Joshua P. Geist, Esq., Partner

Background

Joshua Geist is a trial lawyer who represents individuals and families harmed by careless corporations, individuals and insurance companies. He is a partner with Goodrich & Geist, P.C. in Pittsburgh. Josh grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where he learned the value of hard work, that every person is entitled to dignity and respect, that the strong shouldn’t get away with preying on the weak, and that happiness is not something that can be bought, but rather, experienced with family and friends. He became a trial lawyer because he believes that all people deserve a level playing field when taking on wealthy and powerful wrongdoers. Josh graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh and received his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He has been recognized as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer and a Top 50 lawyer in Pittsburgh. Josh is a member of the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County, an invitation-only group made up of the top trial lawyers in Pittsburgh. Josh is the Immediate Past President of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, an organization of trial lawyers that work to preserve equal access to courts for the citizens of Pennsylvania. He is a frequent writer and speaker on personal injury topics to lawyers and law students. Josh regularly talks to high school students about the dangers of distracted driving. In 2018, Josh represented a decorated military veteran in a fight against his insurance company who refused to pay benefits after he was permanently injured. The case resulted in the largest reported jury verdict in Pennsylvania for an Underinsured Motorist claim. Josh lives in Pittsburgh with his wife, Susan, their two children and dog, Fiona.

Areas of Practice

Litigation Percentage

100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions

Pennsylvania, 2000
U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania, 2004

Education

University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
– J.D. – 2000
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
– B.A. summa cum laude – 1997
– Honors: Dean’s List
– Major: Political Science

Classes/Seminars

Trial of UIM Case, Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers, 2011 – 2012
Auto Law, Pennsylvania Association for Justice, 2006 – 2012

Honors and Awards

Super Lawyers – Top 50 Lawyers in Pittsburgh, 2004 – present
Rising Stars, 2006 – 2012
Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County, 2010 – present

Professional Associations and Memberships

Pennsylvania Association for Justice, Past President, 2018
Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, President, 2011 – 2013
Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County, Invited Member, 2010 – 2012

Past Employment Positions

Goodrich, Goodrich & Lazzara, P.C., Associate, 2000 – 2007
Goodrich & Goodrich, P.C., Associate, 2007 – 2012

Languages

English
Spanish

Legal Expertise

Josh is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the U.S. District Court’s Western District of Pennsylvania. The independent rating service Super Lawyers has listed Josh among its Rising Stars — outstanding young lawyers recognized for professional achievement — every year since 2006.

Josh has a solid record as a trial attorney with Goodrich & Goodrich, P. C., successfully handling a wide variety of cases involving personal injury.

A Distinguished Case

“Not long ago, I stood up for a family from Erie who lost a wife and mother when a propane explosion destroyed their home. The explosion was caused by a series of safety rule violations by local gas companies. We were able to prove that the explosion and the fire that followed could have been prevented had a simple test—which was required by federal law—been done.”

Community Involvement

Josh often participates in fundraising events for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He got involved with the organization after the child of a close friend was diagnosed with the condition.