Blackwell & Associates: Washington, PA Attorney Spotlight

Last updated July 21, 2026

For more than 25 years, Blackwell & Associates has operated out of Washington, Pennsylvania, building a reputation in criminal defense, family law, and personal injury that extends well beyond the county line. The firm sits at 6 S Main St, Suite 321, Washington, PA 15301, directly across the street from the Washington County Courthouse, a location that reflects how deeply the practice is woven into the local legal landscape. Clients from Washington, Westmoreland, Fayette, Allegheny, and Greene counties have turned to this office when the stakes are high and the need for honest, attentive counsel is real.

What separates Blackwell & Associates from larger regional firms isn't volume. It's the kind of relationship-driven representation that makes clients feel like people rather than case numbers. Judges, police, and other attorneys in the area have recommended the firm, a fact the practice notes plainly on its website without fanfare. That kind of peer recognition, earned over decades of courthouse work, carries a different weight than any advertising could.

History and Founding of Blackwell & Associates in Washington, PA

Christopher L. Blackwell graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1987. Before opening his private practice, he served as a Judicial Law Clerk in the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, giving him firsthand knowledge of how the local bench operates. He established the firm in the Washington Trust Building and has practiced in Washington County for over 25 years since.

The firm's second attorney, Peter V. Marcoline III, followed a similar path. A 2002 graduate of the Dickinson School of Law, Marcoline also served as a Judicial Law Clerk in the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County before joining Blackwell & Associates. Both attorneys came up through the same courthouse they now regularly appear in, which gives the firm an institutional familiarity with local procedure that newer practitioners simply don't have.

Legal Services and Specialties at Blackwell & Associates

The firm concentrates its practice in three core areas, each of which demands a different skill set and a different kind of client relationship.

• Criminal Defense: From misdemeanor charges to serious felony cases, the firm handles the full spectrum of criminal matters in Washington County and surrounding jurisdictions. The attorneys' backgrounds as former law clerks give them a working understanding of how local judges approach sentencing and evidentiary questions.
• Family Law: Divorce, custody, and asset division are among the most stressful legal situations a person can face. The firm handles these cases with the kind of personal attention that clients describe as going beyond the professional. One client credited attorney Pete Marcoline with saving his home during a divorce proceeding, a concrete outcome that speaks to the firm's willingness to fight for practical results.
• Personal Injury: For clients dealing with the aftermath of an accident, the firm works to secure compensation while keeping clients informed throughout the process. Thoroughness and communication are qualities reviewers consistently mention in this context.

The firm's website also notes that its services have been recommended by judges, police, and other attorneys, a rare trifecta of professional endorsement that reflects long-term credibility rather than a single high-profile case.

Team and Leadership

• Christopher L. Blackwell, Founding Attorney: Pitt Law graduate, class of 1987. Former Judicial Law Clerk, Court of Common Pleas of Washington County. Has practiced in Washington County for over 25 years. Member of the Pennsylvania State Bar Association and the Washington County Bar Association.
• Peter V. Marcoline III, Attorney: Dickinson School of Law graduate, class of 2002. Former Judicial Law Clerk, Court of Common Pleas of Washington County. Recognized as one of the finest young attorneys in Washington County, a characterization backed by his case load and track record.

Beyond the two named attorneys, reviewers frequently mention the support staff as part of what makes the firm work. The front-facing team earns praise alongside the attorneys, which suggests the firm operates as a cohesive unit rather than a solo practitioner with administrative backup.

Milestones and Track Record

• Christopher Blackwell graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1987 and began his legal career as a Judicial Law Clerk in Washington County.
• The firm has served clients in Washington County for over 25 years, building relationships with the courts, local law enforcement, and the broader legal community.
• Peter Marcoline joined the firm after his own clerkship in the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, deepening the firm's bench strength in local litigation.
• Blackwell & Associates is a member of both the Pennsylvania State Bar Association and the Washington County Bar Association, maintaining active standing in the professional organizations that govern practice standards in the region.

What Customers Say About Blackwell & Associates

The firm's Google reviews reflect a pattern worth paying attention to: clients don't just describe competent legal work, they describe a relationship. The word 'family' comes up more than once, and the specificity of the outcomes people mention, a home saved, a case handled with honesty, a process explained from start to finish, suggests these aren't generic five-star posts.

The entire staff treats you like family not a client they will work with you on anything they can... Pete saved my home and literally my life.

- James Wade

If you're in need of legal assistance, do not hesitate to call them... you will not be disappointed!!!

- Kevin Moore

10/10 would recommend. Very thorough and will communicate with you throughout the entire process.

- Malerie Williams

Kevin Moore's note about the firm not being focused on 'just making money' is the kind of observation that tends to come from someone who has worked with attorneys who were. And Malerie Williams' emphasis on communication speaks directly to one of the most common frustrations people have with legal representation: not knowing what's happening with their own case. Blackwell & Associates appears to treat that as a basic obligation rather than an extra service.

One review also highlights the firm's standing with local courts, noting that the attorneys 'have great relationships with everyone that matters in the court and are trusted.' That kind of local credibility isn't built in a year or two.

Location and Community in Washington, PA

The office is located at 6 S Main St, Suite 321, Washington, PA 15301, directly across the street from the Washington County Courthouse. That proximity isn't incidental. For clients dealing with active cases in Washington County, having their attorney steps away from the courthouse is a practical advantage. Filings, hearings, and in-person consultations all become more manageable when the office and the court are on the same block.

The firm serves clients across a five-county region: Washington, Westmoreland, Fayette, Allegheny, and Greene. That reach reflects the firm's capacity to handle matters that cross county lines, whether a criminal case originating in one jurisdiction or a family law matter involving parties in different counties.

Membership in the Washington County Bar Association keeps the firm connected to the local legal community in an ongoing way. Bar association involvement means staying current on local rule changes, participating in professional development, and maintaining the professional relationships that support effective advocacy in local courts.

Why Choose Blackwell & Associates in Washington, PA

Two things stand out about Blackwell & Associates that are harder to find than they should be in legal representation. First, both attorneys came up through the Washington County court system as law clerks before they ever appeared as advocates. They know the institution from the inside. Second, the firm treats communication as part of the job, not an add-on. Clients know what's happening with their cases because the staff makes it a point to keep them informed.

For anyone in Washington County or the surrounding region facing a criminal charge, a family law matter, or a personal injury claim, the firm at 6 S Main St offers something straightforward: experienced attorneys who know the local courts, a staff that treats clients as people, and a track record built over more than two decades of practice in the same community they serve.

Customer quotes shown above are from public Google reviews.