Mr. Harkins is a trial attorney focusing on products liability cases, general commercial litigation, employment disputes and personal injury claims.

Bar Admissions

• Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, 1990

Education

• J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 1990
• B.A., The Pennsylvania State University, 1987

Noteworthy

• Murray S. Love Trial Moot Court Award, 1990
• Wallace Gourley Cup Trial Moot Court, Finalist, 1990
• Trial Academy of the International Association of Defense Counsel, Graduate, 1993

Representative Matters

• Achieved reversal of $2 million punitive damage awards against restaurant owners for abuse of legal process by writing briefs and arguing to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.
• Won a defense verdict in a products liability jury trial where the final pre-trial demand was $500,000.
• Restored U.S. mail delivery to physician practice group by acquiring injunction against former employee-doctor.
• Defended investment firm in jury trial involving claims of unsuitability of limited partnership investments which settled favorably prior to verdict.
• Represented employers in wrongful termination cases involving allegations of race and gender discrimination.
• Obtained class action experience defending discrimination claims and acting as local counsel for a cigarette manufacturer.
• Currently defending high exposure, bad faith claims against insurance company.
• Currently representing national cellular phone company, defending large personal injury claims.
• AAA and NASD Arbitrations, EEOC enforcement action and commercial mediations.
• Arguments in Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Pennsylvania Superior Court, United States District Court for the Western and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania, and common pleas courts in all counties of Western Pennsylvania.
• Representative Clients: Caterpillar Inc., Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Joy Mining Machinery, Kidder Peabody Incorporated, Liberty Mutual Ins. Co.,Philip Morris Incorporated,Simon-Aerials, Inc., Sprint Corporation, Superbolt, Inc.

Memberships

• American Bar Association, Litigation Section
• Pennsylvania Bar Association, Litigation Section
• Allegheny County Bar Association, Litigation Section

Professional Activities

• Teaches “Legal Writing and Case Analysis” class at Duquesne University Paralegal Institute.
• Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy at University of Pittsburgh School of Law
• Participate in the Protection From Abuse (“PFA”) pro bono program which helps victims of domestic violence obtain legal protection from their abusers (1995 to present).