Senior Trial Attorney
Michael Gianantonio has been specializing in medical malpractice and personal injury cases at Robert Peirce & Associates since 2014. He knew he wanted to be a lawyer since he was a kid in middle school and had envisioned himself in the role of helping people and fighting the good fight. For the past six years, Mike has been doing that, as he fights every day for plaintiffs who have suffered life-altering injuries as a result of negligence.
As most of his cases usually involve a catastrophic injury or death, he stays abreast of developments in health care and medicine. These injuries often occur at the worksite, so he also stays knowledgeable about the industries in which these accidents may occur. Staying current of these constant changes allows him to conceive the best solutions for his clients. Mike takes the time to prepare families for the emotional challenge of making tough decisions in the face of this adversity, balancing between acting as a voice of reason and a source of empathy.
Mike has taught at the Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science & Law, Duquesne University Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, and he serves as adjunct professor at Duquesne University School of Law. He also spent over a decade coaching Duquesne University’s School of Law trial teams, where he helped lead them to several national championships. Mike also writes fact patterns for the American Association for Justice mock trial competitions. He is an elected member of Allegheny County Academy of Trial Lawyers and a member of the American Association for Justice, Pennsylvania Association for Justice, Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, and Allegheny County Bar Association.
Mike grew up in Rochester, PA, and now lives in Robinson Township with his wife, Krista, and eight-year-old son, Chase.
“I dive into every case ready to find answers. I need to understand the big picture—go through every detail—so I am prepared for every twist or turn the situation takes.”
Published Works
Groat v. Steelton State University, Case File, American Association for Justice Student Trial Advocacy Competition, 2013
"The Practical Use of the Trial Advocacy Course in Today's Legal Education Curriculum"; Duquesne Law Review v. SO Number 3, Summer 2012
Chase v. Steelton Pit Bulls Hockey Club, Inc., Case File, American Association for Justice Student Trial Advocacy Competition, 2012
Vronsky v. NFTC, Case File, National Institute for Trial Advocacy Tournament of Champions 2010
Honors and Awards
Duquesne University School of Law Adjunct Professor Award, 2011
Professional Associations and Memberships
Adjunct Professor, Duquesne University School of Law, 2007- Present
Professor, Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Forensic Science & Law, Duquesne University Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, 2012 - Present
Coach, Mock Trial Team, Duquesne University School of Law
First Place, "National Student Trial Advocacy Competition", American Association for Justice, Duquesne University School of Law, 2011
First Place, "Buffalo-Niagara Mock Trial Tournament", SUNY Buffalo Law School, Duquesne University School of Law, 2008
First Place, "National Tournament of Champions", National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Duquesne University School of Law, 2008
Elected member, Allegheny County Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2015 - Present
Member, American Association for Justice
Member, Pennsylvania Association for Justice
Member, Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association
Member, Allegheny County Bar Association
Classes/Seminars
"Current Issues in Elder Abuse and Neglect Cases," Duquesne University, 2016
"Health Care Law & Clinical Ethics: Practical Ethics," University of Pittsburgh Consortium Ethics Program Weekend Conference, 2014
Representative Cases
Memorandum Opinion, Joseph Grkman, Jr. v. 890 Weatherwood Lane Operating, et al.
Hommrich v. Commonwealth, Pennsylvania Pub. Utilities Comm'n, No. 674 M.D. 2016, 2017 WL 3203437 (Pa. Commw. Ct. July 28, 2017)
Bar Admissions
Pennsylvania, 2002
U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania, 2002
West Virginia, 2018
U.S. District Court Southern District of West Virginia, 2018
