Leffel, Michael D.

Current Legal Positions:

• Managing Principal of Vinsko & Associates, P.C. (2003-Present)
• Assistant City Attorney – City of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania  (2002-Present)
• Solicitor – Ashley Borough, Pennsylvania (2011-Present)
• Solicitor – Bear Creek Township, Pennsylvania (2004-Present)
• Solicitor – Democratic Party, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania (2008-Present)
• Assistant Legal Counsel – 6th Legislative District, Democratic Party of Luzerne County (2006-Present)
• President – Riverfront Abstract Company (2008-Present)

William E. Vinsko, Jr., Esquire is the Managing Principal and Founder of Vinsko & Associates, P.C. With extensive real estate, government, estate planning and business/corporate experience, Attorney Vinsko has handled numerous complex legal matters in these practice areas with significant decisions in the Commonwealth Court and Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.  He has served as an advisor and special counsel to various municipalities and businesses throughout the Commonwealth, and, 2002, was appointed as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Wilkes-Barre, becoming the youngest attorney to hold the position in the City’s history.  Attorney Vinsko’s experience in his areas of practice extends beyond his knowledge of the law, as he routinely handles litigation in these areas which are traditionally considered “transactional” areas of law. In 2008, he was named President of the Board of Directors of VPharm, Inc. an intuitional wholesale pharmacy with locations in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and Wilmington, DE.

As an extension of his government and municipal law practice, Attorney Vinsko has handled numerous high-profile election law matters in the areas of campaign finance reporting and ballot removal defenses.  Specifically his case, In Re Carroll, which he tried before the Commonwealth Court, has become one of the leading cases in election law finance reporting, being ultimately decided by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.  (See In Re Carroll, 586 Pa 624, 896 A.2d 566, May 2, 2006).  Additionally, Attorney Vinsko has become quite experienced in municipal matters regarding wind farms and windmill placement in Pennsylvania.  One of the leading cases regarding this arose during his current tenure as Solicitor to Bear Creek Township, Pennsylvania, which was appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.  His unique level of experience in this new area of law led to his being appointed as special counsel to municipalities throughout the Commonwealth which are dealing with windmill issues and ordinances. 

In 2012, Bill Vinsko ran for the United States House of Representatives in the 11th Congressional District of Pennsylvania.  In November, 2011, USA Today named Attorney Vinsko one of the formidable contenders in the 2012 Congressional Election Cycle.  However, on December 12, 2011, the current Congressman of the 11th District, the Governor of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Senate literally moved the boundary lines of the 11th Congressional District across the street from Vinsko’s home, moving him into the 17th Congressional District.  This questionable move was the focus of a front-page article in the Wall Street Journal in April, 2012. Though the move caused him to be unsuccessful in the Democratic Primary, Attorney Vinsko still remains active in government and politics.

Over the years, his practice has grown, but has become simultaneously specialized with a breadth of experience in certain areas.  Attorney Vinsko personally handles cases in the following areas of law: