Jeff is a counselor and trial lawyer for colleges and universities on higher education matters, and a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys (“NACUA”). Jeff also serves as outside general counsel for several private higher education institutions and he has experience with all of the issues facing schools including, board governance issues, Title IX investigations and litigation, crisis response, as well as issues involving student affairs, employment, FERPA, and the First Amendment. Jeff also regularly advises university boards, presidents, chancellors and senior administrators on schools’ most pressing matters, including student death cases, high-profile sexual misconduct matters, campus protests and free speech issues, hiring and termination of presidents and chancellors, endowment restrictions and spending decisions, settlements of significant litigation, and review and revision of governing bylaws, committee procedures and audit and risk management functions.

Jeff regularly assumes lead responsibility for strategy and briefing of discovery and dispositive motions, taking and defending depositions, oral argument before trial and appellate courts, conducting trials, arbitrations, evidentiary hearings and mock jury exercises, and managing all aspects of the discovery process, including complex e-discovery projects. 

In addition to his higher education experience, Jeff has represented clients of all sizes in matters involving commercial contract disputes, corporate raiding, restrictive covenants, breaches of fiduciary duty, trade secrets, fraud, insurance recovery, and healthcare payor-provider disputes.

He has a proven ability to recruit and lead litigation teams to victory and is adept at delivering cost-effective solutions aligned with his clients’ most valued priorities. An experienced legal project manager, Jeff strives not only to secure favorable outcomes but also to provide predictable, responsive, and efficient client service.

Jeff was named one of the Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation from 2022-2024.

Jeff also is deeply committed to pro bono work and serves as the Pro Bono Coordinator for the Reed Smith Pittsburgh Office and as a member and Chair-Elect of the Administrative Board of the Pittsburgh Pro Bono Partnership. Jeff also is a member of the advisory board of the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival and a member of the Board of Directors of the Promise Center of Homewood.