Overview

Clients rely on Silvio Trentalange to navigate complex disputes with clarity and strategy. With extensive experience representing clients on both sides of the “v,” he delivers practical, business-minded litigation solutions that protect reputation and long-term interests. From pre-litigation through trial and appeal, Silvio blends sharp legal insight with practical judgment, earning trust as both a problem-solver and long-term advisor.

Silvio Trentalange is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Department, where he represents clients in complex civil matters across commercial litigation, regulatory investigations, employment disputes and white-collar defense. Clients value Silvio’s ability to translate complicated legal challenges into actionable strategies that support broader business objectives. By focusing on practical outcomes and informed decision-making, Silvio provides guidance that protects what matters most to his clients. He serves a range of clients, including regional businesses, public entities and multinational companies.

Silvio brings a business-minded approach to litigation, beginning each matter by understanding the client’s underlying transaction, risk tolerance and strategic priorities. He is known for gaining early control of the facts and identifying compelling arguments that can shape the trajectory of a dispute. Clients often describe working with Silvio as steady and collaborative. He listens closely, communicates clearly and brings structure to uncertain situations.

Before joining the firm, Silvio worked as a plaintiff’s lawyer, an experience that taught him how to anticipate opposing arguments, stay focused on storytelling and view every case from multiple angles. That early training continues to shape his practice today, giving him a unique perspective on strategy, empathy and advocacy. Silvio takes pride in serving the Philadelphia legal and business communities and helps clients present narratives that resonate both in court and the communities where they operate.

Representative Experience

Commercial Litigation

  • Achieved a major precedential win in the Third Circuit, successfully defending PATCO and the DRPA by securing affirmation that FELA does not apply to PATCO’s rapid transit system. This appellate victory not only preserved a District of New Jersey dismissal but also provides impactful clarity for transportation entities on the limits of FELA liability. See Est. of Schroeder by & through Tucker v. Port Auth. Transit Corp, 149 F.4th 341 (3d Cir. 2025).
  • Successfully litigated preliminary injunction to enjoin defendant from commencing construction on a building that would have unlawfully obstructed client’s use of an easement.
  • Represented a New Jersey warehouse and logistics company in a replevin action concerning lift truck equipment that resulted in a favorable outcome for the client.
  • Defended a Pennsylvania pharmaceutical company in a fraudulent transfer matter that resulted in a resolution prior to discovery.
  • Defended a family-owned food distribution partnership in a matter concerning minority shareholder oppression and breach of fiduciary duty claims, which resolved shortly after filing a motion to dismiss the complaint.
  • Representing an Australian company that sells pain relief products in the United States in a false advertisement matter and brought counterclaims against the competitor for tortious interference and abuse of process.
  • Representing a Pennsylvania medical device manufacturer in a breach of contract, tortious interference, and unfair competition lawsuit.
  • Representing a commercial-grade room air conditioner manufacturer in a breach of contract and design defect lawsuit in New Jersey.

Institutional Clients

  • Representing the District Attorney’s Offices of Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties, and the City of Philadelphia, in the Pennsylvania Coordinated Opioid Litigation against national opioid manufacturers and distributors, which concerns claims against defendants for public nuisance and Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law violations. 

Right-to-Know Law Litigation

  • Successfully litigated preliminary injunction to enjoin defendant from improperly disclosing confidential, proprietary, and trade secret information in response to a Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law Request.
  • Representing a Pennsylvania newspaper and its publisher as the Right-to-Know Law requester in a matter concerning public access to police body camera footage under Act 22.
  • Representing a Pennsylvania biotech company asserting its third party rights over confidential proprietary and trade secreted information implicated by a Right-to-Know Law request. 
  • Representing a national online real estate marketplace company in obtaining property and tax records through various states’ freedom of information laws

Employment Litigation

  • Successfully defended a multi-state medical cannabis company in lawsuit concerning Pennsylvania Whistleblower Law and employment discrimination and retaliation claims in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

Professional & Community Activities

  • Advisory Board Member, First Tee of Greater Philadelphia 
  • Member, Justinian Society
  • Member, Philadelphia Bar Association
  • Member, National Constitution Center
  • Member, The Supreme Court Historical Society
  • Member, Holy Ghost Preparatory School Alumni Association
  • Volunteer, Philly VIP
  • Volunteer, First Tee of Greater Philadelphia

Publications

  • Courts Validate Arb Agreements, but Ways to Avoid Forced Arbitration Still Exist, The Legal Intelligencer, Jan. 8, 2019 (co-author)
  • In NJ, Arbitration Clauses Cannot Be Hidden In Fine Print, Law360, Jan. 28, 2019 (co-author)
  • After ‘Lamps Plus,’ Employees Must Again Consider Arb Agreement Options, The Legal Intelligencer, May 30, 2019 (co-author)

Professional Recognition

  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2023-2025

Representative Experience

Commercial Litigation

  • Achieved a major precedential win in the Third Circuit, successfully defending PATCO and the DRPA by securing affirmation that FELA does not apply to PATCO’s rapid transit system. This appellate victory not only preserved a District of New Jersey dismissal but also provides impactful clarity for transportation entities on the limits of FELA liability. See Est. of Schroeder by & through Tucker v. Port Auth. Transit Corp, 149 F.4th 341 (3d Cir. 2025).
  • Successfully litigated preliminary injunction to enjoin defendant from commencing construction on a building that would have unlawfully obstructed client’s use of an easement.
  • Represented a New Jersey warehouse and logistics company in a replevin action concerning lift truck equipment that resulted in a favorable outcome for the client.
  • Defended a Pennsylvania pharmaceutical company in a fraudulent transfer matter that resulted in a resolution prior to discovery.
  • Defended a family-owned food distribution partnership in a matter concerning minority shareholder oppression and breach of fiduciary duty claims, which resolved shortly after filing a motion to dismiss the complaint.
  • Representing an Australian company that sells pain relief products in the United States in a false advertisement matter and brought counterclaims against the competitor for tortious interference and abuse of process.
  • Representing a Pennsylvania medical device manufacturer in a breach of contract, tortious interference, and unfair competition lawsuit.
  • Representing a commercial-grade room air conditioner manufacturer in a breach of contract and design defect lawsuit in New Jersey.

Institutional Clients

  • Representing the District Attorney’s Offices of Philadelphia and Allegheny Counties, and the City of Philadelphia, in the Pennsylvania Coordinated Opioid Litigation against national opioid manufacturers and distributors, which concerns claims against defendants for public nuisance and Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law violations. 

Right-to-Know Law Litigation

  • Successfully litigated preliminary injunction to enjoin defendant from improperly disclosing confidential, proprietary, and trade secret information in response to a Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law Request.
  • Representing a Pennsylvania newspaper and its publisher as the Right-to-Know Law requester in a matter concerning public access to police body camera footage under Act 22.
  • Representing a Pennsylvania biotech company asserting its third party rights over confidential proprietary and trade secreted information implicated by a Right-to-Know Law request. 
  • Representing a national online real estate marketplace company in obtaining property and tax records through various states’ freedom of information laws

Employment Litigation

  • Successfully defended a multi-state medical cannabis company in lawsuit concerning Pennsylvania Whistleblower Law and employment discrimination and retaliation claims in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

Insights