Erica L. Laughlin, a Shareholder of Strassburger McKenna Gutnick & Gefsky, has a civil litigation practice in state and federal courts. Known for her energy, attention and dedication to her clients and their needs, Ms. Laughlin has successfully represented individuals and businesses in commercial disputes and civil matters, including personal injury, premises liability, professional malpractice, insurance defense, civil rights defense, construction and municipal law claims.
Ms. Laughlin joined the firm in 2004, became a director in 2012 and a shareholder in 2017. She serves as chair of the firm’s Business Development and Marketing Committee. Ms. Laughlin enjoys the diversity in her practice and believes the firm provides its clients with both outstanding representation and personal attention that fosters lasting relationships. SMGG’s team approach and investment in its clients and attorneys is what has kept her at the firm for the duration of her legal career.
Ms. Laughlin credits the successes she achieves for her clients to her rich background in litigation, but prides herself in her focus towards helping her clients achieve cost-efficient favorable outcomes and creative solutions outside of the courtroom. Ms. Laughlin 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 15 half-marathons and two triathlons.
A native of North Huntingdon in Westmoreland County, Ms. Laughlin lives in Pine Richland School District, 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
