Richard J. Schubert - Carnegie, PA

A life long resident of Pittsburgh, Richard began working for some of the most experienced trial and workers' compensation practitioners in Western Pennsylvania, from which he has developed a practice that includes representing victims in personal injury jury trials and injured workers in administrative law proceedings before the Bureau of Workers' Compensation. After becoming managing partner in a large regional personal injury practice firm in Pittsburgh, Richard decided that it was time to open his own office and continue representing individuals in an atmosphere where he could provide a more individualized, personalized representation that was not possible in a larger firm. Since 1997, Richard has been practicing in the small firm setting, providing big firm representation based on his decades of experience. In 2006 he was fortunate to be able to form AlpernSchubert, P.C. with Chuck Alpern, where this practice continues.

Richard regularly tries cases in state and federal courts in western Pennsylvania and has been doing so since he was initially admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1980. He has successfully represented individuals in various types of cases including medical negligence, defective products, automobile accidents, slip and fall cases and virtually all types of personal injury cases, several of which have resulted in verdicts and settlements in excess of $1 million.

Richard also represents individuals who have been injured in work accidents. He has worked on thousands of cases for people who have been put out of work due to injuries they have suffered at their place of employment. He has litigated cases for injured workers throughout Western Pennsylvania. He has recovered benefits for thousands of workers who have suffered partial and total disability from workplace injuries. He has obtained settlements for his clients that have enabled them not only to survive their work injuries but to move on and improve their lives. Often, a work injury will also involve a claim against another individual or company and overlap with the workers' compensation claim. Richard's experience in both areas provides his clients with additional benefits that enhance the chances of resolution of both claims.

Richard is a recognized leader in trial practice. He is Certified Civil Trial Specialist as designated by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. This certification was first obtained by Richard in 1999 and required a proof of significant prior trial experience, recommendations by judges, peers, adversaries and the successful completion of a written test involving questions of legal ability and ethics. Richard passed the test in 1999 and was recertified in 2004. There are only a limited number of lawyers in Pennsylvania who have taken this step to be able to tell the public that they are certified in civil trial practice. Richard felt that this additional effort was necessary so that clients and prospective clients could feel assured that they would be receiving quality and experienced representation.

Richard has been a leader in several trial lawyer organizations. He served on the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice (formerly Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association) since 1983. He served in every executive position of the organization and was President in 2003-2004. Prior to his statewide positions, Richard had been and remains a Board member of the Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association serving in all executive office in the late 1980's, and was President in 1993-1994.

He is a member of the prestigious Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County and has served on its Board of Governors as well. This organization is limited to 250 trial practitioners whose principal office is located in Allegheny County. Admission is by nomination and approval of the membership. It requires recommendations from judges and peers who are familiar with candidates' qualifications and experience. Considering that there are over 8,000 lawyers in Allegheny County, membership in this organization is a real privilege.