A legal battle has unfolded in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, as a plaintiff seeks justice against a defendant accused of vexatious litigation. Maureen Schlegel filed a complaint on March 31, 2025, in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County against Brian Sherred. The case stems from allegations that Sherred repeatedly pursued baseless legal actions against Schlegel, causing her undue financial and emotional distress.
The origins of this dispute trace back to a prior judgment where Sherred was awarded $4,692.25 against Maureen Schlegel and her husband Gary Schlegel. This decision was later appealed by Sherred, resulting in an adjusted award of $2,501.71 plus costs. Despite the court marking the judgment as satisfied on May 15, 2024, Sherred allegedly filed another complaint against Maureen Schlegel individually for the same cause previously litigated. According to Schlegel's complaint at CV-378-2024, this act was without legal basis and constituted intentional harassment.
Schlegel contends that Sherred's actions forced her to defend herself in what she describes as a meritless case barred by the doctrine of res judicata—a principle preventing re-litigation of cases already judged on their merits. She asserts that these actions led to unnecessary financial burdens totaling $750 in damages initially awarded by Judge Tom Swan at CV-378-2024 along with additional attorney fees amounting to $2,000 due to continued appeals by Sherred.
In her filing, Schlegel demands judgment in her favor for $2,790.25 plus costs and interest. Her attorney Eric A. Fischer argues that Sherred's conduct not only lacked legal justification but also amounted to reckless and vexatious behavior designed to harass his client further.
The attorneys involved include Eric A. Fischer representing Maureen Schlegel and presumably an unnamed counsel for Brian Sherred. The case is being overseen by judges including Tom Swan and Hertzberg with Case ID AR-25-002062.