IN MEMORIUM

Gerald S. Segal, Esq.

Gerald S. Segal, Esq. opened a solo practice in 1967 which over the years grew to what is now Segal, Berk, Gaines & Liss. Until his passing in June 2020, Jerry was a vibrant member of our team and the Managing Partner of our firm.

Jerry graduated from Drexel University in 1963. He then went on to Temple University Law School where he received his Juris Doctorate in 1966. One year later, he founded our firm in the Windsor Suites; the same building we still operate from today.

Jerry served on the boards of many notable Philadelphia organizations such as Independence Blue Cross, The Abramson Center, Historic Philadelphia, The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, The Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities, Fred’s Footsteps, The Airport Advisory Commission, The Philadelphia Geriatric Center and The Governor’s Cabinet & Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities. Jerry had also been appointed to the President’s National Council on Disabilities by President Bill Clinton.

Jerry had been the recipient of many awards and honors. He received the Man of Vision Award from Fight for Sight of Greater Philadelphia, the 1994 Fundraising Volunteer of the Year Award from the National Society of Fundraising Executives, the Founder’s Award of the American Friends of Haifa University and the Humanitarian of the Year Award from Magee Rehabilitation Hospital. Jerry was inducted into the Overbrook High School Hall of Fame and honored as a Hometown Hero by the Philadelphia 76ers.

After unsuccessful neck surgery in 1988 left Jerry paralyzed, he refused to give up and against all odds learned to walk again as a patient at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital. Jerry was inspired by his time at Magee and wanted to give back to help future patients. He combined his love for golf with his passion for helping others and thus, the first Jerry Segal Classic was held in 1990. The Classic is Magee’s largest fund-raising event, and over the past 30 years, the annual golf outing has raised more than $20 Million for the patients at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital.

Stephen Ernst, Esq.

Stephen Ernst is a partner at Segal, Berk, Gaines & Liss and a graduate of Temple University School of Law. Prior to beginning his study of law, Mr. Ernst attended the George Washington University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree. After graduating from GWU, Mr. Ernst began his career in the United States… (read more)

Steven Berk, Esq.

Steven Berk, Esq. is a retired partner at Segal, Berk, Gaines & Liss. He handled Civil Litigation, Business, Real Estate, Zoning, Liquor License Transactions and Commercial Transaction cases for the firm and is now serving as “Of Counsel.” Mr. Berk graduated from Dickinson College with a Bachelor of Arts. His degree was granted Magna Cum… (read more)

William Gaines, Esq.

William Gaines, Esq. has been with Segal, Berk, Gaines and Liss since 1973. In 1981, he became a name partner. Mr. Gaines has over 40 years of experience. Mr. Gaines graduated from American University’s School of Public Administration in 1969. He then attended Duquesne University where he obtained his Juris Doctor degree in 1973. His… (read more)

Patricia J. Cooney, Esq.

Patricia J. Cooney, Esquire is a partner at Segal, Berk, Gaines and Liss. She has been with the firm for over thirty-three years successfully litigating hundreds of civil cases including Jury Trials, Non-Jury Trials, Arbitrations and Mediation Hearings in both Federal and State courts. Ms. Cooney has also done appellate work before the Pennsylvania Supreme… (read more)

Derek S. Liss, Esq.

Derek Liss, Esq. is a partner at Segal, Berk, Gaines and Liss who specializes in personal injury cases, specifically focusing on auto accidents, premise liability and slip and fall cases. He also handles all of the family law cases which includes divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support and protection from abuse. Mr. Liss graduated… (read more)