When disputes occur in business, the Commercial Law and Litigation Group of Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote protects client interests both in and out of the courtroom. Our attorneys try cases and provide litigation counseling for a diverse group of regional, national and international businesses. To serve clients wherever their needs arise, we operate across a broad geographic area that begins with our main office in Pittsburgh and encompasses satellite offices in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Delaware, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia. The Group stresses trial preparation, swift responsiveness to client needs and requests, and cost effectiveness that does not compromise strategy. Our clients are part of the process and take an active role at the negotiation table, trial, arbitration, mediation or other alternative dispute resolution methods.

Litigation solutions have long been the hallmark of Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote. Depth of courtroom experience and a team-oriented approach enable our force of skilled commercial litigators to provide business clients with comprehensive and cost-conscious approaches to litigation. The attorneys of the Commercial Law and Litigation Group are skilled and knowledgeable in the following litigation practice areas:

• Antitrust
  
• Appellate Advocacy
  
• Business Torts, including Interference with Contractual Relations, Unfair Competition and Trade Disparagement
  
• Class Actions
  
• Commercial Transactions
  
• Contract Disputes
  
• Corporate Law
  
• Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy
  
• Employment Law including Covenants Not to Compete and Trade Secrets
  
• Finance Law and Financial Institutions
  
• First Amendment/Defamation
  
• Lender Liability
  
• Real Estate
  
• Securities
  
• Transportation
  
• White Collar Crime

The commercial litigators at Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote are focused on meeting client needs and utilize a team of experienced paralegals, committed secretaries and staff, and state-of-the-art computer and research technologies. These resources allow us to effectively manage sophisticated, document-intensive litigation of virtually any size. As a result, our commercial clients are assured cost-effective representation even in the most complicated matters.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

When litigation is not the best solution for a commercial dispute, our lawyers are experienced in advising and leading clients through alternative dispute resolution (ADR). ADR provides the opportunity to resolve disputes in an expeditious and economical fashion. The Group's experience with ADR includes handling matters before private arbitrators, binding and non-binding mediation, mini-trials, proceedings before the American Arbitration Association and the International Chamber of Commerce, as well as other non-traditional forums. Several of the firm'­s lawyers frequently serve as arbitrators and mediators in a variety of legal contexts.

In every dispute situation, we are always conscious of costs, the potential for delay and the need for confidentiality, and we advise our clients accordingly. While ADR methods may not always be available or suitable, ADR is an important consideration in most commercial disputes. The attorneys at Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote will not only suggest and implement appropriate ADR options, but also take a proactive approach to drafting commercial agreements that specifically delineate where and how disputes are to be resolved.

Focused On Client Service

The Commercial Law and Litigation Group is committed to helping businesses resolve conflicts, solve problems and face the challenges of operating a business in today'­s economy. As a direct result of our years of counsel both in and out of the courtroom, we effectively and successfully advocate on behalf of commercial entities, and guide our clients to positive results.

For further information on the capabilities of the Commercial Law and Litigation Group, contact Joseph S.D. Christof, II at 412-392-5240 or via e-mail at jchristof@dmclaw.com, or Steven W. Zoffer at 412-392-5492 or via e-mail at szoffer@dmclaw.com