January 2025 Spotlight

Mrs. Deidre Hakimi, Assistant Principal at Easton Area High School, is being recognized for her exceptional contributions to both the school and the district. Mrs. Hakimi exemplifies outstanding leadership, with her unwavering commitment, innovative approach, and compassionate demeanor making her an invaluable asset to our community.

Effective Communicator:
Mrs. Hakimi excels in fostering open, transparent communication with students, parents, staff, and the wider community. Through her thoughtful approach, she ensures all voices are heard and valued, cultivating a culture of trust and collaboration within the school environment.

Innovative Problem Solver:
When challenges arise, Mrs. Hakimi demonstrates a remarkable ability to think creatively and implement practical solutions. Her innovative strategies address both immediate concerns and long-term objectives, leading to sustainable improvements that benefit the entire community.

Empathetic Collaborator:
Mrs. Hakimi stands out as a model of empathy in action. She builds strong, supportive relationships with students, staff, and families, taking the time to understand each individual’s unique perspective. Her genuine care fosters an inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels respected and supported.

Lifelong Learner and Leader:
Mrs. Hakimi’s commitment to continuous professional development and lifelong learning sets a powerful example for others. She actively seeks opportunities to enhance her skills while motivating her colleagues to do the same. Her dedication to growth ensures the school and district maintain their high standards of educational excellence.

In every aspect of her role, Mrs. Hakimi consistently exceeds expectations, showing unparalleled dedication and making a profound impact. Her efforts have not only elevated the high school but have also strengthened the district as a whole, thanks to her time spent in the classroom as well. It is an honor to recognize and celebrate her as a true leader in education.

John Pinto is a proud product of Pennsylvania’s public school system and a graduate of Easton Area High School, where he is also honored as a member of the Easton-Phillipsburg Football Hall of Fame. An athlete throughout his life, including competing in football and wrestling at the collegiate level, John continues to support EAHS athletics through speaking engagements and sponsorships whenever possible.

John earned his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 2004 and graduated magna cum laude from Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law in 2007, ranking in the top five percent of his class. After law school, John stayed in Philadelphia to begin his legal career, joining the prestigious international defense firm, Dechert LLP. There, he represented several Fortune 500 companies in product liability, mass tort litigation, and other complex matters. However, John soon discovered that his true passion lay in advocating for individuals, not corporations. Before founding VSCP LAW in 2021, John spent over a decade exclusively focused on representing individuals and families in catastrophic personal injury claims.

As an Effective Communicator, John excels in making complex legal concepts accessible, ensuring that his clients, colleagues, and community members are always well-informed. His ability to foster open and transparent communication is central to his success in delivering justice for those who need it most.

John’s practice is driven by a passion for representing the most vulnerable members of society—infants and young children who have suffered life-altering injuries or death due to medical negligence. He works tirelessly to secure financial stability for these children and to ensure they receive top-tier medical care throughout their lives, showing his dedication as an Empathetic Collaborator. John takes the time to understand the unique needs of his clients and works closely with them to navigate the complexities of their cases with care and compassion.

John’s approach to problem-solving showcases his strength as an Innovative Problem Solver. He is constantly thinking creatively to address the challenges his clients face, ensuring that his strategies are both effective and sustainable. By focusing on long-term outcomes, John works to create lasting improvements for his clients and their families.

In his work, John also demonstrates himself as a Creative & Critical Thinker, developing new strategies and refining old ones to ensure his clients’ cases are handled with the highest level of expertise. He thrives in high-pressure situations, always finding ways to think outside the box and push for the best results.

One of John’s most important values is his role as a Continuous Leader. He is always seeking to improve his knowledge and skills, which not only benefits his clients but also inspires his colleagues to pursue their own professional growth. John’s leadership extends beyond his legal practice, as he actively mentors others in the field and engages with the broader legal community.

John co-founded VSCP LAW to continue fighting for justice for everyday people, providing exceptional legal representation and empowering individuals to assert their rights. As an Empowered Citizen, John is deeply committed to serving his community, ensuring that ordinary people have a voice in the legal system when they have been harmed by the misconduct of others.

In addition to his work as a catastrophic injury lawyer, John is an active educator. He recently served as a member of the distinguished faculty at the Pennsylvania Association for Justice’s 2022 Annual Medical Malpractice Seminar. John has also been a guest lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law, where he taught a tort class to first-year law students, focusing on medical malpractice. Through these roles, he continues to demonstrate his commitment to the legal field and his drive to inspire the next generation of lawyers.