Michael D. Dautrich
Michael was born in Reading, Pa, and graduated in 1988 from the former Mt. Penn High School. After high school, Michael attended Franklin & Marshal College and graduated in 1992. He then attended and graduated law school in 1995 from Widener University School of Law.
While Michael was in law school, he was employed for two years with the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, which is the enforcement arm of the State Police that enforces citations against Pennsylvania Liquor Licensees. In that capacity, Michael became a certified legal intern and personally handled many hearings for the State Police. In addition, in his role enforcing the liquor code, Michael gained insight into how to defend a licensee with regard to liquor license matters. Since coming into private practice, Michael has practiced in liquor license work, including but not limited to transfer applications, nuisance bar defense, and liquor license citation defense.
Michael D. Dautrich, Esquire has been in private practice since 1996. Prior to beginning private practice, Michael was a law clerk for the Honorable Scott D. Keller in the Berks County Court of Common Pleas.
Over the past 24 years in private practice, Michael has participated in hundreds of civil and criminal hearings throughout Eastern Pennsylvania. He has handled numerous jury trials in both civil and criminal courts, including personally handling numerous murder trials. Michael is death penalty certified under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure as experienced enough to handle death penalty cases. Michael is a past Chairman of the Berks County Bar Association Criminal Law Section.
In his personal injury practice, Michael has successfully recovered millions of dollars for his clients. In workers' compensation cases, Michael has made some of the most substantial settlements in Berks County and is a past chairman of the Berks County Bar Association Workers Compensation Section.
Criminal Defense
- All Felonies
- DUI/DWI
- All Misdemeanors
- Death penalty
- Thefts
- Assaults
- Gun charges
- Drugs
Personal Injury
- Automobile Accidents
- Wrongful Death
- Products Liability
- School district Liability
- Civil Rights Claims
Workers' Compensation Claims
Liquor License Transfers and Citations
Bar Admissions:
Pennsylvania, 1996
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1998
U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 2000
Education:
Widener University School of Law, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, J.D.
Honors:
Cum Laude
Law Journal: Editor, 1994-1995, Widener Journal of Public Law, 1993 - 1995
Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA, USA, 1992, B.A.
Published Works:
The "Innocent Owner" Defense in Civil Drug Forfeitures After United States v. 92 Buena Vista Avenue:
Still An Uphill Battle For Third-Party Claimants
Widener Journal of Public Law, Volume 3, No. 2, 1994
Fraternities:
Kappa Sigma
Charities:
Blankets of Hope, Board Member and Secretary 2012 - present
