Schnader Welcomes Laurel Brandstetter to Firm

Schnader is pleased to welcome Laurel Brandstetter as a partner in the firm’s Pittsburgh, Pa. office. Ms. Brandstetter enhances the firm’s litigation capabilities, particularly in white-collar defense and internal investigations, both regionally and nationally.

Prior to joining Schnader, Ms. Brandstetter was a partner at Leech Tishman Fuscaldo & Lampl, LLC, where she practiced in the areas of white-collar criminal defense and investigations, with a particular emphasis on grand jury procedure and state ethics act violations. In her role at Leech, Ms. Brandstetter served as breach counsel during data security incidents. Additionally, Ms. Brandstetter served as a Law Clerk for the Honorable William F. Ward of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County.

Ms. Brandstetter served as a Senior Deputy Attorney General for the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office for six years and for seven years as an Assistant District Attorney for the Allegheny County District Attorney. In those roles, she specialized in public corruption cases and investigations. Laurel spearheaded grand jury investigations of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, among other prominent cases. Ms. Brandstetter tried to verdict more than 100 cases, including homicide cases, gang-related shootings, robbery and drug trafficking.

Ms. Brandstetter has broad experience handling complex, high-stakes criminal and civil matters involving a wide range of issues. “We are very pleased that Laurel has joined the Firm,” said Chairman David Smith. “The breadth and depth of her experience litigating complex and sophisticated matters will be a valuable resource to the Firm and to our clients.”

Ms. Brandstetter brings to Schnader an extensive background on counseling in compliance, ethics and professional responsibility, and federal regulation. She frequently presents on such topics and regularly provides continuing legal education training programs.

“Ms. Brandstetter complements and expands our Firm’s capabilities in the white-collar defense and investigations areas, as well as our cyber security breach practice,” said Managing Partner Nicholas LePore. “She brings substantial frontline experience, good judgment and first-rate lawyering skills.”

Consistent with Schnader’s long-standing tradition, Ms. Brandstetter has a demonstrated commitment to public service and pro bono representations. Ms. Brandstetter is similarly active in community affairs, with a particular interest in physical fitness and public art initiatives. Brandstetter is a Certified Yoga Instructor through the Himilayan Institute and has volunteered her time as a mentor at the Steel City Boxing Association. She also served as an Advisory Board Member at The Sprout Fund, a local non-profit that works closely with communities to develop high-quality public art in the Greater Pittsburgh area. In addition, she actively is involved in the Pittsburgh office of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, having helped in its establishment, as well as serves as pro bono counsel in juvenile life without parole cases.

Ms. Brandstetter is a 2000 graduate of the Hastings College of Law, where she was a national semi-finalist for Hastings’ moot court team, and a 1997 graduate of the University of California Santa Cruz.

Her move was noted in The Legal Intelligencer’s article, “Schnader Harrison Grabs Former OAG Corruption Prosecutor,” and in the Pittsburgh Business Times article “Schnader Harrison Adds Partner from Leech Tishman.”