Bethany R. Nikitenko

Bethany Nikitenko represents individuals and families who have been catastrophically injured by medical malpractice, auto and motor vehicle accidents, unsafe buildings, defective products and sexual abuse. She has secured many significant verdicts and settlements in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that have provided her clients with financial security and the resources for future medical care.

Bethany joined Feldman Shepherd in August 2019, after establishing a well-earned reputation as a formidable trial attorney. She has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star every year from 2013 through 2021 and a Super Lawyer in 2022. Bethany additionally was honored as a Lawyer on the Fast Track by The Legal Intelligencer in 2017. She is a prolific writer and lecturer for legal publications and seminars.

Bethany’s commitment to helping people in need has led her to engage in numerous volunteer activities. She is a volunteer attorney for Philadelphia VIP, an organization that helps low-income Philadelphians access free legal services, and was honored with the organization’s Champion Award in 2022. She serves as a member of the Development Committee for Women Against Abuse, an organization which advocates for victims of domestic violence in Philadelphia. She also serves on the Executive Board of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Jewish Committee (AJC). Bethany received the AJC’s 2017 Murray Friedman Emerging Leader Award for demonstrating integrity, creativity and leadership in her service to others. For all her volunteer work, Bethany was the recipient of the 2018 Craig M. Perry Service Award from the Philadelphia Bar Association.

Bethany chairs the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Board of Governors. Previously she served on the association’s Young Lawyers Division Executive Committee.

When she is not practicing law, serving her community, writing, lecturing or taking on leadership positions, Bethany can be found hitting the gym and competing annually in the 10-mile Broad Street Run.

Bethany earned a B.A. in Political Science magna cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh, where she received the John P. Bracken Undergraduate Political Science Award for academic achievement and commitment to public service. She earned her J.D. cum laude from Temple University Beasley School of Law, where she was a member of the Temple Law Review and earned numerous Oral Advocacy and Distinguished Class Performance Awards.

Bethany is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. She has also been admitted pro hac vice to represent clients in Massachusetts, Virginia and Florida.

Education

Temple University Beasley School of Law, J.D. (cum laude), 2007

University of Pittsburgh, B.A. (magna cum laude), 2003

Admissions

New York, 2020

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2008

Pennsylvania Supreme Court, 2007

New Jersey, 2007

Affiliations

Philadelphia Bar Association
Board of Governors, 2021 – Present
Chair, Board of Governors, 2022 – 2023

Young Lawyers Division Executive Committee, 2020 – 2022
Vice Chair of the Young Lawyers Division Executive Committee, 2021

Lawyers’ Club of Philadelphia
Board of Directors, 2024

Women Owned Law
Board of Directors, 2022 – Present

Philadelphia Trial Lawyers
Committee Chair, Small and Solo Committee, 2018 – 2019

American Jewish Committee, Philadelphia Chapter
Executive Board, 2015 – Present

Women Against Abuse
Development Committee Member, 2015 – Present

Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
Certified Arbitrator, 2014 – Present

Awards

Super Lawyers
Thomson Reuters, 2022

Super Lawyers Rising Star
Thomson Reuters, 2013 – 2021

Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch,
US News & World Report, 2022

Champion Award
Philadelphia VIP, 2022

Craig M. Perry Service Award
Philadelphia Bar Association, 2018

Lawyer on the Fast Track,
The Legal Intelligencer, 2017

Murray Friedman Emerging Leader Award,
Philadelphia Chapter of the American Jewish Committee, 2017

Pro Bono Honor Roll for the First Judicial District of Philadelphia,
2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Volunteer of the Month,
Philadelphia VIP, September 2016

Publications

Networking Post-Covid: Why In-Person Events Still Matter
The Legal Intelligencer, August 25, 2022

Protecting Consumers from Predatory Debt Collection Lawsuits
Philadelphia Bar Reporter, July 2022

Five Practice Pointers for Representing Survivors of Sexual Abuse
The Verdict, Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association,  July 2022

Estate of Henry v. Colangelo, et. al.
The Verdict, Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association, 2022

The Hidden Dangers of Infant Sleep Products: Tips to Win Your Case and Save Lives
The Legal Intelligencer, January 18, 2022

Arbitration Agreements: Can a Parent Sign Away a Child’s Right to a Jury Trial?
The Legal Intelligencer, November 3, 2021

Responding to Forum Non Coneniens Motions in the Time of COVID-19
The Verdict, Volume 2020-2021, Issue 5

Editorial Board Member
Young Lawyer Supplement, The Legal Intelligencer, 2016 – 2020

7 Reasons Not to Fear Virtual Depositions in Medical Malpractice Cases
The Legal Intelligencer, 2021

7 Doable (Yes, Doable) New Year’s Resolutions That Will Advance a Young Lawyer’s Career
The Legal Intelligencer, 2019

Litigation Strategies for the Personal Injury Plaintiff Who Declines Opioids
The Legal Intelligencer, 2019

Drafting Demand Letters That Get Results
The Verdict, Volume 2018-2019, Issue 2

Child Abuse Bill: A First Step. But Debate Must Continue
The Legal Intelligencer, 2016

Speaking Engagements

Don’t Panic: Effective Trial Techniques for Young Lawyers, Feldman Shepherd CLE, 2019

Quantifying Damages, National Business Institute, 2018

Handling Lien Claims and Subrogation Issues, National Business Institute, 2018

Civil Damages: Considerations for Law Clerks, First Judicial District CLE, 2018

Maximizing Pain and Suffering and Loss of Earnings, National Business Institute, 2018

Drafting Demand Letters, National Business Institute, 2018

Handling Lien Claims, National Business Institute, 2017

Quantifying Pain and Suffering Damages, National Business Institute, 2017

Winning Medical Malpractice Cases, Pennsylvania Association for Justice Annual Medical Malpractice Seminar, 2017

Legislative Case Law and Regulatory Trends, National Business Institute, 2017

Practical Life Lessons from a Litigator, Union League of Philadelphia, 2017