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Practice
Engaged in general litigation practice with an emphasis on
product liability, construction contracts, prison litigation, sexual harassment,
whistleblower claims, governmental immunities, professional malpractice and
municipal law.
Professional Background
Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania in 1988. Also admitted to
practice before the United States District Court for the Western
District of Pennsylvania and Third Circuit Court.
Professional/Civic Activities
Member: Allegheny County,
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations;
Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association. Member, American Cancer
Society; Legal Rights for Senior Citizens; Variety Club of
Pittsburgh Children's Charity.
Education
Duquesne University (B.A., 1985)
Case Western Reserve School of Law (J.D., 1988)
Dean Dunmoore Moot Court Competition
Jonathan Ault Trial Competition finalist
Up Close And Personal
Lots of superstar attorneys claim merely to be "just
country lawyers" when asked to describe their backgrounds. But in Tom Pellis, Meyer
Darragh not only has one of Westmoreland County's legal stars, but it can also claim a
lawyer with solid roots down on the farm. As both a kid and young man, Tom milked cows,
delivered calves, and drove tractors all over his grandfather's farm in the rolling fields
of the Laurel Highlands. His down-to-earth style with his clients reflects that
well-trained farm mentality that when there is an important job to do, just roll of your
sleeves and get it done.
Tom is a native of Westmoreland County, growing up in Hempfield where he starred on his high school football team and was selected to the National "Blue Chip
All- American" team as a defensive end. Although courted by some Division I college
teams, his size (six feet) and his determination to excel academically led him to Duquesne
University where he majored in journalism and minored in business. He was also a four year
letterman at football for the Duquesne Dukes. Then it was off to Case Western Reserve for
law school where he graduated in the top 15 percent of his class.
In 1988, Tom joined Meyer Darragh's Pittsburgh office where he developed his solid
litigation skills. When he became a partner in 1993, Tom returned home to the Greensburg
office, where he has developed a legal practice for both public sector clients and
companies. His experience in civil rights defense work, government liability issues,
products liability, and high risk insurance cases keeps him more than busy, and in recent
years he has carved a unique niche in defending brain injury cases involving cars,
motorcycles, and bicycles.
An avid outdoorsman, from fly fishing to hunting to golf, Tom is also part of the
firm's outdoor pursuits practice group. He is the Westmoreland County leader of the
Variety Club of Pittsburgh's Children's Charity. Tom and his wife, Maria Capo Pellis, a
data processing software salesperson, have two children. |
