Jeffrey J. Chomko

As a member of the firm's Professional Liability Department, Jeffrey concentrates a significant portion of his practice in defending errors and omissions claims directed to insurance agents and brokers, investment professionals, and real estate professionals in the State and Federal Courts of Pennsylvania. He also represents these professionals before state securities and insurance commissions, real estate commissions, and other regulatory forums, including the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). These matters involve licensure issues, administrative and regulatory litigation, and responding and defending against subpoenas.

Jeffrey has litigated complex commercial, mortgage, condominium and banking disputes. In these matters, he has represented banks, mortgage companies, condominium boards, property management companies, inspectors, appraisers, and other commercial entities. He also has a strong background in defending general liability and casualty matters, including those that sometimes form the basis of complex insurance disputes.

Jeffrey practices in both the state and federal courts of Pennsylvania, regularly representing clients in Pennsylvania State Courts, and the Federal District Court for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania. He has a strong command of state and federal procedural rules and is well versed in the intricacies of local, state, and federal practice. In addition to litigating matters, he often utilizes the mediation and arbitration process to resolve complex disputes, including AAA Arbitration.

Throughout his career, Jeffrey has successfully handled hundreds of civil matters from the most basic to the most complex, resulting in many defense verdicts, dismissals, or favorable settlements in both judicial and non-judicial forums. As a former registered representative, his understanding of the workings of the financial services industry and markets, as well as his familiarity with all types of insurance products, has enabled him to efficiently and effectively handle complex insurance issues.

A graduate of Villanova University and Boston College Law School, he frequently presents to clients and industry groups on insurance and real estate related issues. His most recent presentation was Best Practices for Insurance Agents and Brokers.

Year joined

2004

Results

Successful defense of financial planning/investment firm.

Securities and Investments Professional Liability
March 1, 2020

We were successful on a motion to dismiss an action against a financial planning and investment firm and its employee, a certified financial planner, filed in Federal District Court in Maryland. The plaintiffs claimed that the financial planner advised them to purchase a life insurance policy that was indexed to the stock market and that he made certain representations about the expected return on investment, which never came to fruition.

Defense Verdict for Registered Investment Advisor and Securities Broker Dealer.

Securities and Investments Professional Liability
May 11, 2018

We obtained a defense verdict after a four-day jury trial in northeastern Pennsylvania on behalf of a registered investment advisor and a securities broker dealer who were sued by their former client for investment losses. The plaintiff was a paraplegic whose wealth was obtained through a jury verdict and settlements related to his injuries.

Defense Verdict in Commercial Litigation Case

Commercial Litigation
August 30, 2017

Obtained a defense verdict on all claims in a breach of contract/quantum meruit action in Chester County. The matter involved a dispute between a premium financing company and a Managing General Agent (MGA) concerning the financing of an insurance policy for the A&E client of a retail agent (who defaulted under the agreement). The defense successfully argued that there was no privity and that no contract existed between the Premium Finance Company and the MGA; thus, there was no legal basis for the contract claim to proceed against the MGA.

Defense Award in Insurance Agent Professional Liability Case

Insurance Agents & Brokers Liability
May 11, 2017

Obtained a non-appealable defense award at binding arbitration in an alleged negligent procurement of insurance case. The plaintiff alleged the insurance agent failed to obtain comparable coverage to the plaintiff’s prior coverage, resulting in an uncovered property damage loss of $220,000. While the arbitrator found that the agent violated his duty of care to the plaintiff, the defense successfully argued that the plaintiff’s own contributory negligence in failing to review and understand his coverage was sufficient to bar any recovery.

Thought Leadership

Protecting Yourself Against Professional Liability Lawsuits

Philadelphia - Headquarters
Professional Liability
June 1, 2016

Legal Update for Securities

Securities and Investments Professional Liability
March 20, 2015
Recent Litigation Victories The material in this law alert has been prepared for our readers by Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin.