ABOUT DAVE AIKENS
I love what I do for a living. Every day, I have the opportunity to help people with legal problems. To know that I have been able to help thousands of clients through difficult times is incredibly rewarding for me, and it is why I still have a passion for practicing law after all this time.
After graduating from Villanova University School of Law in 1994, I moved to Northeastern Pennsylvania and took a position with a law firm in Scranton. My work consisted of defending insurance companies in personal injury cases. I soon realized that I much preferred to represent individuals who needed help in fighting those insurance companies. In 1996, I began working with a well-respected personal injury firm. During my time there, I represented people injured in automobile and truck accidents, victims of medical malpractice and people harmed by unsafe products. I was able to help the people who needed it most.
Although I loved the work, I wanted to be a trial lawyer. I wanted to be in the courtroom. Most lawyers practicing today have not tried many cases. In 1998, I went to work as a prosecutor. I was still a young lawyer at the time, and this is where I learned my way around the courtroom. I was in court constantly, trying cases ranging from misdemeanors to homicides. The trial experience was invaluable.
In 2001, armed with my trial experience, I returned to private practice to continue my passion for helping regular people fight for justice against powerful corporations, hospitals and insurance companies. Over the next several years, I worked on complex medical malpractice, trucking and automobile accident matters, as well as a variety of other personal injury cases. During that time, I recovered millions of dollars for my clients.
Five years ago, I decided to pursue my passion on my own. I left the large-firm environment to start my own practice, and broaden my practice areas beyond personal injury. I started out working in a spare room in a friend’s office, with my laptop and a folding table. I had three cases, one of which was pro bono.
The first couple of years were difficult, but I slowly built up my practice. To this day, 95% of my work comes from referrals from other lawyers and former clients. Over the past 21 years, I have tried over 50 cases to verdict, and have worked very hard to establish my reputation for integrity, excellence, experience and compassion. It is gratifying to know that lawyers and clients see this and continually refer new matters to me. Since opening my practice, not only have I again been able to recover millions of dollars for my personal injury clients, but also I have worked with hundreds of individuals on family law matters, criminal cases, estate planning, discrimination cases and employment issues. I have worked with many businesses, both large and small, on contract disputes, business formation, employment matters and various litigation cases. Today, due to much hard work and perseverance, I have a busy and successful practice.
If you are reading this, it is because you have a legal problem. If you have a legal problem, it is most likely a very stressful and frightening time in your life. You need the best lawyer possible for your particular situation – one with the integrity, excellence, experience and compassion to guide you through this difficult time. I am confident that I am that lawyer. That is why my motto is “Solutions.” I would be honored to help you find a solution to your legal problem.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Ithaca College, B.S. Accounting, 1991 – graduated cum laude
Villanova University School of Law, 1994 – Associate Editor of Law Review; winner of school-wide Moot Court Competition
Legal Experience
- 1994-1996 – Associate – Kreder, Brooks, Hailstone & Ludwig – Scranton, PA
- 1996-1998 – Associate – Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn – Kingston, PA
- 1998-2001 – Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney
- 2001-2011 – Partner – Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn
- 2011-Present – Owner – Dave Aikens Law Offices
Volunteer/Pro Bono Work – (1) Vice President, Board of Directors – Commission on Economic Opportunity – Wilkes-Barre, PA; (2) Back Mountain Free Legal Clinic