Michael A. Smerconish, lawyer, author and nationally syndicated radio host, joined Kline & Specter in 2011 as of counsel attorney.
He was previously of counsel at The Beasley Firm, where Tom Kline and Shanin Specter were his colleagues before forming their own firm in 1995. Smerconish has focused on legal cases ranging from complex tort matters to business litigation.
Prior to turning to broadcasting, Smerconish practiced law for ten years with James E. Beasley, the legendary Philadelphia trial lawyer.
Among his clients were the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police – in an action against a music group responsible for publishing an FOP photograph on an album cover that advocated the murder of police – and the City of Rome, Italy in a case that involved a contract dispute.
Smerconish handled a wide array of cases, including medical malpractice, product liability, auto accident, defamation, civil rights, property and contract litigation. His clients included a former American diplomat, a union organizer, a Philadelphia deputy mayor and a heavyweight boxing contender. Among his many successful cases were:
* A litany of medical malpractice suits, including those in which he represented the family of a boy who died after an esophageal dilation that involved substandard administration of anesthesia; a Pittsburgh boy who became legally blind after his pediatrician failed to diagnose craniosynostosis; and a diplomat who lost an eye in a case in which doctors failed to diagnose cancer.
* Legal action with Beasley on behalf of a Philadelphia boy who was badly burned over most of his body when his home was destroyed by fire after PECO terminated electricity. The fire started after the boy used candles to be able to see in the house.
* A case involving a Philadelphia developer who conceived of the construction of a music amphitheater in Camden only to have his plans appropriated by the eventual builder of the structure that exists today on Camden's waterfront.
* Representation for a city union organizer who was beaten by the managers a Philadelphia hotel where he was seeking to arrange a union vote.
* A lawsuit on behalf of a Philadelphia deputy mayor against the author of a best-selling book who improperly linked his conduct to causing a high-profile murder.
* The high-profile case on behalf of the family of a man who died when his 911 call was diverted by a Philadelphia operator of a private ambulance service that never found his house.
* An auto accident case for a Lehigh Valley couple whose infant died after a part broke free from an oncoming truck, smashed through the windshield of their minivan and struck the child in the head.
* Reverse discrimination litigation against the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) by a prospective contractor.
* Representation, with Beasley, of a professional boxer in a suit against promoter Don King in which the client won the chance to fight in an important bout which, had he won, could have led to a heavyweight title fight.
Smerconish is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Trial Lawyer's Association and a graduate the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
