Lauren is a shareholder in the Casualty Department. She concentrates her practice in the areas of product liability, premises liability, auto liability, and construction law. Lauren's litigation experience includes assisting in the management of discovery during the course of litigation, as well as drafting and arguing dispositive motions. Lauren participated in Marshall Dennehey's pro bono program where she was responsible for a social security disability appeal case. Further, Lauren has represented corporate entities at the arbitration and magistrate levels.
Lauren earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Psychology, Political Science, and Anthropology, cum laude. Prior to law school, Lauren was an assistant buyer for Anthropologie. She received her juris doctor from the University of Pittsburgh, cum laude, in 2013. While in law school, Lauren served as a legal writing teaching assistant and as an editorial board member of the Journal of Law and Commerce. Prior to graduating from law school, Lauren served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Maurice B. Cohill, Jr. of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and also as a legal intern for the legal department of Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc.
Prior to joining the firm, Lauren served as a judicial law clerk with the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas of Somerset County.
Lauren is admitted into practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Her memberships include the Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar Associations, and the W. Edward Sell American Inn of Court.
Honors & awards
The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Construction Law; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
2021-2025
Year joined
2014
Results
Summary Judgment Secured in a Neighborhood Dispute Alleging Excess Water Runoff
Property Litigation
June 10, 2024
We obtained summary judgment in the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas in favor of our clients in a dispute over alleged excess water runoff. Our clients, a married couple, were sued by their neighbors for claims related to water runoff due to the installation of gutters and downspouts on a shed near the property line. We effectively argued for summary judgment on the plaintiffs’ injunction, trespass, nuisance and negligence claims, demonstrating that the plaintiffs lacked the necessary expert testimony to substantiate their case as required under Pennsylvania law.
Summary Judgment for Wellhead Manufacturer.
Product Liability
May 11, 2018
We obtained summary judgment on behalf of a wellhead manufacturer in a product liability matter pending in Western Pennsylvania. The plaintiff drill operator alleged a wellhead was defectively designed, causing oil and gas to escape during operation, which led to a fire at the well site. The plaintiff asserted economic losses in excess of $1.4 million. We successfully argued that the plaintiff failed to elicit sufficient expert opinion to support the defect claim and also spoliated evidence in discarding the subject wellhead.
Thought Leadership
Federal Court Allows Negligence Claim Against Retailer Under Restatement 344 for Independent Contractor’s Assault
Pittsburgh
Premises & Retail Liability
January 1, 2026
In their complaint, the plaintiffs raised negligence claims against a retail store based upon the alleged sexual assault and battery of a minor by a former employee of the store’s independent contractor.
Federal Court Grants Summary Judgment to Retailer in Slip-and-Fall Case for Lack of Evidence of Notice
Pittsburgh
Premises & Retail Liability
January 1, 2026
The plaintiff raised a negligence claim against a retail store based upon a slip and fall incident. The plaintiff alleged that she slipped and fell in an aisle of the store as a result of water on the floor.
Superior Court Affirms Summary Judgment for Landlord: Lack of Expert Testimony on Fire’s Cause Defeats Negligence Claim
Pittsburgh
Premises & Retail Liability
January 1, 2026
The plaintiff tenants filed negligence claims against the defendant landlord stemming from a fire that occurred in their rented home. The landlord filed a motion for summary judgment, which the trial court granted.
Superior Court Vacates Termination of Premises Liability Case: Lack of Proper Notice Under Rules 230.2 and 236
Pittsburgh
Premises & Retail Liability
January 1, 2026
The plaintiff filed a premises liability action against a hospital which was commenced by a writ of summons.
Commonwealth Court Vacates Verdict, Holding Comparative Negligence Instruction Improper in Dog Attack Case
Pittsburgh
Premises & Retail Liability
October 1, 2025
When the plaintiff, a volunteer at the dog shelter, arrived at the shelter, a dog on a leash jumped up. The plaintiff moved away and told an employee of the shelter to take the dog away.
Pro Bono Activities
Marshall Dennehey's Social Security Disability Pro Bono Program
AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him
or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
