Biography
Tereasa Rerko is a partner at Quatrini Law Group. She currently concentrates her practice in the area of Social Security Disability, helping those with a disability that limits their ability to work to claim benefits. She has advocated for people suffering a wide range of illnesses, including, but not limited to: breast cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, Bi-Polar Disorder and other mental health conditions, fibromyalgia, epilepsy, knee and back injuries, and heart conditions. In addition, Tereasa completed her M.A. degree in Conflict Resolution and now serves as a third-party neutral in mediation matters.
Tereasa received her B.A. in Political Science, cum laude, from PennWest California (formerly California University of Pennsylvania) in 1979 and her J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law in 1984. She obtained her M.A. in Conflict Resolution, with honors, from PennWest in 2020. Tereasa was recently elected to the PennWest Alumni Association Board of Directors for her second three-year term and is currently serving as the President of the Association.
Tereasa is a member of the Westmoreland Bar Association (WBA) and Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA). She is a co-author of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute publication Fee Agreements in Pennsylvania, Workers’ Compensation Chapter. Tereasa has consistently been listed in Who’s Who of American Lawyers in every year since 1997 and as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer since 2015.
Tereasa is active with the United Way of Southwestern PA, having previously served on the Board of Directors and currently serving as a member of its affinity group, Women United. She previously sat on the Board of Directors of accessAbilities, Inc., serving as Vice-President and chair of the Board Development Committee, as well as a member of the Board of Directors for the accessAbilities Foundation, its sister agency.
Tereasa was involved with the former Girl Scout Council of Westmoreland for more than 17 years. She served two three-year terms as President of the Board where she initiated and finalized the Council’s first strategic planning effort. During her tenure, she has also served as Nominating Committee Chair and Member at Large of the Board. Tereasa has served several terms on the Board of Directors of ParentWise of Westmoreland County. Tereasa has been a member of the Zonta Club of Westmoreland, an invitation-only International Women’s Organization whose mission is service to both the local community as well as the world community. She has been a member of the Executive Women of Westmoreland, a local affiliate of the National Association of Female Executives. She previously served as Chair of the Westmoreland County Commission for Women and Families.
Tereasa lives in Bullskin Township with her husband, Thomas, and son, Patrick. She is active in her church, the Partner Parishes of St. Pius X and Visitation of the B.V.M in Mt. Pleasant, where she serves as a lector as well as a member of the Finance Council, and previously served as a catechist for the Children’s Liturgy of the Word program.
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Education
- J.D., Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University (formerly Duquesne University School of Law), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1984
- M.A., cum laude, Conflict Resolution, PennWest California (formerly California University of Pennsylvania), California, Pennsylvania, 2020
- B.A., cum laude, Political Science/Pre-Law, PennWest California (formerly California University of Pennsylvania, California), Pennsylvania, 1979
Published Works
- Co-Author, Fee Agreements in Pennsylvania, Workers’ Compensation Chapter, Pennsylvania Bar Institute
Representative Cases
- Fink v. WCAB (Vinal Pride and State Auto Insurance Company), 1998
- Lickenfelt v. Astrue, WL 2275538, 2008, Western District of Pa.
Honors and Awards
- Who’s Who of American Lawyers, 1997 – present
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, 2015-present
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Westmoreland Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
- National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR)
- Mediation Council of Western PA
Pro Bono and Community Activities
- Alumni Association of PennWest (formerly California University of Pennsylvania)
- Board of Directors, 2019 – Present
- President, 2023 – Present
- accessAbilities, Inc.
- Board of Directors, Past Member, past Vice President
- Past Chair, Board Development Committee
- accessAbilities Foundation
- Board of Directors, Past Member
- ParentWise of Westmoreland County, Board of Directors, Past Member
- Zonta Club of Westmoreland, Past Member
- Executive Women of Westmoreland, Past Member
- National Association of Female Executives, Past Member
- Girl Scout Council of Westmoreland, Chair, 1998 – 2004
- Westmoreland County Commission for Women and Families, 2006 – 2014
- United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania
- Past Board Member
- Women’s Leadership Council of United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, 2013 – Present
- Lector & Catechist, Children’s Liturgy of the Word Program, Partner Parishes of St. Pius X and Visitation of the B.V.M. in Mt. Pleasant