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C. Lawrence Holmes

Partner, Deputy Managing Partner; Chair, Insurance Group; Executive Committee Member
1500 Market St. 3500E
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Direct(215) 575-7153
Fax(215) 575-7200
holmescl@dilworthlaw.com

Assistant

Grace Engel
Direct(215) 575-7169
gengel@dilworthlaw.com

C. Lawrence Holmes focuses his practice on representing leasing companies and insurance companies. Larry focuses on clients in the leasing industry and has represented a global leasing company with a significant regional presence in the prosecution and defense of its leases and program agreements in the federal and state courts. Additionally, Larry advises his leasing clients on litigation strategies and issues prior to and instead of litigating.

As Chair of the Insurance Group, Larry has represented Insurers for over 16 years in disputes involving General Liability and Errors and Omissions policies. Practicing in federal and state courts, he has tried cases to verdict as well as litigated and resolved numerous declaratory judgment and breach of contract actions. He successfully defended Certain Underwriters at Lloyds of London in a coverage case from trial through a successful appeal to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. In addition to litigating disputes, Larry has represented and advised insurers in evaluating and paying third party claims under their policies.

Larry also has public finance experience in the area of bond transactions. Previously, he served as an active member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers, representing several private and public clients as bond counsel for Industrial Development and General Obligation Tax-Exempt Bonds

Representative Experience

  • Obtained a jury verdict for the defense for a global leasing company in federal court in Maryland after a two week trial for fraud
  • Represented a leasing company in opposition to class certification in federal court in Philadelphia
  • Obtained a jury verdict for the defense on behalf of Lloyd's of London after a two week trial in the Commerce Court Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia for breach of contract. On appeal, Mr. Holmes successfully argued before both the Superior and Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and helped to establish new law in Pennsylvania advantageous to the Insurance Industry
  • Represented two insurers in the asbestos federal class action Georgine v. Amchem Products, et al., and collateral litigation from November 1993 until June 2005

Speeches & Presentations

  • “Millions in Defense” A course on defending a fraud case in the Commercial Leasing context. Presented at The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s Annual Legal Forum, Scottsdale, AZ, May 2011
  • "Bad Faith Claims Litigation" Pennsylvania Bar Institute, May 2011
  • “Not One Penny in Tribute” Legal Intelligencer CLE presentation, November 17, 2010 
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Alternate Biographies

Industries

Practices

Assistant

Education

  • J.D., Villanova University School of Law, 1991
  • B.A., Georgetown University, 1986

Bar Admissions

  • United States District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • United States District Court Middle District of Pennsylvania
  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey

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