Lea T. Bickerton

Lea T. Bickerton

3.7
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 20 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Pittsburgh, PA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, Appeals, Sex Crime ... +2 more

1034 Fifth Ave, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA

About Lea

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Appeals 35%

Criminal Appeals, Post-Conviction Relief Act Petitions and Appeals

21 years

35%
Criminal Defense 35%

Defends clients charged with Summary Offenses, Assault and Harassment, Domestic Violence, Drug Offenses, Gun Crimes and Other Weapons Offenses, Homicide, Juvenile Charges, Prostitution and Indecency, Sex Crimes and Offenses, Theft, etc. Also handles Parole and Probation Violation Hearings, Criminal Appeals, Post-Conviction Relief Act (PCRA) Petitions, and Expungements

21 years

35%
Sex Crime 20%

Defends clients charged with Rape, Indecent Assault, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, Sexual Assault, and other Megan's Law Offenses

20%
Child Abuse 9%

Defends clients charged with child abuse, neglect, child sexual abuse

21 years

9%
DUI and DWI 1%

Defends clients charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or a Controlled Substance

21 years

1%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Pennsylvania for 20 years

State: Pennsylvania

Acquired: 2005

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in New Jersey for 20 years

State: New Jersey

Acquired: 2005

Resigned

No misconduct found

Location

Bickerton and Bickerton, Attorneys at Law

1034 Fifth Ave, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219

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Lea T. Bickerton's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.7 /5.0

3 Client Reviews

5 star (2)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by anonymous | January 12, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Beyond happy!

I am beyond happy that I retained Mrs Bickerton to work my case for me. I interviewed several different lawyers before settling on this firm, and I firmly believe that if I had hired someone else the results wouldn’t have been as favorable. Not only did Mrs Bickerton manage to successfully argue my c...ase, she made me feel like I’m an actual person and not just a number throughout the whole process. My many questions were all answered in a timely manner, her case law knowledge was superb, and on the one occasion she didn’t have an answer immediately available for me she made sure to research and get back to me right away. I found her pricing to be fair with regards to the service that I received. If I ever needed help again I wouldn’t hesitate to contact her, or refer anyone I knew needed assistance to her.

Posted by anonymous | January 7, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Stay away from this attorney

Once I hired her it took over a year for my case to go to court waiting for a decision that could have been expedited. Only time she would respond if it pertained to money. Didn't use any witnesses that were in place had an affidavit signed by strong witness and didn't use it. All she did was refute ...and did a case brief not even tried to prove the intent in court. Had solid information on the staff members involved deeming them not credible did not use it. Cross examination skills were very limited. Throughout and before we even went to court kept saying she could win on appeal. Had information and key witnesses to win at that stage. The prosecution had no evidence at all to present just testimony from people that weren't credible and the investigator admitted he didn't do an investigation only testimony. Lost a case to where there was no evidence only testimony. How good are her legal skills? Never could get in contact with her never returned phone calls would go straight to fax. She would answer emails every once in a while. Made herself available a day before court. Didn't have game plan in court all she did was refute and do a case brief. Seems as if she already knew she threw my case once I emailed her letting her know I lost she called me letting me know her prices for the next proceedings. After that pitiful display in the courtroom she should have gave me my money back or offered to do everything else for free. Why take on a case that your not planning on winning. Took my money and gave me very poor representation. Stay away from this attorney she's very ineffective.

Lea Bickerton

Replied last January 8, 2019

Since Avvo’s policies specifically state that it will not verify or investigate the factual accuracy of reviews, I strongly encourage this person to submit this matter for fee dispute resolution or another hearing in a venue where the facts can be heard. I respectfully note that I would rather let an inaccurate review stand than violate my continuing duty to past clients by posting privileged and confidential information to prove myself. I will, however, proudly state that it is my practice to submit a thorough brief that includes in-depth analysis of the relevant case law and show how that applies to the facts of the case rather than rely upon a spontaneous oral argument on the day of the hearing when the case calls for it. Ultimately, I want to be sure that I have given the judge every possible chance and every possible reason to rule in my client's favor and reduce the likelihood of having a favorable ruling overturned on appeal. I also don’t dispute that I will file interlocutory appeals while cases are still pending if I receive an unfavorable ruling early in the case when the facts call for it. I will also note that I generally do not charge an extra fee for this type of work because it is usually included in the original agreement and I am proud to do the work necessary to get a favorable result for my client.

Posted by anonymous | June 9, 2010

Top notch legal services with Lea T. Bickerton

I truly can’t recommend Lea Bickerton strongly enough. I worked with Lea in a criminal case that crossed over into the area of corporate law. Her vast knowledge and expertise of the legal system combined with her no nonsense, straight to the facts approach proved to be a major deciding factor that ...brought this case to justice as quickly as it began.

See All Client Reviews

Lea T. Bickerton's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Lea
Robert Joseph Perkins headshot
Robert Perkins

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. She is an excellent researcher, writer, and overall advocate for her clients."

Natalie Nicole Mihalek headshot
Natalie Mihalek

Unknown lawyer | Jan 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Herbert Ira Ellis headshot
Herbert Ellis

Unknown lawyer | Dec 09

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

William Robert Bickerton headshot
William Bickerton

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 13

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse Lea's work. I have worked with Lea at the Allegheny County Public Defender's Office and as partners at Bickerton & Bickerton, LLP. Lea's love for the law is unparalleled. Lea keeps current with the recent trends and developments in the field of criminal defense by reading new case law and countless articles. Lea aggressively pursues all available options to obtain the best results for her clients at all levels of representation."

View All Endorsements
Heather Lueke Smith headshot
Heather Smith

Unknown lawyer

Robert Joseph Perkins headshot
Robert Perkins

Criminal defense lawyer

Randall T. Ricciuti headshot
Randall Ricciuti

Criminal defense lawyer

Rebeka Ann Seelinger headshot
Rebeka Seelinger

Unknown lawyer

William Robert Bickerton headshot
William Bickerton

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2017

Super Lawyers Rising Star, Thomson Reuters

2016

Super Lawyers Rising Star, Thomson Reuters

2015

Super Lawyers Rising Star, Thomson Reuters

2014

Super Lawyers Rising Star, Thomson Reuters

2010

Super Lawyers Rising Star, Thomson Reuters

2005

Durward Howes Public Speaking Award-Third Place, United States Junior Chamber

2005

Outstanding Student Leader Award, University of Pittsburgh

2005

School of Law Community Service Award, University of Pittsburgh School of Law

2004

Durward Howes Public Speaking Award, Pennsylvania Junior Chamber

2004

"Write-Up" Competition Winner, Pennsylvania Junior Chamber

Work Experience

2009 - Present

Attorney, Bickerton and Bickerton, Attorneys at Law

2008 - 2009

Judicial Law Clerk, Superior Court of Pennsylvania

2006 - 2008

Assistant Public Defender, Allegheny County Office of the Public Defender

Associations

2008 - Present

Homer S. Brown Law Association

Allegheny County Bar Association

American Bar Association

University of Pittsburgh Alumni Association

Sample of Legal Cases

Commonwealth v. A

Commonwealth v. C.R.

Commonwealth v. P.K.

Charges withdrawn after negotiation

Commonwealth v. B.L.

Commonwealth v. C.H.

Commonwealth v. A.W.

Commonwealth v. D.J.

Plea to 1 year probation

Commonwealth v. A.L.

Charges dismissed after negotiation

Commonwealth v. C.J.

Not Guilty

Commonwealth v. J.T.

Pending

Commonwealth v. D.G.

Pending

Commonwealth v. K.C.

Charges withdrawn

Commonwealth v. N.M.

Pending

Commonwealth v. T.W.

Plea to summary

Commonwealth v. S.P.

See More Legal Cases

Education

2005

University of Pittsburgh School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

2002

University of Pittsburgh

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2017

Pittsburgh CLE Weekend Seminar

Conflicts in Criminal Law

2017

Individual Right to Carry: The Potential Impact of Nationwide Concealed Carry Reciprocity

National Concealed Carry Reciprocity

2017

Gun Law: Advanced Issues

Firearms Law

2014

2012

Boy Scouts of America

Rights and Responsibilities of US Citizens

2011

Evidence In Real Life Evidence In Real Life

2011

BLSA Speaking Panel

How to Successfully Network in Law School and Beyond

2003

Junior Chamber Leadership Training

The Basics of Robert's Rules of Order

2003

Junior Chamber Leadership Training

Public Speaking 101

2003

Junior Chamber Leadership Training

Developing Your Leadership Skills

Publications

2015

The Legality of Search and Seizure in DUI Cases, 2015 ed.: Leading Lawyers on Leveraging Science and Process to Develop Winning Defense Strategies (Inside the Minds) DUI Law and the Fourth Amendment: Up to Date Strategies for Identifying and Litigating Search and Seizure Issues in DUI Cases

2013

Strategies for Defending Firearms Offense Charges Understanding Firearms Possession Laws and Preparing an Effective Defense in a Firearms Case

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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