Estelle Kokales McGrath

Estelle is a member of the Professional Liability Department with a diverse practice, which is concentrated in the areas of Public Entity/Civil Rights, Employment Law, Real Estate and Insurance Agent Errors & Omissions litigation in both the state and federal courts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

The Public Entity/Civil Rights part of Estelle's practice focuses on the defense of public entities and police officers. Estelle routinely represents schools, universities and municipalities for various claims and suits brought against them. She also represents and defends teachers, college professors and coaches covering a wide array of professional liability matters. Estelle also defends police chiefs, police officers, constables, humane officers and security guards when claims and suits are brought against them.

Estelle’s Employment practice includes her representation and defense of public entities and private employers. The claims brought against her clients involve discrimination and retaliation based on race, sex, religion, age, disability and FMLA entitlement, as well as claims of Whistleblower violations and sexual assault. Discrimination cases frequently have Estelle representing her clients at the administrative level (EEOC/PHRC) and, thereafter in state and federal court. Estelle is also retained to represent employers at unemployment and workers’ compensation hearings.

In her Real Estate practice, Estelle represents real estate agents, real estate appraisers, home inspectors, property management companies, homeowner associations, homeowner boards and board members. The defense of these individuals and entities requires Estelle to regularly analyze contracts, governing documents of the association and the Uniform Planned Community Act.

Estelle is a member of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS). She was also selected to be a member of the Council on Litigation Management (CLM) and the FETA organization (individuals in the professional lines business of Greek ethnicity).

Honors & awards

AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell

Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Star
2008, 2012-2016

Year joined

2002

Results

Defense Verdict for Two Police Officers in Excessive Force Case After 12-day Jury Trial

Public Entity and Civil Rights Litigation
December 1, 2017

The plaintiff brought claims of excessive force against one of two police officers and claims of assault and battery against the other officer. The incident in question occurred during a traffic stop. The plaintiff bore a strong resemblance to, and shared the last name of, a known gang member who had outstanding warrants for weapons offenses. During the traffic stop, one of the defendants observed an unnatural bulge in the plaintiff’s pants pocket. The officers ordered the plaintiff to exit the vehicle in order to pat him down for their own safety and to resolve the identity issue.

Summary Judgment for a Police Officer Accused of Malicious Prosecution

Public Entity and Civil Rights Litigation
January 22, 2016

A municipal police officer received a complaint that an unknown male attempted to lure a 15-year-old female into his car. A day later, the victim and her mother went to the police department and advised the same officer that the victim saw the suspect car and followed it to a local business. When the driver exited the vehicle, the victim viewed him and was adamant that he was the individual who attempted to lure her into the same car the previous day. The officer prepared a photo array that contained a photograph of the owner of the vehicle, which the victim immediately

Successful Defense of Police Officer Accused of Malicious Prosecution

Public Entity and Civil Rights Litigation
October 8, 2015

Obtained summary judgment for a police officer accused of malicious prosecution. A municipal police officer received a complaint that an unknown male attempted to lure a 15-year-old female into his car. A day later, the victim and her mother went to the police department and advised the same officer that the victim saw the suspect car and followed it to a local business. When the driver exited the vehicle the victim viewed him and was adamant that he was the individual who had attempted to lure her into the same car the previous day.