Derrick Howard, Esq.
Senior Managing Director | Mediator | Arbitrator | Trial Attorney
Introduction
Derrick Howard is the Senior Managing Director of Pathway Legal Solutions, PLLC, where he provides mediation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services across Pennsylvania and South Carolina. With more than 30 years of legal experience, Mr. Howard brings a rare combination of trial advocacy, complex litigation experience, compassion, and academic leadership to the resolution of family, civil, and business disputes
Experienced Mediator and Arbitrator
At Pathway Legal Solutions, Derrick Howard focuses on family law mediation, civil mediation, and arbitration, helping clients resolve disputes involving custody and parenting plans, divorce and post-judgment matters, real estate conflicts, small business and employment disputes, HOA matters, and community-based conflict resolution.
His mediation approach emphasizes fairness, confidentiality, cultural competence, and durable agreements, with a strong commitment to equity and access to justice.
Mr. Howard is a certified mediator and arbitrator, trained through Upstate Mediation Center and the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and regularly designs and delivers CLE programs and conflict resolution workshops for attorneys, organizations, and community groups. He is known for guiding parties through high-conflict situations with clarity, professionalism, and respect.
Trial and Litigation Background
Before founding Pathway Legal Solutions, Mr. Howard spent decades as a trial attorney and litigation strategist at nationally recognized law firms, including:
- Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP
- Doepken Keevican & Weiss, P.C.
- Post & Schell, P.C.
His practice included securities litigation, complex commercial disputes, insurance defense, class actions, arbitrations, and federal and state jury trials. He has chaired trials and arbitrations in federal and state courts, argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and prepared matters for resolution through trial, motion practice, settlement negotiations, and ADR.
Mr. Howard also served as Founding Partner of Howard & Hosay, LLC, representing individuals, nonprofits, churches, charter schools, and national institutions in real estate litigation, probate and Orphans’ Court matters, landlord-tenant disputes, commercial litigation, civil rights cases, and consumer claims. This hands-on litigation experience informs his mediation style and enhances his credibility with both represented and pro se parties.
Legal Education and ADR Leadership
In addition to his litigation background, Derrick Howard held senior academic and administrative leadership roles at Emory University School of Law, including:
- Chief Diversity Officer
- Director of Externship Programs
- Director of Professionalism Programs
- Associate Dean for Academic Programs & Students
He oversaw experiential legal education programs involving more than 1,100 courts, agencies, nonprofits, and law firms, and trained future attorneys in professionalism, ethics, negotiation, trial skills, and conflict management.
Mr. Howard previously served as Associate Dean for Experiential Education and Associate Dean for Student Administration at Valparaiso University Law School, and as Assistant Dean of Student Services, Associate Professor of Law and Director of Externship Programs at Appalachian School of Law, where he taught Alternative Dispute Resolution, Evidence, Conflict of Laws, and litigation-focused courses.
Commitment to Resolution-Focused Advocacy
Derrick Howard is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania, with extensive federal court experience, and continues to volunteer as a mediator while contributing to professional organizations focused on ethics, professionalism, and dispute resolution. His work at Pathway Legal Solutions reflects a career-long commitment to helping clients resolve conflict efficiently, respectfully, and with lasting results.