Suzanne L. DeWalt - Sherrard, German & Kelly, P.C.

Ms. DeWalt is a Shareholder and Director of the firm and Chair of the firm’s Employment practice area.

She is also a member of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Construction and Technology Transactions practice areas. Ms. DeWalt is an experienced trial attorney with a diverse civil litigation practice. She devotes a significant amount of her practice to defending businesses in discrimination and other employment-related actions. In addition to employment litigation, she also represents clients in commercial litigation and construction law disputes. Ms. DeWalt has tried numerous jury, non-jury and arbitration cases and has prepared and argued many cases on appeal. Apart from the litigation context, she also advises businesses in a wide range of human relations and employment issues, including employee handbooks, personnel policies, employment agreements and restrictive covenants. She also advises clients on ADA Accessibility Guidelines. Ms. DeWalt is a frequent speaker on employment and litigation topics. She is active in various community organizations. Ms. DeWalt has been recognized in Best Lawyers in the area of Litigation – Labor and Employment and named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in Labor and Employment.

Representative Services

Employment Law
Non-Competition Agreements and Post-Employment Restrictions
Civil Litigation
Construction

Selected Engagements

Obtained dismissal of class action against client alleging violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act and Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act.
Represented senior executive in obtaining an injunction to prevent former employer from enforcing a non-competition agreement against him.
Represented numerous physicians and physician groups in employment contract negotiations and in litigation to avoid enforcement of restrictive covenants.
Obtained substantial verdict for client for delay and disruption damages in trial before American Arbitration Association.
Before the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, obtained a ruling that allegations of fraudulent inducement could not evade a no lien provision within a contract containing an integration clause.
Argued before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals on whether same-sex sexual harassment was actionable. Summary judgment dismissal of all claims against client affirmed.

Education

J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 1984
B.A., The University of the South, Sewanee, 1980 Phi Beta Kappa; Summa Cum Laude

Professional & Community Activities

Member, American and Pennsylvania Bar Associations
Junior Warden and Vestry, Calvary Episcopal Church
Former President, PowerLink (support for emerging female-owned businesses)
Former Board Member, The City Theatre


Contact Info sld@sgkpc.com Phone: 412-258-6728 Fax: 412-261-6221 LinkedIn vCard Download PDF Practice Groups Construction Employment Litigation and Dispute Resolution Technology Transactions Bar Admission Commonwealth of Pennsylvania United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania United States Supreme Court All Attorneys Suzanne L. DeWalt Shareholder and Director Ms. DeWalt is a Shareholder and Director of the firm and Chair of the firm’s Employment practice area. She is also a member of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Construction and Technology Transactions practice areas. Ms. DeWalt is an experienced trial attorney with a diverse civil litigation practice. She devotes a significant amount of her practice to defending businesses in discrimination and other employment-related actions. In addition to employment litigation, she also represents clients in commercial litigation and construction law disputes. Ms. DeWalt has tried numerous jury, non-jury and arbitration cases and has prepared and argued many cases on appeal. Apart from the litigation context, she also advises businesses in a wide range of human relations and employment issues, including employee handbooks, personnel policies, employment agreements and restrictive covenants. She also advises clients on ADA Accessibility Guidelines. Ms. DeWalt is a frequent speaker on employment and litigation topics. She is active in various community organizations. Ms. DeWalt has been recognized in Best Lawyers in the area of Litigation – Labor and Employment and named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in Labor and Employment. Representative Services Employment Law Non-Competition Agreements and Post-Employment Restrictions Civil Litigation Construction Selected Engagements Obtained dismissal of class action against client alleging violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act and Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act. Represented senior executive in obtaining an injunction to prevent former employer from enforcing a non-competition agreement against him. Represented numerous physicians and physician groups in employment contract negotiations and in litigation to avoid enforcement of restrictive covenants. Obtained substantial verdict for client for delay and disruption damages in trial before American Arbitration Association. Before the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, obtained a ruling that allegations of fraudulent inducement could not evade a no lien provision within a contract containing an integration clause. Argued before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals on whether same-sex sexual harassment was actionable. Summary judgment dismissal of all claims against client affirmed. Education J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 1984 B.A., The University of the South, Sewanee, 1980 Phi Beta Kappa; Summa Cum Laude Professional & Community Activities Member, American and Pennsylvania Bar Associations Junior Warden and Vestry, Calvary Episcopal Church Former President, PowerLink (support for emerging female-owned businesses) Former Board Member, The City Theatre Sherrard, German & Kelly, P.C. 535 Smithfield Street, Ste. 300 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 USA Phone: 412-355-0200 Fax: 412-261-6221 Email and Employment Opportunities: sgk@sgkpc.com