FRANK - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chancellor Emeritus, University of Pittsburgh ) Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, Research Assistant on State Finance, 1967
Job Titles:
- Pittsburgh Family Law Office
Job Titles:
- Founding Partner & Shareholder, 1990
John C. Scialabba is a Butler County native and shareholder at Frank, Gale, Bails & Pocrass, P.C. Mr. Scialabba's practice focuses on the representation of individuals and corporate entities in various aspects of litigation and operation.
Mr. Scialabba is collaboratively-trained and has successfully pursued and defended countless matrimonial matters, including those in front of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. His expertise extends to all facets of family law and includes representation of high net-worth individuals who are contemplating or proceeding with divorce, as well as accompanying matters of estate planning and succession, child custody, support and protection from abuse.
Mr. Scialabba has assisted in representing local media outlets in general corporate and litigation matters. He has also assisted in counseling political action committees in the handling of their operating procedures and fundraising such that they may comport with election laws and regulations.
Making use of his prior experience as an extern with the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, as well as the Allegheny County Public Defender's Office, Mr. Scialabba is well-versed in the skills necessary to secure positive outcomes for his clients.
Mr. Scialabba's background enables him to generate cohesive case theories and strategies from an interdisciplinary perspective, ensuring that all angles and implications are considered at both the outset and as the case develops.
During law school, Mr. Scialabba traveled to Eldoret, Kenya, where he externed at the Legal Aid Center of Eldoret (LACE). There, he assisted indigent persons who were dealing with the legal challenges associated with HIV/AIDS, including custody, child support, adoption and land succession disputes. Prior to law school, he worked for the New York City Department of Education as a High School teacher as he simultaneously earned a master's degree in adolescent education. While teaching, he created an after-school credit recovery program to enable at-risk students to earn enough credits to graduate.
This experience - helping people at a pivotal time in their lives - shaped the way he practices law; listening and guiding clients from all walks of life through some of their most challenging times.
John G. Harshman joined Frank, Gale, Bails & Pocrass, P.C. as an associate attorney in June 2015 and was named partner in 2017.
Mr. Harshman is a 1991 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He brings over 24 years of experience in complex divorce litigation, including business evaluation issues.
He serves as Solicitor for the Greater Pittsburgh Police Federal Credit Union and also works with the Policemen's Relief and Pension Fund for the City of Pittsburgh. He also has served as a faculty member of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and conducts continuing legal education credit lecturing on Municipal Pensions and non-ERISA retirement benefits. Mr. Harshman has also dedicated significant personal time to charitable endeavors such as the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure and the American Heart Association and the American Kidney Fund. Recently, Harshman was honored as the highest private fundraiser for the American Kidney Fund in 2015.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate at Frank, Gale, Bails, & Pocrass
Jon Dotts is an Associate at Frank, Gale, Bails, & Pocrass, P.C. where his primary areas of practice are on family law, estate planning, and corporate counseling. He also has experience in adoptions and criminal matters.
During his time as a law clerk for the Honorable Jesse Pettit and the Honorable Katherine Emery in Washington County, PA, he acquired invaluable courtroom and drafting skills. His background allowed him to work closely with two court of common pleas judges in a wide arrange of areas. This experience provides him with the tools and intuition to identify problems before they arise and anticipate potential solutions. He finds nothing more satisfying than providing sound, tactful solutions to the problems and issues of his clients.
During law school, Jon volunteered at the Central Pennsylvania Law Clinic where he assisted clients with divorce, custody, estate and bankruptcy matters. He was also a finalist in the Herbert Wechsler National Criminal Moot Court competition. Jon's background gives him insight into the mindsets of judges and a passion for litigation that he got to witness from the prospective of the litigator and the judge.
In his free time, he enjoys engaging with the local community and mentoring the youth as a little league baseball umpire.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- of Counsel