Atty. David J. Berardinelli

Atty. David J. Berardinelli

David has tried numerous cases in both state and federal courts and has argued in the U.S. Courts of Appeals on multiple occasions.

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Profile Summary

About David J. Berardinelli at a glance

David J. Berardinelli is a criminal defense, business, white collar, and litigation attorney based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, practicing at DeForest Koscelnik & Berardinelli. Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, United States, New York, United States, Ohio, United States, and West Virginia, United States. Educated at Harvard University (J.D., 1996) and Bucknell University (BA). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Pittsburgh) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026). Serands clients in Pittsburgh, PA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • David has tried numerous cases in both state and federal courts and has argued in the U.S
  • Courts of Appeals on multiple occasions
  • From 2000 to July 2005, David left private practice to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York
  • There he handled a variety of criminal prosecutions and investigations and worked closely with representatives of financial institutions, including internal auditors, compliance officers and counsel, as well as corporate representatives
  • For several years, David specialized in investigating complex international money laundering and narcotics importation cases
  • Currently, David's White Collar and Investigations practice helps companies and individuals confronted with the weight and specter of government investigations and prosecutions
  • David provides sound advice and guidance based on a wealth of experience and knowledge, assisting clients through the trials and tribulations of the criminal process
  • David represents clients in all aspects of white collar crime and regulation, including: criminal tax violations, FCPA violations, money laundering, DBE fraud, Health Care fraud, Stark Act and Anti-Kickback violations, government contracting fraud, False Claims Act allegations, export violations, FDA violations, securities fraud, public corruption, environmental crimes and banking offenses
  • Besides his white collar criminal defense and investigations work, David has litigated -- and tried -- a broad variety of civil matters, including trade secrets, restrictive covenants, business fraud, breach of contract, employment discrimination, and personal injury defense
  • A native of Altoona, Pennsylvania, David has served as a faculty member for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute to instruct other lawyers on topics related to white collar crime

Practice Areas Explained

David J. Berardinelli's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases David J. Berardinelli handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Criminal Defense

A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.

David J. Berardinelli is one of 214,271 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Pennsylvania →

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

David J. Berardinelli is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Pennsylvania →

White Collar Crimes

David J. Berardinelli is one of 20,025 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in Pennsylvania →

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

David J. Berardinelli is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Pennsylvania →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Pennsylvania

Practicing law in Pennsylvania. Legal matters in Pennsylvania are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Pittsburgh are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Pennsylvania state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Pennsylvania brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Pennsylvania courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Pennsylvania attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Pittsburgh or all attorneys in Pennsylvania.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about David J. Berardinelli

Where is David J. Berardinelli's law office located?
David J. Berardinelli's law practice is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The firm is DeForest Koscelnik & Berardinelli. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does David J. Berardinelli handle?
David J. Berardinelli focuses on criminal defense, business, white collar, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Pennsylvania.
Where did David J. Berardinelli go to law school?
David J. Berardinelli earned their education at (J.D., 1996); (BA).
How can I contact David J. Berardinelli for a consultation?
You can contact David J. Berardinelli directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has David J. Berardinelli received?
David J. Berardinelli's notable recognition includes: Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Pittsburgh); Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Banking and Finance.

Education

J.D.
Harvard University
- 1996
BA
Bucknell University
- In Progress

Awards

Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Pittsburgh)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Banking and Finance
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Government Investigations
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Pennsylvania Super Lawyer
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — John Marshall Award for Asset Forfeiture from Attorney General of the United States, 2005
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Pittsburgh)
- 2024
Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Pittsburgh)
- 2021
Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (Pittsburgh)
- 2019

Bar Admissions

Pennsylvania, United States
New York, United States
Ohio, United States
West Virginia, United States

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