Dennis A. Watson

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Dennis A. Watson: Attorney with Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C.
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
About Attorney Awards

Biography

Dennis A. Watson is a shareholder of Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. He concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, construction law, insurance defense, and municipal litigation, with a particular emphasis in maritime law. His over 35 years of admiralty experience includes the representation of towing companies, landing operators, and marine contractors in their litigation and corporate matters.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Watson was president and shareholder with the firm of Grogan Graffam, P.C. He has also served as a Special Master in the Civil Division of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas and in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Professional Accomplishments

•Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County
•AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell since 1997
•The Best Lawyers in America : 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” in Insurance Law for Pittsburgh
•The Best Lawyers in America since 2013: Insurance Law
•Pennsylvania Super Lawyers 2005-2009 and 2013-2019

Community

•Allegheny League of Municipalities (Past Chair)
•Borough of West View Zoning Hearing Board (Chair)
•Independent Regulatory Review Commission (Commissioner)
•Senator John Heinz History Center (Trustee)
•West View Water Authority (Board of Directors Chair)

Press Releases

8/21/2025 Press Releases

Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote Lawyers Recognized as Best Lawyers in America Award Recipients

8/15/2024 Press Releases

Forty-Six Dickie McCamey Lawyers Recognized as Best Lawyers Award Recipients

8/17/2023 Press Releases

Forty-Four Dickie McCamey Lawyers Recognized as Best Lawyers Award Recipients

8/25/2022 Press Releases

Forty-Three Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote Lawyers Named to 2023 Best Lawyers List

8/25/2021 Press Releases

2022 Best Lawyers List includes 44 Attorneys from Dickie McCamey

8/24/2021 Press Releases

Eight Dickie McCamey Attorneys Named 2022 Best Lawyers ‘Lawyer of the Year’

8/19/2020 Press Releases

Forty-Five Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote Lawyers Named to 2021 Best Lawyers list

8/15/2019 Press Releases

Forty-Two Dickie McCamey Lawyers Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2020

5/9/2019 Press Releases

DMC’s 2019 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Selectees

8/15/2018 Press Releases

Forty-Two Dickie McCamey Lawyers Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2019

5/24/2018 Press Releases

DMC’s 2018 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Selectees

1/1/2018 Press Releases

Ten New Shareholders Announced by Dickie McCamey

See more ›

Areas of Practice (5)

  • Admiralty and Maritime
  • Commercial Law and Litigation
  • Construction Law
  • Insurance Law and Litigation
  • Municipal Law

Education & Credentials

University Attended:
University of Pennsylvania, B.A., History and Sociology, 1974
Law School Attended:
University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D., cum laude; University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D., 1977 Order of the Coif
Year of First Admission:
1977
Admission:
Ohio; Pennsylvania; West Virginia; United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania; United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio; United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia; United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio; United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia; United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Memberships:

Memberships:

•Allegheny County Bar Association (Federal Court Section Council Past Chair and Managing Partners Committee Past Chair)
•American Bar Association
•Pennsylvania Bar Association
•Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
•The Maritime Law Association of the United States (Proctor)

Reported Cases:
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; Obtained defense verdict for towing company/landing operator in suit brought by owner of sunken floating restaurant claiming that the towing company's failure to monitor the vessel resulted in its sinking; Litigated on behalf of towing company in catastrophic lock and dam incident involving multiple fatalities, Formal Coast Guard Investigation, limitation of liability action, and resulting Jones Act claims; Represented landing terminal owner in multiple breakaway suits arising from record river flood stage; Represented towing company/landing operator in claimant suits and limitation of liability suit arising from a barge breakaway from the landing during record river flood stage; Defended owner of 100-vessel pleasure craft marina whose docks broke away in high water against claims from downriver marina severely damaged by client's breakaway docks as well as against claims of boat owners whose boats were moored at client's marina; Litigated numerous claims concerning interpretation and scope of P&I, hull, wharfingers, and marine general liability insurance policies; Represented international construction management firm in litigation arising from refinery fire and explosions with resulting fatalities, property damage, and indemnity claims; Obtained summary judgment for professional liability insurer in suit brought by insured engineering company for coverage and bad faith damages
ISLN:
902929751

Peer Reviews

5.0/5.0 (1 review)
Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rating Badge

  • Legal Knowledge

    5.0/5.0

  • Analytical Capability

    5.0/5.0

  • Judgment

    5.0/5.0

  • Communication

    5.0/5.0

  • Legal Experience

    5.0/5.0
Peer reviews submitted prior to 2008 are not displayed.

Client Reviews Write a Review

Location

Contact Dennis A. Watson

Contact Information:

888-811-7144  Fax

www.dmclaw.com

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