News & Blog

Ask AI for Information. Ask A Lawyer for Judgement.

September 15, 2026

Why artificial intelligence is a powerful legal tool, but not a substitute for experienced counsel Ask an artificial-intelligence program a legal question and, within seconds, it can produce an impressively written answer. It may identify statutes, discuss court decisions and even draft a contract, will or legal brief. The answer may be correct. It may be partly correct. It may also be completely wrong while sounding authoritative. That is both the promise and the danger of generative AI. It is an extraordinarily useful tool, but it is not a lawyer. It does not understand your objectives, owe you professional duties or accept responsibility when its answer is wrong. AI Can Sound Right When It Is Wrong Programs such as ChatGPT generate answers by identifying patterns and predicting likely language. A general-purpose AI model is not inherently a verified legal database, and polished writing should not be confused with researched legal […]

Michael J. Kowalski Named 2027 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs

September 8, 2026

WILKES-BARRE, PA — August 20, 2026 — Michael J. Kowalski, Esquire, a founding member of the Wilkes-Barre law firm Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen, LLC, has been named the 2027 Best Lawyers@ “Lawyer of the Year” in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs. The recognition marks the second consecutive year that Attorney Kowalski has been selected as a Best Lawyers@ “Lawyer of the Year” following his selection as the 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” in Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs. Kowalski’s back-to-back recognition in two separate practice areas reflects the breadth of his experience representing individuals and families throughout Pennsylvania in complex personal injury and medical malpractice litigation. The Best Lawyers@ “Lawyer of the Year” designation is one of the publication’s most distinguished honors. It is awarded annually to a single lawyer in each practice area and designated geographic area who receives the highest overall peer feedback for that practice area. The […]

Michael J. Kowalski, Esquire – 2026 Best Lawyers in America® Recipient Named Lawyer of the Year for Medical Malpractice in Northeastern Pennsylvania

September 3, 2025

The law firm of Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen, LLC, is happy to announce that Michael J. Kowalski, Esquire has been selected as the Best Lawyers® 2026 Lawyer of the Year for medical malpractice in northeastern Pennsylvania. This distinguished honor is awarded to lawyers with the highest peer review ratings in their practice areas. Michael J. Kowalski, Esquire is a founding partner in the law firm of Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen, LLC, where he specializes in complex litigation including medical malpractice. He has been recognized for his exceptional work in complex cases, which has helped clients achieve significant results in high stakes matters. “I am deeply honored and grateful to be recognized by my peers as Lawyer of the Year”, said Kowalski. “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of my entire career, and I look forward to continuing to serve our clients with the highest level of […]

Attorney Michael Kowalski Selected a 2025 Pennsylvania Super Lawyer

June 2, 2025

WILKES-BARRE, PA – May 30, 2025 – Distasio, Kowalski &Yelen LLC is pleased to announce that Attorney Michael J. Kowalski was named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer for the 17th consecutive year. He has been top-rated in the categories of Personal Injury Attorney and Medical Malpractice. Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen handles the most complex cases, including birth injury, medical negligence, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and auto and truck accident cases. Attorney Kowalski has appeared before state and federal courts throughout Pennsylvania on behalf of seriously injured clients and victims of malpractice. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers in more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only the top 5% of attorneys are selected to the Super Lawyers list each year. The objective is to create a comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys. Candidates are first nominated by […]

Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen Law Firm Recognized in 2025 Best Law Firms Rankings

November 21, 2024

WILKES-BARRE, PA – November 19, 2024 – Distasio, Kowalski &Yelen LLC (DKY Law) has been recognized for excellence in the 2025 edition Best Law Firms rankings in the categories of Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs. Independently produced by Best Lawyers, the Best Law Firms edition holds considerable significance in the legal industry, serving as a benchmark for excellence, and providing a comprehensive guide of the top performing law firms across 127 practice areas and 188 local jurisdictions. Law Firms are selected for inclusion based on a meticulous review process that includes client feedback, peer reviews, industry leader interviews and comprehensive analysis of law firm data. Best Law Firms not only assists clients in making informed decisions regarding the selection of legal representation, but also recognizes the work of firms that have displayed superior performance. About DKY Law Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen LLC is located at […]

Shielding Yourself on the Road: How to Protect Yourself from Uninsured Drivers

September 27, 2024

When we get behind the wheel, we assume that other drivers on the road are following the same safety guidelines, including having the necessary insurance coverage. However, that assumption may be dangerously wrong. Unfortunately, the number of uninsured drivers and underinsured drivers is on the rise, leaving responsible drivers exposed to significant financial risks. In the unfortunate event of an auto accident, the financial aftermath can be devastating, especially if the at-fault driver is inadequately insured or worse, not insured at all. Understanding how to shield yourself from uninsured drivers is crucial for safeguarding your finances and ensuring peace of mind. Thankfully, there are effective measures to protect yourself from these risks, with one of the most potent being the acquisition of uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. The Growing Problem: Uninsured Drivers and Underinsured Drivers The issue of auto accidents involving uninsured and underinsured drivers is a growing concern […]