James Stuczynski

James J. Stuczynski, a lifelong resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, began his academic journey at Cathedral Prep, graduating in 1971. He pursued higher education at Alliance College, graduating summa cum laude in 1975, and then earned his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1979. Upon completing his education, he returned to Erie to join Ely & Bernard.

In 1985, he became a partner at Bernard & Stuczynski, continuing his legal career with the successor firm, Bernard Stuczynski & Barnett. His practice initially encompassed a wide range of legal claims but eventually focused on insurance and injury claims, including automobile accidents, premises liability, products liability, and insurance coverage issues, particularly insurance bad faith.

Attorney Stuczynski has extensive experience in both civil and criminal trials, appearing before administrative law judges, arbitrators, and appellate courts across Pennsylvania, as well as several federal courts, including the US 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals. He has successfully taken numerous cases to verdict and arbitration, achieving significant outcomes, such as the record-setting $14.8 million verdict in Cambria County's Waddell v. Siwy case. His practice frequently involves serious injury cases, including wrongful death claims.