Kirstin Kennedy

Associate

“Society will be judged by how it treats its weakest members.” For over 100 years, leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Winston Churchill have lived their lives following the guidance of this quote. Attorney Kirstin Kennedy was inspired by the sentiment from the moment she first heard it.

Kirstin graduated cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh in 2012 with a dual degree in English Literature and Non-Fiction Writing. Upon graduation, she was hired by the Beaver County Times and spent six years as a reporter responsible for covering breaking news and investigative journalism. During her time as a reporter, Kirstin published stories about healthcare systems, business, public health, crime, and the local courts. She enjoyed the accolades that came with being an accomplished journalist and was the recipient of recognition by the Associated Press Media Editors, the Pennsylvania News Media Association’s Keystone Awards, and the Pittsburgh Press Club’s Golden Quill Awards.

Her work required her to research criminal cases, interview victims of crimes, and observe our system of justice. Researching these subjects gave her the push she needed to change career paths. It was a difficult decision to leave journalism, but she was ready for a challenge and decided to apply to law school. She was accepted into Duquesne University Kline School of Law.

During her first year in law school, Kirstin worked as a Certified Legal Intern and gained valuable hands-on experience. She focused on broadening her knowledge and became a member of the Duquesne Unemployment Compensation Clinic, which involved helping clients navigate the unemployment compensation system. In addition, she became a member of the Duquesne Trial Advocacy Team, a member of the faculty-student Mentorship Program, a staff Member of ‘Joule’ the Energy & Environmental Law Journal, and a writer for the Juris Magazine.

Kirstin graduated from Duquesne University Kline School of Law in May 2021 with an impressive list of honors. She was the Recipient of the 2021 Edward Ohlbaum Trial Advocacy Award for “Best Advocate” in the National Trial Competition, the Lynette Norton Memorial Award, the 2020 Cali Excellence for the Future Award in Election Law, and the 2021 Cali Excellence for the Future Award in Expert Evidence. In 2021, she was inducted into The Order of Barristers.

After passing the Pennsylvania bar exam, Kirstin joined Robert Peirce & Associates. She hit the ground running to help give direction and be there to support clients while playing an active role in their quest for justice. Kirstin combines her interest in writing and researching the law to help people. She primarily works on medical malpractice and nursing home negligence cases. She finds immense joy in helping clients receive justice when they need it.
 

Education

• Duquesne University Kline School of Law, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • J.D., 2021

• University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Dual degree; B.A., English Literature and Non-Fiction Writing, 2012

Bar Admissions

• Pennsylvania, 2021
• West Virginia, 2022
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Pennsylvania, 2021
• U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania, 2022
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2022

Honors and Awards

• Recipient of the Edward Ohlbaum Trial Advocacy Award for “Best Advocate” in the National Trial Competition, Region 3, 2021
• Recipient of the Lynette Norton Memorial Award, 2021
• Induction into The Order of Barristers, 2021
• Cali Excellence for the Future Award in Expert Evidence, 2021
• Cali Excellence for the Future Award in Election Law, 2020

Professional Memberships

• Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association (WPTLA), Member, 2022 - Present
• Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Member, 2022
• Pennsylvania Association for Justice (PAJ), Member, 2021
• Allegheny County Bar Association, Member, 2021)

Published Works

• Attorney Suspended for Coaching Witness Via Text During Telephone Deposition, American Bar Association Practice Points (2021)
• New York State Court to Hear large Defamation Case in Allegations of 2020 Election Fraud, Duquesne University School of Law’s Juris Magazine (2021)
• The Limits Placed on Pennsylvania’s Constitutional Right to Clean Water and Air: An Analysis of Funk v. Wolf, Duquesne University School of Law’s Joule: Energy and Environmental Law Journal (2020)
• Gender Trend: Proposed Law Would Mandate Gender Neutral Sections in Stores, Duquesne University School of Law’s Juris Magazine (2020)
• Labor Standards: The Legality of Unpaid Internship Depends on Students’ Employment Status, Duquesne University School of Law’s Juris Magazine (2019)
• Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace: Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s Experience and the Law Intended to Protect All Pregnant Women, Duquesne University School of Law’s Juris Magazine (2019)