanor charges, as well as serious traffic violations in the Courts of Common Pleas throughout central and eastern Pennsylvania. Attorney Herber previously served as an Assistant District Attorney in Schuylkill County. In civil cases, J.T. represents plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of civil disputes, including personal injury and wrongful death cases, as well as real estate, commercial, construction, landlord-tenant, and collections matters. Despite being...

Attorney Timothy D. Belt is the son of Reverend James and Patricia Belt, and he has resided primarily in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area since 1985. Tim graduated from Lackawanna Trail High School and is a 1996 summa cum laude graduate of the University of the Ozarks. Tim graduated from Villanova University School of Law in 1999 and shortly thereafter began practicing law in the Wilkes-Barre area. Tim’s practice focuses on workers compensation claims. Tim is a frequent speaker in regard to workers compensation issues to business and union organizations. Tim is a member...

Jerry Knafo is a personal injury lawyer who handles car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, falls, dog bites that cause serious injuries and death. Our lawyers handle cases in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Reading, Lancaster, Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas. Call us for a free initial consultation about your Lehigh Valley accident and injury case.

Tim has significant experience in civil litigation, personal injury, workers’ compensation and criminal defense. He attended law school at Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, DE. Tim graduated with honors and finished in the top twenty percent of his class while earning Dean’s List Honors and Certificates of Achievement in several subjects.

Tim grew up in West Chester attending SS. Simon & Jude and then Bishop Shanahan High School in Downingtown. He attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan where he graduated summa cum laude while earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Flight Science. Tim’s aviation passion has...

Native of the Lehigh Valley. Has been in practice since 1968. Married to Deena since 1964; two children, three grandchildren. 2012 recipient of the Lifetime Service Award from Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley. Certified as "Civil Trial Advocate" by National Board of Trial Advocacy. Focuses on civil personal injury and commercial litigation, business and corporate law, real estate.

David Koller of the Koller Law Firm in Philadelphia, PA concentrates on Employment Law, representing employees in all employment related matters including sexual harassment, workplace discrimination, wrongful termination and more. He accepts cases throughout both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He prides himself on treating clients with respect and vigorously advocating for clients, regardless of background, race, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability. Mr. Koller routinely pushes the boundaries of employment law, often making novel arguments on behalf of his clients. In a 2018 ground breaking 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals case, Minarsky v. Susquehanna County, Mr. Koller successfully argued for...

Michael L. Saile, Jr., focuses his practice on personal injury law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. After successfully passing both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey bar examinations, Mr. Saile began working as a personal injury litigator in Vineland, NJ. After getting sufficient litigation experience, Mr. Saile formed a legal partnership, Saile & Saile LLP, with his father for 12 years. Then he started Cordisco & Saile LLC in 2016 with John Cordisco. Mr. Saile enjoys representing real people against big and powerful corporations and insurance companies. He takes great pride in knowing that through his hard work, he has the...

Charles Laputka is the owner and manager of the Laputka Law Office, LLC:

My clients often want to know how they should handle burdensome debt obligations and get a fresh start towards a better financial future. Since 1997 I have helped thousands of people overcome mountains of debt in one way or another. As the owner of the Laputka Law Office, I regularly counsel clients regarding mortgage foreclosure, asset protection planning, and collection issues as well.

Katie Nealon was named as a Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch" in 2021 as well as a Super Lawyer's Rising Star. She joined Munley Law in 2014, where she dedicates herself to representing her personal injury clients. She attended Whittier Law School, where she graduated summa cum laude, was editor of Law Review, won the Trial Advocacy competition, and was recognized as an Outstanding Graduate in Business Law.

Ed has devoted his life to the law, having practiced his craft in Northeastern Pennsylvania for nearly four decades. Currently a member of Munley Law, Ed specializes on pre-litigation and workers compensation cases. Throughout his career, he has worked on a variety of personal injury cases including motor vehicle accidents, premise liability cases and product liability in addition to being experienced in Social Security disability claims, and handling wills and estates. Ed's prior experience includes serving as a law clerk for the Honorable Forrest Schaeffer of the Berks County Court of Common Pleas, participating in countless arbitration and...

Melinda Ghilardi brought years of experience as a trial lawyer to her position at Munley Law. She began her career as an Assistant District Attorney in Lackawanna County. She then spent almost three decades serving as a First Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Boles, a certified specialist in Pennsylvania workers’ compensation, has been elected a SuperLawyer every year since 2007, which means he is one of the best Pennsylvania workers’ comp lawyers. He is graded AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, which demonstrates that his peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence. He has a 10.0 rating, the highest possible, by AVVO, the independent lawyer rating service. Mr. Boles is a graduate of Georgetown University and Villanova Law School. He has written extensively on Pennsylvania workers’ compensation and has lectured before attorneys, labor unions and advocacy groups for the disabled.

Workers' Compensation and Social Security Disability Lawyer

Bob Gillespie is a second generation Plaintiff's lawyer +with a distinguished record of service to the public. He served eleven years in the Luzerne County District Attorneys Office, the last four as District Attorney. In 2007 and 2008, Pjiladelphia Magazine proclaimed him to be a "Super Lawyer"* an awrd only available to the top 5% of lawyers. He is also a "Million Dollar Advocate"* having obtained Million's of Dollars in Awards for his clients. Attorney Gillespie was recently named a Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America, a society limited to 3,500 lawyers less then 1/2 % of those practicing...

Tim Brennan was raised in the coal region working in his family’s well known mom and pop restaurant. He began his legal career in the Lehigh Valley as a Bethlehem and Northampton County Solicitor. He currently lives in Doylestown and, in addition to his legal work, serves as a member of the Doylestown Borough Council.

Mr. Brennan graduated from Ursinus College in 2000, receiving his Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English and Politics and a double minor in International Relations and American Studies. During this period he served two United States Congressional Internships with Congressman Joe Hoeffel and...

Mary Beier graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and then co-founded the law firm of Beier, Beier & Beier with her husband Bart Beier. She is an experienced litigator with particular emphasis on personal injury and equine litigation. Mrs. Beier also works in the firm’s family law practice. She focuses on client communication and understanding throughout the course of a client’s legal problem. She is adept at working out creative and cost-effective solutions that clients can be happy with.

Bart has extensive litigation experience in a wide range of personal injury cases including slip and falls, auto accidents, and defective products. He provides clients with special insight into insurance practices, having worked for two major insurers before practicing law. Bart also has developed considerable real estate expertise with 35 years of experience. He has personally done over 2,000 real estate closings and has been a real estate title agent for over 20 years. Bart works with both residential and commercial real estate clients throughout Pennsylvania. In addition, Bart is extremely active in his firm’s specialized equine practice...