Michael J. DeRiso

Michael J. DeRiso

4.7
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 30 years

Family Lawyer at Pittsburgh, PA
Practice Areas: Family, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury ... +2 more

429 4th Ave, Suite 2101, Pittsburgh, PA

About Michael

Biography

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 325-350 per hour

Contingency

20%-40%

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Pennsylvania for 30 years

State: Pennsylvania

Acquired: 1995

Active

No misconduct found

Location

DeRiso Law Group

429 4th Ave, Suite 2101, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219

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Michael J. DeRiso's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.7 /5.0

26 Client Reviews

Posted by anonymous | September 10, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Every other attorney refused my case

I was arrested on multiple felony cases with multiple felony charges per case. The initial attorney I hired (who had won felony cases for me in the past) told me the case was unwinnable and to plea out. Numerous attorneys I consulted with informed me that the Commonwealth's case was too strong and ...that all they could do was represent me at sentencing after a plea deal. No one would take my case if I intended to fight the charges. At my initial consult Mike identified serious deficiencies in the Commonwealth's case that eventually resulted in all charges being dismissed before trial. Mike's memory recall and attention to detail were instrumental in identifying procedural errors (committed by both the police and local magistrate) which other attorneys missed. Additionally Mike represented my case when the Commonwealth appealed to the Superior Court and won again showing great aptitude in appellate litigation.

Posted by anonymous | June 11, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Compassionate and dedicated

Our family will forever be grateful to Mike Deriso and his team for the incredible dedication and support we received during a family member's case. It was a challenging and emotional time for us, but Mike handled everything with professionalism, compassion, and a true understanding of what was at st...ake. Mike DeRiso guided my family member through each step, always making sure they understood the options and felt heard. The outcome was better than we ever hoped for, and it's all thanks to Mike and his team's hard work and determination. If you're facing a difficult legal situation involving your family, I can't recommend DeRiso Law Group enough. They genuinely care and will fight for what's right.

Posted by Simona | October 18, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Won’t return a single email. Has a firm filled with con artists

His employee Ilene Dubin is actively engaged in committing blackmail using Deriso’s law firm and he refuses to so much as return an email.

Posted by anonymous | May 11, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Highest recommendations

From start to finish, Mike was pragmatic, focused, and always available for me. He is knowledgeable, and very attentive to every detail. I had a single interaction with him a few weeks before hiring him, and he remembered almost every detail. I see the way people in the legal community interact w...ith him, and it is nothing short of respect. He has an innnate sense of people, which is important (and unfortunately not common) for an attorney. I did quite a bit of research before working with Mike, and I am incredibly pleased that I retained him.

Posted by Erica | October 21, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Michael DeRiso has always helped me. He is a Great lawyer

Michael DeRiso has helped me with a lot of cases I was facing jail time he got me probation He truly is a great lawyer

See All Client Reviews

Michael J. DeRiso's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Michael
Matthew Richard Schachte Esq. headshot
Matthew Schachte

DUI and DWI lawyer | Nov 20

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer."

Julie A. Jones headshot
Julie Jones

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 19

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Marc V. Taiani headshot
Marc Taiani

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Adam Yarussi headshot
Adam Yarussi

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 08

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer."

Andrew Glenn Rothey headshot
Andrew Rothey

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Michael has a ton of experience in complex and high-profile criminal defense cases. He is well-known in the halls of the courthouse as a veteran trial lawyer."

Gregory F. Suher headshot
Gregory Suher

Family lawyer | Feb 12

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

MacKenzie Fostar Grills headshot
MacKenzie Grills

Unknown lawyer | Dec 16

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Karen L. Ferri headshot
Karen Ferri

Family lawyer | Nov 17

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

George A. Heym headshot
George Heym

Criminal defense lawyer | May 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Ashley Nicole Gottron headshot
Ashley Gottron

Criminal defense lawyer

Jessie Dawn Rawlings headshot
Jessie Rawlings

Child custody lawyer

Gregory F. Suher headshot
Gregory Suher

Family lawyer

MacKenzie Fostar Grills headshot
MacKenzie Grills

Unknown lawyer

Julie Rebecca Colton headshot
Julie Colton

Unknown lawyer

Karen L. Ferri headshot
Karen Ferri

Family lawyer

George A. Heym headshot
George Heym

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2017

Top 100 Lawyers, American Society of Legal Advocates

2016

Top 100 Lawyers, American Society of Legal Advocates

2016

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2016

Client Satisfaction Award, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys

2015

Client Satisfaction, AVVO``

2015

Top 10, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys

2015

Client Satisfaction Award, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys

Work Experience

2014 - Present

Adjunct Professor, California University Of Pennsylvania

2006 - Present

Partner, DeRiso & DeRiso

1999 - 2005

Partner, Thomassey, Miller, DeRiso

1995 - 1999

Assistant District Attorney, Allegheny County District Attorney's Office

Associations

2015 - Present

American Society of Legal Advocates

Member

2013 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

Lackawanna Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

USA VS Dr.. Daniel A. Teet (Federal Court)

Not Guilty All Counts

Commonwealth vs Gregory Avery

NOT GUILTY

Commonwealth of PA VS Tiche

Acquitted of main charge and found guilty of only vehicular himicede

Little v Little

Father received primary custody

See More Legal Cases

Education

1995

Widener University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1992

Washington and Jefferson College

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2014

Spring Class

Mental Retardation and Capital Murder Cases

2014

Fall Class

Probable Cause: Search and Seizure

2012

Issues on Mental Retardation Defense

Criminal CLE

2010

Trial Advocacy

Trial Advocacy

2008

Family Law CLE

Family Law

Publications

2013

Tribune Review Acquited

2012

Oxygen Channel Movie About Trial

2012

Continuing Legal Education Seminar publication Criminal Defense CLE

2010

Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association Trial Advocacy

2009

2008

Continuing Legal Education Seminar publication Family Law CLE

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution