PHILADELPHIA, October 27, 2026―Leigh M. Skipper, a partner in the Philadelphia office of Duane Morris LLP, has been appointed chair of the American College of Trial Lawyers Pennsylvania State Committee for 2026-2027. The committee focuses on evaluating and nominating prospective new fellows of the college, fostering collaboration among local members, promoting continuing legal education and supporting improvements within the justice system. Skipper’s term began at the conclusion of the 2026 annual meeting, held from October 22 to October 25, 2026, in New York City.
Founded in 1950, the American College of Trial Lawyers comprises the best of the trial bar from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and is widely considered to be the premier professional trial organization in North America. The college is an invitation-only fellowship. It thoroughly investigates each nominee for admission and selects only those who have demonstrated the very highest standards of trial advocacy, ethical conduct, integrity, professionalism and collegiality. It maintains and seeks to improve the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics and the administration of justice through education and public statements on important legal issues relating to its mission. It strongly supports the independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties to legal proceedings.
Skipper practices in the firm’s Trial Practice Group, White-Collar Criminal Defense, Corporate Investigations and Regulatory Compliance Division. He represents individuals and entities subject to compliance inquiries by local and federal law enforcement agencies, including NCAA enforcement actions and adverse employment complaints. Skipper defends companies and individuals in both civil and criminal trials. In addition to state jury trials, he has tried approximately 40 federal jury trials. Prior to joining Duane Morris, Skipper served as the chief federal defender for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. During his tenure, he oversaw one of the largest federal defender offices in the country and was responsible for the training, strategy and supervision of more than 65 attorneys as well as investigators, technology and administrative support staff in the trial, appellate and capital habeas units. He successfully defended hundreds of cases involving fraud, tax, corruption, drug and other offenses. Skipper was responsible for the training, management and selection of the attorneys on the Criminal Justice Act Panel and was accountable for all operational matters, including budgetary and personnel decisions.
About Duane Morris
Duane Morris LLP provides innovative solutions to today’s multifaceted legal and business challenges through the collegial and collaborative culture of its more than 900 attorneys in offices across the United States and internationally. The firm represents a broad array of clients, spanning all major practices and industries. Duane Morris has been recognized by BTI Consulting as both a client service leader and a highly recommended law firm.
