“Each attorney-client relationship is built on a bond of mutual trust and understanding that grows and deepens as it continues to work towards achieving the best outcome possible.”
Pittsburgh Family Law Attorney
Marcelina divides her time between family law and business transactional work. As a Pittsburgh family law attorney, her family law practice primarily includes matters such as adoption, custody, alimony, divorce, domestic abuse, paternity, and name changes.
Additionally, Marcelina is a trained mediator, who has successfully completed a 40-hour mediation training, involving civil attorneys, family law attorneys, and judges.
Marcelina also handles landlord-tenant actions in Western Pennsylvania, including Allegheny County, Beaver County, Washington County, Butler County, and Westmoreland County. She received specialized training and is on the approved list with the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County where she is regularly called upon to facilitate landlord-tenant mediations and arbitrations.
Marcelina makes a point to be a source of comfort and knowledge for her clients. Her clients know her as someone they can confide in and rely on, as she is a willing listener and an active solution-seeker. She believes that the law enables her to see problems through a different light and provides solutions in situations that might seem impossible. Through Marcelina’s eyes, there are always opportunities to grow and learn in her practice, as a civil/family litigator and trained mediator in the greater Pittsburgh area.
In her free time, Marcelina volunteers with the dogs at her local animal shelter. She is also an active hiker, seeking out waterfalls and other natural scenery to appreciate. Marcelina can often be found attempting new recipes at home, trying new local restaurants or taking her dog out on an adventure.
Marcelina began her legal career as a law clerk, becoming involved with the Pittsburgh Pro Bono Project involving tangled titles, reviewing Pennsylvania estate administration and Orphan’s Court 3546 processes. She has reviewed numerous mineral abstracts and written the related title opinions. As she moved up the legal ladder to her role as an attorney, Marcelina expanded her focus to include family law. Some of her family law responsibilities have included:
- Aiding clients in discovery and preparation of marital assets for equitable distribution and complex support matters
- Drafting pleadings in custody and support matters
- Assisting in the preparation of trial regarding economic matters
- Representing clients in paternity determinations
In law school, Marcelina was involved in many activities, including her appointment as the Secretary of the International Law Society, taking part in an Urban Development Practicum, and volunteering for various charity events. Throughout her schooling, she was the Clinic Manager at the Duquesne University School of Law Veterans Clinic, where she represented justice-involved veterans in criminal court matters and earned her certification in mental health first aid.
Marcelina is affiliated with multiple professional organizations, including the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the Allegheny County Bar Association. Marcelina was selected for inclusion in Pennsylvania’s Super Lawyers Rising Stars® (2020 – 2024). She was recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch list.
In law school, Marcelina was awarded two CALI Excellence for the Future Awards by The Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction, which is an award given to the highest scoring student in his or her law school class. Additionally, she received a Pro Bono Exemplary Service Certificate for her work in the Orphan’s Court.
Awards Won*
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