Biography

Joseph J. Peluso, Jr. is an Associate in the firm’s Healthcare Group, focusing his practice on representing hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare professionals and entities with medical malpractice claims.

Prior to joining Burns White, Mr. Peluso was a Compliance Analyst Attorney for a regional healthcare system where he reviewed, drafted and negotiated various contracts.  He also provided guidance to senior leadership, healthcare practitioners, and managers across the system in the areas of compliance, supply chain, finance, physician network, and pharmacy.  Mr. Peluso also served as an Assistant Public Defender with the Allegheny County Office of the Public Defender where he represented all persons unable to obtain legal counsel in any criminal action where representation is constitutionally guaranteed. During his time with the Public Defender’s Office he practiced in the Office’s Pre-Trial and Appellate Divisions defending clients with charges ranging from summary offenses to major felonies. Mr. Peluso also served as a Judicial Law Clerk with the Indiana County Court of Common Pleas for the Honorable (later President Judge) Thomas M. Bianco and Honorable Senior Judges Joseph A. Nickleach, Thomas M. Piccione, and Timothy P. Creany.

Mr. Peluso earned his Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University School of Law. As a law student Mr. Peluso was a Staff Writer and Student Articles Editor for the Duquesne Business Law Journal, authoring a published article addressing the unionization of college athletes. In addition, Mr. Peluso was a certified legal intern in Duquesne Law’s award winning Veterans Court Program, an innovative treatment court program offered through the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas which brought together district attorneys, public defenders, peer mentors, law enforcement officers, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs representatives, and counselors to help veterans facing legal trouble with a focus on lowering the recidivism rate among participants. He also interned with the Honorable Harry F. Smail Jr. in the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas.

He received his Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Healthcare Administration from Seton Hill University, and his Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from the University of Notre Dame.

Mr. Peluso is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.