Since the inception of Thomas, Thomas & Hafer, in addition to litigating civil matters through jury and non-jury trials, its experienced attorneys also have represented clients before numerous administrative agencies and in appellate matters. The attorneys in our Administrative Agency & Appellate Practice Group have focused their practice on successfully representing clients during procedurally complex administrative agency matters and before Appellate Courts of Appeals, both state and federal.
Appellate Group attorneys are experienced in defending or challenging verdicts before the Pennsylvania Superior Court, Commonwealth Court and Supreme Court and Maryland Appellate Courts. Our Appellate attorneys also represent clients in appeals venued in federal courts, including before the United States Supreme Court. We work closely with the trial attorneys in order to optimize the chances of success of the appeal. Our attorneys also are available to represent clients during post-trial litigation even when the prior litigation has been handled by other law firms.
The Appellate Group’s involvement ranges from drafting and filing briefs, motions and petitions. Our attorneys also appear before all of these Courts for oral argument and are experienced orators. Importantly, our Appellate Group is extremely familiar with the complex rules of appellate procedure, which if not complied with, can result in dismissal of an appeal.
Our Administrative Agency specialists represent clients in a wide variety of administrative matters. For instance, our attorneys have successfully represented clients before the State Board of Medicine, State Board of Osteopathic Medicine, State Board of Nursing, State Board of Real Estate Appraisers, State Board of Funeral Directors, and State Board of Chiropractors. Our Group further has represented clients in Medicare appeals and other insurance-related hearings before the Administrative Appeals Office, such as appeals of cancellation of homeowners’ policies. Also included is representing insurers before state insurance departments, relating to reviews of insurers’ underwriting and/or claims processes.
Our Administrative Agency Group’s appeals in such matters has resulted in landmark cases such as Leon E. Wintermeyer, Inc. v. WCAB, 812 A.2d 478 (Pa. 2002), which resulted in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court essentially re-writing the rules for Appellate review of administrative decisions. Our attorneys also have filed amicus briefs on behalf of groups before our Appellate courts.
We would welcome the opportunity to represent your interests in Administrative Agency or Appellate matters.