Marshall Dennehey has been recognized as a finalist in four categories of The Legal Intelligencer and Law.com’s 2026 Pennsylvania Legal Awards, including the prestigious Attorney of the Year honor, for which John J. Hare, Chair of the firm’s Appellate Advocacy & Post-Trial Practice Group, and Executive Committee member, is a co-finalist. The categories are:
Attorney of the Year – John J. Hare, Marshall Dennehey, together with Charles “Chip” Becker, Kline & Specter, Finalist
Over the past year, John and Charles were opposing counsel in many of the highest-profile civil appeals in Pennsylvania. John is renowned as a preeminent appellate lawyer on the defense side; and Chip on the plaintiff's side. They have opposed each other repeatedly, exhibiting peerless professionalism and exceptional civility, while zealously litigating under the unremitting pressure of high-profile litigation and record setting verdicts totaling more than $3.5 billion. They have also collaborated, outside of litigation, on many commissions, committees, and projects of importance to the Pennsylvania judiciary and legal community.
Litigation Department of the Year – Appellate Law, Finalist (previous winner, 2025 & 2024)
2025 was another standout year for the firm’s Appellate Advocacy & Post‑Trial Practice Group, which was retained to challenge many of Pennsylvania’s “nuclear” verdicts—awards exceeding $10 million. Notably, the department persuaded the Pennsylvania Superior Court to reverse a Philadelphia judgment of $1.09 billion, the largest judgment ever overturned by a Pennsylvania appellate court.
The group’s 11 full‑time Pennsylvania‑based appellate lawyers are at the center of Pennsylvania’s most high-profile matters and bring more than 150 years of combined appellate experience. They routinely handle post‑trial and appellate matters and are frequently engaged to participate in and monitor trials in high‑exposure cases to ensure that critical legal issues are properly raised and preserved for appeal.
Litigation Department of the Year – Product Liability/Mass Torts, Finalist
For almost five decades, Fortune 500 product manufacturers/distributors and their insurers have turned to our Pennsylvania Product Liability Practice Group and our Environmental & Toxic Tort Practice Groups to defend their litigation. Led by Bradley D. Remick and Vlada Tasich, our Product Liability group’s success can be attributed to its commitment to keeping abreast of ever-changing legal theories, judicial viewpoints and evolving technology impacting the product liability landscape. Our attorneys have successfully handled thousands of product liability matters in all jurisdictions across the state.
Likewise, our environmental and toxic tort defense attorneys, led by Kevin E. Hexstall and Daniel J. Ryan, defend toxic tort personal injury actions, environmental property damage claims, environmental remediations and insurance coverage disputes arising out of environmental or toxic tort matters throughout the Commonwealth.
Litigation Department of the Year – Professional Liability, Finalist (previous winner, 2025)
Nearly half of Marshall Dennehey’s Pennsylvania attorneys concentrate their practices in medical and non‑medical professional liability litigation. These practitioners are part of the firm’s Health Care Department, led by Robin B. Snyder, and its Professional Liability Department, led by James H. Cole. Together, these teams are widely recognized across Pennsylvania for their trial results, strategic defense capabilities, and leadership in the professional liability arena.
Pennsylvania’s professional liability landscape remains one of the most challenging in the country, with rising case volumes, a historic surge in nuclear verdicts, and recent changes to medical malpractice venue rules adding further complexity. In this environment, our professional liability attorneys partner closely with clients to drive favorable outcomes through early resolution strategies, targeted ADR approaches, rigorous damages analysis, and, when necessary, a vigorous and highly skilled trial defense.
The winners in the finalist categories will be announced at an awards dinner set for June 11, 2026 at the Hilton at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia. More information may be found here: https://www.event.law.com/thelegalintelligencer-palegalawards/10375358.
