Dino Privitera
Top rated personal injury attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Privitera Law Firm LLC
Practice Areas: Personal injury; view more
Licensed in Pennsylvania since: 1993
Education: Temple University Beasley School of Law
Languages Spoken: English, Italian
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2007, 2010 - 2023 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2006 Call today:
267-865-6371
The Privitera Law Firm LLC
123 S Broad StSuite 1200
Philadelphia, PA 19109 Visit website
Details
Dino Privitera is an attorney and the founder of The Privitera Law Firm, LLC, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mr. Privitera focuses his practice on catastrophic and personal injury actions, serving clients in Philadelphia and throughout southeast Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Mr. Privitera has experience with cases involving car accidents, construction site accidents, defective products, drunk drivers, liquor liability, medical malpractice, motorcycle accidents, negligent security, nursing home abuse and neglect, police brutality, sexual abuse, slip-and-falls, swimming pool accidents, train accidents, trucking accidents and wrongful death. He has over 25 years of experience and has recovered major compensation for his clients through verdicts and settlements.
Recognized as a valuable contributor to his legal community, Mr. Privitera has served in various leadership positions and on several boards over the years. He is an active member of many professional organizations, including the Philadelphia Bar Association, the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association and the National Italian American Bar Association.
Recognized by many groups and associations, Mr. Privitera is AV Preeminent peer-review rated,* the highest rating, through Martindale-Hubbell and has been named to the Best Lawyers in America list. Other groups that have acknowledged his accomplishments include the Litigation Counsel of America, the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and The National Trial Lawyers.
After graduating from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a bachelor's degree in journalism, Mr. Privitera received his law degree from Temple University Beasley School of Law. He holds a license to practice law before all Philadelphia and New Jersey state courts, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the District of New Jersey, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit.
*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 Ratings™ fall into two categories—legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Personal injury - general: plaintiffFocus areas
Animal bites, Assault, Motor vehicle accidents, Personal injury - plaintiff, Slip and fall, Wrongful death, Dram shop laws, Construction accident, Brain injury, Sexual abuse - plaintiff, Trucking accidents, Premises liability - plaintiff
First Admitted: 1993, Pennsylvania
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Privitera is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
- Cornell University Conflict Resolution Certificate, May 2020
Educational Background:
- In 1993, Privitera obtained his law degree, cum laude, from Temple University School of Law. Among his many impressive academic achievements, Privitera served as the Managing Editor of the Temple Law Review, published a casenote law review article on federal sentencing law, was consistently recognized as a Dean’s Honor Scholar, and earned several distinguished performance awards in trial advocacy and litigation strategy. In addition, Privitera was the recipient of the prestigious Sarah A. Shull Memorial Award, which is presented to the Temple Law graduate demonstrating excellence in legal research and writing. Before law school, Privitera attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he graduated in 1989 with his B.A. degree in Journalism.
Verdicts/Settlements:
- $2.150 Million for Worker Injured by Industrial Machine.
- $1.2 Million Awarded for Failure to Diagnose and Treat Pneumonia.
- $670,000 Settlement for Civil Rights Action Involving Inadequate Emergency Medical Care.
- $425,000 Settlement in Fatal Automobile Accident Caused by Defective Road Design.i
- $600,000 Awarded in Dram Shop Action for Excessive Alcohol Service to Young Man Killed in a Single Vehicle Drunk-Driving Accident.
- $3.025 Million Recovery for Family of Young Man Killed in a Construction Accident.
- $1.2 Million Recovery in Elder Wrongful Death Action.
- $1 Million Settlement Achieved for Drowning Death of 7 Year old Boy at a Philadelphia Day Care Whose License had been Fraudulently Obtained.
- $2.05 Million Recovery in Fatal Motorcycle Accident.
- $600,000 Awarded in Dram Shop Action for Excessive Alcohol Service to Young Man Killed in a Single Vehicle Drunk-Driving Accident.
- $400,000 Recovery for Family of Developmentally Disabled Adult Who Died of Hypothermia While a Resident in State Facility.
- $4.575 Million Recovery in Worker Wrongful Death Action.
- $1.5 Million for Family of 2 Teenagers Killed in Train Accident.
- $1.4 Million Settlement Obtained for Worker Injured in Construction Site Accident.
- $650,000 Recovery in Civil Rights Action for Family of Inmate Who Died From Head Injuries Suffered from Assault.
- $450,000 Awarded in Negligent Security Action to Family of Victim Murdered Outside Nightclub.
- $6 Million for Sexual Abuse Victim.
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Through his pro bono representations, Mr. Privitera has made a real commitment to helping crime victims, the poor, disadvantaged and less fortunate. In the first case of its kind, in 2006, Mr. Privitera represented a former Iraqi interpreter who sought permanent residency status in the United States after being nearly-killed in a car bombing attack. Mr. Privitera succeeded in obtaining special residency status for the former Iraqi interpreter under legislation enacted in January 2006, which at that time permitted only 50 interpreters from Iraq or Afghanistan to seek permanent refuge in the United States. Mr. Privitera’s client was the first person ever to receive the benefit of special residency status under the new law.In January 2007, U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, who at the time had co-sponsored refugee legislation, invited Mr. Privitera and his client to appear before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, which had convened hearings regarding the “Plight of Iraqi Refugees.” Using a pseudonym and hidden behind a curtain to protect his identity, Mr. Privitera’s client testified at the Committee hearings about his work as an interpreter for American military forces stationed in Mosul and the threats made on his life. Since then, the former Iraqi interpreter has felt safe enough to speak publicly about his journey to freedom. In 2011, Mr. Privitera was awarded a Legislative Citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives commemorating his outstanding pro bono representation in this case. Mr. Privitera’s other many pro bono cases representations have involved prisoner civil rights, sexually abused and neglected children, the homeless, the elderly, and innocent home owners involved in civil forfeiture proceedings. Mr. Privitera also has previously participated in “Buildable Hours,” a nonprofit organization of Philadelphia law firms committing financial and physical resources to build homes with local Habitat for Humanity organizations. Mr. Privitera now volunteers as a case reviewer for the Pennsylvania Innocence Project. In recognition of his long-standing commitment to the community and outstanding pro bono achievements, Mr. Privitera has been named to the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Pro Bono Roll of Honor from 2006 through 2010. Mr. Privitera was also the 2002 recipient of the Morgan Lewis Pro Bono and Public Interest Award recognizing his tireless efforts and valuable contributions on behalf of Philadelphia’s Volunteer for the Indigent Program.
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Mr. Privitera was awarded a Legislative Citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in recognition of his outstanding pro bono representation of a former Iraqi interpreter seeking permanent residency status in the United States, 2011
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Ethical Issues of Joint Client Representation in Personal Injury Cases, published in the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association’s newsletter, Verdict, Volume 2017-2018 - Issue 4., Author, Ethical Issues of Joint Client Representation in Personal Injury Cases, Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association’s newsletter, Verdict, Volume 2017-2018 - Issue 4, 2018
- Interview with Jury Commissioner Daniel Rendine, published in the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association’s newsletter, Verdict, Volume 2015-2016 - Issue 3, Author, Interview with Jury Commissioner Daniel Rendine, Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association’s newsletter, Verdict, Volume 2015-2016 - Issue 3, 2016
- Moderator, Essentials of IOLTA Compliance - Understanding, Creating, and Managing Client Trust Accounts, The Solo and Small Firm Management Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association (Philadelphia, February 23, 2021)., CLE Moderator, Essentials of IOLTA Compliance - Understanding, Creating, and Managing Client Trust Accounts, The Solo and Small Firm Management Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association (Philadelphia, February 23, 2021)., The Solo and Small Firm Management Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association , 2021
- Justice Delayed is Justice Denied: An Overview of PA Civil Rule 229.1, published in the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association’s newsletter, Verdict, Volume 2018-2019 - Issue 4, Author, Justice Delayed is Justice Denied: An Overview of PA Civil Rule 229.1, Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association’s newsletter, Verdict, Volume 2018-2019 - Issue 4, 2019
- Ethical Implications in Representing a Personal Injury Client Addicted to Opioids, published in the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association’s newsletter, Verdict, Volume 2020-2021 - Issue 2., Author, Ethical Implications in Representing a Personal Injury Client Addicted to Opioids, Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association’s newsletter, Verdict, Volume 2020-2021 - Issue 2, 2020
- Presenter, Auto Law Update 2019, Pennsylvania Bar Institute (Philadelphia 2019)., CLE Presenter, Auto Law Update 2019, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2019
- Presenter, Auto Law Update 2018, Pennsylvania Bar Institute (Philadelphia 2018), CLE Presenter, Auto Law Update 2018, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2018
- Presenter, Welcome To Your Practice! – The Nuts & Bolts of Opening a Law Office in 2020, The Solo and Small Firm Management Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association (Philadelphia, February 11, 2020)., CLE Presenter, Welcome To Your Practice! – The Nuts & Bolts of Opening a Law Office in 2020, The Solo and Small Firm Management Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association, 2020
- Presenter, Social Media Update: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Regarding Social Media in the Context of Discovery, Spoliation of Evidence and Ethics, The Rules and Procedure Committee of the State Civil Litigation Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association (Philadelphia, March 11, 2020), CLE Presenter, Social Media Update: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Regarding Social Media in the Context of Discovery, Spoliation of Evidence and Ethics, The Rules and Procedure Committee of the State Civil Litigation Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association, 2020
- Presenter, 22nd Annual Personal Injury Potpourri, Dispute Resolution Institute (Philadelphia, July 15, 2020)., CLE Presenter, 22nd Annual Personal Injury Potpourri, Dispute Resolution Institute, 2020
- Presenter, Auto Law Update 2020, Pennsylvania Bar Institute (Philadelphia, October 29, 2020), CLE Presenter, Auto Law Update 2020, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2020
- Presenter, Negligent Security Case Turned Into Insurance Malpractice Case, CLE Program Co-sponsored by Legal Intelligencer and Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg & Jeck, PC (Philadelphia 2012)., CLE Presenter, "Negligent Security Case Turned Into Insurance Malpractice Case", Co-sponsored By Legal Intelligencer And Eisenberg Rothweiler Firm, 2012
- Presenter, Civil Claims for Childhood Sexual Assault, CLE Program Co-sponsored by Legal Intelligencer and Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg & Jeck, PC (Philadelphia 2014)., CLE Presenter, "Civil Claims for Childhood Sexual Assault", Co-sponsored By Legal Intelligencer And Eisenberg Rothweiler Firm, 2014
- Panelist, Developing and Trying a Case: A Case Study of “A Few Good Men”, CLE Panelist, Developing and Trying a Case: A Case Study of “A Few Good Men”, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2008
- Author, "Five Pitfalls to Avoid with Expert Witnesses", Verdict Newsletter, Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association, 2015
- Author, "Voice of Freedom", Verdict Newsletter, Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association, 2012
- Author, "Business Owners' Liability for Criminal Acts of Third Parties", Verdict Newsletter, Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association, 2014
- Author, "Pennsylvania Dram Shop Liability: Proving Visible Intoxication", Verdict Newsletter, Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association, 2013
- Article written about Privitera's pro bono representation of Iraqi interpreter., Sally Friedman, "Making a Difference: A Pro Bono Barrister and a Historic Refugee Case", Ambassador Magazine, National Italian American Foundation, 2012
Honors/Awards:
- Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who: Privitera is a 2019 recipient of the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement award, which is bestowed upon less than five percent of Marquis Who’s Who 1.5 million listees, worldwide., Recipient, Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who, 2019
- Rue Ratings - Best Attorney’s of America: In 2014, Mr. Privitera was invited by Rue Ratings to become a Lifetime Charter Member of “Best Attorney’s of America” representing Pennsylvania as one of its top 100 lawyers, an honor bestowed on less than 1% of lawyers in America., Lifetime Charter Member of Best Attorney’s of America, Rue Ratings - Best Attorney’s of America, 2014
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel - Nation’s Top One Percent: Since 2015, Mr. Privitera has been a member of the Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, an organization dedicated to promoting the highest standards of legal excellence and whose mission is to objectively recognize the attorneys who elevate the standards of the Bar and provide a benchmark for other lawyers to emulate., Nation’s Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2015
- The National Trial Lawyers - Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania: Between 2011 and 2016, Mr. Privitera was selected for exclusive membership in “The National Trial Lawyers - Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania.”, Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania, The National Trial Lawyers, 2016
- Litigation Counsel of America: Between 2013 and 2016, Mr. Privitera was recognized as a Fellow of the “Litigation Counsel of America,” a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers., Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, Litigation Counsel of America, 2016
- Avvo Superb Lawyer Rating: Since 2011, Mr. Privitera has received a Superb Lawyer Rating with a perfect 10 out 10 score from Avvo, an on-line directory of attorneys committed to providing an unmatched level of transparency in attorney ratings., Avvo Superb Lawyer Rating, Avvo, 2020
- Global Award Winner: In 2015, Mr. Privitera was recognized as a Global Award Winner by Corporate LiveWire in the practice area of Personal Injury - Pennsylvania. The Global Award highlights businesses and individuals displaying exemplary standards and incredible performance across the globe. Winners are selected by the Corporate LiveWire team for their unending commitment to excellence in their field., Global Award Winner - Personal Injury Pennsylvania, Corporate LiveWire, 2015
- Martindale-Hubbell - AV Preeminent Lawyer Rating: Since 2011, Mr. Privitera has earned an AV Preeminent Lawyer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a distinction limited to only about 2 out of 10 lawyers and which identifies the highest legal ability and ethical standards as determined by other attorneys., AV Preeminent Lawyer Rating, Martindale-Hubbell, 2020
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyer: In the years 2007, 2010 – 2020, Mr. Privitera has been recognized as a “Pennsylvania Super Lawyer” by Philadelphia Magazine, a distinction limited to only 5% of eligible attorneys in Pennsylvania. In 2018, Mr. Privitera was named to the Top 100 Lists of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Super Lawyers., Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, Philadelphia Magazine, 2020
- Pennsylvania Rising Star Super Lawyer: In 2006, Mr. Privitera was selected as a “Pennsylvania Rising Star Super Lawyer” by Philadelphia Magazine, a distinction limited to only 2.5% of eligible attorneys in Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Rising Star Super Lawyer, Philadelphia Magazine, 2006
- Lawyer on the Fast Track: In 2006, Mr. Privitera was selected as a “Lawyer on the Fast Track” by the Legal Intelligencer and the Pennsylvania Law Weekly, a distinction limited to only 45 attorneys in Pennsylvania under 40 years of age, Lawyer on the Fast Track , Legal Intelligencer and the Pennsylvania Law Weekly, 2006
- National Academy of Jurisprudence’s Premier 100 Trial Attorneys – Pennsylvania: In 2016, Mr. Privitera was recognized as one of 100 premier trial attorneys in Pennsylvania, a distinction reserved for attorneys who have established themselves through their professionalism and excellence in service, National Academy of Jurisprudence’s Premier 100 Trial Attorneys - Pennsylvania, National Academy of Jurisprudence, 2016
- National League of Renowned Attorneys - Top One Percent: In 2016, Mr. Privitera was honored by the National League of Renowned Attorneys, an organization of skilled and professional attorneys who are committed to upholding the highest standards in the legal world, advocating on behalf of those they represent., National League of Renowned Attorneys - Top One Percent, National League of Renowned Attorneys, 2016
- Best Lawyers in America: Since 2017, Mr. Privitera has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America, one of the legal profession’s oldest and most-respected peer-review publications. Privitera has been recognized for his work in the field of plaintiff’s product liability litigation and plaintiff’s personal injury litigation., Best Lawyers in America, The Best Lawyers in America, 2020
- "10 Best" Attorneys for Pennsylvania: In 2015, the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys recognized the exceptional performance of Mr. Privitera as 2015 "10 Best Personal Injury Attorneys" for Client Satisfaction., "10 Best Personal Injury Attorneys" for Client Satisfaction -Pennsylvania, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, 2015
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Co-Chair of the Solo and Small Firm Management Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association, 2021
- Appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to the Civil Procedural Rules Committee to serve a six-year term, commencing July 1, 2022
- Elected Assistant Treasurer of the Philadelphia Bar Association, 2021
- Co-Chair of the State Civil Litigation Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association, 2022
- Chancellor, Justinian Society of Philadelphia, 2020
- Member of the Editorial Board of Verdict for the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers’ Association, 2012
- Co-Chair of the Rules and Procedures Committee of the State Civil Litigation Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association, 2020
- Member of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention, 2021
- Elected to the Board of Governors of the Philadelphia Bar Association (3 year term), 2018
Office location for Dino Privitera
123 S Broad St
Suite 1200
Philadelphia, PA 19109
Phone: 267-865-6371
Selections
15 Years Super Lawyers
1 Year Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2007, 2010 - 2023
- Rising Stars: 2006
