Attorney Profiles
Stephen D. Colafella
Phone
(412) 594-5653
Vcard
Practice Areas
- Criminal Defense
- White-Collar Criminal Defense
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Education
- Widener University Commonwealth Law School (JD)
- Pennsylvania State University (BS)
Professional & Community Affiliations
- American Bar Association, Member
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
- Pennsylvania Bar Association, Member
- Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
- Allegheny County Bar Association, Member
- Beaver County Bar Association, Member
- Youth Baseball & Basketball Coach, Volunteer
- Mentors aspiring Trial Attorneys
- Panel attorney for the City of Pittsburgh FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) to defend city police officers in use of force investigations
Awards & Recognition
- Center Area High School, Hall of Fame Inductee
- National Trial Lawyers, Top 100 Lawyers
Presentations & Publications
- Former lecturer at the Pennsylvania Bar Institute – lectured peers in the defense community on a variety of topics
Shareholder
Stephen D. Colafella
For over 25 years, Stephen has represented thousands of individuals, tried hundreds of cases to verdict in local, State, and federal court, and has been involved in numerous cases that have received regional and national attention. He has been featured on network television shows such as Good Morning America, 20/20, and 48 Hours. Steve understands that every case is the most important case to his client and takes the time to get to know their personal circumstances. He offers a one-stop shop criminal defense practice and has tried dozens of homicide and arson cases, but also has significant experience handling white collar defenses and financial crimes and has represented teachers, politicians, athletes, and other community figures.
Stephen began his career in 1995 as a Public Defender where he developed a passion for trial work and helping individuals navigate the complexities of the criminal process. He is a proud graduate of Pennsylvania State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and went onto Widener University School of Law. Originally a Beaver County native, he attended Center Area High School in Monaca and currently resides in Mars, Pennsylvania with his wife Holly and their four children.
Representative Matters
- Represented a former police officer accused of using excessive force against a drunk suspect.
- Represented former NFL player who was stabbed in the chest and shoulder at his Pittsburgh apartment by his girlfriend.
- Represented police chief after accusations of falsifying time sheets.
- Represented an 11-year-old boy who was accused of murdering his father’s pregnant fiancée.
- Represented a police officer charged with using excessive force via a taser while being placing a suspect under arrest.
