Leanna B.Ruotanen
Leanna B. Ruotanen is a partner with Deasey, Mahoney & Valentini, Ltd. She joined the firm as an Associate in 2017 after working for a mid-size regional litigation firm specializing in the defense of personal injury claims.
Leanna currently defends clients in a broad range of general liability claims including premises liability, products liability, professional liability and construction defects. However, she specializes in the defense of catastrophic construction accidents involving cranes, power cranes and other aerial lift devices. In 2018, she received a certification as a mobile crane operator from the Crane Institute of America which allows her to provide an invaluable level of understanding and nuance in the defense of these cases.
In addition to her litigation practice, Leanna regularly serves as an arbitrator with the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Compulsory Arbitration Program adjudicating myriad civil disputes. She advises clients on a variety of issues and regularly lectures to clients of the firm in various practice areas.
Prior to working in insurance defense, Leanna worked as an Associate attorney with Andrew, Merritt, Reilly & Smith, LLP, a metro Atlanta firm, and served as counsel for the County Administrator for Gwinnett County, representing more than 200 estates and conservatorships. She guided clients through all aspects of the administration process and litigated on behalf of individuals and estates on a range of probate related claims from breach of fiduciary duty to undue influence.
Leanna graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia with a dual Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and Political Science. Thereafter, she attended Georgia State College of Law where she worked as a student attorney and a graduate assistant in the Phillip C. Cook Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic. During her tenure, she settled over $200,000.00 in individual tax debt for low-income candidates and received the Senator Paul D. Coverdell Award for outstanding service.
Professional Experience
- Deasey, Mahoney & Valentini, Ltd., 2017-present
- Margolis Edelstein, 2015-2017
- Andrew, Merritt, Reilly & Smith, LLP, 2013-2015
Professional Affiliations
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel
Certifications
- Certified by the Crane Institute of America as a Mobile Crane Operator, June 2018
- Certified arbitrator and regularly at service with the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas’ Compulsory Arbitration Program, May 2018
Awards and Designations
- PA Rising Star: 2019 to 2024