Handling the Workers’ Comp Case 2026 – Lancaster

Mr. Williams is a partner at Abes Baumann with more than 27 years of experience in Workers’ Compensation, Social Security and Veterans’ Benefits. He’s an integral part of the Abes Baumann team that represents the rights of injured workers. He is a 1991 graduate of Grove City College, and he earned a J.D. from Duquesne University in 1996. While at Duquesne, he was awarded the American Jurisprudence Award for Constitutional Law. During law school, he worked as a law clerk at Abes Baumann, applying what he learned in the classroom to the problems of real people injured on the job. He has clerked for the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, researching and drafting decisions for Workers’ Compensation Judges. Married for more than 20 years with two children, he coaches youth soccer and basketball; he also volunteers as an advisor and judge for High School Mock Trial teams. Mr. Williams is a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association and its Workers’ Compensation Section. Likewise, he is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and its Workers’ Compensation Section. He is also an active member of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice where he serves as an active member of the Amicus Curiae Committee. In that capacity, he has written numerous Amicus briefs to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth and Supreme Courts. He is also a member of the Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Williams was chosen by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers as a “Pennsylvania Rising Star” lawyer in 2005-2007. He has since been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer and was also named to Best Lawyers in America. 

Mr. Klaber is a graduate of Bucknell University and the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Law. He began his career in Philadelphia with the law offices of Rawle & Henderson where he concentrated his practice in the representation of employers in both state Workers’ Compensation and maritime statutes. He has frequently served as lecturer for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, and national organizations dedicated to the study of business representation. Mr. Klaber returned to his hometown of Pittsburgh in 1996. Mr. Klaber left private practice in 2000 and accepted a position of Vice President and General Counsel for Blue Hammock, Inc., a CRM technology firm serving Fortune 500 companies throughout the United States. He currently practices with the Chartwell Law Offices, LLP and serves as managing partner of their Pittsburgh offices. As a result of his years in private practice, and hands-on experience in launching new business ventures, Mr. Klaber has acquired significant practical experience in counseling clients during their growth phases. In addition to general business counseling and representation in litigation matters, Mr. Klaber provides guidance with regard to acquisition strategies, financing alternatives, and risk management.

Melissa Leininger started with the Law Office of Nathaniel M Holmes LLC in December 2019. Mrs. Leininger graduated from Shippensburg University in May 2002 and Widener University School of Law in May 2005. Mrs. Leininger has been practicing workers’ compensation law since 2005. Mrs. Leininger is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania.

Thomas F. Gallagher is a partner with Chartwell Law. He focuses his practice on workers’ compensation and employment law. Tom devotes his practice to the defense of workers’ compensation matters on behalf of insurance carriers, self-insured entities and TPAs. He is dedicated to obtaining speedy resolutions prior to extended litigation in order to avoid unnecessary costs and time commitments for his clients. Tom obtained victories for insurance carriers, self-insured entities and TPAs in claim, penalty, reinstatement, review, termination, suspension and modification petitions. Additionally, he routinely represents employers in labor and employment matters, including PHRC/EEOC litigation. Prior to joining the team at Chartwell Law, Tom gained important experience and knowledge through internships during law school. He interned for the Honorable Vito P. Geroulo of the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He also served as a legal intern for the United States Attorney’s Office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. From his experiences, he was able to hone his abilities and talents as a skilled litigator. In addition to practicing law, Tom is a frequent writer and lecturer with respect to all aspects of employment law and workers’ compensation. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia. He is a graduate of Widener University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, and Temple University, B.A.

A seasoned Workers’ Compensation Claims Representative with 30 years of experience handling claims throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Extensive background managing claims for a wide range of clients from small insured businesses to international companies headquartered in the United States. Expertise includes coordinating claims investigations, overseeing litigation processes, and managing all aspects of Medicare compliance and conditional payment demands. Known for thorough case management, and the ability to navigate complex claims while protecting the interests of both clients and stakeholders.

Mr. Baker is a partner in the Harrisburg Office of Chartwell Law. He is a 1997 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He also received a Master of Arts degree in Industrial and Labor Relations in 1999 from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is also a graduate of the Widener University School of Law. Prior to joining The Chartwell Law Offices, LLP, Mr. Baker was Corporate Director of Human Resources for a large Mid-Atlantic corporation, where he was responsible for employment law compliance, employee relations, workers’ compensation management of insured and self-insured programs and other matters. He is an active member of the Society for Human Resources Management, Pennsylvania State Council and the Human Resources Professionals of Central Pennsylvania. He devotes his practice to the defense of general employment and workers’ compensation matters. He writes and lectures extensively with respect to all aspects of employment law.

Judge Todd B. Seelig has served as a Workers’ Compensation Judge for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania since 1996.He sits in the Philadelphia District.Judge Seelig was appointed Judge Manager of the Southeast Region effective January 27, 2025.In addition to managing his own caseload, as judge manager he is responsible for supervising the judges in the Office of Adjudication field offices of Philadelphia and Springfield.Judge Seelig is a member of the faculty of Villanova University School of Law, as an Adjunct Professor of Law, where he earned his J.D.He is the current co-editor of the treatise, Barbieri, Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation. In 2003, Judge Seelig was elected and served as the chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, YLD.Judge Seelig is a past member of the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.He is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation Section Council and serves as the Chair of the Unreported Decision Committee.Judge Seelig is a Lifetime Fellow of the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation.Judge Seelig served as president of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Judges Professional Association from 2003-2007.He is a former co-chair of the Philadelphia Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Section and currently serves on the Executive Committee.Judge Seelig is a past chair of the American Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation and Employer’s Liability Committee of the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS).From 2015-2016, he served as editor in chief for the ABA’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS) magazine, The Brief.He currently serves on the editorial board of The Brief. Judge Seelig served as president of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Judges Professional Association from 2003-2007.Judge Seelig has served on several committees within the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Workers’ Compensation Office of Adjudication to study and recommend improvements in litigation and the Workers’ Compensation Judges’ performance expectations. In 2016, Judge Seelig was inducted into the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, an organization established to honor those attorneys and judges who have distinguished themselves in their practice in the field of workers’ compensation.

Nariman P. Dastur is an attorney with Carpenter, McCadden and Lane in Wexford, PA. He is an active member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Section having served as its Chair for the 2021-22 term. He has also served as a Proofer/Editor for their Workers’ Compensation Newsletter since 2002. In addition, he is a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association, serving on their Workers’ Compensation Section Counsel including as Chair for the 2009-2010 term. Mr. Dastur received his B.A. from Westminster College and his J.D. from Case Western University School of Law. His practice is devoted exclusively to the workers’ compensation litigation. He was among the first to be certified as a workers’ compensation specialist in Pennsylvania, having met the requirements and passing a comprehensive exam in 2013. In 2020, he was elected a Fellow of the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers. Mr. Dastur is a frequent course planner and lecturer for PBI including its Fall Section Meeting, Tough Problems in Workers’ Compensation and Handling the Workers’ Compensation programs. Mr. Dastur has also served on the Board of Directors of Kids’ Chance of Pennsylvania since 2016.