Ralph C. Surman, Jr. is a Senior Associate in the Commercial Litigation Practice Group at The Lynch Law Group. Ralph has more than 7 years of experience litigating complex commercial disputes, contractual matters, and business torts in state and federal courts across Pennsylvania, including in the U.S. District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of Pennsylvania and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
Prior to joining The Lynch Law Group, Ralph was an associate at Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP and K&L Gates LLP, both in Pittsburgh. He earned his Juris Doctor from West Virginia University College of Law, where he was inducted into the Order of the Coif and served as a Senior Managing Editor of the West Virginia Law Review. Ralph received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Washington and Jefferson College.
Ralph’s practice encompasses all aspects of commercial litigation, including contractual disputes, business torts, insurance recovery, internal investigations, and regulatory compliance matters. He has represented clients across various industries such as oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, construction, banking, and religious institutions. Ralph guides clients through each stage of litigation, including pre-suit negotiations, discovery, motions practice, trials, and appeals.
In addition to his litigation experience, Ralph previously owned and operated multiple pizza franchises, providing him with firsthand business acumen that informs his pragmatic approach to commercial disputes. He understands the needs of businesses and works to resolve complex matters efficiently and cost-effectively.
Ralph is adept at all phases of the litigation process, from initial case assessment and strategy through discovery, motions practice, mediations, trials, and appeals. His responsibilities include managing large scale document collections, preparing and defending key witness depositions, drafting dispositive motions, and handling court appearances and hearings.
He is a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
A Pittsburgh native, Ralph currently resides in the South Hills. Clients can meet with Ralph at the firm’s Southpointe office in person or via Zoom.
