Biography
Patricia Hamill is one of the senior members of the firm’s white collar defense and internal corporate investigations practice, and she serves on the firm’s Executive Leadership Team. She has represented Fortune 500 companies and corporate officers or individuals in federal and state grand jury investigations, SEC enforcement actions, and complex civil actions in a wide range of industries including technology, securities, insurance, and healthcare. She also has substantial experience in successfully representing companies in False Claims Act and other whistleblower litigation. She is known as a tireless litigator and strategic thinker who skillfully represents clients who face both criminal and civil liability related to government investigations and related actions. In addition, Ms. Hamill represents court-appointed federal receivers in actions brought by the SEC and other federal agencies to bring third party litigation to recover assets used to compensate victims of ponzi schemes and other frauds. Besides her white collar practice, over the last 20 years, Ms. Hamill has also successfully represented numerous insurance and Fortune 500 companies in the defense of nationwide consumer and securities class action lawsuits as well as other complex commercial litigation.
Representative Matters
- Representation of global technology company in a variety of matters, including a breach of contract dispute arising out of a multimillion dollar hardware/software design and installation contract.
- Represents clients in litigation and government investigations pertaining to the False Claims Act and the antitrust and securities laws.
- Represents a municipal transportation authority in a dispute arising out of a multi-million dollar construction project.
- Ongoing representation of former officers in cases arising out of the bankruptcy of subprime lenders, including securities class actions in federal district court in Pennsylvania and related state court litigation.
- Representation of leading insurers in a wide variety of matters, including:
- A nationwide consumer class action suit in New Mexico state court alleging breach of contract and failure to disclose modal premium charges; secured dismissal of other similar cases, one on forum non conveniens grounds and the other voluntarily by plaintiffs, after initial motion practice.
- Nationwide consumer class action in Pennsylvania state court alleging breach of contract and fiduciary duty based on insurer’s calculations of variable annuity death benefits; defeated class certification.
- 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; won dismissal (affirmed on appeal).
- 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; defeated class certification in both cases and obtained summary judgment in Kentucky action in favor of insurer.
- 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.
- Won dismissal (affirmed on appeal) 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.
- 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 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.
Before joining the firm, Ms. Hamill was a Chief 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 and Speaking Engagements
How to Conduct an Effective Internal Corporate Investigation: Avoid the Many Landmines, DELVACCA 2010 In-House Counsel Conference (May 2010).
State Physician Disclosure Trends: Is Your Company in Compliance or Is It Exposed to Potential Government Investigations?, DELVACCA Health Biotech & Pharma Committee Institute (January 2010).
Co-author, Steps To Take When The Government Comes Calling, Executive Counsel, Vol. 6, No. 3 (July/August 2009).
Ethical Issues in Federal Insurance Regulation: There's a New Sheriff in Town, 13th Annual PBI Insurance Institute (April 2009).
Are You Ready for the Friday Afternoon S.E.C. or D.O.J. Subpoena?, DELVACCA presentation in conjunction with the Litigation and Ethics Committees (December 2008).
Criminal Law 101 for Insurance Professionals, Insurance Society of Philadelphia.