The Philadelphia office of Eckert Seamans is well positioned to handle the diverse legal needs of its clients in Pennsylvania's Delaware Valley region. The attorneys in this office provide representation to clients across Pennsylvania, often by working with attorneys in Eckert Seamans’ offices in Pittsburgh, West Chester and Harrisburg. Many of the attorneys based in the Philadelphia office are also admitted in New Jersey and regularly handle New Jersey transactions and matters in New Jersey state and federal courts.

The attorneys in the Philadelphia office offer a broad range of legal experience, practicing in such diverse areas as litigation, business law, environmental law, estates and trusts, real estate, bankruptcy, and labor and employment.

Litigation

The office's litigation practice provides representation to a broad range of national and international clients in federal and state courts. The office’s attorneys have earned a reputation for their expertise in litigating mass tort, environmental, toxic tort, commercial, professional liability, products liability, creditors' rights, bankruptcy, premises liability, insurance coverage, franchise, employment, construction defects, civil rights, defamation, First Amendment and municipal matters. Attorneys in the office are experienced with alternate dispute resolution proceedings.

The Philadelphia office handles a wide variety of commercial litigation including business disputes, corporate governance litigation, intellectual property litigation and securities matters. In the product liability area, our Philadelphia attorneys serve as regional and national trial counsel for manufacturers of consumer products, industrial equipment and motor vehicles. In mass tort litigation, our Philadelphia attorneys serve as national, regional and local counsel for pharmaceutical and other defendants and have coordinated the defense of thousands of lawsuits pending in state and federal courts. Our professional liability practice lawyers represent health care providers, lawyers, accountants, and other professionals in counseling and litigation throughout the region.

Business Law

The Philadelphia office's business law group has experience in private and public securities offerings and other financing transactions, as well as merger, acquisition and commercial transactions. They have represented clients in financings from initial seed capital and venture capital infusions, through initial and secondary public offerings. The business law group frequently represents founders and key executives of new business ventures. They also provide advice regarding regulatory compliance and other issues arising under federal and state securities laws. Philadelphia based attorneys also provide counseling in computer, internet and e-commerce law and licensing.

Intellectual Property

The firm’s Philadelphia-based Intellectual Property practice serves individuals, corporations, universities and other organizations, nationally and internationally, in the rapidly expanding arena of U.S. and foreign patents, trademarks and copyrights. In addition, the group handles matters including intellectual property enforcement and defense against charges of infringement, licensing agreements, software and hardware marketing problems, technology transfers, validity and infringement studies and unfair competition and trade secret disputes. Notably, Roberta Jacobs-Meadway has been recognized for several years running by Chambers USA: Americas Leading Lawyers for Business for being at the “top of her field” and the “best trademark attorney in Philadelphia.” Through interviews with her clients, the publication also noted her “impressive and excellent quality” work, spanning trademark, unfair competition and trade dress issues. “She is incredibly organized, bright and pragmatic,” and is recognized nationally as an authority on trademarks and has played a significant role in many big cases.

Bankruptcy

The Philadelphia office's bankruptcy attorneys represent clients in bankruptcy courts throughout the United States. Working with the firm's Delaware office, our lawyers regularly represent creditors in large bankruptcy proceedings. Our representations have led to involvement in some of the largest Chapter 11 cases in history. We are also regularly involved in matters which cross national borders. On the debtor side, our attorneys have handled the largest prepackaged Chapter 11 reorganization ever filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Estates and Trusts

The firm offers a full range of estate planning and administration services, providing guidance in the areas of retirement planning, preparation of wills, trusts, advance directives for health care, general and limited powers of attorney, lifetime gifting strategies and guardianship proceedings. In conjunction with the tax and business lawyers, they assist companies and their owners with succession planning and buy-sell agreements.

Real Estate

Attorneys in the firm's real estate group handle all aspects of real estate practice, including major commercial development, representing borrowers and lenders and structuring workout arrangements. They frequently represent buyers, sellers, real estate brokers, lessees, lenders and owners, such as apartment building and shopping center owners and condominium associations. The group has particular experience in representing clients in connection with approvals, permits from municipalities, especially the City of Philadelphia.

Labor and Employment

The Philadelphia office’s employment practice provides representation to employers, executives and others in employment litigation and administrative agency proceedings as well as counseling and preventive assistance concerning routine and problematic legal issues arising in the workplace. Attorneys are frequently called upon to advise clients regarding personal policies, hiring, firing and termination issues and compliance with federal and state employment laws. The office’s attorneys have handled a wide variety of employment cases in federal and state courts. The office also handles labor issues arising from organizational drives and unionized workplaces.

Professional Liability

Eckert Seamans’ Professional Liability practice is anchored in Philadelphia by Peter Hoffman. The Professional Liability group regularly defends claims against professionals, including claims of professional malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, securities violations and accounting wrongdoings, among many other issues. The firm represents physicians, nurses, dentists, podiatrists and other health care professionals; accountants; lawyers; clergy; insurance brokers and agents; architects; engineers, and other service professionals.