About Us
Mission Statement
At Spivak Law Firm, we aim to earn and maintain our clients’ trust by providing:
- Strong, effective advocacy;
- Reliable advice and counsel;
- Highly focused and individualized attention;
- An understanding of the law and the legal options available; and
- Legal strategies to overcome challenges, plan for the future, and achieve goals.
Based in Pittsburgh, Spivak Law Firm handles all areas of family law and criminal defense throughout western Pennsylvania, including: Allegheny County, Armstrong County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Greene County, Indiana County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County.
To schedule an appointment, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Our Values
The following core values form the heart of our practice:
- Experience: We work hard to achieve the best possible results in your case.
- Knowledge: We know the law and take the time to explain it clearly to you.
- Strength: We fight for you as we would if you were our own family member or friend.
- Compassion: Friendly and welcoming, we respond promptly to your questions and concerns.
- Trust: We earn your confidence through hard work, transparency, and accessibility.
To schedule an appointment with an attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Attorney Profiles
Todd Spivak
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
412-344-4900 (office)
412-344-4910 (fax)
800-545-9390 (toll free)
todd@spivaklawfirm.com
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Attorney Todd Spivak attended classes at Columbia University and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from closely affiliated Albert A. List College. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from University of Colorado Law School. During law school, he clerked at the United States Attorney’s Office and represented clients in the Civil Litigation Clinic and Colorado State Public Defender’s Office. He has worked at private law firms nationally and in downtown Pittsburgh.
As founder and owner of Spivak Law Firm, Todd has helped hundreds of people throughout Pittsburgh and its surrounding counties. An experienced trial lawyer, Todd is an effective negotiator and skilled courtroom advocate. He handles all areas of family law and criminal defense with a special focus on child custody and domestic abuse.
A former investigative reporter, Todd’s work won national awards and was twice nominated for The Pulitzer Prize. He continues to write on family law and criminal defense issues for the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Allegheny County Bar Association, and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Todd is a member of the Allegheny County and Pennsylvania bar associations.
Areas of Practice
Litigation Percentage
- 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Education
- J.D., University of Colorado Law School, Boulder, Colorado
- Law Clerk, U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Colorado
- B.A., Albert A. List College, New York, NY
Published Works
- Attorneys Need More Protection, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 4, 2019
- New Pitt Law Dean Brings Collaborative Spirit, Lawyers Journal, July 20, 2018
- Civil Litigation For Newer Attorneys, Lawyers Journal, February 16, 2018
- New Law Seals Misdemeanor Convictions, Lawyers Journal, January 6, 2017
- Clean the Slate in Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 13, 2016
- How the Court Failed Maureen Karr, Pennsylvania Bar Association, June 3, 2015
- Crack Down On Domestic Violence, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 8, 2015
- Improve Pennsylvania’s PFA Law, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, March 28, 2013
- Curbing False PFAs, Pennsylvania Bar Association, April 9, 2013
- Child Custody Rights, Pennsylvania Bar Association, October 18, 2012
- Child Custody for Rapists?, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 27, 2012
- My First PFA Client, Pennsylvania Bar Association, May 25, 2012
- Toxic Town, Civil Litigation, Houston Press, April 3, 2008
- Heads You Lose, Tails You Lose, Consumer Fraud, Houston Press, July 19, 2007
- Whose Best Interests, Guardianship Law, Houston Press, January 25, 2007
- Run Over by Metro, Personal Injury Law, Houston Press, March 30, 2006
Honors and Awards
- The Pulitzer Prize, Nominee, 2006 and 2008
- First Amendment Award, Recipient, 2008
- Investigative Reporters and Editors Certificate, Recipient, 2006
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Allegheny County Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Neighborhood Legal Services Association
- American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
- Super Lawyers
Pro Bono Activities
- Volunteer Attorney, Neighborhood Legal Services Association
- Volunteer Attorney, Allegheny County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Center
- Volunteer Attorney, Allegheny County Bar Association Public Service Committee
Rebecca Canterbury
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
412-344-4900 (office)
412-344-4910 (fax)
800-545-9390 (toll free)
rebecca@spivaklawfirm.com
A Pittsburgh native, Attorney Rebecca Canterbury received her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with a minor in philosophy from Duquesne University. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law.
During law school, Rebecca represented clients at Protection From Abuse (PFA) and child custody hearings while working for Neighborhood Legal Services Association and the Duquesne University School of Law Family Law Clinic. She served as a law clerk for the Honorable Kevin G. Sasinoski of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas – Criminal Division, as well as for several private law firms in Pittsburgh focusing on criminal defense and family law. She began as a law clerk at Spivak Law Firm before joining the firm as an attorney at law.
While serving as president of the Family Law Society at Duquesne University School of Law, Rebecca organized and moderated a symposium to address whether Pennsylvania’s PFA law strikes the right balance for protecting domestic-violence victims while also limiting false claims of abuse.
Rebecca frequently writes on family law and criminal defense issues for the Allegheny County Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. She continues her affiliation with Duquesne University School of Law mentoring new graduates to take the bar examination in Pennsylvania.
Admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Rebecca is a member of the Allegheny County and Pennsylvania bar associations.
Areas of Practice
Litigation Percentage
- 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Education
- J.D., Duquesne University School of Law, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Law Clerk, Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas – Criminal Division
- President, Family Law Society, Duquesne University School of Law
- B.A., Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
Published Works
- Preparing Women Attorneys For Leadership Positions, Lawyers Journal, June 18, 2018
- ‘Boot Camp’ For Trial Lawyers, Lawyers Journal, March 30, 2018
- Changes In Alternative Dispute Resolution, Lawyers Journal, March 2, 2018
- New Law Seals Misdemeanor Convictions, Lawyers Journal, January 6, 2017
- Clean The Slate In Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, November 13, 2016
- Ensure Child-Custody Rights, Pennsylvania Bar Association, September 28, 2016
- Impoverished Parents Deserve Their Day in Court, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, May 29, 2016
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Allegheny County Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Neighborhood Legal Services Association
- Attorney and Practice Magazine, Top 10 Family Law Attorney
- American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
Pro Bono Activities
- Volunteer Attorney, Neighborhood Legal Services Association
- Volunteer Attorney, Allegheny County Bar Association Public Service Committee
- Volunteer Attorney, Allegheny County Bar Foundation Pro Bono Center
Community Service
Spivak Law Firm volunteers for Neighborhood Legal Services Association and other local nonprofit organizations to provide free legal services for low-income residents throughout the Pittsburgh area. Our volunteer activities have included helping:
- Parents negotiate child-custody schedules;
- Domestic-violence victims obtain PFA restraining orders;
- People erase or seal their criminal records;
- Police officers, firemen, and paramedics prepare their wills;
- Disabled people receive social security disability benefits;
- Prepare and serve meals to the homeless; and
- Coach young children athletics with a focus on sportsmanship.
To learn more about ways we support our community, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Our Offices
Address:
2893 W. Liberty Ave.
Suite 100
Pittsburgh, PA 15216
Spivak Law Firm is located less than three miles from downtown Pittsburgh at the well-traveled intersection of West Liberty and Potomac avenues in Dormont.
Here is why we choose Dormont:
Real Savings: Law firms located in downtown Pittsburgh pay expensive rents that are passed on to clients through high legal fees. Spivak Law Firm’s low overhead costs are reflected in less legal fees for you.
Your Convenience: For many people, a visit with their lawyer means fighting downtown traffic and expensive parking garages. By contrast, Spivak Law Firm is convenient for clients. There is cheap, easy, on-street parking with access to several public lots.
Easily accessible by public transit, we are located along several bus lines and within a short walk from a “T” station. Click here for maps and directions.
Family Tradition: The Spivak family has strong roots in Dormont. Dr. Paul Spivak has operated Dormont Vision Center for more than 40 years. Spivak Law Firm carries on this family tradition with a promise to represent you as we would if you were our own family member or friend.
To schedule an appointment, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
In the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child abuse scandal at Penn State University, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed laws expanding mandatory reporting of child abuse for certain adults, including: medical facility employees, medical examiners, school employees, social services staff, child-care center staff, clergy, EMTs, foster parents, librarians, and adults in regular contact with a child.
At Spivak Law Firm, we aim to minimize the emotional and financial costs of a child custody battle by negotiating a settlement that preserves your finances and protects the emotional health of you and your children. If a settlement cannot be reached, we use aggressive litigation and trial strategies in an attempt to achieve your goals by showing the court why the custody arrangement you seek is in the child’s best interests.