Becky Kcehowski litigates complex commercial matters in U.S. courts and international tribunals and has 17 years of experience as trial counsel in class actions, multidistrict litigation, and cross-jurisdiction coordinated proceedings. She has defeated class certification in cases seeking hundreds of millions of dollars and successfully defended consumer, antitrust, mass tort, and economic fraud class actions, including class actions alleging violations of the Lanham Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Sherman Act, state and federal securities laws and consumer statutes, as well as common law products liability, toxic exposure, and contract claims. Becky has defended financial institutions in matters involving sophisticated financial instruments and worked for clients in the energy, manufacturing, technology, and health care industries. She leads all aspects of strategy and record development in opposition to class certification, from fact and expert discovery to briefing, damages, hearings, and trial, and has obtained court approval of complex class settlements.
Becky also has developed a national reputation representing policyholders in insurance recovery matters, with high-profile victories in disputes involving novel issues of law and hundreds of millions in recoveries. She has represented clients in all phases of insurance recovery, negotiating for coverage, drafting policy and transaction language, and seeking coverage in litigation.
Becky is Partner-in-Charge and head of litigation for the Pittsburgh Office. She is active in the community and coordinates the Pro Se Pro Bono ADR program for the Western District of Pennsylvania and has been honored by the court for her service. In addition, she serves on the boards of the Pittsburgh Public Theater, the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, and Junior Achievement.
Experience
Additional Publications
- April - June 2019
Mass Tort Defence, Mini-Roundtable, Corporate Disputes Magazine - April 2016
Commentary: Class Actions Worldview: Class Action Risks Are Growing Worldwide - November 14, 2014
ACBA Federal Courts Section CLE, Rule 23 Class Actions and FLSA Collective Actions: Overview, Differences, and Third Circuit Developments - November 2007
Bar License Requirements for In-House Counsel, coauthor, 27 Corporate Counsel Review 257
Speaking Engagements
- November 18, 2020
Jones Day’s 2020 Speaker Series: Recent Trends in Consumer and Economic Fraud Class Action Litigation: Arbitration and Settlements - June 10, 2020
Rule 23(b)(2) Injunctive Relief Class Actions: Recent Decisions, Approaches for Plaintiffs and Defendants - June 25, 2019
Jones Day and Duff & Phelps Class Actions - Collective Redress Webinar - June 11, 2019
Recent Trends in Consumer Fraud Class Actions - February 5, 2018
Emerging Trends in Consumer Fraud Class Action Arbitration - April 4, 2017
Emerging Trends in Consumer Fraud Class Action Litigation - November 17, 2016
Class Actions Worldview: Emerging Issues Across the Globe, Association of Corporate Counsel - September 2, 2016
Interpreting Spokeo: What is "Real Injury"? GA ICLE Class Actions Seminar - February 9, 2016
Class Actions Worldview: Emerging Trends Across the Globe and Key U.S. Issues, New England Legal Foundation - November 12, 2015
The Class Act: Practical Tips and Trends in Third Circuit Class and FLSA Collective Actions, Pennsylvania Bar Institute Employment Law West - November 14, 2014
Class and FLSA Collective Actions: Overview, Differences, and Third Circuit Developments, Allegheny County Bar Association Federal Courts Section - November 4, 2014
Electronic Discovery and Investigation in Noncompete Litigation, Association of Corporate Counsel CLE Panel - October 9, 2014
Tightening Trends in Class Certification or Business as Usual? --- A Mock Hearing, Western District of Pennsylvania Chapter of the Federal Bar Association - August 21, 2014
2014 Speaker Series: Pirates, Steelers, and Other Branding Concerns - November 2011
Effective Legal Research - June 2010
2010 Speaker Series: Critical Issues in Placing and Accessing D&O Coverage - May 14, 2010
The Impact of Your Words, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Minority Law Day Outreach Program, John A. Brashear High School - July 2009
Efficient Legal Research: Saving Clients and the Firm Time and Money - November 2007
Depositions: Goals, Functions, Strategy - January 2006
Eminent Domain after Kelo - April 2005
Courtroom Technology: Pennsylvania State Courts
- University of Virginia (J.D. 2002; Order of the Coif; University of Virginia Law Review editorial board member); Emory University (M.A. 1999; B.A. summa cum laude 1999)
- Pennsylvania; U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Second, Third, Ninth, and Eleventh Circuits; and U.S. District Courts for the Western, Middle, and Eastern Districts of Pennsylvania
The Legal Intelligencer — 2020 Pennsylvania Trailblazers and 2017 Lawyer on the Fast Track
The Legal 500 United States — commercial disputes (2020)
Acritas "Star Lawyer" (2017-2018) — recommended for "creativity and tenacity"
Best Lawyers in America — commercial litigation (2016-2021)
Pittsburgh Business Times — 2015 Fast Tracker
Law360 "Rising Star" — insurance (Top Lawyers Under 40) (2015)
2015 Junior Achievement National Bronze Leadership Award
- Law Clerk to Judge Beverly B. Martin, U.S. District Court, Northern District Georgia (2002-2003)