Thomas, Thomas & Hafer, LLP (“TTH”) is proud of the long-standing tradition of the firm’s attorneys being leaders of the defense bar. Several of TTH’s lawyers again will have leadership roles in 2026.
Rebecca Sember-Izsak, a partner in the firm’s Pittsburgh office, will serve as Secretary of the Pennsylvania Defense Institute (“PDI”).
Also serving leadership roles with PDI are Harrisburg partner, Jonathan Danko, as the Director of Middle District – South, and Wilkes-Barre associate, Taryn Vender, as the Director Middle District – North.
TTH’s Ben Peoples, one of the firm’s three managing partners, serves as the State Representative to the Defense Research Institute for the District of Columbia, and is also a member of the Board of Directors for the DC Defense Lawyers’ Association.
Serving alongside Ben as a member of the Board of Directors of DCDLA, is Jack Lapidus, a partner in the firm’s DC office.
Attorney Matt Ainsley has been elected as Treasurer of DCDLA and recently presented at DCDLA’s Annual Conference. Matt’s presentation entitled “Admissibility of Expert Testimony, Common Issues and the Expert’s View,” traced the history of the admissibility of expert evidence in DC, Maryland and Virginia, then discussed the current state of the law in each jurisdiction, and how the Daubert standard has impacted the admissibility of expert testimony in DC and Maryland in particular.
Representing TTH’s Richmond, VA office is partner, Patrick O’Grady, who will serve as Director-at-Large for the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys as well as the President of the Richmond Claims Association.
The Pennsylvania Association of Mutual Insurance Companies has selected Ambler Attorney Scott Rybny to serve as Co-Chair of the Claims Committee for the upcoming year.
Kevin McNamara, the firm’s Chief Executive Partner, commented: “Leadership in these organizations not only raises the personal profile of the attorney who fills the role but also, assists our clients by giving them a voice on industry issues that consistently arise. Leaders spearhead initiatives for the benefit of everyone in the insurance defense community.”
Thomas, Thomas & Hafer, LLP is a civil litigation defense firm, founded in 1977, with over 110 lawyers in 13 offices throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region.