Chena maintains a comprehensive labor and employment practice, and serves as a reliable resource for employers, helping to assess risk, establish best practices, and resolve contract disputes. When issues arise under collective bargaining agreements, Chena advises her clients throughout the entire grievance procedure. Chena evaluates discipline, contractual and job classification issues, and appears before arbitrators. Additionally, Chena represents employers in the full scope of employment contract, separation and discipline matters, including but not limited to, responding to complaints filed with the EEOC and PHRC, defending claims made under Title VII, Title IX, ADEA, ADA, FMLA, handling wage and hour disputes, and defending against unemployment compensation claims. Whether she is representing large institutional employers or small businesses, Chena is always focused on ensuring that her clients achieve the best possible outcome that is consistent with their overarching goals.
Combining litigation expertise and a commitment to helping people, Chena’s practice extends into insurance defense and general civil litigation. Chena represents insured individuals and companies in a variety of circumstances such as premises liability, general liability, and automobile accident liability. In all cases, Chena takes responsibility for the complete cycle of each matter handling complaints, motions, settlement discussions, discovery, depositions, trial, and appeals. Recognized for her skills and success, Chena is also engaged to represent parties involved in wide-ranging civil matters, including property, construction and contract disputes, family trust disagreements, and will contests.
Chena is motivated by being able to make a positive impact in an ethical manner, not only for her clients, but also for her profession and the larger community. She is an active member of and presenter for the Pennsylvania Bar Association Civil Litigation Section. In 2019, the Judges of the Centre County Court of Common Pleas selected Chena as the recipient of the John R. Miller, Jr. Civility Award, which is presented “in recognition of a lawyer’s continuing commitment to the highest ideals of civility, collegiality, and candor and unswerving dedication to client needs, while never losing sight of the highest professional standards.”
Chena currently serves as the litigation practice group chair for the firm.