Devon F. Ferris

Practice Focus

Bar Admissions

  • Pennsylvania

Education

  • Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, J.D. (2016)
  • Villanova University, B.A. (2013)

Related Links

Devon F. Ferris

Shareholder

dferris@dmclaw.com |
Direct: 412-392-5324

Four Gateway Center
444 Liberty Avenue
Suite 1000
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1225

Main: 412-281-7272
Fax: 888-811-7144

Profile & Honors

Devon F. Ferris is a shareholder of Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. and a member of the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She concentrates her practice in the areas of admiralty, insurance defense, Jones Act, maritime law, and municipal law.

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Ferris served as an attorney advisor at the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Administrative Law Judges, where she worked on federal workers’ compensation matters, including claims under the Black Lung Benefits Act and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. Ms. Ferris also handled a variety of whistleblower and immigration cases while at the U.S. Department of Labor. During law school, she interned with the Appeals Unit of the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office and clerked for Justice Debra Todd of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Professional Accomplishments

  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America since 2024:  Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
  • Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition Volunteer of the Year (2022)

Practice Focus

Bar Admissions

  • Pennsylvania

Education

  • Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, J.D. (2016)
  • Villanova University, B.A. (2013)

Related Links

Representative Matters

Representative Matters

  • Represented towing company in limitation action having multiple claimants and co-defendants arising from flotilla breakaway at fleeting area during significant ice and flood stage river conditions
Presentations & Publications

Speaking Engagements

  • “Artificial Intelligence for Judges and Attorneys: Balancing the Practical and Ethical Use of AI in Modern Litigation” (Speaker); Allegheny County Bar Association CLE; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; 12/10/2024
  • “In the Wake of Disaster – Navigating the ‘Act of God’ Defense” in a Superstorm World” (Speaker); Southeast Admiralty Law Institute 2024 CLE; Boothbay, Maine; 9/27/2024
  • “Federal Court Roundtable” (Moderator); ACBA Annual Bench-Bar Conference CLE; 6/14/2024
  • “Recent Amendments to Federal Rule of Evidence 702: What Every Attorney Needs to Know” (Moderator); Allegheny County Bar Association CLE; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; 3/26/2024
  • “Does Wilburn’s Boat Still Float? Marine Insurance Choice of Law Issues” (Speaker); Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute 2023 Annual Seminar; Delray Beach, Florida; 6/23/2023
  • “Maximizing Your Success in the Western District of Pennsylvania’s Early Mediation Program” (Speaker); Allegheny County Bar Association CLE; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; 5/17/2023
  • “Mediation Mini Camp” (Co-Speaker); Pennsylvania CLE; 12/13/2022

Publications

  • Reconciling Ex Post Facto Analysis and Straddle Offenses: Alternative Approaches to Incomplete Crimes in Commonwealth v. Rose, 54 Duq. L. Rev. 451 (2016)
Admissions & Licenses

Admissions and Licenses

  • Pennsylvania Bar Admission
  • United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Memberships & Community

Memberships

  • Allegheny County Bar Association Federal Court Section (Chair-Elect 2025; Vice Chair 2024)
  • American Bar Association
  • Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute

Community

  • National Security Conference on the First Amendment (Assistant Conference Coordinator 2018)
  • Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition
    – Committee Member
    – Legal Careers Pathways Program Coordinator
    – Young Professionals Advisory Board
  • Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University (Appellate Moot Court Coach – coached second- and third-year law students to multiple national first-place finishes in mock arbitration and appellate moot court competitions)
Education

Education

  • Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, J.D. (2016), magna cum laude; Duquesne Law Review (Associate Editor); Appellate Moot Court Board (Executive Board Member); Dr. John E. Murray, Jr. Outstanding Writing Award; ABA-BNA Award for Excellence in the Study of Health Care Law; Best Appellate Brief Award; Outstanding Oral Advocate; The Order of Barristers; Shalom Moot Court Award; recipient of CALI Excellence for the Future Awards® in Legal Research and Writing I, Legal Research and Writing II, Torts II, and Law and Medical Ethics
  • Villanova University, B.A. (2013), English