2025-2026 ACTIVITIES OF THE INSTITUTE

 2025-2026 was a very busy year for the Pennsylvania Defense Institute (PDI) and a unique year in that we had a President who left the organization requiring Trisha Springer to step up and fill in the last five months of the current administration.  The year was filled with CLEs in the form of webinars and live presentations along with a number of social events.  The highlight of the year was the joining of forces of PDI and the Pennsylvania Association for Justice (PAJ), the state wide Plaintiffs’ attorneys’ organization to create and provide the first plaintiff/defendant organized Young Lawyers Trial Academy.  The event was a success with 35 participants, 17 from plaintiffs’ firms and 18 from defense firms.  The faculty was made up of 5 experienced plaintiff attorneys and 5 experienced defense attorneys.  A more descriptive list of the various functions that PDI provided to its membership is as follows:

WEBINARS AND LIVE CLE

September 17, 2025 – PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR –MICHAEL E. GOLDBERG, CONSULTING ENGINEERS & SCIENTISTS PRESENTED “The Role of Industrial Hygiene & Safety in Litigation”

Michael E. Goldberg, CIH, CSP, a Certified Industrial Hygienist and Certified Safety Professional, from Consulting Engineers & Scientists, Inc.,discussed the role of a safety professional in the evaluation of safety processes and procedures as they relate to injuries and hazard exposure.  Using case examples, Mr. Goldberg further discussed how the individual facts of the incident, the nature of the injury and the Safety Professional’s investigation can bring all facts together to determine responsibility of various parties and potential liability.  This was an important presentation that will provide attorneys with another view in determining whether or not there is potential responsibility and/or liability. 

October 7, 2025 – PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR – “Premises Liability Cases – Practical Tips to Avoid Tripping Up Your Case”

David Littlewood, P.E., David H. Fleisher, P.E., and Lee Elsey, AIA, of PDI sponsor FLEISHER FORENSICS provided a presentation that enhanced the participants understanding of premises cases from the perspective of professionals, which include engineers, architects, construction administrators and managers, and scientists.

This was an invaluable session where the Fleisher expert shared insights, codes, standards and practical tips for handling premises liability cases. This event offered an opportunity to deepen the participants knowledge of design, construction, and maintenance considerations, with expert analysis of walkway surfaces such as stairways, sidewalks, floors and decks.  

October 29, 2025 – East District hosted an evening of experts and pizza – “How to Best Use an Expert”

Robert Cosgrove, Esquire, Wade Clark Mulcahy, VP  PDI Western District hosted a Pizza, Beer & Experts education and social event. This was an hour-long presentation entitled “How to Best Use an Expert” followed by social time to network with colleagues and the experts.  The event provided 1 PACLE substantive credit.  The participants learned how the following experts can assist them with the defense of their cases: EXPONENT, RUDICK FORENSIC ENGINEERING, CONSULTING ENGINEERS & SCIENTISTS, and PREMIER VOCATIONAL EXPERTS.

December 5, 2025 – PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR – “Cyber Security Protection for Lawyers”

Cyber Security Protection for Lawyers (2026) equips attorneys to prevent, detect, and respond to modern threats. Todd Scott, Esquire, VP of Risk Management, Minnesota Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company, covered phishing, deep-fakes and AI-driven fraud, Ransomware, data-loss prevention, secure communications, vendor/cloud risks, and practical safeguards (MFA, encryption, backups, zero-trust). Information for incident-response steps, breach-notification basics, ethics and confidentiality duties, and insurer expectations were discussed. Attendees were provided with a prioritized checklist, policy templates, and recommended low-cost tools suited to solo, small, and mid-size practices. Attendees learned how to:

• Identify top cybersecurity threats facing lawyers in 2026.
• Understand ethical duties to protect client data.
• Spot phishing, spoofing, and AI-driven scams.
• Secure email, cloud, and remote systems effectively.
• Create a practical incident-response plan.
• Use affordable security tools for small firms.
• Align cyber insurance with risk management goals.
• Apply a prioritized cybersecurity checklist immediately.

The following ethics rules were be addressed:

ABA Model Rule 1.1 – Competence

ABA Model Rule 1.4 – Communication

ABA Model Rule 1.6 – Confidentiality of

Information                                                                                              ABA Model Rule

1.15 – Safekeeping Property

December 12, 2025 – PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR – “Undocumented Workers and the Pa Workers’ Compensation Act”

PDI Workers’ Compensation Committee presented a one hour webinar on the issue of undocumented workers and the Pa. Workers’ Compensation Act.  Stephen F. Moore, Esquire of

Peters & Wasilefski will moderate a discussion with Neil T. Dombrowski, Esquire of The

Dombrowski Group and Daniel P. Ryan, C.P.A., Certified Forensics Accountant, DABFA, CGMA.  The panel addressed the legal implications of an individual being an undocumented workers as related to the Pa. Workers’ Compensation Act and the Employer’s burden to establish that the individual is ineligible to work and its impact upon a Claimant’s claim for benefits.  Mr. Ryan has served as an expert and has document review expertise.  He has testified in numerous workers’ compensation proceedings on whether or not a given individual is work eligible in the United States.  The presentation addressed both legal requirements and strategy and the nuances of presenting expert testimony on this topic.  

January 8, 2026 – PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR – “A Vocational Expert’s Guide to Earnings Capacity and Household Services Loss”

Teresa M. Hearn, MS, CRC, CLCP, IPEC, CVE, Premier Vocational Experts, LLC, presented important information related to the difference between a forensic vocational expert and a forensic economist (who, what, when to use one or the other) and how a forensic vocational expert makes an assessment of future earning capacity, including and specifically with regards to an injury to a minor.  Additionally, Ms. Hearn provided information as to how a vocational expert values loss of household services in the assessment of losses to an injured person.

Ms. Hearn is a certified life care planner and certified vocational expert who has been providing comprehensive vocational employability and earning capacity assessments and services for individuals with varying levels of disability for over a decade.  She has something to share for seasoned attorneys and newer attorneys working with personal injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI), medical malpractice, product liability, long term disability, employment law, and matrimonial cases as examples of her work.

February 11, 2026 – PAHCRM/PDI WEBINAR – “Navigating the Digital Shift: Balancing The Benefits and Legal Risks of Patient Portals”

Robert J. Aldrich, Esquire and Melissa A. Dziak, Esquire from the Health Care Department of Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin presented important information regarding “Navigating the Digital Shift: Balancing The Benefits and Legal Risks of Patient Portals”. As healthcare providers continue to prioritize digital engagement and patient-centered care, the adoption of patient portals has become a key tool for improving patient communications.  However, the integration of these platforms also brings new legal and clinical risks that must be carefully managed.  Misinterpretations of information/data, reliance on the patient portal as the sole method of patient communications, or patient transmission of urgent/emergent messages via the portal can all lead to delayed care and/or poor medical outcomes that may ultimately result in medical malpractice lawsuits. As litigation continues to heavily focus on audit trail and metadata issues, the electronic footprint in the patient portal audit trail can be either a shield or a sword when defending medical malpractice claims.  The presenters will discuss mitigation strategies for managing risks associated with the use of patient portals and how the reliance on patient portals impacts medical malpractice laws.

PACHRM has invited PDI Members to attend this important webinar at no charge.  PDI has made arrangements with PACLE to provide 1.5 CLE credits for attendance at this webinar. This will be a very informative webinar providing important information in the new digital age.

February 17, 2025 – PDI Lunch Time Webinar – “Recent Product Liability Pretrial and Trial Experience in Pennsylvania State and Federal Courts”

PDI Products Liability Committee presented “Recent Product Liability Pretrial and Trial Experience in Pennsylvania ( State and Federal Cases)”.  A well-seasoned panel experience in products liability cases will discuss the trial of product liability cases in the wake of Tincher  v. Omega-Flex.  The panel was moderated by William “Bill” Ricci, Esquire, Ricci Tyrrell Johnson & Grey, and include: C. Scott Toomey, Esquire, Littleton Joyce Ughetta & Kelly, Bradley Remick, Esquire, Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin, James M. Beck, Esquire, Reed Smith, Dennis Ziemba, Esquire, Bowman Brooke. The panel discussed actual trial and pretrial (in limine) experiences with: offers of Industry Standards and Government Regulations Compliance Evidence in the aftermath of Sullivan v. Werner and the success/failure of defense counsel’s requests to have trial judges charge juries that it is their role to determine whether a product was unreasonably dangerous at the time of its sale as a new product.  

March 12, 2026 – PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR – “ Protecting Minors or Enforcing Contracts: Enforceability of Parent-Signed Arbitration Agreements in Pennsylvania”

Nicole Cramer, Esquire, Sweeney & Sheehan, focused on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s recent decision in Santiago v. Philly Trampoline Park, LLC, Nos. 24 EAP 2023, 24 EAP 2023, 2025 Pa. LEXIS 1501 (September 25, 2025), where the Court decided as a matter of first impression whether a parent can bind their minor child to litigate their claims in arbitration when they sign an agreement on behalf of their minor child.  She will also discuss any cases in which there is a reliance upon Santiago that exist at the time of the presentation. 

April 22, 2026 – PDI Lunch Time Webinar – RIMCUS presents: “Commercial Vehicle Accident Analysis”. 

Tracie Eckstein Jones, ACTAR, CFEI from RIMKUS presented this webinar designed to describe the necessity for commercial vehicle accident reconstruction and the methodologies involved in conducting a successful commercial vehicle accident reconstruction.  She used case studies to illustrate  and demonstrate the methodologies utilized and presented.

Ms. Jones holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Psychology and served as a police officer for 20 years and during her tenure as a police officer has investigated hundreds of serious and fatal vehicle collisions for the Baltimore County Police Department involving motor vehicles, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and pedestrians.  She is a certified Child Seat Safety Technician proving her with special knowledge in the inspection of child safety seats.

Ms. Jones’ areas of expertise include private motor vehicle, commercial motor vehicle, motorcycle, and pedestrian/bicycle v. vehicle crash reconstruction. She is experienced in Event Data Recorder analysis for passenger vehicles and heavy truck engines, seatbelt analysis, and rollover crash reconstruction.  She also has extensive training and experience with crash scene mapping using a total station and a 3D laser mapping system.

May 27, 28, 29, 2026 – PDI/PAJ Joint Trial Academy to take place May 27, 28, 29, 2026, with the educational component taking place at the Penn State School of Law.  Arrangements for a block of rooms at the Nittany Lion Inn have been made at discounted rates.  

The faculty has been formed made up of 5 Plaintiffs’ attorneys and 5 Defense attorneys.  The faculty consists of the following:  Plaintiffs – Neil O’Donnell, Esquire, Jon Perry, Esquire, Larry Kelly, Esquire, Mike Daley, Christine Bradley, and Gina Zampella.  Defense attorneys – Matthew Keris, Esquire, Patrick Sweeney, Esquire, Robert Cosgrove, Esquire, Lauren Garaguso, Esquire, and Rebecca Sember Iszak.  Moderators for the program are: Jason Banonis, Esquire, Erich Purchase,Esqure, and Joseph Froetschel, Esquire.

June 11, 2026 – PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR –  EXPONENT PRESENTED – “Surgical Robotics and Litigation”

Jessica Isaacs, Ph.D., P.E., Managing Engineer – Biomechanics, Lisa Lallo, Ph.D. P.E. Managing Engineer-Mechanical Engineering, and Collin Stabler, Ph.D., P.E. PAC, Senior Managing Engineer – Biomechanical Engineering and Science presented a discussion regarding product liability implications for surgical robotics, encompassing areas of life sciences, biomechanics, and mechanical performance.

SOCIAL EVENTS

December 9, 2025 – PDI/PADC/PATL EAST DISTRICT HOLIDAY PARTY

PDI/PADC/PATL hosted the East District Holiday Party @ The Lucy-Cescaphe, 231 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  

December 18, 2025 – PDI/PAJ MIDDLE DISTRICT SOUTH HOLIDAY PARTY

PDI/PAJ will co-host the Middle District South Holiday Party at LEVEL 2, 215 North 2nd Street, Harrisburg, PA from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

March 19, 2026 – PDI Middle District North Officers and Directors will be hosting “March Madness Watch Event” @ Dave and Buster’s, 6000 Shoppes Boulevard, Moosic, PA starting at 1:00 p.m to 3:30 p.m..

April 29, 2026 – PDI West District Officers and Directors and PDI Sponsor, VERSED, will host “Spring Fling Happy Hour” @ City Works, 2 PPG Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

June 17, 2026 – PDI East District Officers and Directors and EXPONENT hosted a “World Cup Watch Party” in Philadelphia.

LAW SCHOOL DEFENSE CAREER CONFERENCES

February 5, 2026 – PDI/PADC Law Student Defense Career Conference at Villanova School of Law

February 17, 2026 – PDI/PADC Law School Defense Career Conference at Drexel School of Law

February 24, 2026 – PDI Law School Defense Career Conference at University of Pittsburgh School of Law

February 25, 2026 – PDI/PADC Law School Defense Career Conference at Temple School of Law

PDI/PAJ YOUNG LAWYERS TRIAL ACADEMY

May 27, 28, 29, 2026 – PDI/PAJ jointly organized and presented the first of what is hoped to be an annual Young Lawyers Trial Academy.  The event was held at the Penn State/Dickinson Law School in State College Pennsylvania. Overnight accommodation was provided at discounted rates at the Nittany Lion Inn and all classes were at the law school.  On May 27, a social hour was provided that allowed the faculty and the participants to meet and socialize prior to the start of the academy.  Breakfast was provided on May 28, and 29 with lunch provided at the law school on May 28.  The academy was attended by 35 participants, 17 plaintiffs’ attorneys and 18 defense attorneys.  The faculty was made up of 5 plaintiffs’ attorneys and 5 defense attorneys. 

The faculty consisted of the following:  Plaintiffs – Neil O’Donnell, Esquire, Jon Perry, Esquire, Larry Kelly, Esquire, Mike Daley, Christine Bradley, and Gina Zampella.  Defense attorneys – Matthew Keris, Esquire, Patrick Sweeney, Esquire, Robert Cosgrove, Esquire, Lauren Garaguso, Esquire, and Rebecca Sember Iszak.  Moderators for the program were: Jason Banonis, Esquire, Erich Purchase, Esquire, and Joseph Froetschel, Esquire.

PDI ANNUAL CLE & CONFERENCE

July 29, 30, 31, 2026 – PDI Officers and Directors again hosted the PDI Annual CLE & Conference at the beautiful and historic OMNI Bedford Springs Resort.  The event was planned by Denise M. Montgomery, Esquire, Sweeney & Sheehan, current PDI Executive Vice President – Operations.  A fantastic program was presented as follows:

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

• Early Arrivers Mixer – Sponsored by Fleisher Forensics
• Board of Directors Meeting
• PDI Welcome Reception

Thursday, July 30, 2026

• Registration and Breakfast – sponsored by Consulting Engineers & Scientists
• Welcome
• The State of Affairs of The PA Fair Share Act Post Spencer v. Johnson in 2026
  • Panelists:        Lisa Whisler, Esquire, Houston Harbaugh

            Ashley Rodgers, Esquire, The Cook Group

                Sarah Czypinski, Esquire, Babst Calland

• Bad Faith Update
  • Panelists :       Daniel J. Twilla, Esquire,

Gordon Rees Scully & Mansukhan

Steve Krug, Esquire, Penn National Insurance

Josh Morrow, Esquire, Progressive Insurance

• The Modern Law Firm in 2026: Mobile Practice, A.I. Tools, and Cybersecurity
  • Presenter:        Todd Scott, Esquire – Minnesota Lawyers Mutual

Insurance Company

• LUNCH sponsored by Fleisher Forensics
• PDI ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING AND AWARDS CEREMONY
  • Robert C. Keaton Government Leader of the Year
    • State Representative Rob Kauffman
  • Defense Attorney of the Year
    • Jason Banonis, Esquire, Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman

& Goggin

• GOLF TOURNAMENT/SPA TIME/POOL TIME/ACTIVITIES ON OWN

• PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION AND DINNER

• NETWORK DEPOSITIONS’ RECEPTION – Bourbon & Cigars

Friday, July 31, 2026

• BREAKFAST sponsored by Forensic Consultants of North America

• Emerging Trends in Product Liability: Advantages and Challenges to the Defense Under Pennsylvania’s Current Legal Framework
  • Panelists:         M. Susan Toth, Esquire, Sweeney & Sheehan

Julian Kelley, Esquire, Richo

• Nuclear Verdict, Settlement Trends, and Amendments to Rule 403.2
  • Presenter:         Lisa Bellino, Esquire, Zurich North America

• Expanding Theories of Recovery in Construction Defect Claims – Atomic Verdicts Which Impede Settlement
  • Panelists:         Patrick Chau Cunningham, Esquire, Swartz Campbell

Brian T. Noel, Esquire, Wade, Clark Mulcahy

2027 PDI ANNUAL CLE & CONFERENCE

July 21, 22, 23, 2027

LEGISLATIVE MONITORING

            In addition to the PDI educational programs described above, PDI also participates in the continuous monitoring of important legislation that is moving through the Pennsylvania House and Senate.  PDI has retained the services of Greenlee Partners to provide excellent monitoring of ongoing movements of legislation as things occur in the House and Senate.  Matt Steck, Ben Dannel, and Madison Laughman provide us with a monthly Legislative Update that is provided to all PDI Members.  The Update provides current status of legislation that is important to the PDI Members and their clients.  Matt, Ben, and Madison also provide PDI Officers and Directors an introduction to Representatives and Senators and their staff through a periodic Day on the Hill visit offering PDI as a resource for legislative committee hearings, witnesses, white papers and informal support.  Discussions were had with regard to third-party litigation funding, stacking reform, mandatory UIM limits, increasing auto limits, medical malpractice venue changes, products liability reforms including jury instructions and introduction of industry standards, workers’ compensation including compensability for scarring, among other things.  PDI did not conduct any lobbying activities, but instead discussed PDI as an educational resource (i.e. white papers, speakers, informal perspective, etc. and inquired about current and pending legislation without taking any positions advocating for or against anything.  PDI has also worked with the Pennsylvania Insurance Federation with regard to legislative efforts.

AMICUS SUPPORT

In addition to monitoring important legislation, PDI has participated in many important cases by providing or joining in with other organizations in preparing and filing Amicus Briefs.  The Amicus Committee, Co-Chaired by Casey Coyle, Esquire, Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin, and Joshua W. Brownlie, Esquire, Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin, is a very busy committee.  A number of members, companies and other organizations often request PDI to join in appeals and file an Amicus Brief.  Casey and Joshua are constantly looking of writers for the Amicus Briefs.  This is a very important function of PDI to support issues on appeal that are important to PDI members and their clients.