$ 325-350 per hour
Michael J. DeRiso
About Michael
Biography
Attorney Michael DeRiso’s practice focuses primarily on criminal, civil litigation, personal injury and family law. As an attorney for 20 years, he strongly believes that the client and his or her needs must be the focus of any representation. He has extensive experience in handling a variety of high profile cases and has been featured on Discovery ID and the Oxygen Channel for his involvement and success in cases. Before becoming a partner and founder of DeRiso, DeRiso & Suher, Attorneys at Law, Michael worked as a partner at Thomassey, Miller & DeRiso where he successfully defended clients in a number of high profile cases and practiced in over 20 counties in the state of Pennsylvania. He also worked as the Assistant District Attorney for Allegheny County where he handled thousands of preliminary hearings, reviewed and approved search warrants, and tried hundreds of cases in a jury and non-jury setting.
He is heavily involved in the community and is a proud sponsor and assistant coach for softball and baseball teams in the Riverview Athletic Association. He also was an Adjunct Professor at California University of Pennsylvania. While attending Washington and Jefferson College as an undergraduate, Michael was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and a four year varsity goalkeeper on the soccer team. He was also a member of the Trial Advocacy Honor Society while attending Widener School of Law.
Education
· Washington and Jefferson College, B.A., Accounting
· Widener School of Law J.D.
Court Admissions:
· PA 3rd Circuit Western District
· PA 3rd Circuit Middle District
· OH 6th Circuit Northern District
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Contingency
20%-40%
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Pennsylvania for 30 years
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 1995
No misconduct found
Location
DeRiso Law Group
429 4th Ave, Suite 2101, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219
Gallery
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Michael J. DeRiso's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
26 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (26)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
Showing 21 - 25 of 26 reviews
Posted by James | November 06, 2014 | Divorce & Separation
Excellent attorney
I have been a client of Michael s for at least 2 yrs years now after changing lawyers in a long dreadful divorce. Michael is personable and a great attorney to work with and basically we have become friends. Although the state of PA domestic court system is still in the stone age when it comes to a m...
Posted by William Reihner | November 05, 2014 | Criminal Defense
A competent Attorney.
We hired MIke after our son was railroaded By Washington Co and found guilty of multiple charges that the jury should have never seen. Mike filed a timely "to the point " motion for a new trial and takes my son's case serious, like it was his child. We actually believed we hired a competent attorne...
Posted by Dean | November 05, 2014 | Divorce & Separation
Current Family Law Client
As a current client of Michael's, I can say that he is an excellent lawyer who is very knowledgable in the law he practices. He has consistently produced results as we have navigated the process of divorce. I am glad to have him on my side as a partner in the fight against the witch.
Posted by Josephine | November 05, 2014
Making legal troubles seem easy.
Having legal trouble was just awful. There's no worse feeling. Micheal helped put me at ease and provided the best counsel ever. There's no question I would use him again.
Posted by ERICA | January 17, 2013 | Criminal Defense
best lawyer you could ever have
i was in a lot of trouble i had 14 only different cases throughout a 5 year span. He got me house arrest at the worst for 6 months. I had cases in westmoreland,alleghney,beaver,butler,and new castle all at the same time. he was always there to answer my questions and if i needed to talk to him face...
Michael J. DeRiso's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
Ashley Gottron
Criminal defense lawyer
Jessie Rawlings
Child custody lawyer
Heather Schmidt Bresnahan
Family lawyer
Gregory Suher
Family lawyer
MacKenzie Grills
Unknown lawyer
Julie Colton
Unknown lawyer
Karen Ferri
Family lawyer
George Heym
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
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 AdvocatesMember
2013 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
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
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
2016
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Jury Acquits Latrobe Doctor Accused of Obstrcution
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
Discover ID
Movie Documentary About Case
2008
Continuing Legal Education Seminar publication
Family Law CLE
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
How can a no contact order be lifted in PA?
19 Dec 2014
Q&A
Can I get my license back early after second dui offense?
15 Dec 2014
Q&A
Can I take money from a lock box that my husband has hidden from me? He has $28,000 in it. I recently found it and the key.
15 Dec 2014