Cross Examination Strategies 2026

Mr. Marzzacco is the sole owner of Marzzacco Niven & Associates, in Harrisburg. The firm provides representation in Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, Social Security Disability, Employment Discrimination and Civil Rights matters throughout Pennsylvania. Mr. Marzzacco’s practice is concentrated in automobile, motorcycle and trucking case litigation, including Wrongful Death and Survival actions. He also represents persons seriously injured or killed in premises liability cases, work accidents, dangerous or defective product cases and civil rights matters. Mr. Marzzacco was rated by his peers as “The Best Lawyers in America” from 2017 to present and named in “Super Lawyers” every year since 2017 as well. He has lectured at Continuing Legal Education seminars for PBI, PAJ and others, presenting on various topics and has written on a variety of personal injury law, automobile law and automobile insurance issues for the Legal Intelligencer and other publications. Marzzacco is a member of several Trial Lawyers’ groups, including the Pennsylvania Association for Justice (PAJ), where he currently serves on the Middle District Board of Governors; the American Association for Justice (AAJ), as a member of the Trucking Litigation Group; and the Dauphin and Cumberland County Bar Associations, having served on the Board of Directors in Dauphin County from 2019-2020 and currently serving as the CLE Board Chairperson. Mr. Marzzacco has taught trial advocacy at Widener University School of Law’s Intensive Trial Advocacy Program (ITAP) from 2001 to present and has coached trial teams for Widener University’s Mock Trial program as well. Marzzacco also served on the law school’s Dean’s Advisory Committee from 2021 to 2023.

Melinda C. Ghilardi is an attorney at Munley Law personal injury attorneys.  Prior to joining the firm, she was the First Assistant Federal Public Defender, an Assistant Federal Public Defender as well as an Attorney/Investigator for the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania for 33 years until retirement in February 2019.  She began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Lackawanna County. Melinda is Chair of the House of Delegates Committee on Credentials and Admissions, a Co-Vice Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Federal Practice Committee and serves on the Executive Councils of the Civil Litigation Section and the Commission on Women in the Profession.  She is also on the Board of Directors of the PA Bar Foundation.  She served on the PBA Board of Governors as both the Woman Governor and Unit County Governor.  In that capacity, she was also a member of the PBA Nominating Committee. Melinda has also held the following positions in PBA Committees:  Co-Chair of the Commission on Women in the Profession, Chair of the Diversity Team, Co-Vice Chair of the DEI Team, and Co-Chair of the Bar Leadership Institute.  She is also a long-time member of the PBA House of Delegates. Melinda has been recognized as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer from 2022 to the present as well as in Best Lawyers in America for 2024.  In 2005, she received the Lynette Norton Award presented by the PBA’s Commission on Women in the Profession. That same year, she received the inaugural Athena Award presented by the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. In 2016, Melinda received the Robert J. Munley Distinguished Service Award from Lackawanna Pro Bono, Inc. Melinda is a member of the American Association for Justice, Pennsylvania Association for Justice, and the Melvin Belli Society.  She is the Treasurer of the Association of Women Lawyers of Lackawanna County.  She has also served as Secretary of the National Association of Federal Defenders and is a past President of the Lackawanna Bar Association. In her community, Melinda is a member of the Board of Directors of the Circle 200 Forum for Senior Level Executive Women and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV).  She also serves on the Legal Committee of the Barbara J. Hart Justice Center. The University of Scranton honored Melinda by establishing an Ignatian Scholarship in her name and, in 2000, presented her with the Frank J. O’Hara Distinguished Alumni Award for outstanding achievement in the field of law.  She is a current member of the Board of Visitors of the University’s Panuska College of Professional Studies. She is a 1976 graduate of Scranton Preparatory School and a 1980 magna cum laude graduate of the University of Scranton.  In 1983, she was awarded a juris doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Catherine Law is Chief Deputy Public Defender and Chief of Trials for the York County Public Defender Office, where she oversees the trial division and maintains an active major felony and homicide caseload, including death-penalty certified litigation. A Wake Forest University School of Law graduate, she also serves as Trial Advocacy Society Supervisor and adjunct professor at Widener University Commonwealth Law School, teaching pretrial criminal litigation and coaching the National Trial Team. Appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court as a Commissioner on the Pennsylvania Commission for Fairness & Justice, she chairs the Access to Courts subcommittee and works with organizations and government officials statewide to reform Pennsylvania’s court systems. Catherine is a sought after speaker and presenter on trial litigation topics for organizations including the Public Defender Association of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Pennsylvania Bar Institute.

Tyesha C. Miley brings more than two decades of litigation and regulatory experience to her practice. She has represented public agencies, insurers, and private clients in matters involving complex litigation, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Her career includes extensive trial and appellate work, along with significant experience managing high-exposure cases and developing operational efficiencies for legal departments. Tyesha previously served as counsel for major public entities and insurers, where she defended tort, contractual, and insurance claims, achieving impactful results on behalf of her clients, realizing substantial cost savings and leading the implementation of streamlined litigation systems. She also operated her own law firm, where she handled tort, real estate, and estate planning matters. Early in her career, she served as an Assistant District Attorney, gaining significant courtroom experience prosecuting a high volume of criminal cases. Active in the legal community, Tyesha has held leadership roles within the Pennsylvania Bar Association, including service as an At-Large Governor on the Board of Governors and Chair of the Minority Bar Committee. Additionally, Tyesha is an active member of the National Bar Association, where she has served in multiple leadership positions. She is a graduate of Fordham University School of Law, J.D., and The City College of New York, B.A. She is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of PA and U.S. Supreme Court.

Timothy M. Stengel is a shareholder and co-chair of Saxton & Stump’s Investigations, White Collar and Criminal Defense Group, working from the firm’s Lancaster and Philadelphia offices. As a former federal prosecutor, Tim helps businesses, institutions, and individuals navigate high-stakes government inquiries and defends them against criminal charges and regulatory enforcement actions. He also partners with colleagues across the firm to conduct sensitive internal investigations, helping clients identify issues and manage risk to determine the best path forward. Tim previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where he was most recently deputy chief of the Violent Crime Unit. In that role, he supervised a team of approximately 30 federal prosecutors, who investigated and prosecuted a variety of federal crimes, including murder, robbery, kidnapping, and arson, as well as firearm violations, child exploitation, and human trafficking. As an active prosecutor, Tim handled some of the office’s highest-profile cases and a wide range of matters, including organized crime, drug trafficking, corruption, fraud, and national security cases. During his nearly eight years as a federal prosecutor, Tim tried numerous cases, all of which resulted in convictions. He also authored several appellate briefs and argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Before his time in government, Tim practiced at a prominent Philadelphia-based litigation boutique and a national AmLaw 100 law firm, where he focused on white collar defense, internal investigations, regulatory enforcement, and commercial litigation. He played a leading role in several independent investigations, including investigations of a Pennsylvania state regulatory agency and a southeastern Pennsylvania school district. Earlier in his career, Tim worked in the events industry for the U.S. Open Golf Championship and a scenic design company, giving him firsthand experience with business operations. That background deepens his understanding of how legal matters – including government scrutiny and litigation – can disrupt an organization’s day-to-day operations, reputation, and long-term goals. Tim earned his law degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law, where he served on the editorial board of the Temple Law Review. He remains active in the Temple American Inn of Court, where he served as president from 2021 to 2022. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Saint Joseph’s University. Tim is also active in his community, serving as the president of the school board at Sacred Heart School in Lancaster and coaching soccer and basketball.

Damian is a litigator with over 20 years of trial experience. He has tried close to 100 jury trials to verdict in state and Federal Courts in Pennsylvania, New York, and the Virgin Islands. He began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in Bronx, New York, where he tried numerous jury trials. After several years in the Bronx, Damian accepted an assignment as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Virgin Islands managing the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force where he prosecuted narcotics related criminal prosecutions in the Federal and territorial courts. In 2002, Damian returned to New York and coordinated and prosecuted insurance fraud cases for the Attorney General of New York. Damian moved to Philadelphia and refocused his practice on civil litigation. He now concentrates his efforts on preparation and trial of complex personal injury, products liability, professional liability, mass tort and general liability cases. Recently, he was selected as one of the top African American influencers in the City of Philadelphia. He is on the advisory board for the Barrister’s Association of Philadelphia and serves on the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention. He is also an advisor on the Diversity Committee for the Philadelphia Association of Defense Council. Damian also serves as a Judge Pro Temp for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Damian was appointed to serve as a Hearing Committee Member serving the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Jennifer Arbittier Williams was the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania from January 2021 – June 2022, and she is now a Partner at the boutique law firm Freeh Sporkin & Sullivan LLP, where her practice focuses on national security, global risk management, cyber security, and compliance. In addition, Ms. Williams serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, where she teaches National Security Investigations and Prosecutions. Ms. Williams also serves on the Executive Board of the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law, and she is the Vice President of InfraGard Philadelphia’s Board of Governors. Prior to her service as U.S. Attorney, Ms. Williams served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for over 15 years, including as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Chief of the National Security and Cybercrime Unit, the Crisis Management Coordinator, and the National Security Cyber Specialist.

Michele Kluk is a staff attorney with MidPenn Legal Services, where she practices in the area of guardianship defense in Dauphin and Cumberland Counties. Prior to joining MidPenn, Michele was in private practice focusing on family law and criminal defense. She previously served as a prosecutor with the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office and later with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Michele earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Moravian College (now Moravian University) in 2003, her Juris Doctor from Widener University Commonwealth Law School in 2006, and a Master of Science in Applied Psychology from Shippensburg University in 2024. She is also an adjunct professor at Widener University Commonwealth Law School, where she teaches trial methods.

Mr. LaBar is a 1983 graduate of Rutgers Law School. He worked in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office -mostly in the Homicide Unit-from 1983 until 2003, when he came to the United Sates Attorney’s Office as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney. He returned to the DA’s Office in 2007 to help form the Gun Violence Task Force, which has continued operating steadily since. In 2008 he returned to the United Sates Attorney’s Office and has been an AUSA in the Violent Crimes Unit since then.

Antoinette C. Oliver focuses her practice on business litigation, real estate litigation, insurance coverage, and employment law. She is also a member of the firm’s Management Committee, co-chair of the Associates Committee, and the firm’s Pro Bono Coordinator. Antoinette represents clients in commercial disputes in state and federal court and in arbitration proceedings. Her commercial litigation experience includes contract disputes, business torts, fraud and misrepresentation claims, corporate governance disputes, negligence actions, insurance coverage, and real estate disputes, including matters involving commercial leases, property rights, and related real estate issues. She also has substantial experience defending clients against products liability and personal injury claims. Antoinette has been appointed as an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Neutral by the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and serves as a mediator. A significant portion of Antoinette’s practice involves representing employers in employment law matters, including employment discrimination claims, wage payment disputes, post-employment restrictions, covenants not to compete, and other workplace-related disputes. She also assists employers with workplace policies, employee discipline and separation issues, internal investigations, training, risk management, and separation documents. In 2013, Antoinette helped lead the development and launch of the Landlord-Tenant Project, a program operated in conjunction with Neighborhood Legal Services and the Allegheny County Bar Foundation. The project, a signature project of the Pittsburgh Pro Bono Partnership, provides free representation to individuals who have been denied Section 8 or public housing and to those seeking to appeal a judgment of possession at an arbitration hearing. Volunteer attorneys also staff a hotline that provides advice to low-income tenants. Antoinette manages this project and volunteers regularly. In 2019, Antoinette led the expansion of the project to include pro bono representation of indigent clients at landlord-tenant mediations held as part of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas’ Housing Court. She was a member of the task force established by the Court to form the Housing Court and was instrumental in developing the pro bono services offered to low-income individuals appearing before that Court. She continues to manage this project and serves as a volunteer. As a result of these efforts, the Allegheny County Bar Association honored the firm with its Organization Pro Bono Achievement Award in 2014, and in 2017 the firm received the Pro Bono Institute’s Corporate Pro Bono Award. In 2019, the firm’s work on these projects was recognized by the Pittsburgh Business Times with a Corporate Citizenship Award. She received her B.A., cum lade, from Smith College and her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of law.She is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, United States Tax Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Katie Nealon is a passionate personal injury attorney for her clients and takes great pride in helping those in need. Her work focuses on truck accidents, motor vehicle accidents, and premises liability cases. Katie has received numerous industry awards. She holds a board certification in Truck Accident Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy. She has been named a Best Lawyer in America since 2025 and was named to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch list from 2021-2024. She has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2017 to 2024 and a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in 2026. She was selected for inclusion in the Pennsylvania Bar Leadership Institute Class of 2017-2018. In 2022, she was named to the Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal’s Top 20 Under 40 list. Katie was recently named the chair of the Civil Litigation Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Katie was the district coordinator for the High School Mock Trial Competition, which includes Lackawanna, Wayne, Wyoming, Susquehanna, Bradford, and Sullivan counties. She volunteers with Lackawanna Pro Bono and is a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the New Lawyers Division of the American Association for Justice, and The Pennsylvania Association for Justice. Additionally, she has served as an Advocate for both the Juvenile Hall Advocacy Clinic and the General Relief Advocacy Program, which provides assistance to individuals at the Department of Social Services. She graduated summa cum laude from Whittier Law School in Costa Mesa, California, where she was an editor of the Whittier Law Review. She was recognized as an Outstanding Graduate in Business Law and won the Trial Advocacy competition: Best Cross Examination Award.

Dr. Bruno Dias is a nationally recognized leader in behavioral threat assessment and management, violence prevention, investigations, and organizational risk. A retired police commander and FBI National Academy graduate, he has held leadership roles across federal government, corporate security, investigations, education, and public safety. During his law enforcement career, Dr. Dias testified in hundreds of criminal cases and provided expert testimony dozens of times in both state and federal courts, bringing extensive experience in investigative decision-making, evidence, and the practical realities of the judicial process. His career has also included supporting targeted violence and terrorism prevention strategies across 16 states and Washington, D.C. for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Dr. Dias holds a Ph.D. in Psychology, Public Policy, and Law and a master’s degree in Security Studies from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He is a Certified Threat Manager and Professional Certified Investigator and is co-founder of Key Operational Insights (K.O.I.). His work focuses on translating evidence-based threat assessment principles into practical, defensible, and standards-aligned approaches that strengthen triage, documentation, multidisciplinary decision-making, investigations, and risk management. He is co-author of Predators, Posers & Pained Personalities: Defensible and Effective Strategies to Prevent Targeted Violence and Manage Malevolent Behaviors and co-developer of SHIELD Rapid Triage™, a structured methodology for prioritizing concerning situations when information is incomplete.