Lawyers in Pittsburgh, PA

Finding a lawyer in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh sits in Allegheny County, where the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County handles most civil and criminal cases arising in the city, with smaller claims going to magisterial district judges. Federal cases connected to Pittsburgh, including bankruptcy filings, generally fall under the United States District Court and Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Once defined by steel, Pittsburgh's economy has shifted toward healthcare, education and technology, and its legal market reflects that change: firms handling medical malpractice and business disputes sit alongside the personal injury, workers' compensation and criminal defense practices found in any mid-sized city with a long industrial history.

This page lists Pittsburgh law firms by practice area. Open a listing to see where the firm is based and what it handles, then contact the office directly.

Practice areas people search for in Pittsburgh

• Personal Injury and Car Accident — crash and premises claims in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, usually on a contingency fee.
• Workers' Compensation — job-injury claims under Pennsylvania's system, a longstanding need in a region built on heavy industry.
• Medical Malpractice — claims against the city's large hospital systems.
• Criminal Defense and DUI & DWI — defense from a preliminary hearing through trial in Allegheny County's courts.
• Family & Divorce — divorce, custody and support matters in the Court of Common Pleas.
• Estate Planning & Probate — wills, trusts and estate administration through the Allegheny County Register of Wills and Orphans' Court.
• Bankruptcy — federal cases filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

How to choose a lawyer in Pittsburgh

Confirm the attorney's status through the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania's online attorney search, which shows active status and any public discipline. Bar association membership beyond that is voluntary and not the same as a license.

Ask how often the firm appears in Allegheny County courts for cases like yours, and who at the firm will handle the day-to-day work. Get the fee arrangement in writing before you sign — contingency for most injury and workers' compensation cases, hourly or flat fee for family and business matters.

Free and low-cost help

PALawHelp.org can direct Pittsburgh residents to the legal aid program serving Allegheny County, and the Allegheny County Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service that connects callers with a private attorney for a short consultation. The University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University law schools operate clinics staffed by supervised students.

For a closer look, see workers' compensation lawyers in Pittsburgh, or compare with lawyers in Philadelphia.

See also Lawyers in Pennsylvania for the rest of the state.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different — talk to a licensed Pennsylvania attorney about your situation.