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Home Professionals Dusty Elias Kirk

Dusty is a trusted adviser to clients in all aspects of real estate development, negotiating complex contractual arrangements for acquisitions and dispositions. Her real estate work has an emphasis on real estate litigation, including real estate tax-assessment appeals, land-use and zoning appeals, and eminent domain proceedings. Dusty counsels her clients on an array of sustainability issues that impact development projects, including resolving disputes, managing risk avoidance, obtaining regulatory approvals, and transportation related issues.

Credentials

  • Pennsylvania State University, The Dickinson School of Law, 1979, J.D.
  • Allegheny College, 1975, B.A.

  • Pennsylvania

  • U.S. District Court - Western District of Pennsylvania

  • Penn State Dickinson, Law School Campaign Chair 2017-2022; Leadership Council Advisory Board; Dickinson Law Association - Member
  • Allegheny College Board of Trustees, 2018 - present
  • Allegheny Regional Asset District – Chair 2019-2022, Member, Board of Directors since 2009
  • Pennsylvania Supreme Court Board Member, Continuing Legal Education Board, 2016-2022; Treasurer, 2022
  • Urban Land Institute Women’s Leadership Initiative Board Chair, 2019-2021, ongoing Committee leader on women’s initiatives
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association – Member, Women in the Profession Committee Co-Chair Report Card Committee 2021 -present
  • Dress for Success Worldwide – Member, Board of Directors; Chair of the Audit Committee
  • Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania – Past Board Chair, Emeritus Board Member, Outside General Counsel
  • Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Western Pennsylvania – Former President, Board of Directors, current Leadership Advisory Council
  • Riverlife – past Member, Board of Directors, Executive Committee
  • Chatham University's Pennsylvania Center for Women in Politics – Advisory Board Member
  • Allegheny County Bar Association – past Member, Board of Governors; Chair, Council for the Real Property Section, 2010
  • Pennsylvania Supreme Court – Appointed, Disciplinary Board Hearing Officer
  • Winchester Thurston School past member Board of Trustees, Board Treasurer, Finance Chair; Chair of Strategic Planning Committee
  • Allegheny County Transportation Action Partnership – Legal Counsel appointed by County Executive Dan Onorato during his tenure

Awards & Recognition

  • Selected through peer review for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for Real Estate Law, 2006-2025
  • Ranked in Chambers USA for Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh & Surrounds Real Estate, 2022-2024 and Pennsylvania Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use, 2024
  • Selected for inclusion in the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list for Real Estate, 2011-2021
  • Recipient of the 2021 Anne X. Alpern Award by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Professions Awards
  • Recipient of the 2020 Economic and Improvement Impact Award by Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW)
  • Recipient of the 2014 Honorable Sylvia A. Rambo Award, given by the Women’s Law Caucus of the Penn State (Dickinson) School of Law to a woman in the legal profession “who has had a distinguished career and who, by example, has made the professional success if other women more likely.”
  • Named one of BTI’s "Client Service All-Stars" for 2013
  • Selected by the Pittsburgh Business Times as a winner of the 2013 Business Women First Award
  • Named to Real Estate Forum's 2012 "Women of Influence" list, which recognizes women who are helping to shape the commercial real estate industry throughout the U.S.
  • Nominated as a 2012 "Leading Lady" by Oakland Catholic High School, which honors leaders in philanthropy, business, education and the arts
  • Named a "2011 Women of Achievement Honoree" by Celebrate & Share for outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the community
  • Recipient of Celebrate & Share's "2010 Women of Distinction Award"
  • Athena Award finalist in 2009. The Greater Pittsburgh ATHENA Award recognizes women who demonstrate excellence in their profession, contribute to their community and help other women to succeed through mentorship.