Richard J. Federowicz
Shareholder
rfederowicz@dmclaw.com |
Direct: 412-392-5426
Two PPG Place
Suite 400
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-5402
Main: 412-281-7272
Fax: 888-811-7144
Richard J. Federowicz is a shareholder of Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. and Co‑Chair of the Estate Planning and Administration Group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of civil litigation and estate planning and administration. He specializes in medical malpractice and estate litigation.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Federowicz was a partner in the law firm of Weis & Weis (1980–1988) and a staff attorney at Neighborhood Legal Services (1977–1980).
Professional Accomplishments
- Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County
- AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® since 2009
- The Best Lawyers in America®: 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” in Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants for Pittsburgh and 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” in Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants for Pittsburgh
- The Best Lawyers in America® since 2012: Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyers® 2004, 2006, 2012–2017 and 2019–2021
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
Education
- Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, J.D. (1977)
- Lehigh University, B.S. (1974)
Related Links
Representative Matters
- Stubbs v. Allegheny County, 463 Fed. Supp. 110 (Western District of Pa. 1978): represented handicapped child and successfully sued a local school district and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania regarding a free appropriate education for the child. This was the first case which recognized a private cause of action under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Opinion authored by Judge Ziegler.
- Kester v. Hart, 512 Fed. Supp. 740 (Western District of Pa. 1981): opinion by Judge Marsh after a jury verdict in favor of operator of jeep that rolled over as a result of hydroplaning.
- Walker v. Allegheny General Hospital, G.D. 86-13835: jury verdict in front of Judge Patrick McFalls in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County in 1990. Child suffered from brain damage. Defense verdict in favor of Allegheny General Hospital and obstetrician where the cause of the brain damage was fetal alcohol syndrome rather than the negligence of the defendants.
- Guidice v. BFG Electroplating, et al., C.A. Nos. 86-2093, 87-1423, and 87-1421 (Western District of Pa.): cases were tried in front of Judge Baron McCune. Plaintiffs alleged that a number of individuals in the town of Punxsutawney were poisoned by arsenic resulting from the operations of BFG Electroplating. Companion suits were also brought for clean-up under the Clean Water Act and CERCLA. Significantly, the federal government requested fines of $400,000.00, and Judge McCune issued a fine of $400.00 under the Clean Water Act. Cases reported at 31 ERC 1350.
- Childers v. Ohio Edison, C.A. No. 87-3264 (Western District of Pa.): reported at 842 F.2d 689 (3d Cir. 1988). The Third Circuit sustained a summary judgment in favor of Ohio Edison regarding an alleged products liability claim resulting in the death of plaintiff’s decedent.
Speaking Engagements
- “Trial of a Medical Malpractice Case” (Presenter); Pennsylvania Bar Institute CLE; Pittsburgh, PA; 11/19/2009
- “Mediation/Settlement Devices” (Presenter); PaTLA Medical Malpractice Seminar; Pittsburgh, PA; 11/14/2007
- “What’s It Worth” (Presenter); PaTLA Seminar; Pittsburgh, PA; 12/12/2006
- “New PA Suggested Jury Instructions in Medical Cases” (Co-Presenter); Pennsylvania CLE; 4/4/2006
Publications
- Trade & Commercial Laws of the Russian Federation (Co-Author); Oceana Publications, Inc.; 1993
Admissions and Licenses
- Pennsylvania Bar Admission
- Supreme Court of the United States
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Memberships
- Allegheny County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
Community
- Polish Falcons of America Legal Counsel (1990–present)
- Shaler Area School Board (1985–1997)
- Vincentian Collaborative Services (Board of Directors)
Education
- Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University, J.D. (1977)
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Lehigh University, B.S. (1974), International Relations and History