Erica L. Laughlin

Shareholder
D: (412) 281-5423
F: (412) 281-8264
E: elaughlin@smgglaw.com
Erica L. Laughlin

Erica L. Laughlin has been part of the Strassburger McKenna Gutnick & Gefsky team for the duration of her legal career. Joining the firm in 2004, she became a Director in 2012 and took on her current role as Shareholder in 2017. She serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s Business Development and Marketing Committee.

Ms. Laughlin has a civil litigation practice in state and federal courts, and has successfully represented individuals and businesses in commercial disputes and civil matters, including employment, personal injury, premises liability, professional malpractice, insurance defense, civil rights defense, construction, and municipal law claims. The breadth and depth of her experience covers everything from multi-million dollar disputes among companies and board members to health law litigation, from personal injury claims to contractual breaches.

Known for her energy, attention, and dedication to her clients and their needs, Ms. Laughlin prides herself in her focus toward helping her clients achieve cost-efficient favorable outcomes and creative solutions outside of the courtroom. She regularly provides preventative counseling, and advises her clients on risk avoidance in an effort to limit their exposure to litigation.

Outside of the courtroom, Ms. Laughlin is passionate about travel and the arts. An avid runner, she has completed over 20 half-marathons and two triathlons. A North Huntingdon native, she currently resides in Pine Township with her husband Nick and their young daughters, Ella and Tessa.

Experience and Representative Matters

  • Successful resolution of a multi-million dollar dispute among board members and a lending institution related to a prominent hotel chain.
  • Experience litigating a multi-million dollar dispute among board members related to investment in a technology start-up company.
  • Achieved dismissal of claim in a multi-million dollar dispute involving a major coal company.
  • Successful resolution of multi-million dollar personal injury claim involving neurological injuries.
  • Successful resolution of professional malpractice claim related to the purchase of oil and gas rights.
  • Experience with health law litigation regarding calculation of productivity incentive compensation for a major hospital.
  • Favorable resolution in multi-faceted dispute among partners of a prominent dentistry practice.
  • Favorable resolution of dispute between competing financial brokerage firms.
  • Successful litigation of non-compete clause claims.
  • Successfully defended several local restaurants and bars in premises liability and personal injury claims.
  • Experience with matters involving the Right to Know Act and major local news outlets.
  • Experience litigating claims before the Office of Open Records.
  • Experience with defamation claims involving both individuals and competing businesses.
  • Experience in breach of contract litigation between general and subcontractors.
  • Experience with claims involving the Political Subdivision Tort Claims Act.
  • Has experience successfully litigating matters relating to government contracts involving both PennDOT and the Port Authority of Allegheny County.
  • Successfully litigated civil rights claims on behalf of several local municipalities.
  • Successfully litigated premises liability and property damage claims on behalf of several local municipalities.
  • Successfully handled numerous matters for several insurance pools and insurance companies.

Professional Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Allegheny County Bar Association
      • President-Elect
    • Women in the Law Division Council, 2014 – Present
      • Chair, 2018
      • Finance Committee, 2017-Present
    • Bench Bar Planning Committee, 2011 – Present
      • Chair, 2017
      • Vice Chair, 2016
    • Nominating Committee, 2016
    • Civil Litigation Section Council, 2015 – Present
    • Young Lawyer Fellow, 2014 – Present
    • Young Lawyers Division Council, 2013 – 2015
    • Bar Leadership Initiative Class, 2012 – 2013
  • Westmoreland County Bar Association
  • Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce
  • American Inns of Court, Amy Reynolds Hay Chapter, 2011-2015
    • Group Leader, 2013 – 2015
  • American Inns of Court, Ned J. Nakles Chapter, 2013-2015
  • American Association for Justice, 2004-2015

Community Activities

  • St. Kilian Catholic Church, Lector
  • Expressions in Harmony, providing support and services to women and children in need, former founding Board Member
  • Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Corporate Circles Board
  • Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting Community Advisory Council
  • Steel City Impact, Board Member