Erica L. Laughlin has been part of the Strassburger McKenna Gutnick & Gefsky (SMGG) team for the duration of her legal career. Joining the Firm in 2004, she became a Director in 2012 and took on her current role as Shareholder in 2017. She serves as Co-Chair of the Firm’s Business Development and Marketing Committee.
Ms. Laughlin has a civil litigation practice in state and federal courts, and has successfully represented individuals and businesses in commercial disputes and civil matters, including employment, personal injury, premises liability, professional malpractice, insurance defense, civil rights defense, construction, and municipal law claims. The breadth and depth of her experience cover everything from multi-million dollar disputes among companies and board members to health law litigation, from personal injury claims to contractual breaches.
Known for her energy, attention, and dedication to her clients and their needs, Ms. Laughlin prides herself in her focus toward helping her clients achieve cost-efficient favorable outcomes and creative solutions outside of the courtroom. She regularly provides preventative counseling and advises her clients on risk avoidance in an effort to limit their exposure to litigation.
Outside of the courtroom, Ms. Laughlin is passionate about travel and the arts. An avid runner, she has completed over 20 half-marathons and two triathlons. A North Huntingdon native, she currently resides in Pine Township with her husband Nick and their young daughters, Ella and Tessa.
Ms. Laughlin has had a varied and diverse civil practice. Some of her more noteworthy matters and areas of experience include:
Successful resolution of a multi-million dollar dispute among board members and a lending institution related to a prominent hotel chain
Experience litigating a multi-million dollar dispute among board members related to investment in a technology start-up company
Achieved dismissal of claim in a multi-million dollar dispute involving a major coal company
Successful resolution of multi-million dollar personal injury claim involving neurological injuries
Successful resolution of professional malpractice claim related to the purchase of oil and gas rights
Experience with health law litigation regarding calculation of productivity incentive compensation for a major hospital
Favorable resolution in multi-faceted dispute among partners of a prominent dentistry practice
Favorable resolution of dispute between competing financial brokerage firms
Successful litigation of non-compete clause claims
Successfully defended several local restaurants and bars in premises liability and personal injury claims
Experience with matters involving the Right to Know Act and major local news outlets
Experience litigating claims before the Office of Open Records
Experience with defamation claims involving both individuals and competing businesses
Experience in breach of contract litigation between general and subcontractors
Experience with claims involving the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act
Has experience successfully litigating matters relating to government contracts involving both PennDOT and the Port Authority of Allegheny County
Successfully litigated civil rights claims on behalf of several local municipalities
Successfully litigated premises liability and property damage claims on behalf of several local municipalities
Successfully handled numerous matters for several insurance pools and insurance companies
