Gross McGinley is pleased to announce Attorney James M. Lavelle has joined the firm. Bringing nearly 20 years of versatile experience, Lavelle will serve the firm’s criminal defense, municipal and civil litigation clients, and work out of the firm’s downtown Allentown and Lehighton offices.“The firm is fortunate to have Attorney Lavelle join us,” says John F. “Jack” Gross, Managing Partner of Gross McGinley. “Just as we offer our clients a broad range of personal and professional legal services, Jim has practiced in diverse areas of law, adding value especially to our litigation and defense teams. We are confident our clients will benefit from his experience in the courtroom.”Lavelle’s career began at his family’s law firm Shutack & Lavelle in Carbon County, where he helped manage the firm and delivered legal services for businesses, municipal authorities, and individuals, most notably contract negotiation, entity formation, real estate transactions, and estate administration. From 2006-2012, Lavelle served as an Assistant District Attorney for Carbon County, with a trial conviction rate of over 90% and prevailing in appellate matters before the Pennsylvania Superior Court. He transitioned into a financial career in the greater Boston area, and has been practicing law privately since 2020.Passionate about the community, Attorney Lavelle provided pro bono services for indigent parties in Boston Housing Court and guardianships, as well as volunteers with the Philadelphia-based Gift of Life Donor Program. He looks forward to advocating for criminal defendants and individuals needing representation in Carbon, Lehigh, Northampton and Montgomery counties.Attorney Lavelle earned a B.A. from Tufts University and J.D. from Villanova University School of Law.