Patricia J. Kennedy
Counsel
As a member of the Governmental Practice Group, Pat focuses her practice on providing legal services to school districts, municipalities and public authorities. She has 34 years of legal experience, including work with local governments. She served in various capacities for Erie County for 26 years, concluding with an 11 year appointment as Chief Public Defender. A native of Edinboro, she is a graduate of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and of the Dickinson School of Law. She is a member of the PennWest University Council of Trustees and formerly served as a member of the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania Council of Trustees.
Practice Areas
- Dickinson School of Law, J.D.
- Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, B.A., cum laude
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
- Served as Chief Public Defender for Erie County for 11 years
- Served as Assistant Erie County District Attorney for 11 years
- Represents Boroughs, Townships, and Sewer & Water Authorities in northwestern Pennsylvania as General Solicitor
- Represents multiple school districts in northwestern Pennsylvania as General Solicitor
- Assist shareholders in municipal and school district representation
- Represented local intermediate unit in IEP (Individualized Education Program) hearings
Professional Affiliations
- Erie County Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), Member
- Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS), Member
Community and Professional Service
- PennWest University, Council of Trustees
- United Way of Erie County, Board Member
- Erie County Drug and Alcohol Coalition, Board Member
- Opportunities Unlimited, Board Member
- Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Former Member, Council of Trustees
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court Juvenile Rules Committee, Former Member
- Gaudenzia Erie, Former Advisory Board Member
- Crime Victim Center of Erie County, Former Board Member
Speaking Engagements
- Upcoming: Pennsylvania Association of Municipal Administrators (PAMA), Annual Conference August 2024, Speaker on Right-To-Know Law
- Erie County Association of Boroughs Meeting, July 2024, Tips for Boroughs
- Firm's Annual Municipal Law Symposium, April 2024: "Tell It To the Judge" panelist; and Municipal Law Roundtable panelist
- Penn State Behrend Pre-Law Class, April 2024, speaker
- Firm's Annual Municipal Law Symposium, 2023: Considerations for School Districts and Police Departments Beyond the Safe-School Memorandum of Understanding
- Firm's Annual Municipal Law Symposium "Tips" Webinar, 2022