Weir Greenblatt Pierce LLP is pleased to announce that it has won a significant victory on behalf of a client who was denied a sixth year of eligibility to play college football this fall. On July 13, 2022, the NCAA granted the appeal of Brandon Outlaw, who had requested that the NCAA reverse a decision by the University of Southern California finding him ineligible to play, citing Brandon’s prior participation in both track and field and football. In reversing the university’s decision, the NCAA found that Brandon had been denied “multiple participation opportunities” due to his financial hardship and the COVID-19 pandemic. The ruling means that Brandon will be allowed to suit up and play football this fall for the Trojans.
Brandon’s lawyers, Brett A. Datto and Jennifer Hiller-Nimeroff, complimented the NCAA for its swift and careful consideration of the facts of Brandon’s case and noted that both legal and equitable factors played a key role in the matter. Mr. Datto has been representing athletes at the local, state and national levels for over 30 years, and currently represents several current and former semi-professional and professional athletes in personal and business matters. Ms. Hiller-Nimeroff is an experienced lawyer with nearly 25 years of litigation experience, representing the interests of individuals and businesses in complex legal matters.
Alan will continue to concentrate his practice on civil rights litigation, criminal defense in state, federal, and international tribunals, as well as the representation of students with special needs.
With a successful career spanning 37 years, Alan has tried cases ranging from death penalty homicides to complex municipal liability police misconduct cases. He has also briefed and/or argued appellate matters before the United States Supreme Court, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, the Pennsylvania Superior Court, and the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague.
Alan has successfully litigated over 15 police shooting cases, recovering substantial compensation for victims and their families. On three separate occasions, he has also obtained federal jury verdicts against the City of Philadelphia on so-called Monell claims by showing a pattern and practice of police misconduct and the City’s failure to properly train or discipline its officers, placing him among the most successful attorneys in Philadelphia on these challenging claims.
“When my long-standing partner, Howard Popper, decided to retire, I wanted to find a new professional home for my practice. I wanted to join a firm with an impeccable reputation, immense resources, and a substantial practice. Ron and his firm hit all my criteria. Plus, the opportunity to work with Pat Pierce, who I have admired and collaborated with for years, was a great incentive to join the firm. I am thrilled,“ said Mr. Yatvin.
Said WGP Managing Partner Ron Greenblatt, “Alan Yatvin has long been recognized as one of the leaders in the civil rights and criminal defense bar. We are thrilled to be working with a lawyer of his stature in the legal community. His extensive knowledge of Pennsylvania, federal and international courts, coupled with his amazing success in his areas of practice will greatly benefit our firm and clients. Personally, Alan and I have been friends for over 30 years. I look forward to working with him on a daily basis and getting his input as we work to serve our clients and community.”
In addition to his US clients, Alan also practices at the international criminal courts, where he has represented accused persons before the ICTY and the International Criminal Court (ICC), both in The Hague, and the Extraordinary Chambers in the Court of Cambodia (ECCC) in Phnom Penh, also known as the Khmer Rouge Tribunal.
After graduating from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York City in 1983, Alan served as an Assistant Philadelphia and Federal Defender before entering private practice. He was managing partner of Popper & Yatvin from its founding in 1988 through 2020. A frequent lecturer on police misconduct litigation and trial advocacy skills, he is the recipient of the 2012 Thurgood Marshall Criminal Justice Award from the Philadelphia Bar Association, where he has been a member since 1987. The Court of Common Pleas for the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) presented Alan with the 2010 Pro Bono Publico Award. Alan has been selected to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List every year since 2004. Alan is also a member of the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Referring to Alan in a special education appeal, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit wrote: “[W]e note that the litigation here was conducted by highly qualified and experienced counsel…” M.R. v. Ridley Sch. Dist., 868 F.3d 218, 230 n.9 (3d Cir. 2017).
Alan was a member of the National Board of Directors of the American Diabetes Association from 2015-2017 and continues to represent special needs students and their parents, with a concentration on the rights of students with diabetes. He is a resident of Philadelphia.
Founded in 1996 as an aggressive criminal defense law practice, Greenblatt, Pierce, Funt and Flores, LLC has grown into a full-service law firm offering individuals assistance in virtually all areas of criminal, employment, personal injury, civil rights, and family law. The firm has three offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Visit