Printable Biography
Biography
Over the last 20 years, Patricia Hamill has represented many of the country’s largest insurers, Fortune 500 companies, and corporate executives and employees in the defense of complex commercial matters, including class actions, securities fraud cases, insurance bad faith claims, RICO actions and business disputes, employment litigation, directors and officers’ liability actions, and breach of contract suits. She has achieved successful outcomes, including dismissals and denials of class certification, on behalf of national insurance companies in multi-million dollar nationwide consumer class actions in courts across the country. Patricia also has a substantial white collar criminal defense practice, representing companies, corporate officers and employees in federal grand jury, state, and agency investigations, and conducting internal corporate investigations.
Representative Matters include the following:
- Defeated class certification in Pennsylvania state court on behalf of national insurer in consumer class action alleging breaches of contract and fiduciary duty based on insurer’s calculations of variable annuity death benefits.
- Won dismissal of nationwide consumer class action in Florida state court on behalf of insurer with respect to variable universal life insurance product and alleged inadequate disclosures regarding premium tax charges. Dismissal was affirmed on appeal.
- Won dismissal of nationwide consumer class action in federal district court in Iowa on behalf of leading securities and investment firm in case alleging misrepresentations and omissions in sale of variable annuity products. Dismissal was affirmed on appeal by Eighth Circuit.
- Defeated class certification in nationwide consumer class actions in federal district court in Georgia and state court in Kentucky on behalf of insurer in series of cases alleging misrepresentations in sale of universal life insurance policies. Also obtained summary judgment in Kentucky action in favor of insurer.
- Won dismissal on forum non conveniens grounds of nationwide consumer class action in New Mexico state court on behalf of insurer in suit alleging failure to disclose modal premium charges. That case has not been re-filed.
- On-going representation of leading insurer in another nationwide consumer class action suit in New Mexico state court alleging breach of contract and failure to disclose modal premium charges.
- Achieved voluntary dismissal of claims pending against an international consumer and commercial financing company in class action suit in federal district court in New Jersey relating to the alleged illegality of late fee charges for equipment leasing.
- Represented insurer in nationwide consumer class action in federal district court in North Dakota in suit alleging omissions and misrepresentations in sale of, and subsequent rate increases on, long-term care policies sold in mid-1980s.
- Represented debt management company in consumer class action in federal district court in Pennsylvania relating to claims arising under the Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA), the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), and unfair trade practices statutes.
- On-going representations in securities class actions in federal district court in Pennsylvania, including representing former officer sued by shareholders, bondholders, and financial institutions regarding asset-backed financing, and related actions.
- On-going representation of former chief financial officer in securities class action in federal district court in Pennsylvania and action brought by trustee in Pennsylvania state court relating to the bankruptcy of a subprime lender.
In addition to her litigation practice, Patricia is a Member of the firm’s Executive Leadership Committee. Before joining the firm, she was Assistant City Solicitor for the City of Philadelphia, representing the City in commercial, construction, personal injury, and civil rights actions in state and federal courts. Patricia is a board member of PathWaysPA, a social service agency providing services and advocacy for women, children and families.
Publications
Criminal Law 101 for Insurance Professionals, Insurance Society of Philadelphia.
Patricia M. Hamill and Julie S. Congdon, Managing Outside Counsel in Litigation: A Primer, 21 J. AM. CORP. ASS'N 4 (2003).