Patrick M. Harrington

Patrick has been involved in litigation and arbitration matters throughout the country on both the trial and appellate levels and represents a wide range of businesses, individuals, and governmental entities.  He is primarily focused in Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey state and federal courts, and serves as an arbitrator for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

Prior to joining Dilworth, his practice involved in life insurance litigation and liability coverage analysis with two prominent Philadelphia law firms, and before becoming an attorney, overseeing global client compliance issues for a large international law firm.

Representative Experience

• Represents Pennsylvania Speaker of the House, in his official capacity, in a matter where school districts, individuals, and public-education interest groups brought action against the Commonwealth to challenge the constitutionality of the Commonwealth's financing of public education.
• Represents a large New Jersey commercial bakery in dispute over production facility equipment, involving defendants from Europe and the United States.
• Defending Canadian heavy equipment manufacturer against claims brought by former salesperson for improperly paid commission.
• Advises contractors with respect to unpaid invoices, mechanic’s liens and other collection matters.
• Advised Hospital on issues involving the interplay between the Pennsylvania Uniform Determination of Death Act and religious exemptions.
• Has represented numerous New Jersey homeowners in claims against sellers and brokers for misrepresentations in the purchase of residential properties.
• Defended a hospitality franchisee against class action based on wage and hour claims.
• Defended innovative financial services business in action alleging the wrongful discharge and breach of employment contract of an executive.
• Represented a Pennsylvania hospitality business owner in a first-party insurance coverage dispute involving alleged bad faith claim denial for a catastrophic water loss to the business premises.
• Advised an automotive mobility solutions provider on various corporate issues and licensing agreements, as well as brokered potential sales channels and product development opportunities.
• Represented a wholesale insurance broker in arbitration brought by a surplus lines carrier involving contribution and indemnity for a multi-million dollar settlement of an alleged bad faith claim denial regarding a vacant building.
• Advocated for many of the largest domestic annuity issuers in litigation across the country through the drafting of trial and appellate pleadings in matters involving the opposition to attempted transfers of structured settlement payment rights. Including Metro. Life Ins. Co. v. B.J.L.Y., LLC, 2016 Ark. App. 201, 489 S.W.3d 210 (2016) wherein the Court of Appeals of Arkansas, as a matter of first impression, held that a “factoring arrangement” violates the Arkansas Structured Settlement Protection Act  Ark. Code Ann. § 23-81-705(3).

Professional & Community Activities

• Arbitrator, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas – Compulsory Arbitration Program
• Pro Bono Volunteer, Elder Justice Resource Center
• Pro Bono Volunteer, South Jersey Legal Services
• Pro Bono Participant in Pro Se Labor & Employment Panel of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
• Volunteer Faculty Member, University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business

Professional Recognition

• Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, 2020
• Recipient of the "Pro Bono Roll of Honor" award from the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania

• 10/26/2017Dilworth Paxson Attorneys Patrick Harrington and Dean Shauger to Provide Legal Advice for Wharton MBA Negotiation Class