Thad Kotarski, a fourth-generation Pittsburgher, has dedicated his life to making a positive impact on his community and its environment. His journey began at the University of Pittsburgh, where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Religious Studies. During his time at the university, he worked as an archivist at the University of Pittsburgh Library System’s Archives & Special Collections Branch, where he catalogued records for Western PA steel companies, civic organizations, and the university’s Art Gallery. More specifically, Thad’s work archiving personnel records from the A.M. Byers Company, a Pittsburgh-based steel and wrought iron pipe manufacturer, left a lasting impact, inspiring him to pursue a career in environmental and occupational health and safety law.
After graduating summa cum laude in 2018, Thad continued his mission to help injured and disadvantaged individuals. He initially worked at the Pitt School of Medicine’s Osteoporosis Prevention & Treatment Center, where he provided care and attention to elderly patients often overlooked by other medical institutions. Later, he joined the immigration firm, Hudson Legal Group, where he drafted visa petitions to help foreign researchers from authoritarian countries, such as China and Iran, come to U.S. to pursue work designed to benefit the national interest. Thad’s dedication to improving people’s lives and his exposure to legal matters inspired him to attend law school at Pitt Law, where he concentrated on environmental, energy, and occupational health law. Additionally, Thad graduated cum laude in 2023 after working at the personal injury/workers’ compensation firm of Friday & Cox and the environmental advocacy firm, Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services, where he worked on drafting self-help guides for tenants suffering from lead exposure. He also worked at the University’s Environmental Law Clinic, where he provided free legal aid to communities whose waterways were polluted by big companies and waste management systems.
Thad’s commitment to social justice and civil rights was evident through his roles as a research assistant, research fellow, and teaching assistant. All these experiences culminated in Thad’s aspiration to specialize in asbestos law, where he could leverage his expertise in pollution, personal injury, and occupational health and safety. Thad firmly believes that normal, hardworking people should live and work in clean and safe communities, and that big companies should be held accountable when they cause an individual to become ill.
As a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania, Thad Kotarski plans to extend his legal reach to the federal courts, seeking admission in Pennsylvania’s Western District, Eastern District, and Third Circuit. His belief in the right of hardworking people to live and work in clean and safe communities drives his determination to confront and challenge corporations whose actions have harmed individuals and the environment. Thad exemplifies a dedicated advocate for justice, committed to improving the lives of those affected by pollution and hazardous industrial practices in the Pittsburgh region.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, please call the Halpern Law Firm at (800) 505-6000 or fill out our form for legal help. Call today for a free case evaluation and to get more information. We have over 30 years of experience and have won over $100 million for our clients.
Written By Jeff Nelson
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