Marcia DePaula understands the importance of authentic connections by engaging in thoughtful conversation and active listening, and exhibiting empathy. Clients appreciate Marcia’s ability to make connections with them, but more importantly her ability to connect them with solutions to their problems. Marcia understands the importance of being face-to-face with clients, and she can routinely be found conducting on-site client visits, seeking feedback and providing training.
Marcia focuses her practice in the areas of labor and employment law and higher education. Marcia’s practice is a unique blend of litigation prevention and avoidance and litigation defense. Rarely is there a human resources situation that Marcia has not helped an employer work through, including ADA and accommodations, FMLA, discrimination, discipline, termination, and sexual harassment. Success in counseling clients is rooted in her willingness to listen to her client to understand the legal situation, as well as the impact on business operations and workplace environment.
While litigation can be exciting, most employers don’t have the same mindset. Marcia works to make the litigation process as effortless as possible for her clients. Marcia is frequently advocating for and defending clients before administrative agencies, including the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and in state and federal courts.
Marcia is a very well-rounded attorney and in addition to a traditional employment practice, Marcia advises public and private universities on GDPR, GLBA, Title IX, and Title VII. Marcia has extensive experience in commercial and business litigation, including breach of contract, matters arising under the Uniform Commercial Code, banking litigation, FTC statutes, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and Truth-in-Lending Act. Additionally, Marcia advises energy companies on state and federal matters, including local government ordinances, land development, wage and hour issues, and employee policies.
Similar to the way she connects with clients, Marcia has an open door policy and uses her leadership and relationship building skills to develop and mentor other firm lawyers and support staff. Additionally, Marcia serves as Practice Group Leader for the Labor Department, and serves on the Strategic Planning Committee of the firm and participates in the Higher Education and Banking, Real Estate, and Financial Services teams.
Memberships & Awards
PROFESSIONAL
The Best Lawyers in America®
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Washington County Bar Association
Delegate to the European Union Visitors Program in Brussels, Belgium, where she discussed potential solutions to deceptive sales over the Internet
Law and Justice Award, Order Sons of Italy in America
University of Pittsburgh Scholar
INDUSTRY/CIVIC
Graduate, Leadership Pittsburgh XXXII
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP)
Power of Southpointe
Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber