Patrick M. Northen

Patrick Northen is a partner at Dilworth Paxson LLP in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Mr. Northen concentrates his practice on commercial and complex civil litigation. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants in cases involving a wide variety of subject and content areas, including extensive representation of equipment leasing companies in matters involving allegations of programmatic lease fraud. A skilled legal writer, Mr. Northen is frequently asked to represent clients in matters that may require extensive briefing of sophisticated legal or factual issues.

As a general commercial litigator, Mr. Northen has represented a diverse group of clients including public companies, closely held corporations, partnerships, non-profit health care institutions, government entities and individuals before a wide variety of federal and state trial and appellate courts, as well as in various alternative dispute resolution forums.

Representative Experience

• Lead counsel in defense of proposed class action relating to fraud, RICO and consumer protection claims in connection with Power of Zero telecommunications program, resulting in successfully defending motion for class certification.
• Lead counsel for leasing company in litigation against third-party investor arising out of syndication of equipment leases, resulting in full defense verdict following jury trial.
• Co-counsel for former executives of public company with respect to briefing of complex constitutional and criminal law issues in federal district and appellate courts, resulting in successful appeal to en banc Third Circuit on double jeopardy claim.
• Lead counsel for group of closely-held corporations defending against alter ego and related successor liability claims in context of ERISA withdrawal liability, resulting in summary judgment in favor of all clients.
• Lead or co-counsel for a major Philadelphia health care institution in a variety of business litigation, insurance coverage analyses and internal investigations.
• Co-counsel for benefit finance company in pursuing breach of contract litigation pertaining to business-owned life insurance and other financial products.
• Co-counsel for national financial services association in a case challenging, and successfully obtaining injunction against enforcement of, municipal predatory lending ordinance.
• Co-counsel and primary brief writer in litigation arising out of a series of disputes between co-trustees of a Trust owning controlling shares in public insurance company, including obtaining removal of corporate co-trustee, successfully advocating for client's preferred choice of successor corporate trustee and obtaining an injunction requiring Company to recognize Trust's right to nominate candidates for the board of directors.
  

Professional & Community Activities

• Member, Philadelphia Bar Association

• C&J VANTAGE LEASING CO. V. WOLFE – TEN MONTHS LATER

• Court Declines To Recognize Self-Critical Analysis Privilege