Mr. Whitson's practice focuses on general commercial litigation, product liability litigation, appellate advocacy, aviation litigation, and environmental law. Within these areas of practice, he also has broad experience in bankruptcy litigation and insurance coverage disputes. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York and also has represented clients in California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Mr. Whitson is the Administrative Partner of the Firm's Pittsburgh office. Areas of Experience Commercial Litigation Representative engagements include prosecution and defense of breach of contract and breach of warranty claims; claims of misappropriation of trade secrets; defense of a malicious prosecution claim; prosecution of a price discrimination claim against a distributor of gasoline; prosecution of claims arising from disagreements between manufacturers and distributors; and prosecution of claims on behalf of a factoring company against account debtors for payment of receivables purchased. Product Liability Mr. Whitson is Chair of the Firm's Product Liability Practice Group. He has extensive experience representing manufacturers, suppliers/distributors as well as product owners and premises owners. He has handled cases involving many different types of products, including chemicals and solvents, metals and particulates, industrial equipment, transportation equipment and building materials. Mr. Whitson has also represented manufacturers and suppliers of component products in litigation involving aircraft accidents and represented property owners in litigation arising out of airport operations. Environmental Law Mr. Whitson is experienced in hazardous waste litigation and regulatory environmental law. He has represented potentially responsible parties in CERCLA cost recovery and contribution actions, including an allocation trial in a contribution action. He has also provided environmental advice incident to property acquisitions, prosecuted and defended claims of alleged leaks from underground tanks and litigated with state departments of environmental protection over permit denial and/or revocation. Bankruptcy Litigation Mr. Whitson has represented clients in proceedings under Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code as well as in proceedings ancillary to a foreign bankruptcy. His clients include both debtors (individual and corporate) and secured and unsecured creditors. He also has served on creditors' committees, and practices in bankruptcy courts throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio. Pro Bono Mr. Whitson is very active in the Firm's pro bono efforts and serves on the Firm's Pro Bono Committee. He represents clients in all types of immigration proceedings, including asylum applications and removal proceedings. He represents a variety of individuals and organizations in many different fields, and has participated in several pro bono programs through the Allegheny County Bar Association and the Pittsburgh Pro Bono Partnership. Community Activities · American Red Cross, Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter, Board member Clerkships Honorable Thomas A. Wallitsch, Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County Professional Affiliations · Allegheny County Bar Association, Appellate Practice Committee · Allegheny County Bar Association, Court Rules Committee · Allegheny County Bar Association, Gender Equality Task Force · Allegheny County Bar Association, Public Service Committee · Defense Research Institute · Leadership Pittsburgh XXVI Other Distinctions · Named as a 2008 "Lawyer on The Fast Track" by The Legal Intelligencer and Pennsylvania Law Weekly · Recipient of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Pro Bono Award, 2008 · Named a 'Pennsylvania Rising Star' by the publishers of Law & Politics and Super Lawyers, 2005 News 11/27/2011, Keith Whitson Appears on "Our Region's Business" to Discuss Pennsylvania's Fair Share Act 05/31/2011, Schnader Mentioned in Law360 Article on Air France Suit 06/03/2010, Jeffrey Letwin and H. Lee Schwartzberg to Co-Chair Schnader's Business Services Department 10/29/2009, Whitson Quoted in Article Detailing the Case of a Scientist Seeking to Clear His Name 08/07/2008, Two Schnader Attorneys Named 2008 "Lawyers on the Fast Track" 05/28/2008, Two Schnader Attorneys Are Honored With a 2008 Pennsylvania Bar Association Pro Bono Award 03/07/2008, Miller, Whitson at Forefront of Changing Product Safety Landscape 12/09/2005, Five Schnader Attorneys Honored as Pennsylvania Rising Stars 07/14/2005, Whitson Quoted on Pittsburgh-Area Veterans Dispute 06/19/2005, Keith Whitson Quoted on Asbestos Trust Funds Publications Articles 03/08/2010, "BNA Insights: House, Senate Bills Attempt to Expand Personal Jurisdiction Over Foreign Manufacturers" 02/10/2010, "'Equalizing' the Playing Field with Foreign Manufacturers" 06/15/2009, "New Reporting Requirements Under MMSEA" Alerts 07/13/2011, Cloudy Skies Ahead: A Divided Supreme Court Provides Uncertain Course for Jurisdiction Over Out-of-State Manufacturers 07/05/2011, Supreme Court Strengthens Preemption Defense for Manufacturers 03/02/2011, Superior Court Interprets Oil and Gas Lease in Favor of Landowners 05/04/2009, New Mandatory Reporting Requirements Affect Companies Who Pay Money to Resolve Personal Injury Claims 10/29/2008, California's Green Chemistry Initiative Promises Many Changes for Manufacturers and Distributors of Products Sold in California 07/01/2005, Litigation Alert - Joint and Several Liability in Pa. Newsletters 06/01/2006, Pro Bono Newsletter 05/01/2005, Pro Bono Newsletter Speaking Engagements 12/15/2011, Schnader's Whitson Serves as Moderator at Allegheny County Bar Association CLE, "Preserving Issues At Trial and On Appeal" 04/22/2009, Taking and Defending Effective Depositions: Including a View From the Bench 11/06/2008, Navigating the Risks of Aerospace Product Liability |