Meadville, PA

Benjamin L. Costello

Benjamin L. Costello is a 1974 graduate of Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law. He joined the firm upon graduation and became a partner, practicing primarily in workers' compensation and estates until his retirement at the end of 2020. He served as managing partner for many years and was a frequent guest speaker on workers' compensation, delivering over 120 presentations. He is recognized as a Workers Compensation litigator by Best Lawyers in America and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review.

J. Scott Leckie

J. Scott Leckie is a 1976 graduate of Dickinson School of Law, focusing primarily on Workers' Compensation with an emphasis on occupational lung diseases. He is a nationally recognized authority on Federal Black Lung law and regulations, having lectured to bar associations in several states. He served as Chairman of the Workers Compensation Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association from 1993-1994. He is listed as a recognized Workers Compensation litigator by Best Lawyers in America and holds an AV Preeminent rating of 4.8 out of 5.0 from Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review.

Craig Murphey

Craig Murphey is a trial lawyer with over 25 years of experience. Before joining Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C., he was a partner at a large Erie law firm, defending personal injury cases, especially those involving car, truck, and motorcycle accidents with deaths or catastrophic injuries. He also advised insurance carriers on various claims and handled cases that shaped Pennsylvania auto insurance law. He has extensive experience with insurance bad faith cases. Now, with Purchase George & Murphey, P.C., he uses his expertise to help accident victims, policyholders, and insureds in personal injury, property damage, bad faith, and other insurance claims, as well as representing clients in business disputes. He is recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® and Pennsylvania Super Lawyer.

Eric Purchase

Attorney Eric J. Purchase represents individuals and families suffering from injury or the death of a loved one. He was born and raised in Erie County, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Gannon University in 1988 and received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1991, graduating with honors. He served as editor of the University of Pittsburgh Law Review and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. Before founding his own practice in 2006, he was a trial lawyer with one of Erie’s largest law firms, representing insurance companies and employers. He now focuses on representing individuals and families in cases against insurance companies and corporations, including auto accident, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and personal injury cases. He also handles commercial litigation. Mr. Purchase has lectured on various legal topics and serves at high levels in Pennsylvania trial lawyer associations.

Tim Riley

Tim Riley is a member of Purchase George & Murphey, P.C., with a practice involving civil trial and appellate work in state and federal courts. He is admitted to practice before all Pennsylvania state and federal courts, as well as the United States Supreme Court. He graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh and received his law degree in 1978. He was previously a founding shareholder at Conner Riley Friedman & Welchler. He is a Fellow of The American College of Trial Lawyers and board certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy since 1991. He is a past President of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, Erie County Bar Association, and Pennsylvania Bar Foundation. He has received multiple President's Awards from the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Milton D. Rosenberg Award.

Tim George

Tim George is a senior partner at Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C., focusing on protecting the rights of people hurt in car, truck, and motorcycle accidents, and defending those facing felony, misdemeanor, and DUI charges. He served as an Army lawyer in Iraq. He is rated 10/10 by Avvo and holds the highest rating for ethics and legal ability (AV-Preeminent®) from Martindale-Hubbell. He is also listed as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer® in criminal defense.

Philip Friedman

Philip B. Friedman is a highly regarded trial attorney focusing on federal and state criminal defense, personal injury, and wrongful death litigation across Pennsylvania. He handles various criminal offenses including DUI, vehicular homicide, drug possession/distribution, and diversion of medication. A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and former chairman of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, he has been actively involved in numerous professional organizations. He is a past president of the Erie County Bar Association and a past member of the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. He holds AV Preeminent peer review rating from Martindale Hubbell and a 10.0 “superb” peer review rating from AVVO. He is also an avid triathlete and world champion in his age group.