ATTORNEYS
Joseph R. "Jay" West
Esquire
EDUCATION
Juris Doctorate: University of Pittsbugh School of Law.
MA: Princeton Theological Seminary.
BA: The College of Wooster.
In 1993, Jay West established West & Zuberbuhler, P.C. with Ann Zuberbuhler West, Esquire.
West & Zuberbuhler, P.C. is a general practice law firm with its primary practice in the areas of Estate Planning and Administration, Real Estate Law, and all aspects of Divorce and Custody. Jay has extensive experience representing clients in hearings, trials and litigation and advises individuals, businesses, and organizations in a variety of legal matters.
Since creating West & Zuberbuhler, P.C. the law firm has gained a reputation for high-quality legal services and sensitivity to the financial impact that legal fees have on its clients. As a result of its reputation, it is a law firm to which our existing clients refer others and other lawyers refer legal work.
Jay West is licensed to practice law in all courts of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Prior to establishing West & Zuberbuhler, P.C., his professional experience included clerkships at the Pittsburgh law firms of Meyer, Darragh, Buckler, Bebenek & Eck and Meyer, Unkovic & Scott. Upon graduation from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, he commenced his legal career as an associate in the Litigation Section of the Pittsburgh law firm of Thorp, Reed & Armstrong. He later served as Corporate Counsel for what was then one of the nation’s fastest-growing retail corporations where he worked to establish and managed the nationwide claims and litigation section of the Corporate Legal Department.
Jay West has a “Distinguished” Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, Recognized by his Peers in the Legal Profession for Excellence in Both Legal Ability and Ethical Practice.
Jay West's Areas of Practice:
Estate Planning and Administration: Since 1995, a significant part of Jay West’s practice has been focused in the areas of Estate Planning and Estate Administration. His practice in these areas includes the drafting of Wills, Wills with Tax Shelter Trusts, Wills with Trusts for surviving spouses and children, Living Trusts, and the drafting of Financial and Medical Powers of Attorney and Living Wills. He also provides legal services in the Administration of Estates and in Estate Litigation. For more than 20 years, Jay has worked closely with clients and their accountants and financial advisers to tailor Estate Plans to the personal needs of his clients.
Land Use and Real Estate: Jay represents property owners in both simple and complex matters related to the purchase and sale of real estate, in land ownership and boundary disputes, and in matters related to zoning and land use. He represents clients in the negotiation and drafting of agreements of sale and in the purchase of real estate. His engagements have included representing one of the world’s largest independent power producers in a change of zoning and land use matters related to a $500 million proposed plant construction; the subdivision of land related to a $200 million proposed plant renovation project; and, the filing of declaratory judgment and quiet title actions for individuals related to property line disputes and disputes over the ownership of real estate. He represents developers, owners, and contractors in zoning and land use matters related to residential, commercial, condominium, and multi-unit residential developments and construction.
Divorce and Family Law: Since 1993, Jay West and West & Zuberbuhler, P.C. have provided thorough, effective, and, when needed, aggressive representation to clients facing separation, divorce, and child custody issues. The firm has more than 40 years of combined legal experience. Their experience enables our attorneys to handle Divorce and Custody cases with sensitivity to the unique needs of each of our clients and the ability to resolve the difficult issues that arise when our clients are confronted with separation and divorce. We initially seek results through meticulously planned and creative negotiation. When necessary, we aggressively litigate our clients’ claims in court. Whether the issues in Divorce or Custody are simple or complex, we work with our clients to bring the appropriate resolution of all issues, as cost effectively as possible.
Civil Litigation: Jay has represented clients in medical malpractice cases, serious personal injury cases, and in business and construction litigation. His clients include individuals and large and small businesses in commercial and construction actions. In the area of Medical Malpractice, he has represented the parents of deceased children in wrongful death cases and patients who suffered life-changing injuries due to medical negligence.
Jay West's Education and Personal Information::
Jay West is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law where he obtained his Juris Doctor Degree. Prior to obtaining his law degree from Pitt, Jay obtained a Master of Arts Degree at Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey and his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio. At Wooster, Jay played on the Varsity Baseball and Golf teams. He is a graduate of Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
Jay is married and he and his wife Ann Zuberbuhler West, Esquire have three children. He has been active in the Presbyterian Church and has served in leadership roles in the Churches of which he has been a member, as an ordained Elder, and President of a church Board of Trustees. His interests include golf, reading, and music, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates, and the Pitt Panthers.
Jay West and West & Zuberbuhler, P.C. welcome the opportunity to serve you.
Contact Us to schedule a free initial consultation.