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Walter P. Deforest III
also known as Walter P. DeForest III
About Walter
Biography
Walter's litigation work has been primarily in the area of business disputes, product liability, technology disputes, trade secret cases, defamation claims, employment contracts, non-competition provisions, wrongful termination suits, contract claims, and discrimination and sexual harassment cases. As a mediator, Walter has successfully resolved commercial matters involving numerous and often high-stakes claims.
Walter has litigated numerous cases in the state and federal courts both locally and nationally, including cases in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, California, New York, West Virginia, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa, Florida, New Hampshire, Georgia, and Alabama. He has had cases and been admitted to practice before ten federal courts of appeals. Walter also has had considerable practice before the Supreme Court of the United States.
Walter understands and respects the role of inside counsel having been a general counsel, himself, for nine years. In addition to representing clients in high-stakes litigation matters, he often advises and represents clients in the labor and employment area.
Walter offers a unique capability among mediators because in his forty years of practice he has litigated both for plaintiffs and defendants, corporations and individuals and in state and federal courts throughout the U.S.
He has the respect of both colleagues and adversaries, many of whom have kindly offered their reference for his mediation practice. Walter has striven diligently to be known for his honesty and fairness as well as a knowledge of law and procedure that only comes with a lifetime of such litigation experience. He is grateful for the recognition of his peers. Because of that respect and experience, he believes he can serve everyone well in mediation — leaving all who participate thankful for the process.
Practice Areas
8
Practice Areas
Communications and Media
14%
Constitutional
14%
Education
14%
Employment and Labor
14%
Fees and Rates
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in Florida for 5 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 2020
No misconduct found
Licensed in New York for 11 years
State: New York
Acquired: 2014
No misconduct found
Licensed in Michigan for 13 years
State: Michigan
Acquired: 2012
No misconduct found
Licensed in Ohio for 24 years
State: Ohio
Acquired: 2001
No misconduct found
Licensed in West Virginia for 28 years
State: West Virginia
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
Licensed in Pennsylvania for 56 years
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 1970
No misconduct found
Location
DeForest Koscelnik Yokitis & Berardinelli
436 7th Ave Fl 30, Deforest Koscelnik Et Al, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219-1826
deforestlawfirm.comWalter P. Deforest III's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
Not Yet Reviewed
Walter P. Deforest III's Lawyer Endorsements
"Walter DeForest defines what you want in a lawyer if you are a client -- super-smart, tenacious and unbelievably diligent. Whether representing a company or an individual, he both out smarts and out works his opposition, which has led to an incredibly successful career spanning nearly five decades."
"Walter is an excellent advocate. He is hardworking, thoughtful, and ingenuitive. Client service, whether for an individual or a large corporation, is a top priority for Walter."
David Berardinelli
Litigation lawyer
Marie DeForest
Litigation lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2016
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2016
Best Lawyers - First Amendment Law, Best Lawyers in America
2016
Best Lawyers - Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America
2016
Best Lawyers - Media Law, Best Lawyers in America
2016
Best Lawyers - Litigation-First Amendment, Best Lawyers in America
2016
Best Lawyers - Litigation-Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2016
Best Lawyers - Labor Law-Management, Best Lawyers in America
2016
Best Lawyers - Employment Law-Management, Best Lawyers in America
2016
Best Lawyers - Employment Law-Individuals, Best Lawyers in America
2016
Litigation: General Commercial — Pennsylvania, Band 4, Chambers USA
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
2015 Pgh Lawyer of the Year-Litigation-First Amendment, The Best Lawyers in America
2015
Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2015
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2015
Best Lawyers - First Amendment Law, Best Lawyers in America
2015
Best Lawyers - Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America
2015
Best Lawyers - Media Law, Best Lawyers in America
2015
Best Lawyers - Litigation-First Amendment, Best Lawyers in America
2015
Best Lawyers - Litigation-Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2015
Best Lawyers - Labor Law-Management, Best Lawyers in America
2015
Best Lawyers - Employment Law-Management, Best Lawyers in America
2015
Best Lawyers - Employment Law-Individuals, Best Lawyers in America
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
2014 Pgh Lawyer of the Year-Litigation-Labor & Employment, The Best Lawyers in America
2014
Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2014
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2014
Best Lawyers - First Amendment Law, Best Lawyers in America
2014
Best Lawyers - Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America
2014
Best Lawyers - Media Law, Best Lawyers in America
2014
Best Lawyers - Litigation-First Amendment, Best Lawyers in America
2014
Best Lawyers - Litigation-Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2014
Best Lawyers - Labor Law-Management, Best Lawyers in America
2014
Best Lawyers - Employment Law-Management, Best Lawyers in America
2014
Best Lawyers - Employment Law-Individuals, Best Lawyers in America
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2013
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2013
Best Lawyers - First Amendment Law, Best Lawyers in America
2013
Best Lawyers - Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America
2013
Best Lawyers - Media Law, Best Lawyers in America
2013
Best Lawyers - Litigation-First Amendment, Best Lawyers in America
2013
Best Lawyers - Litigation-Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2013
Best Lawyers - Labor Law-Management, Best Lawyers in America
2013
Best Lawyers - Employment Law-Management, Best Lawyers in America
2013
Best Lawyers - Employment Law-Individuals, Best Lawyers in America
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2012
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2012
Best Lawyers - First Amendment Law, Best Lawyers in America
2012
Best Lawyers - Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America
2012
Best Lawyers - Media Law, Best Lawyers in America
2012
Best Lawyers - Litigation-First Amendment, Best Lawyers in America
2012
Best Lawyers - Litigation-Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2012
Best Lawyers - Labor Law-Management, Best Lawyers in America
2012
Best Lawyers - Employment Law-Management, Best Lawyers in America
2012
Best Lawyers - Employment Law-Individuals, Best Lawyers in America
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2011
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2011
Best Lawyers - First Amendment Law, Best Lawyers in America
2011
Best Lawyers - Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America
2011
Best Lawyers - Media Law, Best Lawyers in America
2011
Best Lawyers - Litigation-First Amendment, Best Lawyers in America
2011
Best Lawyers - Litigation-Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2011
Best Lawyers - Labor Law-Management, Best Lawyers in America
2011
Best Lawyers - Employment Law-Management, Best Lawyers in America
2011
Best Lawyers - Employment Law-Individuals, Best Lawyers in America
2011
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2010
Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2010
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2010
Best Lawyers - First Amendment Law, Best Lawyers in America
2010
Best Lawyers - Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America
2010
Best Lawyers - Media Law, Best Lawyers in America
2010
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2009
Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2009
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2009
Best Lawyers - First Amendment Law, Best Lawyers in America
2009
Best Lawyers - Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America
2009
Best Lawyers - Media Law, Best Lawyers in America
2009
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2008
Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2008
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2008
Best Lawyers - First Amendment Law, Best Lawyers in America
2008
Best Lawyers - Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America
2008
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2007
Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2007
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2007
Best Lawyers - First Amendment Law, Best Lawyers in America
2007
Best Lawyers - Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America
2007
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2006
Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2006
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2006
Best Lawyers - First Amendment Law, Best Lawyers in America
2006
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2005
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2005
Best Lawyers - First Amendment Law, Best Lawyers in America
2005
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2004
Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2004
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2003
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
2001
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
1999
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
1997
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
1995
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
1993
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
1991
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
1989
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
1987
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
1983
Best Lawyers - Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers in America
Work Experience
1994 - Present
Partner, DeForest Koscelnik Yokitis & Berardinelli
1900 - Present
Partner, DeForest Koscelnik & Berardinelli
1969 - 1994
Associate, then Partner, Reed Smith
Sample of Legal Cases
Litigation Matter Involving Employment and Intellectual Property Issues-2
Consent injunction plus running royalties
Litigation Matter Involving Employment and Intellectual Property Issues-1
Resolved to satisfaction of the client
Case 3
Verdict in favor of client
Education
1969
Harvard University Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
1966
University of Pittsburgh
B.A.
1966
University of Pittsburgh
AB
Languages
English