John G. Dean

Of Counsel

John “Jack” Dean is the Managing Shareholder of the firm’s Scranton and Wilkes-Barre offices with significant experience in commercial litigation in federal and state courts, as well as actions involving civil rights, construction, trade secrets, product liability, and municipalities. He also has served as chief labor negotiator for multiple entities in the public and private sectors.

John G. Dean

Legal Experience That Stands Out

Jack is Chief Labor Counsel for the Cities of Harrisburg, Hazleton, and Nanticoke. His labor experience includes successfully practicing before the National and Pennsylvania Labor Relations Boards. Jack also serves as solicitor to the Mahanoy Area School District, the Crestwood School District, and the Hanover Area School District. Prior to joining the firm, Jack worked as an engineering supervisor for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Resources. Jack served for 20 years as Democratic Committeeman for Fairview Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and served as a member of the Luzerne County Democratic Executive Committee and as Treasurer of the Luzerne County Democratic Party. He currently serves on the Fairview Township Planning Commission and has served on the Board of Directors of the Glen Summit Company and the Mountaintop Area Little League. He is active on the Court Rules and Fines and Forfeitures Committees of the Wilkes-Barre Law & Library Association.

Representative Matters

  • As Chief Labor Negotiator for the City of Harrisburg, Jack recently successfully negotiated four successor collective bargaining agreements with three different public sector bargaining units and their various unions. Specifically, the City of Harrisburg was still subject to an Act 47 Recovery Plan, and Jack was able to negotiate the contracts in compliance therewith while using creative methods to provide the City’s employees wage increases.
  • In the Orphans’ Court of Lackawanna County, in related matters attacking actions of a trustee, after a full trial Jack obtained a complete defense verdict which found that the trustee’s actions were in compliance with the intent of the trust. The losing party appealed to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania without success.
  • Representing a coal mining company based in Pennsylvania, Jack recently tried a matter before three retired judges pursuant to the AAA arbitration rules. Jack’s client was accused of reneging on a brokerage agreement with a New York City based broker for the sale of the coal mining company. After a full trial, the three-judge panel determined that Jack’s client did not owe the multimillion-dollar brokerage fee sought.
  • In the much publicized “Kids for Cash” cases against Luzerne County, Jack represented Luzerne County in eight claims in federal court involving allegations that Luzerne County was aware or actively facilitated alleged improper placement of juveniles in private for-profit juvenile detention facilities. In all eight cases the motions to dismiss Luzerne County from the action were granted.
  • Representing a school district in Luzerne County, Jack successfully obtained an injunction directing the school district’s teachers back to work enjoining their one-day strike.

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Education
  • Temple University Beasley School of Law, J.D., 1995, magna cum laude
  • University of Miami, B.S.C.E., 1983
Bar Admissions
  • Pennsylvania
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania
Honors and Awards
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, 2005 – 2021