Member • Chair, Litigation
Stephanie is an experienced trial lawyer and the chair of the McNees Litigation Practice Group. A proven courtroom advocate who has tried numerous cases to verdict in both jury and bench trials across Pennsylvania's state and federal courts, Stephanie’s deep understanding of business issues outside the courtroom and her problem-solving approach, combined with the credibility that comes from having tried and won cases, enable her to resolve disputes efficiently through early negotiation or, when necessary, by trying them to verdict.
Stephanie frequently advises clients on pre-litigation risk and risk management strategies, and resolves business disputes outside the courtroom when doing so serves the client’s business objectives. When litigation is unavoidable, Stephanie draws on her decades of trial experience, which include a recent defense verdict in a five-day jury trial involving claims exceeding $10 million, numerous successful hearings and injunctive relief proceedings, and dozens of condemnation actions litigated across Pennsylvania, to represent her clients. She also serves as local or regional counsel for out-of-state clients and lawyers in other jurisdictions.
Energy and Pipeline Infrastructure
Stephanie serves as lead trial counsel and project manager for the extensive legal work handled by McNees in connection with a multi-billion-dollar pipeline project that crosses the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This decade-long engagement spans a wide range of litigation tied to one of the most significant infrastructure projects in Pennsylvania’s history.
Stephanie has significant experience asserting the rights of public utilities in condemnation actions brought under the Eminent Domain Code and the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law, including the right of public utilities to condemn property for Marcellus Shale pipeline and infrastructure projects. As lead counsel, she has successfully litigated dozens of condemnation proceedings, including contested eminent domain takings hearings and hearings before Boards of View, on pipeline projects involving both interstate and intrastate pipelines, consistently achieving favorable results and awards well below the damages sought by opposing landowners. Her experience also includes right-of-way acquisition litigation and oil and gas lease disputes involving the payment of royalties.
Commercial Employment Litigation
Commercial employment disputes are a core focus of Stephanie’s practice. She regularly litigates and tries cases involving employment contract disputes, the enforcement and defense of restrictive covenants (including non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure agreements), breach of fiduciary duty, unfair competition, and misappropriation of trade secrets. Her courtroom experience in this area includes securing and defending against preliminary injunctions in fast-moving disputes where clients face immediate competitive harm.
Business and Commercial Litigation
With decades of trial experience, Stephanie combines an understanding of her clients’ businesses and business objectives with proven courtroom results. As a commercial trial lawyer, Stephanie has a proven track record of securing judgments and dispositive wins, including summary judgments and motions to dismiss, for clients across many different industries, including financial services, professional services, real estate, and insurance. She has also represented healthcare institutions, physicians, and physician practice groups in disputes requiring aggressive motion practice and trial readiness.
Stephanie began her career as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable David E. Grine of the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County. She also completed intensive trial advocacy training through the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), honing skills in courtroom presentation, witness examination, deposition practice, and mediation and negotiation skills that she has applied to cases throughout her career. Stephanie is also a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), a highly selective, invitation-only network of 2,500 attorneys and insurance executives located throughout the world.
Stephanie serves as chair of the McNees Litigation Practice Group. She is also an active community leader, serving on the boards and committees of several local organizations, including Choices Healthcare (formerly Hospice and Community Care), where she chairs the Directorship Committee and serves on the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and Executive Development and Compensation Committee.
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McNees has been recognized in the 2027 edition of Best Law Firms®, earning 29 rankings across 22 areas of law. The firm earned 17 Regional Tier 1 rankings across Baltimore, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh. Two practices also received national recognition, with Litigation – Construction ranked National Tier 2 and Energy Law ranked National Tier 3. Below […]
Counsels public and private employers on labor and employment matters. Advises healthcare entities on compliance, risk management, privacy, and HIPAA.
Advises individuals and families on family law matters. Offers litigation, collaborative law, mediation, and prenuptial agreement counsel.
Represents commercial and business clients in complex contract disputes. Advises on shareholder rights, corporate governance, and injunctive relief matters.
Advises businesses and public entities on privacy, data security, and complex litigation. Counsels on compliance, breach response, and class action defense.
