Julian E. Neiser

I'm one of the few attorneys who also have owned and operated a business. I know what it's like to take on risk and write the checks that keeps the doors open. As a result, I truly understand the challengnes facing my clients.

I started my path in the Marine Corps from 1986 to 1992, where I reached the rank of Sergeant and served as a Drill Instructor at Parris Island, S.C. After coming home, I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a writing degree and became a journalist for the Associated Press and The Pittsburgh Business Times.  

I applied for and was accepted to the evening division of the Duquesne University School of Law, which I attended while working full time during the day.  At the time, I made the transition from journalism to public relations and was handling the publicity and marketing for many high-profile businesses.  

I was hired at Meyer, Unkovic & Scott during law school and I spent the first four years of my career in its litigation department, training under some of the best attorneys in the city.  I then moved to Tucker Arensberg, followed by McGuireWoods, which is a large multi-national firm.  

I struck out on my own and opened a firm dedicated to small business representation and bought a commercial sign company, which I operated for five years before selling it.  Towards the end of my ownership, I was asked to join The Rhodes Group -- a leading construction consulting firm, as its first General Counsel.  After three years of service to Rhodes, I returned to my calling as a law firm attorney.

My practice focuses on business representation and construction law.  I incorporate businesses, review (or create) their contracts, handle employee issues, write employment agreements or other policies, and advise owners/managers on nearly every issue that they encounter. On the litigation side, I do my best to help companies avoid disputes through negotiation and writing solid contracts. If  a dispute is unvavoidable, I do everything possible to obtain a quick and favorable result.

I have represented clients ranging from individuals at DWI hearings to Fortune 100 companies in complex commercial litigation. I have argued cases before district justices, the Pennsylvania Courts of Common Pleas, federal court, bankruptcy court and before panels of the American Arbitration Association.  I also am experienced in obtaining and defending against injunctions and in the opening of judgments.

In addition to my practice, I am an adjunct professor at Duquesne Law School in the trial advocacy department and a committee member for the local chapter of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.