Reed Smith LLP

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Home Professionals Dusty Elias Kirk
Dusty concentrates her practice on all aspects of real estate development, acquisitions and economic incentives, with 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 and facilities, including advice on sustainable development matters such as the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, and regulatory compliance matters such as greenhouse gas emission regulations, obtaining other regulatory approvals, negotiating complex contractual arrangements, resolving disputes, and managing risk avoidance.

Credentials

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

  • Pennsylvania

  • Allegheny County Bar Association – Member, Board of Governors; Chair, Council for the Real Property Section
  • Allegheny County Transportation Action Partnership – Legal Counsel
  • Allegheny Regional Asset District – Member, Board of Directors
  • Chatham University's Pennsylvania Center for Women in Politics – Member, Advisory Board
  • Dress for Success Worldwide – Member, Board of Directors; chair of the Audit Committee   
  • Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Western Pennsylvania – Former President, Board of Directors
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association – Member, Women in the Profession Committee
  • Pennsylvania Supreme Court – Appointed, Disciplinary Board Hearing Officer
  • Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania – Past Board Chair
  • Riverlife – Member, Board of Directors
  • Southwestern Pennsylvania Community Development Network (a part of Sustainable Pittsburgh) – Member, Steering Committee
  • Winchester Thurston – Board Secretary, Board of Directors, Chair of Strategic Planning Committee 

Awards & Recognition

  • 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
  • Selected through peer review for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© for Real Estate Law, 2006-2020
  • Selected for inclusion in the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list for Real Estate (2011-2019) 
  • 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.