Linell M. Lukesh

Linell Lukesh is a Partner in MKC&I’s Philadelphia Office. Ms. Lukesh concentrates her practice in general liability litigation, commercial litigation, 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.

Ms. Lukesh provides balanced, customized litigation plans for her clients and emphasizes the importance of frequent reporting and communication with her clients to obtain a successful outcome.

In her utility practice, she 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.

Ms. Lukesh’s education law practice includes representing clients in a range of matters including defending due process claims on behalf of educational institutions, as well as representing parents and children bringing due process claims under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). She represents university students in discrimination and due process claims under Title IX. She also provides counseling and risk management to third party vendors providing special education services to autistic children. She represents teachers and school administrators in a variety of administrative proceedings.

In the area of non-profit law Ms. Lukesh brings years of direct experience in operating a non-profit organization for over 15 years. The non-profit continues to provide comprehensive services to low income and special needs children including health, social services, education and special education services. The non-profit employed a staff of a hundred plus employees. Ms. Lukesh uses this experience to represent organizations in obtaining state charity status, obtain Federal tax exempt status, draft governing documents, detail fiduciary duties for board members, draft employment policies and procedures, draft employment contracts and review and negotiate leases.

Ms. Lukesh also serves as Solicitor for West Wyoming Borough located in Northeastern PA. for over 20 years where she has provided legal representation and guidance. As solicitor, she represents the borough in zoning and land development matters, Collective Bargaining Unit matters, securing unfunded debt, drafting ordinances and advising the borough council in matters under Act 111 and Act 195 for police and public works department matters.

Ms. Lukesh also frequently serves as an arbitrator for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Arbitration Program.

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. Ms. Lukesh also devotes her time 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.