Our Firm
Joel S. Sansone
Partner
Mr. Sansone practices in the areas of civil rights and employment discrimination, with a specific emphasis on the rights of the plaintiff. Mr. Sansone’s employment practice includes experience in claims against employers for age, sex, race and disability discrimination, sexual harassment, breach of employment contracts and wrongful discharge. He also has a wealth of experience in civil rights litigation, most prominently in actions concerning the rights of citizens in connection with government and police entities.
Mr. Sansone received his Juris Doctor degree from the Duquesne University School of Law. While attending Duquesne University, he was a senior staff member of the Duquesne Law Review and a finalist in the National Trial Moot Competition. Mr. Sansone graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
Massimo A. Terzigni
Partner
Mr. Terzigni focuses his practice on civil rights, employment discrimination and criminal defense. He represents clients in a wide variety of civil matters and possesses litigation experience at both the federal and state levels. Mr. Terzigni guarantees that he will always fight for his clients’ rights with passion and integrity
Prior to joining the Law Offices of Joel Sansone, Massimo worked with the Allegheny County Public Defender’s Office, the Allegheny County Solicitor’s Office and the Allegheny County Family Court’s Pro Se Motions Program.
Mr. Terzigni received his Juris Doctor degree from the Duquesne University School of Law. While attending Duquesne Law, Mr. Terzigni was recognized for achievements in legal research and writing, legal process, clinical work in the area of federal litigation and pro bono service. Mr. Terzigni graduated with honors from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
Elizabeth A. Tuttle
Partner
Ms. Tuttle focuses her practice on civil rights and employment discrimination.
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Tuttle worked with the Pro Bono Center, Jewish Family & Childrens' Service and as a clerk in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Ms. Tuttle graduated cum laude from the Duquesne University School of Law.
While attending Duquesne Law, Ms. Tuttle worked as a research assistant and served as a student attorney in Duquesne's Urban Development Practicum and as Executive Editor of the Duquesne Business Law Journal. During law school, Ms. Tuttle received recognition for her commitment to public service and was presented with awards for her achievements in legal research and writing, labor law, criminal procedure, and civil rights litigation. Ms. Tuttle graduated from Allegheny College with a Bachelor of Arts in History.
Patricia A. Schmidt
Patti is a senior paralegal focusing on employment discrimination and civil rights. She is experienced in assisting attorneys in all phases of litigation, including, but not limited to, initial case assessment; preparing discovery and document management plans; drafting discovery; digesting deposition transcripts; preparing cases for mediation, arbitration and/or trial; and post-trial and appellate matters. She has significant experience working closely with clients during the discovery phase of litigation. Patti also has considerable experience handling all administrative matters of the firm.
Katelyn Ridjaneck
Katie is a paralegal and the newest addition to our team. She recently obtained her Paralegal Certificate from Pittsburgh’s only American Bar Association-approved paralegal program at Duquesne University. She is also a member of Lambda Epsilon Chi, and the National Paralegal Honor Society. Katie has a background in legal writing and research. Among her duties as a paralegal with our firm, Katie enjoys working closely with the attorneys and clients to draft pleadings, with a focus on drafting civil rights and employment discrimination complaints.