Riley and Fanelli, P.C.

FREDERICK J. FANELLI

Undergraduate Education: The University of Pittsburgh, Magna Cum Laude

Legal Education: Villanova University

Fred began practicing law in 1982. He joined forces with Jim Riley in 1985, which resulted in the formation of Riley and Fanelli, P.C. Fred has been widely recognized as one of the area's preeminent trial lawyers, having tried numerous jury trials with remarkable success. As a result of his many court victories, particularly in the field of medical malpractice, Fred developed a reputation as being the most prolific medical malpractice practitioner in the region. As a result, he receives referrals from many attorneys of their medical malpractice cases for his handling. Some recent examples of the successes that Fred has achieved on behalf of his medical malpractice clients include the following:

$2,400,000 settlement arising from a failure to diagnose breast cancer in a woman.
$2,800,000 judgment resulting from injuries sustained by a woman who suffered from undiagnosed breast cancer.
$1,300,000 settlement against doctors and a hospital who failed to properly diagnose a patient's infection resulting in her death
$1,200,000 settlement resulting from a hospital's failure to diagnose a woman's uterine cancer.
$1,000,000 settlement resulting from a doctor's failure to diagnose a patient's perforated colon resulting in her death.
$950,000 settlement resulting from a botched sinus surgery resulting in injury to the patient's eye.

In addition to his recognition as a premiere medical malpractice litigator, Fred developed a reputation as being a prolific criminal trial litigator having successfully handled many high profile cases. As an example of some of the cases which Fred has handled in criminal matters, the following are included:

United States of America v. Russell. This was a federal murder trial tried in the Federal Court in Virginia which drew national media attention and resulted in the making of a movie for television.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Leskin. This case involved a claim of public corruption where the Defendant was accused of misappropriating tax dollars, however, she was acquitted at trial. This case drew widespread media attention.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Gross. This is a case where a public official and school teacher was accused of criminal misconduct, however, at trial he was acquitted. This case drew widespread media attention.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Ryder. This is a case where a young man was falsely accused of rape, and he was acquitted at trial. This case drew widespread media attention.

In recognition of Fred's skills, The Housing Authority of the City of Pottsville, the single largest provider of housing in the city, has retained Fred as its solicitor for more than 20 years to handle the multitude of legal issues which arise. Also, various municipalities have asked Fred over the years to represent them in connection with their legal problems including the City of Pottsville, the Borough of Palo Alto, West Mahanoy Township and the Girardville Municipal Authority. School Districts have sought Fred's counsel over the years including Shenandoah Valley School District, Pottsville Area School District, Williams Valley School District and the North Schuylkill District.

Fred is an active member of the Schuylkill Bar Association and serves as a Member and officer of the Board of Directors. Fred is also the legislative liaison to the region's local state and federal legislators where he presents legislators with the Bar Association's position regarding various Bills that are being considered. Likewise, Fred is actively involved in the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyer's Association in his relentless effort to protect the rights of consumers against large corporations and insurance companies. He is a member of the American Trial Lawyer's Association as well. He has been recognized in the National Register's Who's Who in Executives and Professionals. Frequently, he is asked to speak to various groups about the pressing Legal issues of the day. Finally, Fred is one of the most sought after arbitrators in matters involving disputes in cases of underinsured as well as uninsured motorist coverage. He dedicates much of his time to community oriented activities on a volunteer basis dedicating much of his spare time to the youth of the community as an organizer, fund raiser and coach of youth sports.