Movers & Shakers

Monroeville attorney John D. “Jack” Finnegan was appointed chairman of the board of directors of Forbes Regional Hospital after serving as a member of the board since 2002.

Finnegan, who was appointed by the West Penn Allegheny Health System, succeeds David Nelson.

Tom Senker, Forbes Regional’s president and CEO, notes Finnegan’s prominence in the community, leadership qualities and understanding of health care issues as key assets in his position.

“Jack’s ability to connect with communities in the eastern suburbs is undeniable and will serve the hospital well as we execute several strategic growth initiatives,” Senker says. “In his time on the board, Jack has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to grasp complex health care issues and advocate solutions on behalf of the patients and communities we serve.”

Admitted to argue cases before both state and federal courts, Finnegan is an attorney in private practice with 34 years of experience in general law. His practice includes representing numerous small businesses and individuals in the areas of civil litigation, contracts, real estate, business, estate matters and municipal law. He serves as the solicitor for the Monroeville Hospital Authority, the Borough of Wall and the Wilmerding Zoning Hearing Board, and previously served as municipal attorney for the Municipality of Monroeville for 12 years.

KLETT ROONEY LIEVER & SCHORLING

Jeffery A. Deller of the Pittsburgh office of Klett Rooney Lieber & Schorling was selected by American Lawyer Media as one of 30 “Pennsylvania Lawyers on the Fast Track” for 2004. A panel of judges from the statewide legal community made its choices based on attorneys’ contributions to the legal profession.

Also, Klett Rooney hired Brian D. Balonick as an associate in the labor and employment practice; Marcy E. Aber as an associate in the labor and employment practice; Cindy Dunlap Hinkle as an associate in the litigation practice; and Kirk T. Rys as an associate in the real estate practice.

David M. Sawyer joined Klett Rooney as an associate in the employee benefits practice. He had been an associate with the Pittsburgh office of Reed Smith. Sawyer received his J.D. from George Washington University School of Law.

Samuel J. Toney IV joined Klett Rooney as a first-year associate.

JACK HORNER COMMUNICATIONS

Jack Horner Communications Inc. promoted Jennifer Pesci-Kelly from account supervisor to vice president. She will continue to oversee account groups and provide strategic and communications counsel to clients such as Development Dimensions International, Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote and Cricket Communications.

TUCKER ARENSBERG

Jeffrey J. Leech, a litigation lawyer with law firm Tucker Arensberg, was appointed to the Allegheny County Bar Association’s Federal Court Section.

The Federal Court Section studies all phases, questions and problems within the field of federal civil and criminal litigation, informs its members of developments in the field of federal civil and criminal litigation and, where indicated, proposes and supports changes, amendments, modifications and improvements in the common and statutory law relating to federal civil and criminal litigation.

Leech heads Tucker Arensberg’s 27-lawyer litigation department. His practice focuses on commercial litigation, including construction and bonding law, and benefit plan litigation under ERISA.

Julian E. Neiser joined the firm as an attorney in the litigation department, concentrating his practice in the areas of business, commercial and construction law. Gary S. Regan joined the business and finance department, concentrating his practice in the areas of corporate and commercial finance, mergers and acquisitions, securities and general corporate matters.

FOX ROTHSCHILD

Susan Foreman Jordan is among 56 “Women in the Profession” leaders recognized by the Pennsylvania Law Weekly and The Legal Intelligencer. Law firms throughout Pennsylvania nominated attorneys, and the women were chosen as top female practitioners by their peers.

This honor follows Jordan’s designation in June as one of Pennsylvania’s “Super Lawyers.” Jordan is a partner with Fox Rothschild, where she chairs the employee benefits group and is a member of its Partnership Advancement Committee. She is a tax attorney whose practice is concentrated in the areas of employee pension and welfare benefits, employment law, corporate law and taxation.

THE WEBB LAW FIRM

Barbara E. Johnson, patent attorney and partner, The Webb Law Firm, is a 2004 recipient of the Jack Kennedy Memorial Alumni Achievement Award in the field of law. The award is presented annually by the Grove City College Alumni Association to graduates who have achieved exemplary levels of success.

FAMILYLINKS

Jeffrey Lawson, director of school and community based prevention services at FamilyLinks, a Pittsburgh-based social service agency, was appointed to the board of directors of HEARTH, a nonprofit housing organization located in the North Hills. HEARTH helps families in crisis obtain affordable transitional housing through its Benedictine Place program and residential facility.

Lawson is responsible for mobilizing a diverse professional work force of school- and community-based service coordinators who collectively reach more than 20,000 children, youth and adults each year throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania.