Leon Aussprung, M.D., J.D., LL.M., brings over 20 years of experience in the medical field in addition to a distinguished legal career. Dr. Aussprung has worked as a pediatrician, an attorney, a professor of health care law, and an entrepreneur. He has also been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer six years in a row.
Stephanie E. Chertok, R.N., Esq., has served as an administrative law judge, an arbitrator, and a hearing officer. Ms. Chertok brings experience as a registered nurse to her current practice of law which has spanned nearly 25 years and includes medical negligence, estate planning and administration, and other general practice areas.
Anthony L. DeLuca, Esq., has over 30 years of experience sitting on boards of arbitration. Mr. DeLuca has extensive legal experience as an attorney engaged in general practice, including serving as a deputy district attorney in charge of administration.
Michael C. Giordano, Esq., has over 30 years of legal experience concentrating on Elder Law, Trusts, Wills and Estates, Probate and Estate Administration, Special Needs Planning and Guardianship. He is also a Nationally Certified Guardian and has an MBA in Finance.
Fred H. Hait, Esq., has over 35 years of legal experience in many areas, including personal injury, civil litigation, land use controls, unemployment compensation, Social Security Disability, and Workers’ Compensation.
Maureen F. Heffren, Esq., has served as an arbitrator and an administrative law judge and has undergone special mediation training. Ms. Heffren brings experience as an educator to her current practice of law which spans 25 years.
James E. Hockenberry, Esq., has nearly 10 years of legal experience working in multiple areas of the law, including premises liability, complex medical negligence, consumer law, and insurance coverage litigation. Mr. Hockenberry has represented clients in both general and commercial litigation.
I. L. Lifrak, M.D., J.D., brings nearly 30 years of medical experience in addition to legal experience which spans more than a decade. Dr. Lifrak has worked as a physician, a medical director, an attorney, and a lecturer in fields of medicine, science, and law.
Stephen R. Maitland, Esq., has also served on over a dozen arbitration panels for civil disputes. Mr. Maitland brings his experience as a former member of a state house of representatives to his current practice of law.
Fortunata G. Musto, Esq., has been appointed divorce master numerous times over the course of more than 30 years and has served as an administrative law judge. Ms. Musto’s legal experience includes work as an assistant district attorney.
Hon. Joseph J. Musto served as a judge in a court of common pleas. Judge Musto has mediated approximately 900 cases over a 15-year span. He has served as an administrative law judge and has served as a neutral or sole arbitrator in 125 cases. He brings over 40 years of legal experience, was named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, and received the “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
Mary E. Schellhammer, Esq., has nearly 20 years experience as an arbitrator and a special master in divorce. Ms. Schellhammer has undergone collaborative practice training as well as special mediation training in the areas of child access and divorce. She has practiced primarily family law in addition to a broad range of other areas of the law and is currently an assistant district attorney.
Hon. Lewis W. Wetzel served as a judge in a court of common pleas and has experience as a hearing examiner. Judge Wetzel brings nearly 30 years of legal experience to his current practice as a senior partner at his firm.
Adjunct Hearing Officers
In addition to the judges whose profiles are available for review, KHA has a roster of hearing officers who may be available for cases of an unusual nature. When clients request advisory opinions on cases that involve, for example, complex scientific issues, they may choose to present the case to experts in the relevant fields who will be retained by KHA for each individual case. These adjunct hearing officers are knowledgeable in various fields, including medicine, science, engineering, and other specialty areas.