Denise M. Mandi, Esq.
November 2020 Justinian Co-Member of the Month

Denise M. Mandi is a Senior Trial Attorney at the Law Office of Dennis O. Wilson- in house counsel for Selective Insurance Company.

Born and raised in South Philadelphia, product of hard-working immigrant parents and first in her family to obtain a higher education receiving a B.A. in Intellectual History from University of Pennsylvania and her J.D. from Widener University School of Law.

As a strong advocate and aggressive litigator, throughout her career she has tried countless jury trials with a string of Defense verdicts that lasted over 2 years. In her current practice, she represents nationally known parties in a wide and diverse practice that include premises liability, construction defects, catastrophic injuries, employment discrimination along with representation of several municipalities throughout Pennsylvania.

Currently serving as Co-Chair of the Rules Committee, Philadelphia Bar Association. She has enjoyed being a frequent speaker regarding emerging legal issues at local and national legal seminars.

Denise resides in Haverford, Pennsylvania with her 14-year-old twins, Sophia and Julian and several energetic dogs. Rumored by friends to make the best meatballs – ever - anywhere.

Una Piccola Conversazione

1. How long have you been a member of the Justinian Society?

One year.

2. Why did you join the Justinian Society, and what do you hope to gain from membership?

I wanted to be around others in my profession who are passionate about who they are and what they do.

3. What do you love or enjoy most about your job?

The opportunity and honor to stand in a court room and address a judge and a jury.

4. How would you define success?

The sheer tenacity to keep at it no matter what is thrown your way.

5. Who or what inspires you?

My children.

6. If you could choose anyone in history as a mentor, who would you choose and why?

Amelia Earhart. Great adventuress. Boldly transcended gender boundaries. Never took no for an answer. Most likely died doing something she loved.

7. Name one valuable lesson you've learned in your life and that you would advise other members to follow?

In the adversarial profession we live most of our life in, try to remember to be kind. It will do wonders for your soul.

8. What's something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?

Might be fighting words in this group but I make the best meatballs. EVER.

9. What's the last book you read?

Their Eyes Were Watching God.

10. What's your favorite thing about Philadelphia, i.e., sports team, restaurant, museum, history, music etc.?

The smell of gravy wafting into my house on a Sunday morning.

Brittany L. Stepp, Esq.
November 2020 Justinian Co-Member of the Month

Brittany Stepp is an Associate at the law firm of Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC.

Brittany focuses her practice on management-side labor and employment matters in both the public and private sectors. A significant portion of Brittany's practice involves representing employers in traditional labor matters, including in defending unfair labor practice charges and conducting related investigations.

Brittany also defends employers facing claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and whistleblower actions.

Brittany serves as a board member for the Labor and Employment Relations Association, Philadelphia Chapter. She also serves on the Board of Governors for the Justinian Society of Philadelphia, an organization dedicated to the promotion of Italian heritage in the legal profession.

In addition to her passion for client advocacy and other professional endeavors, Brittany enjoys volunteering with Achieve Now (formerly Philadelphia Reads), a non-profit organization dedicated to attaining a higher level of reading proficiency among elementary-aged students. Brittany also volunteers with the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law, serving as both a mock judge for oral arguments and as a mock interviewer for first-year law students.

Prior to joining the firm, Brittany served as a co-op extern to the Honorable Petrese B. Tucker of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. She also served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Doris A. Pechkurow of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, Family Division.

Una Piccola Conversazione

1. How long have you been a member of the Justinian Society?

I've been a loyal attendee at Justinian events since law school and I've been an official member since 2018. My role on the Board began in 2019.

2. Why did you join the Justinian Society, and what do you hope to gain from membership?

I joined because I'm passionate about my Italian heritage and wanted to get to know like-minded lawyers. I'm grateful for all of the professional relationships I've gained. This is an incredibly genuine group of people.

3. What do you love or enjoy most about your job?

I love helping business owners navigate the situation when they get sued by former employees or when they're dealing with union issues. I also love to write. And win.

4. How would you define success?

Success means setting goals and meeting them, and enjoying that process. It is the day-to-day happiness that money can't buy.

5. Who or what inspires you?

My parents. I am the first lawyer in the family and they always encouraged me to go for it.

6. If you could choose anyone in history as a mentor, who would you choose and why?

I'm fortunate to have great mentors already, but if I were adding to the list, I'd pick two more, which would be Sandra Day O'Connor and RBG.

7. Name one valuable lesson you've learned in your life and that you would advise other members to follow?

Be good to others.

8. What's something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?

I became very interested in law when I starting going to local township supervisor meetings in the 7th grade. I wore a suit and sat in the front row. Life came full circle last month when I presented a CLE for the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors.

9. What's the last book you read?

"Give and Take" by Adam Grant. I'd recommend it.

10. What's your favorite thing about Philadelphia, i.e., sports team, restaurant, museum, history, music etc.?

The food. Alice Pizza on 15th and Locust is my favorite.