Kenneth West

KENNETH EDWARD WEST, born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1963; admitted to bar, 1988, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the U.S. District Court District of New Jersey. Education: The Pennsylvania State University (Bachelor of Science - Finance, 1985); Villanova University School of Law (Juris Doctorate, 1988). Licensed, 1995 as a Real Estate Salesperson, Pennsylvania. Member, Delaware County Bar Association, 1988 - Present. Member, Delaware County Bar Association Pro Bono Advisory Committee, 1994 - Present. Member, Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Conference, 1993 - Present. Member, Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association. Member, Strathmore’s Who’s Who (1996 - Present), Who’s Who in American Law (1994 - Present), Who’s Who in Finance and Industry (1995 - Present), Who’s Who in the East (1995 - Present) and Who’s Who in the World (1995 - Present) . Practice has focused on negligence litigation, including automobile accidents and slip and falls, bankruptcy, small business matters and real estate.

• Car Accidents

• Free Consultation
• Credit Cards Accepted
• Contingent Fees
  Personal Injury Cases

Pennsylvania

Since 1988

Assistant Public Defender, Mental Health Division

Delaware County Office of the Public Defender

2014 - Current

Assigned as a trial team member of the Public Defender's Office to represent defendants within the newly created Mental Health Division of the Delaware County Court system. Defendant's with serious mental illness (SMI) diagnosis (schizophrenia, major mood disorder, psychoses NOS, borderline personality disorder) and those persons with co-occurring disorders (mental health and substance use disorder) which contributed to the criminal behavior have access to this the program. .

Partner

Douglass, West and Associates

1990 - Current

Twenty one years experience as the managing partner for a general practice firm. Office responsibilities include the management of and accountability for all aspects of the firm, which encompass client relations, marketing of the firm and management of personnel. Practice has focused on negligence litigation, including automobile accidents and slip and falls, bankruptcy, wills and trusts, small business matters and real estate. Conduct Bankruptcy Hearings, Arbitrations and Trials Consult with clients to prepare them for Hearings, Trial and Arbitrations Develop cases for hearings and/or or trial and handle all aspects of trying cases in court, as appropiate Responsible for legal research and the preparation of pleadings, motions, discovery, and routinely and effectively negotiating settlements with opposing counsel and/or claims adjusters Manage rotating caseload of 100+ cases involving consumer bankruptcy filings (Chapter 7 and Chapter 13) and personal injury (automobile accident, slip and falls and wrongful death).

Assistant Public Defender, Motion/Hearing Division

Delaware County Office of the Public Defender

2009 - 2014

Individually handle defense at the initial phase of criminal prosecutions, i.e., the preliminary hearing stage. Responsibilities include legal research, reviewing case evidence, routinely meeting with defendants and district attorneys to effectively negotiate waiver agreements, developing cases for preliminary hearings and handle all aspects of those hearings in court, as appropriate.

Law Clerk

Delaware County Court of Common Pleas

2008 - 2009

Honorable Gregory Mallon. Performed duties such as research, drafting, editing, proofreading and verification of citations additionally, drafted working opinions pursuant to the Judge's direction.

Associate

Pachtman, Douglass and Associates

1988 - 1990

Researched legal issues and drafted memoranda regarding all aspects of the practice including criminal defense,personal injury, domestic relations, wills, estates, real estate, and consumer bankruptcy. Individually being responsible for the all phases of the criminal defense and bankruptcy practices.

Villanova University School of Law

J.D.

1985 - 1988

Pennsylvania State University - University Park

B.S. | Finance

1981 - 1985