Burns White Welcomes Nine Associates to Offices in PA. and Del.

Pittsburgh, PA, August 15, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Burns White LLC welcomes nine associates with practices spanning energy, general litigation, health care and long-term care, Medicare compliance and transportation to its offices in Pittsburgh, Pa. and Wilmington, Del.

Pittsburgh

Energy — Oil and Gas
Jennifer L. Beresky brings experience handling due diligence, title curative measures and certified title opinions to the Energy Group at Burns White. With a focus on the oil and gas industry, Ms. Beresky has a particular emphasis on drafting complex certified title opinions involving issues with unreleased leases, producing wells located on researched properties and chain of title irregularities. Previously, she researched chains of title to determine surface, mineral and oil and gas ownership rights as a title abstractor at Purple Land Management, LLC. Ms. Beresky received a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Marissa A. Cocciolone assists clients in the oil and gas industry with a wide range of litigation matters, including early lease termination, preliminary injunctions, eminent domain condemnations, contract disputes and personal injury claims. Before joining Burns White, Ms. Cocciolone worked as a Litigation Associate at Rewis & Yoder, PC, where she handled owner property tax appeals, landlord-tenant actions, family law cases and other general litigation matters. Ms. Cocciolone graduated from Duquesne University School of Law.

Jenna R. DiFrancesco’s practice involves a wide range of transactional matters in the oil and gas industry, including due diligence review, title curative measures and certified title opinions for clients operating in the Marcellus and Utica Shale. As the former Title Department Manager at Rice Energy, Jenna was instrumental in developing its title department from a staff of one to more than 20 individuals. In addition, she was a key player in supporting the company’s expanding operations in Pennsylvania and Ohio and has extensive title experience in both states. Ms. DiFrancesco received a J.D. from the Louis D. Brandeis School of Law at the University of Louisville.

Kurt J. Hoffman handles due diligence, title curative and certified title opinions for clients in the oil and gas industry. Before joining the firm, Mr. Hoffman worked as a Title Abstractor for Turner Oil & Gas Properties LLC, performing land title abstracts, due diligence and oil well acquisitions. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

General Litigation
Benjamin W. Schweers' practice primarily consists of commercial litigation impacting a wide range of industries, including banking and financial services. He also handles personal injury and professional liability litigation, as well as white collar and government enforcement-related matters. Before joining Burns White, he was employed as an Associate at Goldberg, Persky, & White, P.C., where he dealt with medical malpractice, personal injury and occupational disease cases. Mr. Schweers received a J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School.

Health Care and Long-Term Care
Tara B. Rodrigues focuses her practice in the area of health care law and long-term care litigation, representing health care institutions and medical professionals in state and federal courts throughout Pennsylvania. She also handles cases involving licensure issues, contract negotiation and products liability. Ms. Rodrigues joins Burns White from Mintzer, Sarowitz, Zeris, Ledva & Meyers, where her practice included professional, products and premises liability claims, and employment and construction matters. Ms. Rodrigues graduated from Duquesne University School of Law.

Medicare Compliance
Melanie S. Schafer’s practice focuses on the resolution of Medicare compliance issues that arise in the settlement of workers’ compensation and general liability claims. Prior to joining Burns White, she worked as an Associate at Murphy Taylor, L.L.C., handling liability claims for insurance company clients and as a Consulting Attorney concentrating on Medicare compliance issues in institutional settings. Ms. Schafer received a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Transportation
Molly L. Fletcher practices railroad defense litigation with an emphasis in occupational disease claims and toxic tort litigation. With a rich background in litigation spanning private and public work, her previous experience includes representing multinational Fortune 500 companies in complex toxic and mass tort product liability actions, and physicians and other medical professionals in professional liability matters. She also served as a Deputy Criminal Prosecutor in the Trial Unit of the City Attorney's Office in San Diego, California prosecuting infraction and misdemeanor cases. Ms. Fletcher received a J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law.

Wilmington

Workers’ Compensation/Long-Term Care
Luciana M.E. Gorum defends a wide range of clients in workers’ compensation matters throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey. She also handles nursing home litigation. Before joining Burns White, she worked as Field Counsel for Liberty Mutual, representing clients in a broad range of workers’ compensation, personal injury, asbestos and construction claims in court, mediation and arbitration proceedings. Ms. Gorum graduated from Widener University School of Law.