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Jennifer L. DeFlitch

Attorney Headshot
Jennifer L. DeFlitch
Partner
Office: Pittsburgh, PA
D: (412) 246-8856
C: (412) 559-9390

jdeflitch@margolisedelstein.com

Jennifer DeFlitch is a Partner in the Pittsburgh office with extensive experience as a trial attorney and litigator. She began her legal career in the energy sector, specializing in oil and gas law, before transitioning to criminal defense. For over eight years, she served at the Westmoreland County Public Defender's Office, where she managed a diverse caseload, from minor summary offenses to serious homicides, guiding clients through all stages of the legal process, including preliminary hearings and appeals.
Attorney Headshot
Jennifer L. DeFlitch
Partner
Pittsburgh, PA
D: (412) 246-8856
C: (412) 559-9390

Jennifer DeFlitch is a Partner in the Pittsburgh office with extensive experience as a trial attorney and litigator. She began her legal career in the energy sector, specializing in oil and gas law, before transitioning to criminal defense. For over eight years, she served at the Westmoreland County Public Defender’s Office, where she managed a diverse caseload, from minor summary offenses to serious homicides, guiding clients through all stages of the legal process, including preliminary hearings and appeals.

Jennifer’s trial experience is extensive, encompassing numerous non-jury and jury trials with significant successes. She is renowned for her vigorous defense strategies, often achieving case dismissals through pre-trial motions. Her expertise in trial advocacy is complemented by substantial appellate experience, including drafting briefs and conducting thorough legal research.

In addition to her legal practice, Jennifer is a dedicated educator at Westmoreland County Community College, where she teaches courses in legal research, writing, and estates and trusts. She also played a key role in developing the mock trial team program at Norwin High School and serves as an attorney advisor, mentoring the next generation of legal professionals. Jennifer also serves as an Arbitrator for the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas.

Jennifer’s contributions to the legal community extend to her involvement with the publication committee for “For The Defense,” a respected defense magazine. Her diverse background and commitment to both her practice and legal education make her a distinguished and valuable member of the legal profession.

Areas of Practice

Automobile & Trucking | General Liability | Hospitality & Retail | Labor & Employment | Professional Liability | Public Entity & Civil Rights

Education

  • Duquesne University School of Law (J.D.)
  • Bucknell University (B.A.)

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Pennsylvania
  • United States District Court, Western District of PA

Professional Affiliations

  • Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania

Honors

  • National Business Institute, Outstanding Faculty Award (2025)
  • Premises Liability, Dog Bite (Butler County, PA) – Obtained dismissal of claims against homeowner defendants in a dog bite action arising from injuries sustained by a guest at a private social gathering. The plaintiff alleged that the homeowners were liable for permitting another guest to bring a dog to the event despite purported knowledge that the animal was aggressive and difficult to control. The defense successfully argued that the plaintiff, as a social guest, was a licensee rather than an invitee under Pennsylvania law and that the plaintiff’s liability theory improperly sought to expand existing premises liability principles. Following the exchange of legal positions and before substantial discovery was conducted, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed all claims against the homeowners.
  • Professional Liability (Allegheny County, PA) – Defended a professional liability (legal malpractice) action in which the plaintiff alleged that the defendant-attorney’s handling of a prior civil rights case fell below applicable professional standards and caused the dismissal of that underlying lawsuit brought on behalf of the plaintiff’s son. After plaintiff failed to respond to defense Requests for Admission the defense filed a Motion to Compel and to Deem the Requests for Admission admitted. Following that filing, the plaintiff voluntarily executed a Stipulation of Dismissal, dismissing all claims with prejudice.
  • Premises Liability (Allegheny County, PA) – Obtained dismissal with prejudice of a premises liability action arising from an alleged slip-and-fall on ice at a King’s restaurant. Plaintiff claimed injuries resulting from a fall caused by icy conditions on the property. The court granted the defense Motion to Dismiss with prejudice after the plaintiff passed away and plaintiff’s counsel failed to notify the court of the death or timely substitute a personal representative or administrator within one year.
  • Negligence (Allegheny County, PA) – Represented a homeowner sued by neighboring property owners for alleged sewer damage arising from residential construction. Successfully positioned the client as a non‑liable party based on reliance on licensed contractors. Despite a settlement demand and efforts to reach a global resolution, the matter concluded with the client fully released without any financial contribution.
  • Premises Liability (Erie County, PA) – Secured dismissal of a personal injury action arising from alleged burns caused by a defective coffee cup lid at a drive-thru after plaintiff passed away and plaintiff’s counsel failed to substitute an administrator or notify the court. After more than a year of inaction, the defense filed a Motion for Summary Judgment based on the failure to continue the action. In response, plaintiff filed a Praecipe to Discontinue, and the statute of limitations expired, precluding any refiling of the claims.
  • General Liability (Blair County, PA) – Defense obtained a prompt resolution of a loss of consortium action arising from a motor vehicle accident following enforcement of a pre-suit release. Although the underlying bodily injury claim had been resolved through settlement, with the plaintiff executing a release of all claims including consortium, the plaintiff’s spouse later filed suit individually and as administratrix of the estate after the plaintiff’s unrelated death. Defense asserted the release as a complete bar through responsive pleadings, including counterclaims invoking indemnification and hold harmless provisions. Following the filing of these pleadings, plaintiff’s counsel withdrew the action in its entirety.
  • General Liability (Allegheny County, PA) – Defense secured a favorable arbitration award on behalf of a nail salon in a negligence action alleging that a pedicure caused an infection requiring surgical intervention. Plaintiff claimed the service resulted in an ingrown nail and subsequent complications. Defense established that the alleged condition was unrelated to the services performed, and the arbitration panel returned a defense verdict.
  • Property Damage, Premises Liability (Somerset County, PA) – Defense obtained summary judgment in a property damage action arising from a fire at a community center, where plaintiff sought approximately $130,000 in damages. Plaintiff alleged that the client, a local church, caused the fire after using the facility the prior day. Defense demonstrated that multiple groups had access to the premises over a two-day period and that no evidence identified who placed materials on a stove or activated the appliance. The court found the claims lacked evidentiary support and granted summary judgment in favor of the client.
  • “Navigating Multi-Defendant Claims: Settlement Strategy, Risk Allocation, and Defense Coordination,” PAMIC Claims Summit, April 2026 (Lancaster, PA)
  • “Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace: Marijuana and Other Considerations,” National Business Institute, March 2026
  • “What You Need to Know About AI in the Workplace,” National Business Institute, December 2025
  • “Presenting to the Judge and Jury,” National Business Institute, October 2025
  • “Pennsylvania Human Resource Law: What You Need to Know Now,” National Business Institute, August 2025
  • “‘Please Document Everything’ – Workplace Accommodations,” National Business Institute, June 2025
  • “Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace: Marijuana and Other Considerations,” NBI, National Business Institute, April 2025