Linell M. Lukesh

Linell Lukesh is a Partner in MKCI’s Philadelphia, PA Office, and concentrates her practice in the areas of general liability, utility, non-profit, municipal and education law. As a seasoned litigator with 25 years of experience, she has successfully defended clients in product liability, premises liability, property damage, construction litigation, restaurant liability, toxic torts, defamation, subrogation, workers’ compensation and employment claims on behalf of insureds and self-insured companies. She litigates cases throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and New Jersey state courts and has represented clients before administrative tribunals such as the Public Utility Commission.

In her utility practice, Linell represents national utility companies in property subrogation, protection of easement rights, construction disputes and the application of the provisions of the Underground Utility Line Protection Law.

Linell’s education law practice includes representation of clients in a range of matters, including defending due process claims on behalf of educational institutions, representing parents and children bringing due process claims under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and has handled various matters under Title IX. She also provides counseling and risk management to third party vendors providing special education services to autistic children.

In her employment law practice, Linell successfully defense claims of wrongful termination for employers and also assists employers with drafting and revising employment manuals.

In the area of non-profit law, Linell brings years of direct experience via operation of a non-profit organization for over 15 years, which continues to provide comprehensive services to low income and special needs children including health, social services, and education and special education services. Linell draws upon her experience to represent organizations by obtaining state charity status and/or Federal tax exempt status, drafting governing documents, detailing fiduciary duties for board members, drafting employment policies and procedures, drafting employment contracts, and reviewing and negotiating leases.

Linell provides balanced, customized litigation plans for her clients and emphasizes the importance of frequent reporting and communication to obtain a successful outcome. She has successfully represented her clients’ at arbitrations and more than 10 trials through verdict. Linell also frequently serves as an arbitrator for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Arbitration Program.

At MKCI, Linell is a member of the Leadership Committee and serves as Co-chair of the Women’s Initiative, providing opportunities for the firm’s women attorneys to network, support professional growth, and develop their law practice, as well as coming together to support causes that advance women and families in the communities where MKCI serves its clients. Linell is also a member of MKCI’s Client Relations Committee.

Linell’s professional associations include the Pennsylvania Bar Association, where she is an active member on the Membership Development Committee and the Public Utility Law and Education Law sections. She also is active in her hometown bar, Luzerne County, and serves as a member of the Pennsylvania Solicitors’ Association.

When she is not engaged in representing her clients, you will find Linell involved in activities with the Professional Organization of Women of Excellence Recognized (P.O.W.E.R.) a network of professional women from all backgrounds and industries, networking and sharing their experiences to help each other. Linell also devotes her time to her own non-profit organization, which is preserving and restoring an 1849 lighthouse located on its own island in the middle of the Long Island Sound under the National Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.

Linell obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Temple University School of Law. She earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Accounting, Psychology and Elementary Education from Wilkes University, from which she graduated magna cum laude.