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Areas of practice

Education

  • J.D., Duquesne University School of Law
  • B.A., St. Vincent College
  • M.A., University of Pittsburgh

Bar Admissions

  • Pennsylvania

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Biography

Thomas A. Berret is a trial lawyer who, since 1977, has concentrated his practice in personal injury litigation, primarily but not exclusively representing injured persons.  In addition, Mr. Berret has had extensive experience in a broad variety of litigation matters including construction disputes, either in trials or commercial arbitration; real estate claims; breach of contract litigation; and estate claims.

Professional/Community Involvement

  • Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County, Member, 1992-2013
  • Pittsburgh Legal Journal
    • Editor in Chief, 2001-2009
    • Jury Verdict Editor, 1995-2001

Additional Information

In July of 1969 Mr. Berret enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in February of 1972.  During 1971-1972, he served a tour of duty in Vietnam in the Military Intelligence Branch.

Representative Matters

  • Represented claimants in mass tort litigation involving contaminated food in a major restaurant chain, defective and mislabeled pharmaceutical products, and an airplane crash.
  • Represented a business and its employees in a class action lawsuit against Trustees for a health benefit trust who failed to properly investigate a new benefits provider which financially collapsed.
  • Represented minority board members of a non-profit utility in an action to reverse improper action in violation of the utility’s by-laws and Pennsylvania law.
  • Represented insureds in actions against their insurers for failing to pay claims for fire loss, life insurance, and benefits under auto insurance policies.
  • Routinely represented claimants in trial, arbitration, or mediation in claims for death or personal injury involving motor vehicle crashes, premises liability claims, or product defects.
  • Represented owners or contractors in a variety of construction claims, including disputes over extra work, failure to perform in accordance with the contract specifications, or failure to pay amounts due and owing.

Education

  • J.D., Duquesne University School of Law, 1977
    • Duquesne Law Review, Executive Comment Editor
  • M.A. Political Science, University of Pittsburgh, 1972
  • B.A., St. Vincent College, 1968

Awards/Honors

  • AV Preeminent® Rating from the Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating Program
  • Included in The Best Lawyers in America® for Personal Injury-Plaintiff, Personal Injury-Defense, and Commercial Law
  • Selected to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list – 2014, 2015, and 2016