Preparing for Trial as a Solo or Small Firm 2026 – Erie

Suzanne Sennett Smith has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years in York and Adams Counties. She has Pennsylvania roots, growing up in Erie and moving to York County in 1992 when she began clerking for Judge Uhler. After her year clerkship, she started at the York County Public Defender’s Office where she practiced for about 10 years. After leaving the Public Defender’s, she went into private practice. She is currently a member of the firm Fresh Start Law, PLLC where she continues to focus on criminal law. She has almost two decades of experience in Pardons and Expungements. She also is death penalty certified. Suzanne has been active in the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the York County Bar Association and the York County Bar Foundation, including being the York County Bar Association President in 2013. She has organized and run Pardon and Expungement clinics and Driver’s License clinics for the York County Bar Association. Suzanne has been a member of PACDL since 2000. She also teaches an undergraduate course on Criminal Trial Advocacy at Gettysburg College. In her free time, Suzanne is active in the York community. She previously served as a Director on the West York School Board. She is also an active member in the Uptown Rotary, the West York Foundation, and the Elks. When not volunteering for something, you may find her enjoying a craft beer or working in her yard and garden or spending time with her daughters.

Melissa Merchant-Calvert, Esq. owns and operates a small law firm in Mercer, Pennsylvania. Melissa’s primary areas of practice are family law and criminal law; however, Melissa’s practice areas also include civil litigation, estate planning and estates. Melissa is also court-appointed and privately hired as a Guardian Ad Litem in a variety of cases, including child custody, CYS, involuntary termination of parental rights cases, and guardianship actions. Prior to opening her own practice in January 2022, Melissa was employed as an associate attorney at Whalen Law Offices for almost 10 years. Melissa has previously served on the PBA Board of Governors as the Zone-10 Governor and currently holds the position of the Immediate Past Chair in the Young Lawyers Division. Melissa is active in the Mercer County Bar Association, where she currently holds the office of Secretary, as well as sitting on the Mercer County Bar Association Board of Directors.

Tom founded Markey Law LLC to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and protect their business. With a background in commercial litigation, Tom is well suited to advise business owners on how to identify and manage legal risks in a complex regulatory environment. An active real estate investor, Tom enjoys counseling other investors on matters related to corporate structure, real estate transactions, and landlord-tenant issues. Tom is a partner in two companies that invest in short- and medium-term rentals. Prior to founding Markey Law, Tom worked for a law firm, government agency, and software company in the areas of commercial litigation, privacy, and cybersecurity. Tom is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University (B.S., B.A.), the University of Pennsylvania (M.S. Ed.), and the Boston University School of Law (J.D.).

Attorney Antonio A. Bonnetty is a dedicated solo practitioner specializing in family law, juvenile dependency, and criminal law. With a wealth of experience and a proven track record of successful outcomes for clients across these critical areas, Attorney Bonnetty is committed to providing exceptional legal representation. Passionate about the law, he seeks to advocate for those in need.
Attorney Bonnetty is actively involved with the Allegheny County Bar Association, fosters relationships within the legal community, and stays updated on the latest developments in the field. Attorney Bonnetty enjoys his volunteer work with Neighborhood Legal Services, focusing on helping Protection from Abuse (PFA) victims, along with participation in various legal clinics, including the “Wills for Heroes” program, and organization within the Allegheny County Bar Association.
In his downtime, Attorney Bonnetty values quality time with family, beekeeping, running, and gardening.
Attorney Bonnetty strives to empower clients with informed legal counsel, guiding them through complex legal challenges with compassion and experience. His goal is to be a steadfast ally during clients’ most challenging times, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected.