Attorney Biography

Nancy C. DeMis, Esquire (Emeritus)

Ms. DeMis formally retired from the practice of law in 2022, except as to specific Pro Bono matters to which she devotes her time and expertise.

For inquiries please contact Nancy via our office number (610) 565-4600

Prior to her retirement, Ms. DeMis focused her practice on employment issues, including:

  • Employment Discrimination
  • Workplace Harassment
  • Employment Agreements
  • Civil Rights Claims
  • ERISA benefits
  • Wage Payment Claims
  • Medical Leave (FMLA)
  • COBRA Benefits Claims
  • Terminations
  • Non-Compete Agreements
  • Unemployment Compensation
  • Severance Agreements

Ms. DeMis attended the Law School of the University of California-Berkeley where she served a judicial internship with the Honorable Demetrios P. Agretelis, Superior Court of California, Alameda County.

In addition to achieving significant decisions in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Ms. DeMis represented lead plaintiffs in a class action against the Wet Seal clothing retailer, Cogdell v. Wet Seal, news report here.  The case was resolved in 2013 for $7.5 Million.   

Ms. DeMis is past president of the Guy G. deFuria Chapter of the American Inns of Court, a founder of the Delaware County Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Section, and a member of the National Employment Lawyers Association. She is regularly invited to speak on employment topics to lawyers by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Continuing Legal Education service, the Pennsylvania Bar Institute

Ms. DeMis has an AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell® peer review rating.   Selection criteria explained here.

In 2016, Ms. DeMis was honored to receive the Guy G. deFuira Award, presented annually to a trial lawyer or judge who, over the course of their professional career, has exemplified the ideals embodied by Guy G. deFuria, with a commitment to competence, civility, and professionalism.  Selection is by the officers of the Guy G. deFuria Chapter of the American Inns of Court.  

Since 2008, Ms. DeMis has been selected by her peers as a Pennsylvania SuperLawyer® in Employment and Employment Litigation: Plaintiff.  

Attorney Resume

Nancy C. DeMis, Esquire (Emeritus)

Retired (2022)
 
Schoenfeld, Surkin, Chupein & DeMis
25 West Second Street
P.O. Box 900
Media, Pennsylvania 19063
(610) 565-4600
 

EDUCATION:

University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) 
     Juris Doctor May 1984

University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
     B.S. Anthropology with distinction May 1978

BAR ADMISSIONS:

California and U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California – 1984 (inactive)
Pennsylvania and U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania – 1990
New Jersey and U.S. District Court for New Jersey – 1991
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit – 1995
Unites States Court of Federal Claims (Washington DC) – 2001

HONORS AND AWARDS:

AV Preeminent MARTINDALE-HUBBELL® Peer Review Rating

GUY G. deFURIA AWARD, deFuria Chapter of the American Inns of Court 2016

Pennsylvania SuperLawyer® Employment 2008-present

EMPLOYMENT 

SCHOENFELD, SURKIN, CHUPEIN & DeMIS, PC
Media, Pennsylvania 
      Shareholder since 1999 
      Associate 1994-1999
      Litigation and counseling on all aspects of employment, including Title VII,

      ADEA, ADA, FMLA, FLSA, ERISA, and § 1983, as well as severance, confidentiality and non-compete agreements.

FREY, PETRAKIS & DEEB, PC
Philadelphia, PA 
      Associate 1990-1993.

      General commercial litigation including ERISA and contract disputes.

DIAMOND, BENNINGTON & SIMBORG, PC 
Corte Madera, CA
      Associate 1985-1990.  

      Family Law & Civil Litigation practice with focus on appellate practice, tax and ERISA issues.

SEDGWICK, DETERT, MORAN & ARNOLD, PC  
San Francisco, CA
      Associate 1984-85.

      Litigation practice with focus on ERISA, insurance coverage and medical malpractice.

CLERKSHIPS:

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, Alameda County, California 
      U. C. Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) Judicial Extern Program 1993  

      Law clerk to the Honorable Demetrios Agretelis.

NATIONAL CENTER FOR YOUTH LAW, San Francisco, California 
      Summer 1981 

      Student clerk for Legal Services Corporation national impact litigation back-up center.

 

LECTURES & PUBLICATIONS:

From Assessment to Recoupment: Introduction to Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Practice and Procedure 

     Pennsylvania Bar Institute Employment Law Institute 2016

Religious Discrimination: Your Faith or Your Job!

     Pennsylvania Bar Institute Employment Law Institute 2015

Top Five Employment Considerations for  2015: Understanding Exposure and Limiting liability

     American Law Institute CLE Webinar 2015

Managing the Difficult Employee

     Pennsylvania Bar Institute Employment Law Institute 2013

Current Evidentiary Issues in Employment Law

     Pennsylvania Bar Institute Employment Law Institute 2012

What Every Lawyer Needs to Know about Unemployment Compensation

     Guy G. DeFuira American Inn of Court 2011

Use of Expert Witnesses

     Pennsylvania Bar Institute Employment Law Institute 2010

Employment Law for Family Lawyers 

     Family Law Section of the Delaware County Bar Association 2010

Reductions in Force

     Corporate Counsel Section of the Delaware County Bar Association 2009

Mediation Strategies for Employment Lawyers

      Pennsylvania Bar Institute Employment Law Institute 2009

Managing Client Expectations in Employment Claims

      Pennsylvania Bar Institute Employment Law Institute 2008

Employment Law Update

      Delaware County Bench-Bar Conference 2007

Employee Leave Issues: Managing Entitlements  

      Lorman Education Services Seminar 2005

Recognizing and Evaluating Actionable Workplace Discrimination

      Delaware County Bench Bar Conference 2004

Handling Long Term Disability Claims for Disabled Teachers
      Pennsylvania State Education Association 2004

Employment Issues for the Small Law Practice 
      Guy G. DeFuria Inn of Court 2004

Strategy from the Start: State vs. Federal Discrimination Litigation

      Pennsylvania Bar Institute Employment Law Institute 2002

Recent Developments in the Law of Sexual Harassment 
      Guy G. DeFuria American Inn of Court 2001 

 Personnel Law Strategies for Managers and Supervisors

      Lorman Education Services 2000 and 2002

Time Off: State & Federal Laws on Employee Leave, Vacations and Holidays

      Lorman Education Services 2001