Attorney Ben Goodwin: Born, raised, and educated in Southwestern Pennsylvania, Attorney Benjamin F. Goodwin, Esquire has strived to practice law with the same virtues that Southwestern Pennsylvania and its people have come to embody- integrity, tenacity, and above all things hard work. Ben was born in Smithfield, Pennsylvania, where the virtues of common sense and hard work were quickly instilled in him while working on his family’s farm and for his father’s trucking company located in Georges Township.
Upon graduating from Albert Gallatin High School, his affinity for Southwestern Pennsylvania led Ben to attend Saint Vincent College in Latrobe Pennsylvania. During his four years at Saint Vincent College, in addition to earning a Minor in Public Policy Administration, Ben earned two Bachelor of Science Degrees- the first in Economics and the other in Political Science. While at Saint Vincent College, Ben competed throughout the country as captain of the school’s nationally recognized mock trial team earning numerous accolades including three All-Regional Awards, several Best Attorney Awards, and the coveted AMTA All-American Attorney Award recognizing him as one of the nation’s top attorneys. Later, Ben returned to his alma mater to teach Business Law as an adjunct professor for the school at the request of Dr. Gary Quinlivan, Dean of the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government.
After graduating from Saint Vincent College, Ben attended Duquesne University School of Law located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he earned his law degree and was a contributing author to Pennsylvania Criminal Procedure-Elements, Analysis, & Application, 2nd Edition which is currently published by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. Upon graduating from Duquesne, Ben passed the Pennsylvania Bar on his first attempt and was admitted to practice in the courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and later to the United States District Court of Western Pennsylvania.
Rather than join a large firm, Ben returned to found his own practice in Uniontown and later a second office in Carmichaels. In so doing, Ben has been committed to faithfully serving the people of Southwestern Pennsylvania by providing them with the same high-quality legal representation they would find in a larger city at a fraction of the cost. Ben’s firm, is a full-service law practice dedicated to giving its clients affordable and professional representation in a wide array of legal services, including but not limited to: Automobile Accidents; Wrongful Death; Trip and Fall; Inadequate Security; Dog Bite; Insurance Law; Workers’ Compensation; Estate Planning; Probate; Living Wills; Estate Administration; Power of Attorneys; Real Estate; Closings; Title Searches and Certification; Deeds; Medical Malpractice; Product Liability; Employment Law; Criminal Defense; Civil Rights; DUI; Assault; Family Law; Divorce; Custody; Support; Social Security Disability.
Philosophy
At Goodwin Como, P.C., my staff and I begin and end every day with the simple premise that our clients and their legal matters are our highest priority. Our clients’ time is every bit as valuable as ours. They are not a fee, a file, or a number on a court docket. They are human beings who deserve to be treated with the highest degree of dignity and respect. While no one can guarantee a favorable outcome, what I can guarantee is that my staff and I will exert every ounce of energy to represent our clients in an efficient, ethical, and aggressive matter regardless of the magnitude of the case. Simply put, our sole objective is to out-smart, out-work, and out-perform the opposition. Our clients work hard for their money and, they deserve every bit the representation for their dollar that those in an economically superior position receive.
My clients are the reason I went to college and law school. They are the reason I get up in the morning and they are the only reason I am able to make a living doing a job I love. My name is on everything we do, and my staff and I take the time to speak to our clients and not over their heads, and intend on delivering the best legal representation we can to each and every client, each and every time, in each and every case. So regardless of your legal matter consult Goodwin Como, P.C. first and allow us the opportunity to earn your case and your trust.
Education
- Duquesne University School of Law, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Juris Doctorate
- Honors: Contributing Author, Pennsylvania Criminal Procedure—Elements, Analysis, & Application, 2nd Edition, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2009
- Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, Pennsylvania
- Bachelor of Science
- Honors: All-Regional Awards, Mock Trial Team
- Honors: Captain, Mock Trial Team
- Honors: Best Attorney Awards
- Honors: AMTA All-American Attorney Award
- Major: Political Science
- Major: Economics
- Minor: Public Policy Administration
- Albert Gallatin High School
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania
- United States Supreme Court
- West Virginia
- U.S. District Court Southern District of West Virginia
- U.S. District Court Northern District of West Virginia
Classes/Seminars
- Adjunct Professor, Business Law, Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, PA
Honors and Awards
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyers – Rising Star
- Super Lawyers – Rising Star
- George Washington Fellow
Activities
- Fayette County Civil Rules Committee, Member
- Fayette County Public Relations Committee, Member
- Court Appointed Special Master in Domestic Relations Matters
- Court Appointed Child Advocate: Fayette County Children and Youth Services