PDI BOARD MEETING
2025-09-16 11:00 - 13:00, 2025-11-19 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-20 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-18 10:00 - 12:00 UTC

PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 - MICHAEL E. GOLDBERG, CONSULTING ENGINEERS & SCIENTISTS PRESENTS "The Role of Industrial Hygiene & Safety in Litigation"
2025-09-17 12:00 - 13:00
Michael E. Goldberg, CIH, CSP, a Certified Industrial Hygienist and Certified Safety Professional, from Consulting Engineers & Scientists, Inc., will discuss 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 will discuss 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 is an important presentation that will provide attorneys another view in determining whether or not there is potential responsibility and/or liability. Do not miss this Webinar. REGISTER NOW!!!
Download the PDF form here >>

PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR - CONSUMER FINANCE DEFENSE COMMITTEE WEBINAR
2025-10-02 12:00 - 13:00
John Berry, Esquire, Dinsmore & Shohl, will present a webinar on FCRA identity theft issues and the impact identity theft claims have n data furnishers’ investigation and potential coverage issues related to these claims. Be on the lookout for registration materials that will be sent via PDI Listserv in September.

PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR - "Premises Liability Cases - Practical Tips to Avoid Tripping Up Your Case"
2025-10-07 12:00 - 13:00
David Littlewood, P.E., David H. Fleisher, P.E., and Lee Elsey, AIA, of PDI sponsor FLEISHER FORENSICS will provide a presentation that will enhance your understanding of premises cases from the perspective of professionals, which include engineers, architects, construction administrators and managers, and scientists.
Join the experts from FLEISHER FORENSICS for an invaluable session where they will share insights, codes, standards and practical tips for handling premises liability cases. This event offers an opportunity to deepen your knowledge of design, construction, and maintenance considerations, with expert analysis of walkway surfaces such as stairways, sidewalks, floors and decks. DO NOT MISS THIS COMPREHENSIVE DISCUSSION LED BY A SEASONED TEAM!
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PDI EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
2025-10-15 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-10 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-11 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-08 10:00 - 12:00

PDI EAST DISTRICT WILL HOST AN EVENING OF EXPERTS AND PIZZA - "How to Best Use an Expert"
2025-10-29 17:30 - 19:00
The Officers and Directors of the PDI East District will again host a Pizza, Beer, & Experts education and social event. This will be an hour long presentation entitled “How to Best Use an Expert” followed by social time to network with colleagues and the experts. The event will provide 1 PACLE substantive credit. You will learn how the following experts can assist you with the defense of your case.
EXPONENT
RUDICK FORENSIC ENGINEERING
CONSULTING ENGINEERS & SCIENTISTS
PREMIER VOCATIONAL EXPERTS
This list is the experts who have currently registered for attendance. This may change as we get closer to the event.
Come to this event and enjoy an evening of discussion, social interaction and an enjoyable evening.
Please register for this event by emailing me at cwasielfski@padefense.org or Linda Gamby at lgamby@padefense.org. Please RSVP on or before Tuesday, October 27, 2025.

PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR - 1 PACLE ETHICS CREDIT - DECEMBER 5, 2025 @ 12:00 P.M. - TODD SCOTT, VP RISK MGT, MLM PRESENTS "Cyber Security Protection for Lawyers in 2026"
2025-12-05 12:00 - 13:30
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, will cover phishing, deep-fakes and AI-driven fraud, Ransomware, data-loss prevention, secure communications, vendor/cloud risks, and practical safeguards (MFA, encryption, backups, zero-trust). Learn incident-response steps, breach-notification basics, ethics and confidentiality duties, and insurer expectations. Attendees leave with a prioritized checklist, policy templates, and recommended low-cost tools suited to solo, small, and mid-size practices. Attendees will learn 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 will 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

Download the PDF form here >>

PDI/PADC/PATL EAST DISTRICT HOLIDAY PARTY
2025-12-09 17:30 - 19:30
PDI/PADC/PATL will host the East District Holiday Party @ The Lucy-Cescaphe, 231 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Plan on joining in the festivities and enjoy good company with friends and colleagues to bring in the holiday season.
Cost: $125 per person – $150 after November 30, 2025.
Download the PDF form here >>

PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR - PDI WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMITTEE - "UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS AND THE PA WORKERS' COMPENSATION ACT"
2025-12-12 12:00 - 13:00
PDI Workers’ Compensation Committee will present 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 will address 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 will address both legal requirements and strategy and the nuances of presenting expert testimony n this topic. This presentation is beneficial for workers’ compensation practitioners, claims professionals, and risk managers.
Download the PDF form here >>

PDI/PAJ MIDDLE DISTRICT SOUTH HOLIDAY SOCIAL - LEVEL 2, HARRISBURG - 5:00 P.M. TO 7:00 P.M.
2025-12-18 17:00 - 19:00
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. Please mark your calendars and plan on attending this great opportunity to enjoy good food, great drinks and fantastic opportunity to enjoy the holiday season with friends and colleagues.
Download the PDF form here >>

PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR - THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2026 @ 12:00 P.M. - TERESA M. HEARN, MS, CRC, CLCP, IPEC, CVE, Premier Vocational Experts presents - "A Vocational Expert's Guide to Earnings Capacity and Household Services Loss"
2026-01-08 12:00 - 13:30
Teresa M. Hearn, MS, CRC, CLCP, IPEC, CVE, Premier Vocational Experts, LLC, will present 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 will provide 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.
Do not miss this important and enlightening presentation from an experienced forensic vocational expert.
Download the PDF form here >>

PDI/PADC LAW STUDENT DEFENSE CAREER CONFERENCE - Villanova School of Law
2026-02-05 17:00 - 18:30
A panel of attorneys representing PDI and PADC will meet with law students at Villanova School of Law to discuss the practice of law and possible career paths in the defense of cases on behalf of insurance companies, corporations, and individuals as a viable alternative. The panel will answer questions raised by the students and give a practical perspective of the practice of law.

PAHCRM/PDI WEBINAR - "Navigating the Digital Shift: Balancing the Benefits and Legal Risks of Patient Portals"
2026-02-11 12:00 - 13:30
Robert J. Aldrich, Esquire and Melissa A. Dziak, Esquire from the Health Care Department of Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin will be presenting 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.
Download the PDF form here >>

PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR - PRODUCTS LIABILITY COMMITTEE PRESENTS "Recent Product Liability Pretrial and Trial Experience in Pennsylvania (State and Federal Courts)
2026-02-17 12:00 - 14:00
PDI Products Liability Committee will present “Recent Product Liability Pretrial and Trial Experience n 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 will be 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 will discuss actual trial and pretrial (in limine) experiences with: ffers 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. Do not miss this valuable webinar. It is anticipated that this will be 1.5 PACLE substantive credits.
Download the PDF form here >>

PDI/PADC LAW STUDENT CAREER CONFERENCE - Drexel School of Law
2026-02-17 17:00 - 18:30
A panel of attorneys representing PDI and PADC will meet with law students at Drexel School of Law to discuss the practice of law and possible career paths in the defense of cases on behalf of insurance companies, corporations, and individuals as a viable alternative. The panel will answer questions raised by the students and give a practical perspective of the practice of law.

PDI WEST DISTRICT - LAW STUDENT CAREER CONFERENCE - UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH - Tuesday, February 24, 2026 @ 12:00 P.M.
2026-02-24 08:00 - 17:00
PDI West District will host a Law Student Career Luncheon and Conference for law students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 @ 12:00 P.M. A panel of attorneys will meet with law students and discuss the practice of law with an emphasis on the civil defense practice. This gives the law students information regarding a career alternative on the civil defense of matters.

PDI/PADC LAW STUDENT CAREER CONFERENCE - Temple School of Law
2026-02-25 17:00 - 18:30
A panel of attorneys representing PDI and PADC will meet with law students at Temple School of Law to discuss the practice of law and possible career paths in the defense of cases on behalf of insurance companies, corporations, and individuals as a viable alternative. The panel will answer questions raised by the students and give a practical perspective of the practice of law.

PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR - "Protecting Minors or Enforcing Contracts: Enforceability of Parent-Signed Arbitration Agreements in Pennsylvania"
2026-03-12 12:00 - 13:00
Nicole Cramer, Esquire, Sweeney & Sheehan, will focus 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. WATCH OUT FOR REGISTRATION MATERIALS TO BE PROVIDED IN THE FUTURE.
Download the PDF form here >>

PDI MIDDLE DISTRICT NORTH OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS PRESENT "March Madness Watch Event" - DAVE & BUSTERS SCRANTON - THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2026 @ 1:00 P.M
2026-03-19 13:00 - 15:00
PDI Officers and Directors invite you to attend and enjoy a few hours of Tournament Basketball with the opening of the NCAA National Tournament (MARCH MADNESS), good conversation, and cordial camaraderie with fellow attorneys at DAVE & BUSTER’S, 6000 Shoppes Boulevard, Moosic, PA on Thursday, March 19, 2026 starting at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Enjoy some refreshing drinks and appetizers as you root on your favorite teams. Also enjoy meeting and networking with PDI Statewide Sponsors. This will be an enjoyable and relaxing event with friends and colleagues. MAKE YOUR RESERVATION NOW. RSVP ON OR BEFORE TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2026.
Download the PDF form here >>

PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH CARE RISK MANAGEMENT (PHCRM) INVITES PDI MEMBERS TO PHCRM ANNUAL CONFERENCE - DAY 1
2026-04-09 08:00 - 17:00
Pennsylvania Association for Health Care Risk Management (PACHRM) has invited PDI Members to attend the PACHRM Annual Meeting on April 9-10, 2026 at the Nittany Lion Inn, State College, Pennsylvania. Through PDI, 9 PACLE Credits are available. Cost is $175 payable to PDI. The Agenda for the education portion of the program is as follows:
Thursday, April 9,. 2026
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Long-Term Sequelae after Dobb’s on Abortion Care:
Impact on PL Including Criminality
10:15 a.m. – 12-15 p.m. – Keynote Address: A Conversation with RaDonda Vaught on Criminalizing Errors
12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Litigation Avoidance and Best Charting Practices
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Legal, Medical and Ethical Issues Surrounding Sexually Trafficked Youth
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Psychological Safety in the Health Care Workplace

Friday, April 10, 2026

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Economic Challenges Facing Hospitals: What it Means in Pennsylvania
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – MPL Market Update and Emerging Issues
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – End of Meeting Wrap Up and Roundtable

Download the PDF form here >>

PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH CARE RISK MANAGEMENT (PHCRM) INVITES PDI MEMBERS TO PHCRM ANNUAL CONFERENCE – DAY 2
2026-04-10 08:00 - 12:00
Pennsylvnaia Association for Health Care Risk Management (PACHRM) has invited PDI Members to attend the PACHRM Annual Meeting on April 9-10, 2026 at the Nittany Lion Inn, State College, Pennsylvania. Through PDI, 9 PACLE Credits are available. Cost is $175 payable to PDI. The Agenda for the education portion of the program is as follows:
Thursday, April 9,. 2026
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Long-Term Sequelae after Dobb’s on Abortion Care:
Impact on PL Including Criminality
10:15 a.m. – 12-15 p.m. – Keynote Address: A Conversation with RaDonda Vaught on Criminalizing Errors
12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Litigation Avoidance and Best Charting Practices
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Legal, Medical and Ethical Issues Surrounding Sexually Trafficked Youth
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Psychological Safety in the Health Care Workplace
Friday, April 10, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. – Economic Challenges Facing Hospitals: What it Means in Pennsylvania
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – MPL Market Update and Emerging Issues
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – End of Meeting Wrap Up and Roundtable

PDI LUNCH TIME WEBINAR - "Commercial Vehicle Accident Analysis" - APRIL 22, 2026 @ 12:00 P.M.
2026-04-22 12:00 - 13:00
Tracie Eckstein Jones, ACTAR, CFEI from RIMKUS will present 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 will use 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.
DO NOT MISS THIS VERY INFORMATIVE WEBINAR. GET 1 PACLE CREDIT. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR REGISTRATION MATERIALS TO BE SENT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
Download the PDF form here >>

PDI WEST DISTRICT OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS AND VERSED SPRING FLING HAPPY HOUR
2026-04-29 15:00 - 18:30
PDI West District Officers and Directors and PDI sponsor VERSED invites you to a Spring Fling Happy Hour on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 @ City Works, 2 PPG Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Come join your colleagues and friends for a late afternoon of good conversation, relaxation, and refreshing beverages and food. PDI thanks VERSED for proving this great event. BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION THAT WILL BE PROVIDED CLOSER TO THE EVENT.
Download the PDF form here >>

West District Spring Fling At City Works 2026

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PDI YOUNG LAWYER COMMITTEE ROUNDTABLE
2026-05-11 15:00 - 16:30
Join other young lawyers in a roundtable conversation regarding broadening your personal and professional network to assist in marketing your practice through visibility opportunities. Learn and discuss PDI activities that will enhance your visibility, networking, and leadership opportunities. Discuss ideas on what activities are or should be provided to young lawyers through membership in organizations such as PDI. The purpose of the meeting is to provide young lawyers with a forum to discuss general law practice concerns, issues, and to share ideas to assist them in the practice of law. This is also an opportunity to discuss what benefits/opportunities/activities PDI can offer to enhance your membership. Leadership opportunities in becoming liaison with the Executive Committee and overseeing al Small Sub-Committees, i.e. Annual Conference Liaison, Online programming and webinars, planning and implement networking and social events. Additionally, discussion will be related to Liaison roles in substantive committees, such as, Amicus Committee, General Liability Committee, Legislative Affairs Committee, Motor Vehicle Committee, Products Liability Committee, Professional Liability Committee, Publications/COUNTERPOINT Committee, Social Media/Communications Committee, and Workers’ Compensation Committee and other committees that can enhance your experience, knowledge and support your specific area of practice.
