ATTORNEY BIOGRAPHIES
The law firm of Barbera, Clapper, Beener, Rullo & Melvin, LLP, has received the highest rating available (AV) from the peer rating agency, Martindale Hubbell. The law firm is also listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.
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Nathaniel A. Barbera
Education: 1953 J.D. University of Pennsylvania; 1950 AB Catholic University of America.
Areas of Concentration: Litigation, Trusts and Estates, Business Law, Eminent Domain,
Labor and Employment
Personal Information: Married to Anne Repetti Barbera and is the father of five children.
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John J. Barbera
Education: Georgetown University, B.S. degree 1958, JD 1961
Areas of Concentration: Real Estate, Commercial and Residential, Title Insurance Agent, Business, Trust, Estate Planning and Probate Law, and General Practice
Representative Clients: Abilene Boot Co., Inc.; Zubek, Inc.
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Samuel D. Clapper
Education: 1971, J.D. University of Chicago, cum laude;
1968 A.B. Susquehanna University, summa cum laude
Areas of Concentration: Municipal Law; Trusts & Estates; Education Law; General Practice
Other Background: Order of the Coif, Associate Editor, University of Chicago Law Review 1970-1971; Law Clerk, Honorable (Now Mr. Justice) John Paul Stevens, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, 1971-1972; Member, Somerset County (Past President), Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations.
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James F. Beener
Education: University of Pittsburgh, B.A., magna cum laude, 1968;
University of Michigan, J.D. 1971
Areas of Concentration: Business Organization; Municipal Law; Natural Resources;
Real Estate Development
Honors and Awards: Phi Eta Sigma; Phi Beta Kappa; Phi Theta Kappa
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Daniel W. Rullo
EDUCATION
- University of Pittsburgh, B.A., 1974;
- Duquesne University, J.D. 1978
Professional History:
- Partner, Barbera, Clapper, Beener, Rullo & Melvin, LLP - General practice of law since 1978
- Somerset County Solicitor for 22 years
- Attorney for three largest employers in Somerset County - Somerset Hospital, Seven Springs Farm, Inc., and Somerset County
- Solicitor of numerous school districts, townships and authorities including Somerset County General Authority that constructed a $133 million state correctional facility in Somerset, Pennsylvania. Represented Cambria and Somerset Counties in forming the Cambria-Somerset Authority and negotiating the purchase of the Quemahoning, Wilmore, Hinkston and Border Dams from Bethlehem Steel Corporation.
-Represented Somerset County Coroner during the Flight 93 event and was appointed as Somerset County's representative to the Flight 93 Task Force and nominating chairman for the Federal Advisory Commission.
INTERESTS AND ACTIVITIES
- Vice-Chairman, Board of Trustees, Mount Aloysius College
- Executive Committee, Institutional Advancement Committee, Mount Aloysius College
- Parish Council President, St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Somerset
- Member Parish Finance Council - Lector
- Admitted Pennsylvania and Federal Courts
- Executive Committee Somerset County Bar Association
- Past President Somerset County Bar Association
- Past President of the Somerset County Little League
- Past President of the Somerset Exchange Club
- University of Pittsburgh Alumni Committee
- Pitt Varsity Letterman Club
- Chairman of Lansberry Dinners, Boy Scouts of America
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association
AWARDS RECEIVED
- 2007 University of Pittsburgh Letterman of Distinction, (Athletic Hall of Fame)
- 2005 PA Super Lawyer (represents top 5% of practicing attorneys in Pennsylvania selected by peers; only Somerset County-based lawyer to receive designation)
- 2003 Solicitor of the Year - County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania
AREAS OF CONCENTRATION
Personal Injury; Litigation; Labor and Employment; Government; Hospital Law
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Vincent J. Barbera
Education: University of Notre Dame, B.A. magna cum laude, 1978;
University of Notre Dame J.D. 1981, mock trial competition team
Areas of Concentration: Civil Trial, Personal Injury, Contracts, Business Litigation, Corporations, Environmental, Workers’ Compensation, Products Liability, Real Estate Litigation
Member of the Bar of the following Courts
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- U.S. Supreme Court
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals Fourth Circuit
- U.S. District Courts Western District of PA and Middle District of PA
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
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Past Notable Achievements and Case Decisions:
PA Supreme Court victories in the following:
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- Walker v. Darr Construction
- Gardner v. Erie
- Hughes v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
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Personal Information: Married; Father of six children; avid outdoorsman, hunter and fisherman; member of sportsmen’s clubs, NRA and 4-H shooting sports instructor; local 4-H Club Leader 14 yrs.
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Matthew G. Melvin
Education: Boston College, B.A. 1977; Duquesne University, J.D. 1980
Areas of Concentration: Litigation; Real Estate; Business Law; Trusts and Estates;
Personal Injury
Past Notable Achievements: Law Clerk, Honorable Murray H. Falk, Special Trial Judge,
U.S. Tax Court, 1980-1981
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Patrick P. Svonavec
Education: 1987 J.D. Ohio Northern University, with distinction;
1983 B.S./B.Ad.-Accounting West Virginia University
Areas of Concentration: Personal injury, litigation, criminal law, business law, real estate
Honors and Awards: Phi Kappa Phi; Member Willis Society; Ohio Northern University Law Review 1986-1987; Member Somerset County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations
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Annette L. Barbera
Education: 1993, J.D. University of Pittsburgh, summa cum laude;
1990 B.A. University of Notre Dame
Areas of Concentration: Labor & Employment Law; Litigation; General Practice
Honors and Awards: Order of the Coif, Headnote Editor, University of Pittsburgh Law Review 1992-1993
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Melanie R. Barbera (Of Counsel)
Education: 1981, J.D., University of Notre Dame Law School; 1978,
B.A., Seton Hill College
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