J. Timothy George

In 1996, Tim George founded what is now Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. which has offices in Erie and Meadville, Pennsylvania. Recognized by other lawyers and former clients as an effective, ethical, and passionate advocate, Mr. George defends the freedom of people throughout northwest Pennsylvania facing criminal allegations. He also seeks justice for people harmed by the carelessness and inattention of others.

Mr. George defends people accused of the following:

• Homicide
• Manslaughter
• Aggravated Assault
• Simple Assault
• Drug Delivery
• Drug Possession
• Sex Offenses, including Rape, IDSI, and Indecent Assault
• Property Offenses (Burglary, Theft, Criminal Mischief, Retail Theft)
• DUI
• All Felonies & Misdemeanors

Mr. George helps injured people receive full and fair compensation for harms and losses caused by the negligence of others in the following cases:

• Personal Injury and Wrongful Death claims resulting from Car, Truck and Motorcycle Accidents
• Medical Malpractice
• Nursing Home Abuse
• Slip & Fall accidents and other preventable tragedy

Tim has been included on the Super Lawyers list since 2015. He holds the highest peer review and client satisfaction ratings from Martindale-Hubbell* and Avvo.com. His clients have given him over 100 Five-Star reviews on Google, Avvo, Yelp, and other online platforms.

After the attacks on September 11, 2001, Tim, then 35 years old, sought and received an age-waiver and a direct commission from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. In 2003, he began a part-time military career as a Judge Advocate, initially holding the rank of First Lieutenant. In 2004, he completed the Officer Basic Course at the Judge Advocate General's Law School & Legal Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. 

In 2009, Tim deployed to Iraq with the 28th ID Combat Aviation Brigade, which included soldiers from 13 different states, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As trial counsel there, he was responsible for briefing commanders and troops on the rules of engagement, escalation of force, and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. In 2010, he completed the Officer Advanced Course and later, while serving in the U.S. Army Reserve, was promoted to the rank of Major. In 2021, he retired from the Army, receiving an Honorable Discharge.

In 2017, Tim and his law partner, Eric Purchase, founded the Erie Veterans Free Legal Clinic, which provides free legal consultations and other legal services to Veterans throughout northwest Pennsylvania. Since then, they have donated hundreds of hours of pro bono services to fellow Veterans. 

Tim has served in leadership positions in the Erie County Bar Association (ECBA), including at various times serving as Chair of the Criminal Practice Section, Solo/Small Firm Division, and the Judiciary Committee. Since 2018, Tim has served on the ECBA Board of Directors and presently serves as the Board's Immediate Past President. In 2006, he received the ECBA President's Award from now retired Judge Michael M. Palmisano for his work revising and updating the Erie County Local Criminal Rules.

Tim graduated of St. Bonaventure University in 1989. He received a law degree in 1992 from the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He is admitted to practice in all state courts in Pennsylvania and before the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Tim is married to Kathy Scibetta, a staff attorney for U.S. District Court Judge Susan Paradise Baxter. The couple has three children, Mia, Nathan, and Katie. 

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.