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Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C.Share Holder
Dennis A. Watson
Pro

Dennis A. Watson

5.0
1 review

444 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1000, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Admiralty and Maritime, Commercial Law and Litigation, Construction Law and 2 more

About Dennis A. Watson

Dennis A. Watson is a shareholder of Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. He concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, construction law, insurance defense, and municipal litigation, with a particular emphasis in maritime law. His over 35 years of admiralty experience includes the representation of towing companies, landing operators, and marine contractors in their litigation and corporate matters.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Watson was president and shareholder with the firm of Grogan Graffam, P.C. He has also served as a Special Master in the Civil Division of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas and in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Professional Accomplishments

•Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County
•AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell since 1997
•The Best Lawyers in America : 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” in Insurance Law for Pittsburgh
•The Best Lawyers in America since 2013: Insurance Law
•Pennsylvania Super Lawyers 2005-2009 and 2013-2019

Community

•Allegheny League of Municipalities (Past Chair)
•Borough of West View Zoning Hearing Board (Chair)
•Independent Regulatory Review Commission (Commissioner)
•Senator John Heinz History Center (Trustee)
•West View Water Authority (Board of Directors Chair)

Press Releases

8/21/2025 Press Releases

Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote Lawyers Recognized as Best Lawyers in America Award Recipients

8/15/2024 Press Releases

Forty-Six Dickie McCamey Lawyers Recognized as Best Lawyers Award Recipients

8/17/2023 Press Releases

Forty-Four Dickie McCamey Lawyers Recognized as Best Lawyers Award Recipients

8/25/2022 Press Releases

Forty-Three Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote Lawyers Named to 2023 Best Lawyers List

8/25/2021 Press Releases

2022 Best Lawyers List includes 44 Attorneys from Dickie McCamey

8/24/2021 Press Releases

Eight Dickie McCamey Attorneys Named 2022 Best Lawyers ‘Lawyer of the Year’

8/19/2020 Press Releases

Forty-Five Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote Lawyers Named to 2021 Best Lawyers list

8/15/2019 Press Releases

Forty-Two Dickie McCamey Lawyers Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2020

5/9/2019 Press Releases

DMC’s 2019 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Selectees

8/15/2018 Press Releases

Forty-Two Dickie McCamey Lawyers Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2019

5/24/2018 Press Releases

DMC’s 2018 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Selectees

1/1/2018 Press Releases

Ten New Shareholders Announced by Dickie McCamey

 

Dennis A. Watson (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) View website

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Dennis A. Watson got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Reviews for Dennis A. Watson

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Overall Rating
5.0
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5.0
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Services

Areas of Law

  • Construction Law
  • Municipal Law
  • Other 3
    • Admiralty and Maritime
    • Commercial Law and Litigation
    • Insurance Law and Litigation

Practice Details

  • Firm Information
    Position
    Shareholder
    Firm Name
    Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C.
  • Representative Cases & Transactions
    Cases
    Representative Matters: Represented towing company in limitation action having multiple claimants
    co-defendants arising from flotilla breakaway at fleeting area during significant ice
    flood stage river conditions
    Obtained defense verdict for towing company/l
    ing operator in suit brought by owner of sunken floating restaurant claiming that the towing company's failure to monitor the vessel resulted in its sinking
    Litigated on behalf of towing company in catastrophic lock
    dam incident involving multiple fatalities, Formal Coast Guard Investigation, limitation of liability action,
    resulting Jones Act claims
    Represented l
    ing terminal owner in multiple breakaway suits arising from record river flood stage
    Represented towing company/l
    ing operator in claimant suits
    limitation of liability suit arising from a barge breakaway from the l
    ing during record river flood stage
    Defended owner of 100-vessel pleasure craft marina whose docks broke away in high water against claims from downriver marina severely damaged by client's breakaway docks as well as against claims of boat owners whose boats were moored at client's marina
    Litigated numerous claims concerning interpretation
    scope of P&I, hull, wharfingers,
    marine general liability insurance policies
    Represented international construction management firm in litigation arising from refinery fire
    explosions with resulting fatalities, property damage,
    indemnity claims
    Obtained summary judgment for professional liability insurer in suit brought by insured engineering company for coverage
    bad faith damages

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    Ohio
    Pennsylvania
    West Virginia
    United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
    United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
    United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
    United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
    United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
    United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
    United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
    Memberships

    Memberships:

    •Allegheny County Bar Association (Federal Court Section Council Past Chair and Managing Partners Committee Past Chair)
    •American Bar Association
    •Pennsylvania Bar Association
    •Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
    •The Maritime Law Association of the United States (Proctor)

  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    University of Pittsburgh School of Law
    J.D.
    cum laude

    University of Pittsburgh School of Law
    J.D.
    1977 Order of the Coif
    Other Education
    University of Pennsylvania
    Class of 1974
    B.A.
    History and Sociology

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Attorneys FAQs

  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    Dennis A. Watson is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Dennis A. Watson has a 5.0 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. has 194 attorneys at this location.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Dennis A. Watson attended University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
  • What year was this attorney's law firm established?
    Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. was established in 1906.

Attorney information displayed in this FAQ section is based upon information the lawyer has included on their profile, in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals.

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Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome and Martindale-Hubbell accepts no responsibility for the content or accuracy of any review. For more information on Martindale-Hubbell Client Review Ratings, please visit our Client Review Page

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• AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

• Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

• Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Lawyers who have received peer reviews after 2009 will display more detailed information, including practice areas, summary ratings, detailed numeric ratings and written feedback (if available). Details for individual reviews received before 2009 are not displayed.

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