John William Pelino, Founder and Chairman, was born January 5, 1932 in Rochester, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the steel town of West Aliquippa. His family was in the restaurant business from which he enjoyed a lifelong interest in good food and learned the best habits of hospitality, which served him well in later life when he represented some of the finer restaurants in Philadelphia.

John graduated from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh in 1953 and served a tour of duty in the United States Air Force, in which he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant and served as a Legal Claims Officer. After his discharge from the Air Force, John attended the Dickinson School of Law. John was Editor-in-Chief of the Dickinson Law Review and graduated in 1959 at the top of his class.

From law school, he was recruited by a Philadelphia law firm, enticed by a salary of $5,000 per year, at a time when lawyers of Italian descent were rare in the corridors of large law firms.

Through his hard work and success, John rapidly attracted a following in the trucking and food industry, specializing in labor law in a more combative era of labor relations, including the city-wide strike by the Teamsters in the 1960s and the violent destruction of a hotel construction site in King of Prussia. John's advocacy was critical in obtaining several landmark injunctions which still stand as important precedent.

In 1968, John started his own firm, joined in 1970 by Martin Lentz, who describes John as one of the preeminent lawyers of his day: "The best thing about being his client is that it eliminated the risk that he might show up on the other side." John was not only a fierce litigator, but also a shrewd negotiator and trusted business advisor. He was a counselor in the fullest sense, equally adept in the courtroom and boardroom, handling both complex jury trials and multi-million dollar corporate transactions. Even in the most pressured situations, John maintained his patience and insight, as well as his good humor. He disarmed judges, friends and adversaries alike with his sharp wit and photographic recollection of the smallest detail.

Under John's leadership, Pelino & Lentz grew with its clients, notably Keystone Foods, which now boasts in excess of $2.5 billion in worldwide sales. His clients included Reading Anthracite Company, Philadelphia Health Care Trust, the Board of Directors of City Trusts, and many other businesses and individuals. No matter how large or small the client or matter, John demanded that all receive the utmost effort and service.

John also had an insatiable appetite for life: his family, books, music, movies, restaurants and fine food and wine. His non-stop activity included traveling with family and friends, mountain biking, roller-blading and skiing.

Pelino & Lentz, proudly continues John's legacy and commitment to the highest standards of professional excellence and service.