About J. W. Alberstadt
J. W. Alberstadt Jr. has spent more than four decades in Pennsylvania’s legal community. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Gannon University in 1976 and a J.D. from Dickinson School of Law in 1979. Those credentials set the stage for a steady, courtroom-facing career in Erie and beyond.
He began practicing law the year he finished law school, joining Quinn Law Office in 1979. The early years of his career were spent building a docket and a reputation for handling matters that required persistence and attention to detail. Over time his work expanded to include litigation in Pennsylvania state courts and in the federal system, where he is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Alberstadt moved into firm leadership over the years. In 2009 he became a partner at MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton. That role placed him in the middle of a larger practice and afforded him a broader platform for litigation and client counseling. He has combined courtroom work with responsibilities that come with partnership, including mentoring younger lawyers and contributing to firm strategy.
His involvement extends beyond private practice. He serves as a director of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, a position that connects him to civil legal services across the state. In Erie he has been a visible presence in bar activities. He is a director and a past chairman of the Erie County Bar Foundation and holds membership in the Erie County Bar Association. He also maintains memberships in the American Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
Colleagues describe him as steady and pragmatic in court. He has handled a range of civil matters and stays active in litigation before both state and federal courts. His years of practice have given him familiarity with procedural work and the rhythm of trial calendars in the region.
Today he practices at MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton, where he continues to represent clients in Pennsylvania courts and in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He splits his time between casework, firm responsibilities, and service with legal and charitable organizations in Erie.
